Each year the Connect Masters 1-2-1 Scholarship, worth US$2,000 towards tuition fees, is awarded to a participant in the Connect Masters 1-2-1 scheme. Connect Masters 1-2-1 arranges face to face meetings between prospective postgraduate students and representatives of leading universities from around the world, as part of the QS World Grad School Tour.
This year’s winner is Chinese student Doris Fang, who is preparing to commence a Masters in Management Sciences at Georgia State University in the US, with a focus on human resource management.
Doris applied for the scholarship after participating in the Connect Masters 1-2-1 event at the QS World Grad School Tour in Shanghai. She says the funding means she can spend less time worrying about finances, and more time focusing on her academic and personal goals. And she’s especially pleased that she’ll now have more time to dedicate to the volunteering work she’s passionate about.
“Without the scholarship, I would have to sacrifice my time doing free volunteer activities – what I really want to do – and instead devote most of my time doing part-time jobs to support my studies,” she says. “This scholarship has not only made my graduate study easier, but also more enjoyable by allowing me to continue doing something I really like.”
From professional experience to in-depth study
Since completing a BA in International Business with German at the University of Nottingham’s branch campus in Ningbo, Doris has spent the past four years gaining professional experience. After several years at the Disney English learning center, she moved on to work as an HR specialist at global resources company BHP Billiton.
Following on from this first-hand experience of working in HR, she’s keen to acquire a more systematic understanding of the field through her master’s studies. She adds, “I’m hoping to gain more in-depth experience in different functions of human resources through the course and work experience in the US.”
After graduation, Doris aims to find a role in consulting, with a focus on human resources-related solutions. “One of the things I like about consulting is being the agent of change,” she explains, adding that she’s also interested in helping international companies enter and succeed in the fast-growing Chinese market.
For other students seeking scholarships, Doris recommends starting with university websites, but also looking for independent schemes such as the QS Scholarships. “Normally, the university’s website would give a great deal of resources on scholarships, financial aid and other funding,” she says. “However, for international students the funding might be limited. Therefore, organizations outside the university, such as QS, are also a great place to seek funding for international students.”
