Education: Bachelor’s Degree

College: School of Transportation

Major: Road, Bridge, and River Crossing Engineering

Employment: China Road and Bridge Corporation

Studying at Southeast University

Xie Songlin is a 2024 undergraduate graduate of the Road, Bridge and River Crossing Engineering program at the School of Transportation, Southeast University. Hailing from Sichuan, he is an energetic and optimistic student. His four years at Southeast University marked a crucial period for strengthening his academic foundation and exploring his future direction.

As a member of the prestigious “Mao Yisheng Elite Class,” a high-level talent cultivation program, Xie Songlin has consistently maintained a strong interest in his field and a spirit of persistent inquiry. He ranked within the top 30% of his major and was recommended for graduate study without entrance examination. More importantly, he actively translated his knowledge into practice. During his undergraduate studies, he led a National College Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program project and successfully obtained a software copyright, demonstrating outstanding research potential and innovative capability.

“Internships serve as a bridge between campus and the workplace.” To gain a deeper understanding of the industry’s real-world dynamics, Xie Songlin completed internships at the infrastructure projects of the Second Company of China Construction Eighth Engineering Division, as well as at Dongqu Intelligent Transportation Infrastructure Technology Co., Ltd. The former allowed him to experience firsthand the management and operation of traditional infrastructure projects, while the latter exposed him to the cutting-edge field of “intelligent transportation infrastructure.” These two distinctly different experiences provided him with a more comprehensive understanding of both the breadth and depth of the industry, and offered valuable guidance for his subsequent career choices.

Job Hunting and Career Choice

Standing at the crossroads upon graduation, Xie Songlin faced the same confusion shared by many of his peers: whether to accept a guaranteed recommendation for graduate study, prepare for postgraduate entrance exams, or enter the workforce. In the end, he chose to give up the opportunity for direct admission to graduate school and opted for immediate employment.

He set his sights on a broader stage—international engineering. In his view, overseas markets offer a more favorable platform for personal growth and development. With a clear goal in mind, he strategically identified three key companies—China Road and Bridge Corporation, China Harbour Engineering Company, and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation—as his primary job targets.

In terms of job-hunting strategy, Xie Songlin demonstrated a level of maturity and initiative beyond his peers. He submitted applications widely through online channels while actively attending offline recruitment fairs to communicate directly with HR representatives. At the same time, he made effective use of platforms such as Xiaohongshu, Zhaopin, and various job-seeking groups to minimize information gaps.

He particularly noted that campus recruitment fairs provide invaluable opportunities to hand resumes directly to HR personnel, while advice and internal referrals from senior students are indispensable resources. Ultimately, he successfully received an offer from China Road and Bridge Corporation, achieving the initial goal of his career plan.

Looking Ahead

After graduation, Xie Songlin officially joined the Engineering Department of China Road and Bridge Corporation. As one of the earliest large state-owned enterprises in China to expand overseas, the company has become a new platform for him to demonstrate his talents.

In the second half of last year, Xie Songlin set out for Equatorial Guinea, where he directly participated in infrastructure construction projects in countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, bringing Southeast University’s motto of “striving for the utmost good” to life on foreign soil.

Looking to the future, Xie Songlin has a clear and long-term plan. He intends to spend four to five years working in overseas positions, during which he will accumulate hands-on experience in frontline engineering projects while also saving funds for further studies. He is determined to take advantage of the language environment abroad to achieve a B2 level in Spanish proficiency.

After completing his service period with the company, he hopes to pursue further studies at world-leading institutions such as the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, focusing on engineering mechanics, and ultimately transition into the technically intensive field of simulation.

From the campus of Southeast University to the vibrant lands of Africa, every step Xie Songlin has taken is marked by steadiness and determination.

Q&A

Q:When you were a junior, you stood at the crossroads of “recommended graduate admission, postgraduate entrance examination, or employment,” and ultimately made the decisive choice to enter the workforce. This must have required considerable courage at the time. What information led you to make this decision?

A:There were three main sources of information: the overall condition of the industry, the employment reports published on our school’s official social media account, and the practical experience I gained through conversations with senior students.My advice is to make an effort to understand the real employment environment and to communicate as much as possible with senior students in order to obtain first-hand information.

Q:Your career goal was very clear—“international engineering”—and you ultimately succeeded in joining China Road and Bridge Corporation. What preparations did you make to enter this top-tier platform?

A:(1) Gather information about the company’s recruitment through official websites and direct communication with senior students (alumni);

(2) Prepare for written tests and interviews by reviewing shared interview experiences on platforms such as Xiaohongshuand closely following the company’s recruitment updates;

(3) Make targeted improvements, such as strengthening language skills and other relevant competencies.

Q:You have now gone to Equatorial Guinea to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. What psychological and skill-based preparations did you make? What reminders or advice would you offer to junior students who are considering overseas assignments?

A:Psychologically, I view my first job as an adventure to expand the map of my life, which helps me maintain an optimistic mindset. In terms of skills, I have continued to focus on language learning—over the past year, I have been studying Spanish—and have made efforts to adapt to the local cultural environment.

For junior students who are considering overseas assignments, language proficiency is extremely important. It is advisable to obtain qualifications such as IELTS or TOEFL if possible.

Q:Would you like to leave a message for your junior fellow students?

A:In the current employment climate, international engineering is also a good option for those in this field. I hope all of you can find a path that suits you best.