Exchange will be featuring profiles of Global Sources team members who are Hong Kong Baptist University / Kearny Alliance scholars. (See article, Global Sources opens doors for interns and graduates). This month, we are featuring Jenny Zheng, a fresh graduate and Market Analyst for the China Bureau in Guangzhou.

Jenny, a Global Sources and Kearney Alliance scholar, is now a Market Analyst for the China Bureau.

Jenny Zheng's interest in English and literature began when she was still a child. Back then, her mother would tuck her in to bed and read stories of fairy tales and legends with alternate endings to keep the young Jenny mesmerized.

Today, Jenny herself tells stories but instead of fiction, she tells overseas buyers of the sourcing opportunities in mainland China, particularly from verified quality suppliers. As Market Analyst for the China Bureau based in Guangzhou, she evaluates conditions in two industries: hardware & DIY and auto parts & accessories, and reports her findings in the verticals' China Sourcing Reports and magazines.

Though a relatively new team member, Jenny finds that the challenge of learning as much as she can about these industries is easier with the help of China Bureau Chief Ray He and colleague Kevin Chen. They assure her that in their career, it takes a while to accumulate industry knowledge. Being new, Jenny is happy to soak in as much information as she can.

"I get to talk to top suppliers in the industry. Having a conversation with these CEOs and managers increases my knowledge of the industry. If by coincidence, we share the same ideas and views on certain subjects, then my interviewees become more comfortable—they wish to talk to me more and make friends with me. I enjoy communicating with others," Jenny said.

Her gift of gab began at age 8, when she was in her second year of primary school. Every Tuesday afternoon, their class would have a story-telling session. Jenny's stories, which she learned by heart from her mother, would always earn the most applause. This recognition started Jenny's own love affair with books. "I dare say I knew almost all fairy stories that had been published in China at that time," she said.

It took Jenny's uncle, who lives in the US, to sow her interest in the English language. He would send her books—original versions of the fairy tales and legends she had read as a child, the different endings of which amused her. Her interest in business however, came from her father.

"From my great, great grandfather down to my father—all family members on my father's side were and are businessmen. I saw a lot of them when I was young and it was interesting to listen to what they had to say about trading," she said.

Dr. Judith Clarke, here with Jenny, is very engaged in working with the Kearney Alliance scholars.

Although not an entrepreneur, Jenny finds herself in a similar, if not a more important role as counsel to both sides of the trading partnership—analyzing and interpreting reports for buyers and suppliers.

"This is why I chose to be a member of the China Bureau," Jenny explained. "I want to write something that would be useful, in this case, to both buyers and suppliers."

Her love for English and interest in business made her pursue International Journalism at Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. Learning communication and mass media theories were fascinating at first, but her enthusiasm waned.

"At that time, I had no idea about journalism," Jenny explained. "As I knew more about mass media and communication, it became clearer in my mind that mass media is not my first choice of study. I prefer to write professional business reports or in-depth business profile; I have to admit that writing is still my favorite."

Not long after, during her freshman year, she learned about the Kearney Alliance program. The chance to study at Hong Kong Baptist University at full stipend—with internship and work opportunities at Global Sources—was too good an opportunity for her to pass up. Jenny said she was the first in class to have signed up on the list of applicants.

With sheer determination, Jenny made it to the program. She packed her bags and moved to Hong Kong to begin her studies at HKBU. It only took a few classes for her to appreciate the teaching style and learning methods at the university.

"At HKBU, I could be a faculty newspaper reporter and editor. For our graduation project, I did a magazine myself. I did all the things—thinking of story ideas, conducting interviews, writing a main story, profiles, long features, editorials, and finally, designing the magazine and layout and having it printed. It was amazing when the final version came out."

Jenny with fellow students and Robin Ewing (third from right), who helped her adapt to HKBU's all English-curriculum.

To Jenny, one of the major challenges at HKBU was the English-only curriculum, which she took some time adjusting to. She thanked Dr. Judith Clark and Robin Ewing of HKBU's School of Communication for coming to her aid. "Judith advised me to take a class called English Through Current Events. It was an entry-level course about English journalism. Robin, our lecturer, gave me useful suggestions when she learned that I was interested in writing and would like to write business reports.

"It was difficult in the first year because I had to adapt to a new environment as soon as possible. I really appreciate what Judith had done for me. Robin also keeps touch with me and tells me how to improve my English and writing continually. They are all kind-hearted."

Jenny stressed the importance of hard work, discipline and passion in completing the program. Without these, she said, it would be hard for the scholar to achieve success whether in school or at work.

"I know a lot of students feel excited at the prospect of studying in Hong Kong. But they may not think about whether it fits them or if it is something they truly want. If you have no interest in the industry, more so hate it, how can you move on after graduation?

"I know going to HKBU to learn how to become a business journalist was my goal. It's important for a person to know what she really wants."

Bridging the gap between buyers and suppliers
As Market Analyst, Jenny finds fulfillment in knowing that her reports are useful. She plays a direct role in Global Sources' mission: introducing manufacturers to overseas buyers. "I realize that I am helping the export business," she said. "I am helping buyers save time and energy in finding the most suitable products for their respective businesses."

Kevin Chen, Jenny's team leader, finds her to be an asset to the China Bureau team. "Jenny is diligent, smart and a team player—she has contributed a lot of to our team, such as her communication skills and ability to work under pressure.

"She has improved herself in past two months; having familiarized herself with work procedure, and she can now cope with most problems at work, no matter how difficult."

She said it wouldn't have been possible without her colleagues who are readily available to assist her. When she recently travelled to Shenzhen for a China Sourcing Report training, it felt as if she re-joined this big family. "I did my internship at Global Sources in Shenzhen during the summer of 2007 and I knew most of the team members there. It certainly felt like a reunion when they welcomed me back to Global Sources.

"Ray is an expert in this career and his suggestions are always helpful for me. Moreover, he once said to us, ‘I will watch for you even when you are not working for Global Sources anymore.' It is touching when you know your supervisor always pay attention to your development.

"All of our colleagues have been nice to me. I still remember my conversation with Michael Kleist, who interviewed me for acceptance to HKBU. Bruce Humes is also enjoyable to talk to. Jady, our editorial coordinator who helped me a lot in my first few weeks. Talking to Mr. Hinrichs at his family's Christmas Party and meeting Nick Muessig and Christina Cui, who helped me with my reports… I am so happy to be here.

"But my sincerest thanks go to Kearney Alliance, which gave me the chance to study at HKBU, and Global Sources for the internship and career opportunity. Without this, I can't be here today."