From May 10 to 11, the grand finals of the first National University Student Career Planning Competition, hosted by the Ministry of Education, were held in Shanghai. Liu Yanxi, a 2021 undergraduate from the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, won the national gold medal in the Growth Track.

Liu Yanxi (second from the right) at the award ceremony.

The National University Student Career Planning Competition, themed "Building Dreams in Youth, Planning the Future Career," has been guiding university students to reasonably plan their academic and career development, establish correct employment views, improve comprehensive abilities, and enhance employment competitiveness since its launch in September 2023. The competition includes the Growth Track for lower-year students, focusing on the scientific nature of career development plans, and the Employment Track. The first competition saw 9.52 million students register, covering 2,740 universities, accounting for 98.6% of all regular universities in China. Of these, 7.44 million registered for the Growth Track, and 2.08 million for the Employment Track.

Liu Yanxi, a 2021 undergraduate in Chemistry (Fundamental Science Program) at the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, is a member of the school's Science and Technology Association Presidium and the Innovation and Practice Department of the school’s Student Union. She won the gold medal in the Growth Track of the first National University Student Career Planning Competition.

Determined to stay in fundamental research and become a university researcher, Liu Yanxi embodies the school’s spirit of "serving the country with science and technology." Her goals are clear, and her actions are steady. Since entering university, she has worked diligently, excelling academically and in research training. She has ranked first in her major for two consecutive years, winning the Shanghai Scholarship, National Scholarship, and various subject competition awards. Under the guidance of the school, faculty, and research mentors, she actively engages in research training, achieving significant progress and presenting at the 2024 ACS Fall Meeting's Polymer section. She is also part of the first cohort of Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s "Bole Program." Liu is committed to fundamental scientific research, aiming to make breakthroughs in the preparation and structure-function relationship of supramolecular polymers, contributing to the development of new productive forces.

Liu Yanxi stated, "Participating in the National University Student Career Planning Competition has had a positive impact on me. It provided an opportunity to interact with mentors and learn about career development. The preparation process allowed me to solidify my career goals, making my growth path clearer and more motivated. The competition provided a high-quality platform for exchange and learning, and the interactions with peers from various universities were inspiring. I feel greatly encouraged and hope to meet everyone at the pinnacle of our respective fields in the future."

Mentor Wang Huabo stated, "The competition's theme song 'Chasing Light' includes the lyrics 'Set sail, waving the wings of dreams; become the light, become your own belief,' reflecting the spirit of being a 'ray of light,' igniting oneself and others. The competition is not only a top event for students but also a refinement for student work. It encourages us to guide students in combining personal choices with serving the country, becoming future pillars of the nation."

Mentor Ma Xuefeng stated, "As one of Liu Yanxi's mentors, I am honored and proud. Liu stood out in the competition with her solid professional knowledge, clear career planning, and genuine love for research. This victory not only affirms her personal efforts but also demonstrates the effectiveness of our educational philosophy. We will continue to instill the school's spirit of 'serving the country with science and technology' into career planning work, guiding students to align their career plans with national development."

Research mentor Yan Xuzhou stated, "As a professional mentor at the Xia Guang Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, I recognize the importance of cultivating students' innovative spirit and practical ability. Chemistry is a fundamental and central science, and our students must uphold the belief of 'strengthening the country with me,' maintaining a passion for research, and striving for breakthroughs in innovation practice."

In the future, the school will continue to implement the strategic priority of employment as emphasized in the 20th Party Congress, adhering to the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education. We will uphold our mission of nurturing talent for the Party and the nation, continuously advancing student career planning work, guiding students to integrate personal development with national construction, and move forward together with the country.