Many who arrive in Shenzhen have a goal and even a dream, no matter how big or small. For Gulbakhor Inoyatova, a bright first-year graduate student studying management at Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS), a “small dream” began during her undergraduate studies in Uzbekistan four years ago and has now blossomed into reality.
Gulbakhor Inoyatova (R) and her schoolmates are at the Nice to See You — Freshman Welcome Event of PHBS. Photos courtesy of the interviewee
Inoyatova's “small dream” was to intern at an international company with clear guidance and mentorship so she could learn a great deal. Her dream came true on May 14, the very day of our interview, when the 22-year-old began her first day as a People Department (PD) intern at the Shenzhen Office of WIK Group (WIK Shenzhen) in Bao’an District.
Inoyatova shared that during her six-month internship, she will work with the staff of the company's PD on areas such as talent acquisition, interview processes, training arrangements, and English training courses tailored to each department of the company.
“When I came to Shenzhen, I dreamed of interning at a company that would guide me, offer mentorship, and set a work timeline. Yesterday, WIK Shenzhen sent me a detailed schedule of my learning objectives by date, it's amazing!” Inoyatova told Shenzhen Daily with a smile, adding that she felt “calm yet excited” for the journey ahead.
Gulbakhor Inoyatova (R) and other international students at one of the orientation week activities at PHBS.
Founded in Germany in the early 1950s, WIK Group is a privately held contract designer and manufacturer (ODM/OEM/CM) of electrical appliances and devices. Now based in Hong Kong with its innovation center in Germany, WIK designs and produces electronic products and components for leading global brands.
Inoyatova expressed her gratitude to PHBS, particularly its International Office, for its crucial role in securing internships for students like her. “The school sent us an email about the opportunity, and we submitted our CVs to the company. Then they invited us for interviews,” she recalled.
Emphasizing that PHBS offers a lot of opportunities for international students, Inoyatova said, “The International Office has helped us a lot. For example, during the one-week orientation held last August before the new semester, they introduced various topics, including visa-related matters and how to open a bank account. Every time I have questions, they send me emails to reply very quickly.”
“The school also organizes visits to different international and local companies in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, and provides us with opportunities to network with the CEOs or managers. Recently, they have been offering a one-on-one career development session,” she explained.
Gulbakhor Inoyatova poses for a photo during her trip to Venice, Italy.
Inoyatova told Shenzhen Daily that she began her career in social media marketing, which strengthened her skills in photography, filming, editing, and content creation, all of which she has been enjoying in her daily life.
Inoyatova now has social media accounts on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn, where she shares her life in China as an international student. She has also documented her travels in China, including visits to cities like Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Wuhan. In her spare time, Inoyatova likes hiking, cycling, photography, and painting.
When asked about her future goals, the young woman said confidently that she wants to become both an employer and an employee. “I’m open to every opportunity. I will seize every chance that arises. But for the future, I want to start my own business by combining business and art. I also want to work for international companies to connect China with Europe,” Inoyatova concluded.
