Ethical Issues in my Profession:
In China it is customary to practice over-employment; this means that two people will be hired to do the work that one person could do alone. This system has the advantage that more people will be employed, however, it has a disadvantage in the fact that people will not be able to make a considerable amount of money. Though we did not see it in the companies we visited, this system may also lead to incredibly low wages and very cheap labor. It is because of this, that foreign investors see an advantage in building their industries in China. This is a problem for business in the United States because a lot of industry leaves the country and we face higher unemployment.
Educational Breadth as Professional Development:
I have always believed that a study abroad program would be invaluable in my education. Since this trip was my first such experience, it has made me aware of the importance of studying abroad. I feel as though my view of the world has expanded; I have become more willing to try new things, new food, new activities, because of this trip. It is difficult to teach students these kinds of things in a classroom setting. I believe because of this difficulty it seems necessary for each student to have a study abroad experience sometime during their education.
Lifelong Learning:
Most companies spoke of on the job training but also extensive schooling before entering the workforce. Education in China seems to be more thorough in most aspects of learning, however, I feel that hands on learning is not emphasized. Similar to education the United States, much of what one learns for their career comes from on the job training and hands on experience, something that cannot be taught in school.
This trip has made me more aware of the need for lifelong learning as well. Through our five lectures on Chinese history and economy I learned how much China has changed over the past few decades. Without continued lifelong learning, many people in China and all over the world would be unaware of the significant changes and developments that are taking place in China.
Social Environment:
While I was in China, I was surprised to hear how bribery is a somewhat socially acceptable method of influence. In the United States, if a government official was found to have participated in bribery, it would be the end of their career. However, in China, officials are bribed frequently and most citizens have no recourse. Even when someone is applying for a job, it is often expected that the applicant send in a bribe to the employer; employers may not even look at the application until a substantial bribe is offered. From learning this, I noted the importance of recognizing these differences so one is cognizant of what is expected of professionals around the world.
Functioning on a Multi-Disciplinary Team:
Working on a team with diverse individuals, it is important to recognize the possibility for diversity in the team. People can be different both in mental aspects and in physical aspects. Team members may have different styles of learning or difference communication methods. As industry expands, teams will become more diverse. Though the students I was with had different interests, we were still from a similar background and it was this common ground that helped us to function well as a group. Finding common ground is the secret to working with people with different interests as well as people from different cultures.