China Education News

In recent years, an increasing number of Chinese international students have chosen to return home for employment. Central state-owned enterprises (SOEs), synonymous with "stability + high benefits," have naturally become the top choice for many returnees.

Recently, two major central SOEs—China CITIC Bank and State Grid—released their 2025 provisional recruitment lists. Let’s take a look at how many international students secured positions and which universities’ graduates are most favored.

State Grid 2025 International Student Recruitment List​

As China’s largest power grid enterprise, State Grid not only offers stable positions but also provides competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, making it widely regarded as a "secure job."

In State Grid’s overseas recruitment list, UK universities hold significant positions, especially members of the Russell Group, which are almost "all listed." Graduates from Hong Kong universities also perform exceptionally well, demonstrating their comprehensive strength in fields such as energy, engineering, and management. All members of Australia’s "Group of Eight" made the list, with the University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney each recruiting over 20 students!

China CITIC Bank 2025 International Student Recruitment List​

As a core financial institution under CITIC Group, China CITIC Bank holds significant market influence domestically. Its competitive salary packages, along with comprehensive bonus and benefit systems, make it an ideal employment choice for many.

According to CITIC Bank’s 2025 campus recruitment announcement, candidates are Chinese students (including those from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) enrolled in globally eligible universities. Majors primarily include science, engineering, economics, management, and law. Therefore, as long as applicants meet the criteria, domestic and international graduates compete on an equal footing.

In CITIC Bank’s 2025 campus recruitment provisional list, 5,179 candidates were recruited, including 1,608 international students, accounting for 30.6% of the total. International students have become a vital talent source for the bank.

Based on the list, the University of Hong Kong topped the chart with 134 recruits, making it the most favored overseas institution. It was followed by the University of Sydney (96 recruits) and the University of New South Wales (75 recruits).

Notably, other Hong Kong universities, including the Chinese University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, all appeared on the list, highlighting the strong competitiveness of Hong Kong graduates in the financial sector.

Australian universities also performed impressively, with the Australian National University, the University of Melbourne, and the University of Queensland all ranking in the top 20, becoming key sources of international talent for CITIC Bank.

Which Types of International Students Have an Edge in Job Hunting?​

1.Graduates from Globally Top-Ranked Universities​

State-owned enterprises, especially large ones like State Grid, tend to recruit international students from universities with high global rankings. Historical data show that most hires come from institutions ranked in the top 100 of QS or top 50 of U.S. News.

2.Students with Relevant Professional Backgrounds​

International students majoring in finance, economics, or international trade can quickly adapt to the core operations of financial SOEs.

Those in computer science, statistics, or related fields can provide technical support for enterprises’ digital transformation.

For companies like State Grid, electrical engineering is the primary recruitment focus. Non-engineering majors (e.g., electronics, finance, management) face fiercer competition due to limited openings.

3.Students with Practical Experience​

International students who have gained hands-on experience and industry connections through internships or international projects can adapt more quickly to workflows and business standards.

4.Students with Specific Advantages​

Proficiency in foreign languages beyond English (e.g., French, German, Spanish) provides a unique edge in international business operations.

Professional certifications such as CFA, FRM, or CPA enhance competitiveness in the financial SOE job market.

Northeastern University​

For students seeking to align with the above advantages, we highly recommend Northeastern University, ranked #46 in the U.S. News National Universities list.

As an internationally diverse and academically rigorous institution, Northeastern University excels not only in overall rankings but also in electrical engineering, where it ranks among the top 50 in U.S. News. Its research areas align closely with cutting-edge technology trends, focusing on:

•Robotics and Intelligent Systems: Control theory, autonomous systems, human-machine interaction.

•Communications and Signal Processing: 5G/6G, wireless networks, image and video processing.

•Cyber-Physical Systems and IoT: Smart devices bridging computing and the physical world.

•Microelectronics and Photonics: Chip design, nanotechnology, optoelectronics.

•Power and Renewable Energy Systems: Smart grids, power electronics, sustainable energy.

Additionally, Northeastern’s unparalleled Co-op program offers students opportunities to complete up to 18 months of full-time paid work at top tech companies and research institutions like Tesla, Apple, Intel, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Raytheon. Students apply knowledge in circuits, signal processing, electromagnetics, and power systems to real-world industrial projects, graduating not only with a degree but also with invaluable work experience and industry connections.

As a result, graduates from Northeastern’s electrical engineering program often outperform expectations in the job market, surpassing what their academic ranking might suggest.

Theory Meets Practice: A Degree Paired with Experience.​

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