Dong Chen

China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)

“A man of rationale, logic, and hesitation.”

Hometown: Wenzhou, China

Fun Fact About Yourself: Although I have very low tolerance for it, I cannot stay away from spicy food

Undergraduate School and Major: Operations Research – Columbia University

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Investment Manager, Panhou Capital

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of the MBA curriculum or activities that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I am attracted to the opportunity to deepen my understanding of Chinese history, economic development, and the social and political environment through access to China-specific business cases written by CEIBS staff and professors. This is one of the main reasons I chose to apply to CEIBS.

What is the biggest appeal of earning an MBA in China? China has been one of the fastest-growing countries in the world over the past three decades, and it is poised to become the largest economy in the world in next 10 years. At CEIBS, we have the opportunity not only to gain first-hand in-depth knowledge about China, but also to visit giants such as Huawei, Tencent, Alibaba, and other well-known Chinese companies. Earning an MBA in China also enables us to better pursue potential China-specific growth opportunities.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My most important achievement has been my role leading an investment project worth 65 million RMB with a top medical imaging manufacturer. This project was an especially strong reminder of the importance of investment research, and I proved my coordination abilities organizing several rounds of meetings and conducting on-site financial data checks. I also led my team to efficiently conduct an industry examination, including market sizing, competitive analysis and comparison of primary and secondary market valuation. The company is currently preparing for an IPO and we are optimistic that the project will achieve annualized returns of more than 30% (before taxes and fees).

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far? So far, as an MBA student, my biggest accomplishment has been the ability to look at a problem from diverse angles because we have opportunities to connect with students from a wide range of industries and diverse backgrounds.

What quality best describes your MBA classmates and how do they demonstrate this quality in your interactions? My classmates at CEIBS are extremely friendly and warm-hearted. CEIBS is a place you can call home because of the wonderful people around you. On campus, there are always some perks and surprises going on and class representatives will make everyone feel being taken care of and treated as a family by organizing events, preparing birthday gifts, and so much more.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? I only applied to CEIBS.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point in your career? Although I have been in my dream industry, I would like to develop my skills in strengthening my interpersonal and managerial abilities and gain an in-depth understanding of the Chinese market. Choosing investment as a career, it is important to have the mindset of going back to zero. No matter what achievement an investor has ever made, he or she has to refresh completely in order to climb up to a higher mountain.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE CIEBS MBA CLASS OF 2022