Choosing where to live, what career to pursue and how to build a life - graduation opens up many possibilities. Everyone has their own definition of a "good life".

In Beyond XMUM, we invite alumni to share their career experiences and life stories after graduation, reflecting on their journeys and personal growth.

Alumni Spotlight: Joe Lei, a Class of 2023 International Business graduate, currently working in compensation policy at a tech company in Beijing, China.

Q1: Could you briefly share your job search experience after graduation?

I spent my final year applying for jobs while doing internships, from the autumn 2022 recruitment cycle through to spring 2023. Initially, I wanted to work in marketing or shopping mall management, but most employers preferred graduates in communications or advertising.

I applied for over 100 positions and received around 30 interview invitations. My best offers were in process management at ANTA, sales operations at OPPO and compensation business partner at Meituan. I chose Meituan because it offered the highest salary.

That position was not my first choice, but the team was expanding. My mathematical skills and finance-related qualifications helped me secure the position.

Q2: What was your experience at Meituan like?

I worked there for about two and a half years, supporting businesses including Meituan Youxuan and Xiaoxiang Supermarket.

My work involved designing salary adjustment strategies, bonus structures and pay levels based on business needs and market conditions.

The workload was intense. I usually started at 9:30am and finished around 10 or 11pm. Just two or three of us handled compensation matters for nearly 20,000 employees. Work messages could come in even during weekends or while I was watching a movie, leaving me with very little personal time.

Q3: Why did you decide to leave?

I gradually stopped feeling that my work was meaningful. I had to coordinate between my head and the HR heads of different business teams. When their opinions differed, I had to keep revising proposals. After going through this repeatedly, I felt that I was getting nowhere, while promotion seemed a long way off.

I resigned in December last year and tried to explore other fields, applying for positions in sales operations, user growth, corporate culture and public relations. However, many larger companies questioned why I wanted to leave HR after two and a half years. After a lengthy period of career exploration, I eventually received an offer from my current company.

Q4: What is your current job like?

I now work in compensation policy, focusing mainly on stock incentive policies and executive compensation.

I usually start at 10:30am and finish around 10pm. My work involves following industry developments, preparing proposals and conducting cost forecasts. I also handle special projects, such as designing stock option plans for particular teams.

I sometimes continue thinking about work after returning home, but overall, I'm happy with what I do. I can devote myself to something challenging and really go all in.

Q5: How is this job different from your previous one?

This job is much more challenging. Many standards are unclear, and almost every project is new. I have to benchmark against other companies and international practices.

There are also entirely new questions to explore. For example, how should companies design incentives for employees working in AI?

I need to explain the background, the reasoning behind each proposal and why we choose one approach over another. It's almost like being a detective.

It was only after starting this job that I developed a genuine interest in compensation and the industry. Suddenly, everything became much more interesting.

Q6: Your current role is quite different from what you originally wanted. Why the company hired you?

The two roles are fundamentally similar. Compensation involves understanding how companies allocate resources effectively and what incentives can encourage employees to stay.

My experience at Meituan gave me a broader understanding of business operations, which helped me answer strategic questions during the interview.

I also worked on several AI-related projects there. One interviewer was particularly interested in AI and felt that my thinking was in tune with current developments. My enthusiasm and curiosity may also have played a part.

Q7: Why were you interested in marketing and public relations?

My first internship was in shopping mall management, where I worked on event planning and visual displays.

I once organized a spring sports event where people brought their dogs and cats to socialize. I coordinated the event and felt incredibly happy seeing everyone enjoy themselves.

I thought it would be wonderful to have a job where I could achieve business results while also finding personal fulfillment.

Q8: Do you regret not pursuing that career path?

Not really. I feel that I am challenging myself and growing in my current role.

There are also many interesting aspects to the work. I get to follow developments involving business executives and understand why people take on or leave certain positions. It gives me a sense of being close to the ever-changing business world.

Q9: Were there any experiences at XMUM that influenced your choices?

The Critical Thinking course left a strong impression on me. Before taking it, I had never really practised critical thinking. It taught me that everything can be questioned and that I need to develop my own judgement. Since then, I've used lists to evaluate important decisions, from choosing internships and considering postgraduate studies to accepting job offers.

I also remember a lesson from the Intercultural Communication course: understand what others want before putting forward your own views.

Q10: If you could go back to university, what would you do differently?

I would start internships earlier. Exploring different industries is interesting, and internships allow you to understand how companies operate and what they expect from graduates.

Q11: Are you happy with your current lifestyle?

Yes. My salary increased after changing jobs, and I now rent a nicely furnished one-bedroom apartment where I can invite friends over.

Q12: What are your plans for the future?

I plan to stay with my current company for at least another two or three years. In five or six years, I may consider moving to Shenzhen, but I would like to remain in the internet or technology industry.

The guests featured in Beyond XMUM are alumni who have volunteered to share their stories or been recommended by fellow alumni. If you would like to share your career and life experiences after graduation, please contact us at news@xmu.edu.my.