CRCC Asia is the world's largest provider of work experience placements in China - and has organized more than 5,000 internships in the country that now boasts the biggest economy on the planet.
Founded by China-obsessed, young entrepreneurs Daniel Nivern and Edward Holroyd-Pearce, who studied at Oxford and Cambridge University and met at The University of London whilst studying MSc International Management (China), multi award-winning CRCC Asia will turn over $7M this year, with 60 staff working in 11 offices across four continents.
Young people from over 150 countries, from Holland to Honduras, but mainly from the US, UK and Australia have benefited from their 1,2 and 3-month internships in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen, working across a raft of sectors from finance and pharmaceuticals, architecture and engineering, to healthcare and hospitality, and legal and logistics.
Roles at big-name brands such as Rolls Royce and Diageo in Beijing, through to more niche placements like the Embassy of the Republic of Malta, again in Beijing, and a wellness retreat in Shanghai's bamboo-clad mountains are among CRCC Asia internships offered for career-savvy youngsters looking to stand out in today's tough jobs market.
China overtook the US to become the world's biggest economy at the end of 2014 - and the opportunities for young people from the West are vast.
* An incredible 89% of students and graduates who sign up with CRCC Asia are employed in a graduate-level job within three months of returning home. CRCC Asia alumni are employed by the likes of Google, Santander, KPMG, Accenture, The Cabinet Office, Bloomberg, Ernst & Young, and Tesco.
* And 30% of the CRCC Asia interns are offered a job by their host company in China following their work experience placement. Many choose to stay on rather than return home.
CRCC Asia has offices in San Francisco, London, Sydney, Toronto and many more, and arranges full placements, including travel, accommodation, social and cultural events, networking, survival Chinese lessons, and visas, at 500 small, medium and multi-national businesses in four locations in China working across 14 industry sectors.
The company has won numerous awards including 'Entrepreneur of the Year' at The British Business Awards and Cathay Pacific's China Business Award.
Edward, who is based at their London office, and Daniel, at their San Francisco office, are keen to give back and run several scholarship programs and funds.
The 33-year-olds started their business back in 2006, originally split between Dan's kitchen and Ed's living room, eventually turning over $5M in 2014, with offices in London, San Francisco, Sydney, Toronto, Venice, Madrid, Shawnee in Pennsylvania, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong.
Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking Edward initially worked as an assistant manager for China Eastern Airlines and later an asset manager for a company with more than £1 billion under management. French, German and Mandarin speaking Daniel worked for ExxonMobil in their French and German planning department before heading to China where he taught English in a small town in the Hebei Province.
CRCC Asia internships start from $3,245 for a one-month placement.
The business runs an annual 'China Disability Scholarship Program' in conjunction with the British Council, which offers two fully-funded internships at the British Council in Beijing and Shanghai to UK students with a disability.
It also operates a yearly 'Alumni Entrepreneurship Fund,' which supports CRCC Asia alumni in setting up their own China-related business by donating $15,000 investment and access to the company's global offices and Senior Management Team.
CRCC Asia is an official provider of the British Council's 'Generation UK' campaign, which placed 165 British students fully-funded into China internships in 2014. The Government scheme aims to help 80,000 UK students to participate in study, or internship programs in China by 2020.
In 2012/13, the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) found that 14,775 UK students went abroad as part of their degree course, the highest number ever and a 6% increase on the previous year. The number of US students studying abroad grew to 289,408 for the same period. CRCC Asia are supporters of Michelle Obama’s ‘100,000 Strong’ initiative, aiming to send over 100,000 American students to study abroad in China. In 2012, China was the third most popular location to study abroad after the US and UK.
CRCC Asia are official partners with more than 50 universities worldwide, including The University of Michigan, The University of Austin at Texas, University of British Columbia, Michigan State University, University College London, The American International University in Richmond, The University of New South Wales, and The University of Bergamo in Italy. CRCC Asia internships are accredited in the US by The Western Association of Schools and Colleges, allowing students to get academic credit for participating in the program through a partnership with Golden Gate University in San Francisco.
Edward said: "Given China's size and economic clout, not nearly enough 'Westerners' have any real understanding of China, Chinese business culture, or the opportunities available. Our program changes that, and makes China accessible for young people from any field to gain practical experience of working in a different culture and one of the world’s global superpowers.
"China is a fascinating place in which to work and live, culturally, linguistically, and socially. As an intern in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai or Shenzhen, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in every aspect of this wonderful country. Not only do we find you a working environment suited to your interests, we also provide a full schedule of social, cultural, and business events to help you make the most of your time in China."
CRCC Asia has invested into - and Ed and Dan sit on the board of - three synergistic companies.
The Dragon Trip – the leader in adventure backpacking tours and school trips in China.www.thedragontrip.comThe Student Lawyer – an education and career-based editorial and community platform for law students.www.thestudentlawyer.comLingos – a platform that links students to teachers online and provides a wealth of resources for language teachers. www.lingos.co.
Daniel said, "The wealth of skills and knowledge you will gain during your international internship will greatly increase your future employability. It goes without saying that overseas work experience will enrich your CV, or resume and give you the edge you need to land your dream job. Many of our interns remain in China after their internship with their host company.
"China has opened a gateway to a whole new world of revolutionized products and services, making it one of the most frequently visited countries for career-orientated graduates. The job market in China has skyrocketed recently due to the expansion of various industries, which welcome students from abroad to share their knowledge and skills. Working as an intern is certainly an eye-opener and a great stepping stone towards working responsibly and independently in your preferred career path."
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Contact CRCC Asia:
Jennie Miller
+1 415 243 0967
j.miller@crccasia.com
Suite 306, 12 Geary Street San Francisco, California 94108 United States
