Kelly Qiang: Founder

Kelly Qiang

MSc Management, 2013

Based in:

Beijing

First job:

Management Trainee in Shell

Best piece of advice received:

Maintain excellence, continue to progress, and exert a positive impact on more individuals.

Ambitions for the future:

I aspire to liberate more individuals from the fear of disease in the future.

Founder, JHL Healthcare

Describe your current role and what attracted you to it.

I am responsible for strategic planning and project management at JHL Healthcare. I aspire for people to attain natural healing experiences characterised by minimised pain and reduced reliance on medication.

What are the key skills you learnt at Warwick that have helped you with your career to date?

My studies at Warwick provided me with a profound understanding of corporate management practices. From being a management trainee at Shell China to serving as a Senior Manager in the investment banking division of a private equity fund and eventually founding my own company. The University's practical training, which emphasises applying knowledge to real-world scenarios, has enabled me to navigate my career smoothly and handle various challenges with exceptional ease.

Did you have a specific career path in mind when you chose to study at Warwick?

Before enrolling, I was certain that I would start my own business in the future, thus I chose to pursue the management programme at Warwick Business School.

What top tips do you have for Warwick graduates who would like to work in your sector?

Whether in the industrial sector, the financial industry, or when starting one's own business, it is essential to consistently reflect on oneself, frequently engage with accomplished senior professionals, and dedicate time to enhancing capabilities in various aspects. While developing a core expertise, one should also strive for comprehensive development to build a well-rounded skill set.

What has been your greatest career challenge to date and how did your experience and skills help overcome it?

Whether it was meeting the demands of management trainee rotation, transitioning to the private equity industry, or launching my own business, these experiences required me to quickly familiarise myself with new landscapes, formulate strategies, and execute them effectively. During my studies, our in-depth analysis of various business scenarios through extensive case studies and group discussions was instrumental in enabling me to rapidly understand complex commercial issues and resolve them with practical solutions.

What should current students or recent alumni be doing to move their careers forward?

Find something you love to do, or at least you won’t regret doing. Some market-oriented institutions offer pre-employment training, and students can seek assistance from them. Additionally, they should strive to gain more internship experiences in their target companies or industries.