Jing Yu (Ivy) graduated from the MA International Relations Program in 2017. She is from Beijing, China. Her master's thesis covered US relations with East Asia in the early 20th century, titled: "America's Reaction to China's Boycott of American Products of 1905: An Analysis on the Image of Japan and China in the U.S., 1905-1908."
Where do you currently work and what do you do there?
I am currently based in Beijing where I work as a News Editor at the global news division of Sina Global News. My main tasks include reporting on current affairs. Additionally, I write feature stories or manage our team’s social media account.
How do you use the knowledge and skills acquired at NYU in your career?
My IR knowledge enables me to understand breaking news in a broader and more structured context. The analytical, as well as writing skills that I have developed through the program, enable me to break down complex issues into simpler language that is more suitable for a broader audience.
Why did you choose the IR program at NYU?
I was certain that I wanted to focus on qualitative analysis instead of quantitative. When I checked the courses NYU IR offers, many of them were in line with the analytical framework I wanted to pursue (e.g. a historical approach and study of rhetoric). As I've gone through my master's degree, I appreciated the global perspective that the program offered since I was uncertain which region I wanted to focus on when I first started the program.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone regarding professional development?
Find your interest during your two years at NYU. You may come to the program without any idea of what you may want to do after graduation. But as you take classes, you will gradually see what appeals to you and what your competitive edge is. If you find it, work on it. Try taking more classes on the topic and connect with people in the field so that by the time you graduate you will have the knowledge and skills that graduates from other programs do not possess.
Last Updated August 20th, 2019