Mengna Zhao

My Graduate Story

My name is Mengna Zhao and I graduated from the University of Birmingham with an MSc in Public and Environmental Health Sciences.

I’m currently working in Human Resources Management for a subsidiary company of China Tourism Group (CTG). China Tourism Group is a central, administered, state-owned company and one of the central enterprises headquartered in Hong Kong. It is the only central enterprise in China with tourism as its main business.

Its development can be traced back to 1923 with is main activities including travel services, tourism investment and operation, tourism retail (duty-free stores), hotel operation, and tourism finance.

A Day in my Life

My current role is in Human Resources, where I am responsible for both recruitment and training. I design customised training programmes tailored to different types of employees. For new hires, I focus on onboarding training to help them familiarise themselves with the company culture, policies, and essential job skills. For experienced staff, I develop advanced skills training aimed at enhancing their professional capabilities and ensuring they stay up to date with the latest industry knowledge.

In addition, I carry out in-depth market research to identify high-quality training resources. This involves evaluating various training providers by comparing their course content, teaching methods, and costs. Following a comprehensive assessment, I select and purchase the most suitable training programmes. For example, when sourcing leadership training, I consider well-known institutions and review their successful case studies before making a final decision.

In terms of recruitment, I am responsible for both campus recruitment and the hiring of candidates for key positions.

My Journey

After graduating from the University of Birmingham in the UK, I returned to China. In Beijing, because of my public health background and overseas experiences, I applied and was hired by one of the largest pharmaceutical enterprises in China, where I worked as an HR. I stayed there for six years before moving to my current role.

My Birmingham Experience

My learning experience at the University of Birmingham is extremely precious to me. Firstly, this experience has enabled me to develop an international perspective. During my job-hunting process, this perspective has given me an edge in terms of international mindedness and English proficiency. Meanwhile, my study in Birmingham has provided me with independent thinking and a way of constantly broadening my horizons. This approach has enabled me to have a more dedicated and independent spirit when dealing with any projects, which has been of great help in my job-seeking journey.

Birmingham's Impact

When I was studying this course, the most rewarding thing for me was, first of all, the great help from my supervisor. She truly taught me how to learn, conduct research, and deeply understand the research direction I was interested in. She offered me so much assistances. In a Chinese idiom, she is a 'good teacher and helpful friend'.

The second thing is that there were many classmates from different countries in our class. We would discuss the public health or environmental sanitation problems faced by our respective countries. Through these studies, I got to know about the health and environmental issues in different countries. This not only enhanced my knowledge but also broadened my horizons.

My Achievements

I think that through my studies at the University of Birmingham, my greatest gain is that I can think about problems more independently and communicate with people from different countries. This has made me better understand the university's motto, 'Per Ardua Ad Alta' (meaning 'through efforts to high things')

Advice for Students

I hope that the soon-to-graduate alumni can cherish their student days. During your time at the University of Birmingham, I hope you can maintain the ability to think independently, enjoy this international school environment to a greater extent and as many friends as you can here.