What It Takes to Work in Rapidly Changing Beijing

Entrepreneurs, managers in heavy industry and utilities, academics, public officials, corporate consultants: these are the Bocconians living and working in Beijing. Bankers are not among them, because, as Sarah Orlando, Bocconi Alumni Chapter Leader, explains: "Beijing is at the heart of political power, while financial power lies in Shanghai." She's been leading the BAA group for less than a year, but has lived in the Chinese capital for four years. She works as general manager for China of the RCS publishing group. In this period of time, she has witnessed the rapid transformation of the capital of the People's Republic: "In Beijing certain industries have developed only recently," says Orlando, "and the growing number of Bocconi alumni, many of Chinese nationality, reflects this process of change. They tend to live not as expats, but as residents who try to live the city to the full."

The city's job market is changing, as several international groups have begun to hire Chinese managers (although the top echelons of management are still filled by foreigners). Beijing is being swept by the need for more openness, and the events organized by the Chapter are proof of this. For instance, BAA recently organized a presentation event featuring the head of communication of Baidu, China's answer to Google. Innovation and change are also at the heart of upcoming activities: "We will look at human capital, technological innovation and energy sustainability in this urban environment, with the aim of releasing a handbook detailing the skills needed to work in Beijing." There is also another objective: "We would like to host the next of edition of the BAA Global Conference in Asia", Sarah concludes.