As Tianjin University approaches its 130th anniversary, it aligns itself with the national strategy for building a strong maritime power and the demand for high-level talent. The School of Marine Science and Technology has launched a series of special interviews with graduates. This activity focuses on the career trajectories of alumni who work in key institutions and projects in the marine field. Its aim is to create a dialogue platform between current students and alumni, providing young scholars with reference points for career development. The initiative seeks to help students establish noble career ideals and cultivate a new generation of talent with a global maritime perspective, innovative capabilities, and a sense of national responsibility.

Guest Speaker 1:

Dr. Qian Zhiwen, a graduate of the Class of 2022 with a Ph.D. from the School of Marine Science and Technology at Tianjin University and currently an assistant researcher at the same institution, shared many valuable insights during the interview. Regarding his decision to work at the School of Marine Science and Technology, he noted that the department's strong academic atmosphere, excellent research team, and emphasis on talent cultivation were significant factors in attracting him.

In the current environment, he advised university students to fully understand their interests and strengths when making career choices, and to make rational decisions in conjunction with industry development trends. For students from Tianjin University's School of Marine Science and Technology who are interested in pursuing research work, he emphasized the importance of actively participating in research projects to develop practical research skills. He also highlighted the need to cultivate literature search and reading abilities to stay updated with the latest developments in research, as well as to improve communication and collaboration skills.

Finally, Dr. Qian Zhiwen extended his best wishes to his alma mater. He expressed hope that the university would achieve even greater accomplishments in marine science development and cultivate more outstanding talents for the country.

Guest Speaker 2:

Ma Muyuan, a bachelor’s degree graduate of the Class of 2022, is currently a doctoral student at Tsinghua University and is involved in entrepreneurship in the field of robotics and AI. Reflecting on his undergraduate experience, he noted that a solid foundation in mathematics and the emotional intelligence, writing, and social skills developed through his work in the student committee provided crucial building blocks for his subsequent research and entrepreneurial endeavors.

In making career choices, he shifted towards entrepreneurship due to the challenges of "translating research achievements into practical applications." The university's entrepreneurship courses, resources from the technology park, and support from mentors were significant driving forces in this transition. Facing technology-driven challenges in the early stages of his startup, he advised younger students to strengthen their technical foundations, pay attention to industry trends to avoid reinventing the wheel, and also learn management knowledge and participate in entrepreneurship courses to cultivate a business mindset.

He encouraged students, "You need to lay a solid groundwork in technology while also daring to step outside your comfort zone to use your professional skills to solve real problems.”

Guest Speaker 3:

Xiong Sizhe, a bachelor’s degree graduate from the School of Marine Science and Technology in the Class of 2024, will pursue a degree in Marine Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark after graduation. He fondly recalls the warm atmosphere when he first entered Tianjin University: the enthusiastic support from senior students helped him quickly integrate into the rich cultural environment of the school, alleviating his initial anxiety and igniting his anticipation for both the professional courses and extracurricular activities.

His decision to study abroad stemmed from a determination to step out of his comfort zone. He hopes to improve his language skills in an English-speaking environment while learning about cutting-edge marine technology. At the Technical University of Denmark, he completed a research project on sonar image 3D reconstruction and participated in engineering measurements aboard research vessels. Any initial language barriers were gradually overcome through proactive communication and vocabulary accumulation.

In light of the current trend of studying abroad, he advises younger students to take a rational view of QS rankings, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the strength of specific programs rather than overall rankings. Decisions regarding studying abroad should revolve around core goals: if the aim is to prepare for civil service exams, opting for short-term programs at higher-ranked institutions may be appropriate; if the goal is skill enhancement, it’s important to evaluate the professional resources and industry connections available. He encourages students to directly contact alumni through platforms like LinkedIn to obtain genuine information and to methodically assess the cost-benefit ratio of long-term planning.

Finally, he sent his best wishes to his alma mater on its 130th anniversary, saying, "Happy 130th anniversary to Tianjin University! May we continue to achieve greatness!"

The guests in this interview showcased the diverse development paths within the marine field, each representing different career and further education trajectories. Whether it's Dr. Qian Zhiwen, who steadfastly maintains a research position; Ma Muyuan, who boldly ventures into entrepreneurship; Xiong Sizhe, who chooses to pursue further studies abroad, each of them shines brightly on their respective paths.

Their experiences remind us that within the context of building a strong maritime nation, students from Tianjin University's School of Marine Science and Technology have broad development opportunities. If we clarify our goals, solidify our professional knowledge, and actively cultivate practical skills and innovative capabilities, we can contribute to the development of our country's marine endeavors, regardless of the career or academic paths we choose. On this blue stage of the ocean, we can realize our life values and write a remarkable chapter in marine achievements that belongs to Tianjin University students!