From Cultivating Talents to Upholding the Law: Xiao Han’s Cross-Disciplinary Journey to the Legal Profession
Name: Xiao Han
College: Law School
Education Level: Master’s Candidate
Employment Destination:Anshan Bureau of Justice, Liaoning Province
Student Work Experience
Served as Psychological Committee Member of the class
Assistant to the Secretary of the Youth League Committee of the Law School
Principal person in charge of the Sub-center for Mental Health Education of the Law School Honors & Awards:
Outstanding Graduate of the Law School
Second Prize in University Summer Social Practice
Third Prize in University Intellectual Property Competition
Top Ten Peer Mental Health Educators for Postgraduates of the University
Advanced Individual in Social Practice of the University, etc.
Cross-Border Dream Chasing, Legal Journey Setting Sail
Xiao Han earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry (Teacher Education) from the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Normal University. Her encounter with the university debate team during her undergraduate studies introduced her to the field of law, forging an unbreakable bond with the discipline. In 2021, she was admitted to the Law School of Southeast University to pursue a Master of Laws degree.
After graduation, she successfully passed the targeted civil service recruitment program in Liaoning Province and joined the Anshan Bureau of Justice. She currently works in the General Office of the bureau and will begin grassroots training next year to serve the public.
During her final year of postgraduate studies, Xiao Han completed a three-month professional internship at the Yuhua District People’s Court in Nanjing. This internship provided her with a valuable opportunity to gain in-depth insight into legal practice. She worked alongside many outstanding judges, and from their conscientious work attitude, rigorous and meticulous style, and motivated professional spirit, she deeply understood the principle that “civil servants are public servants of the people.” This experience further strengthened her resolve to become a public servant.
Target Your Aim, Sprint with Full Force
As graduation approached, many students were under pressure from thesis writing, job hunting, and certificate exams. At that time, Xiao Han had firmly decided to pursue a career as a civil servant. She therefore devoted herself fully to preparing for the administrative professional ability test and the essay test for civil servants, while closely following information on targeted selection programs and provincial civil service examinations in her preferred cities.
The targeted selection program in Liaoning Province, which she applied for, implemented a policy of “bringing exams to campuses”, with the written test focusing more on current affairs and essay writing. Accordingly, she placed greater emphasis on these areas during her preparation. Later, she also took the national civil service examination and the Jiangsu provincial civil service examination, among others. By making multiple attempts, she finally achieved her goal.
Take Root at the Grassroots and Grow Through Tempering
From campus to workplace, from a law student to a judicial administrator, behind this transformation lies her down-to-earth dedication and steady accumulation.
Working in the General Office of the Bureau of Justice, Xiao Han understands deeply that professional competence is the foundation of her career. She devotes herself to studying the laws and policies relevant to her work, striving for excellence in ordinary and detailed tasks.
She firmly believes that by handling every small matter carefully and earnestly, she can gain real competence on the job. She has also summed up her own work philosophy: consult others more when facing problems and do not fear making mistakes; while focusing on the present, she must also look to the long term, and only with thorough foresight can she take the initiative.
Next year, she will go to work at the grassroots level, devoting her youth to serving the people on the front line.
Job Hunting Tips from a Senior
1. Plan Ahead. Whether it's finishing the first draft of your graduation thesis early or mapping out your career path, it's essential to plan ahead and stay grounded. Generally, the university completes thesis proposals by the second year of graduate studies. Therefore, I encourage juniors to finish your first draft during breaks. Once the initial draft is done, the pressure eases significantly, leaving you ample time for revisions, improvements, or job hunting.
2. Stay Confident. In today's job market, the most crucial step is to take the plunge bravely. Seize every opportunity and try often—you will always find unexpected rewards. Likewise, at work, while learning from experienced colleagues, do not underestimate yourself. Instead, keep learning and improving.
3. Keep the Greater Good in Mind. President Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized, "A nation thrives only if its youth thrives; a nation is strong only if its youth is strong." No matter which career path you take, as graduates of Southeast University, you must integrate your personal "small goals" into the "grand blueprint" of the Party and the nation's cause. Moreover, you must put the university's motto, "Strive for the Highest Excellence" (or "Rest in the highest excellence"), into practice.
Finally, I hope you can embrace yourselves and strive for the life you truly desire.
Q&A
Q: What have you gained during your three years of postgraduate study at Southeast University?
A: During my postgraduate studies, my greatest gain has been the ability to think independently and solve problems on my own. In an era of fragmented information, I have learned to verify the authenticity, rationality and completeness of information sources and viewpoints, rather than blindly accepting others’ opinions and conclusions. When faced with choices, I can see the direction clearly and make decisions that are responsible for myself.At the same time, I am truly grateful to my alma mater for providing an excellent platform, as well as the guidance and support from my teachers and classmates, which have helped me become a better version of myself.
Q: Do you have any exam preparation experience or advice to share with younger students who are preparing for the civil service exam?
A: Nowadays, many graduates choose to prepare for the civil service or public institution exams, and competition is becoming increasingly fierce. Many people take multiple exams over a period of time, such as the National Civil Service Exam, provincial exams, targeted selection programs and so on. While these exams share some similarities, they also have different focuses.My advice is to identify the main contradiction: choose the exam you most want to pass, and review in a targeted way according to the specific requirements of each exam.
Message to Graduates
"Just do good deeds, and care not for immediate outcomes." Sometimes, your efforts may not necessarily translate directly into results. Maintain an optimistic and steady mindset, live and work positively, follow what your heart tells you is right at this moment, stay clear-headed, and do not dwell on the final outcome.