PMBC Student Reflection | Lei Zhu's MBA Journey at Lehigh University: From a Finance Role in Egypt to International Career Exploration

Since the launch of our Alumni Interview series, we have continuously invited past PMBC (Pre-Master Bootcamp) participants to share their study abroad experiences, reflections on learning, and career planning.

In this issue, we invite PMBC participant Lei Zhu to share his journey of growth—from graduating from Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance, to working on an overseas project in Egypt, and then pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Lehigh University in the United States.

From an overseas finance position to an American business school classroom, and from professional accumulation to further study, Lei Zhu's study abroad journey is not only about academic improvement but also a renewed exploration of his future career development.

From Overseas Operations Division to Lehigh University: Starting a New Phase in Career Development

Hello everyone, my name is Lei Zhu.

I majored in Public Finance at Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance for my undergraduate degree. After graduating in 2018, I joined the finance department of China Construction Eighth Engineering Division Corp. Ltd.'s Overseas Operations Division, and worked for three years at the Egypt branch, mainly responsible for tax-related work.

My years of overseas work experience have allowed me to accumulate rich practical expertise and prompted me to consider more possibilities for my future career development.

Earlier this year, I decided to pursue further studies and prepared for subsequent entry into an American graduate classroom by taking the online PMBC (Pre-Master Bootcamp) pre-master's course.

In June 2024, I officially went to Lehigh University in the United States to pursue the MBA program, and I received scholarship support from the school.

For me, this academic journey is both a new challenge and a significant turning point in my career development path.

Arriving at Lehigh: Experiencing the Atmosphere of an American Private University

Before coming to Lehigh University, my understanding of the school was not deep; I only knew that it had a good reputation among American universities.

After truly entering the campus, I experienced the unique charm of Lehigh University as a private university in the Eastern United States.

Lehigh University's campus is located on a mountain, with three colleges distributed across different areas of the mountain. As a business school student, the College of Business is located near the foot of the mountain, making daily study and life relatively convenient.

During several hikes to the higher points of the campus, I experienced the school's beautiful natural environment and complete teaching facilities.

In addition to classroom learning, the school also provides abundant opportunities for extracurricular activities. During the summer semester, I participated in a visit to the United Nations and a social event with the Lehigh Club on Wall Street in New York.

These experiences not only allowed me to further understand American society and the business environment but also gave me the opportunity to interact with more classmates and alumni.

MBA Learning Experience: From Adapting to the Classroom to Embracing Challenges

The summer semester courses helped me gradually adapt to the learning pace at Lehigh University.

Among the courses I have encountered, there are those requiring strong analytical abilities, such as Quantitative Methods, and those emphasizing teamwork and classroom discussion, such as Social Transformation and Project Management Fundamentals.

Since the number of courses in the summer semester is relatively limited, and I am relatively good at communication and expression, I have not encountered particularly significant difficulties in the learning process so far.

However, as the fall semester begins, the number of courses is expected to increase further, and the learning pressure will also rise.

For me, this will be a new challenge.

During the final exam period, I also deeply realized the importance of time management. Although the study tasks and extracurricular activities are tightly scheduled, this high-intensity learning environment also allows me to continuously improve my abilities and accumulate experience for future career development.

Career Planning: Continuing to Focus on Development Directions in the Middle East and North Africa

Regarding future career planning, I hope to combine my past work experience in Egypt to continue exploring opportunities related to tax, finance, and consulting in the Middle East and North Africa.

Lehigh University provides multifaceted support for students' career development.

During my studies, the school assigned me an industry mentor and provided resources such as a writing coach to help students enhance their job application material preparation and career planning abilities.

This support has enabled me to think about my future career direction more systematically and has strengthened my confidence in continuing to develop in related fields.

PMBC Experience: Premature Adaptation to the American Graduate Learning Model

Before officially entering the Lehigh University MBA program, I participated in the PMBC (Pre-Master Bootcamp) pre-master's course.

PMBC helped me understand the American graduate classroom model in advance and prepared me for subsequent study life.

In the course studies, I was exposed to Operations Research and Python fundamentals.

The Operations Research course, in particular, made me realize how to use mathematical methods to make optimal decisions under limited resources. This way of thinking is not only applicable to classroom learning but also has practical value in actual work and life.

In addition, the PMBC classroom format is relatively close to the formal courses at Lehigh University, allowing me to adapt in advance to the discussion modes, group cooperation, and learning pace in the American classroom.

What impressed me most is that some PMBC instructors have alumni backgrounds from Lehigh University; they can not only provide academic assistance but also share career development advice based on their own experiences.

Concluding Words: Continuous Growth and Exploration at Lehigh University

Looking back on this experience, from online learning the PMBC course to entering the Lehigh University campus and gradually adapting to the American education model, I feel that I am continuously growing.

Lehigh University has not only provided me with new professional knowledge but has also offered more possibilities for future development through course studies, campus activities, and career support.

In the future, I hope to continue enhancing my professional and career skills and exploring a development direction that is more suitable for me within the context of globalization.

If you are interested in my study abroad experience, student life, or career planning, you are welcome to follow my personal WeChat official account "Baoshan Youth Life Notes" (宝山青年生活随笔), where I will continue to share what I see and hear during my studies and life at Lehigh University.