Linda Yang (left) and Serene Chen (right)
How did you both meet?
Serene: I graduated from the Master’s in Management (MiM) programme in 2012 and joined the HR graduate scheme at Barclays. There were four of us from Barclays who went along one evening in 2013 to talk about the scheme to the current students on the programme. We were all really fresh faced and new. It was at this event that I spoke to Linda who was then a second-year student on the MiM. We had met once previously at a networking event and had some mutual friends.
Linda: I am kind of like a Serene 2.0 but we are not the same person! I was a student on the MiM programme from 2011-13. During my time at LSE, Serene’s presentation convinced me to join Barclays, and I did my rotations within the marketing stream at Barclays, eventually landing in the PR team at Barclaycard. It was a great place for me to start my career, in the intersection of business and communications. I spent six years there which was significant in honing my PR skills.
I’m really glad that I spoke to Serene at the event, because it gave me another job opportunity, one I never knew existed. I knew that I wanted a job opportunity that came with a sponsorship to stay in London, and that I wanted to have an international career. Barclays was a great fit.
How have you stayed connected since?
Linda: After I graduated from the MiM, we were close for a while. We even spent Thanksgiving together once! We had drifted since Serene left London in 2019, but always kept in touch via social media. I actually hadn’t spoken to Serene in years until I saw her name on the list of alumni speakers for the Career Changers panel event that we both happened to volunteer for, just this month.
Serene: Yes, we were always friendly with each other and would get coffees now and then. Our paths crossed occasionally, but Barclays is huge and we were on different tracks. It was such a pleasant surprise to be reunited at the Career Changers panel, and to realise we have had such similar career trajectories!
What motivated you to come back and share your time and expertise with current students?
Linda: We both have a fascination with personal development and meaningful work – I think this is why we were drawn to that specific panel event. I was attracted to it as an event about career change because it was the type of event that I wished I had had when I was on the MiM programme at LSE. I didn’t have the same opportunity to hear stories from the LSE network about people who had successfully changed careers. To be able to share my story with current students motivated me to get in touch.
Serene: I loved the topic of career change because I took a major pivot in my own career. I think it’s critical to widen the umbrella and highlight the stories of alumni who have followed less traditional paths. I want current LSE students to have a broader view of success and possible career paths than I did when I was a student. Based on the panel discussion and Q&A, I think we were able to achieve that goal.
What is one piece of advice you would give to fellow alumni who are interested in volunteering at the Department?
Linda: I would say it is definitely worthwhile. The panel we attended had a smaller group of students, but this allowed us to make quality connections. I enjoyed it and would do it again – and know many other LSE alumni who have volunteered their time.
You never know how many people will show up and you might question yourself thinking, is this worth my time, or am I going to make a big enough impact? I thought for a long time that I had nothing to contribute. But as I gained more experience in my career, I felt I had more to give.
Serene: To echo Linda’s thoughts, showing up to talk about what you have done and sharing your story is beneficial, even if you don’t think it will be. I don’t think most people realise the value they have to add. I would say do not discount your own worth – it doesn’t matter if you don’t resonate with everyone at the event, if you just make an impact on one. I am so touched to hear Linda talking about how my presentation in 2013 shaped her and helped her get into Barclays, into the career path that she is clearly thriving in now. To be able to have that impact on someone is incredible.
Linda: Also, on a more practical level, I want people to know that it is not a lot of a time commitment. We are all so busy, but all you have to do is submit your interest and show up – everything else is done for you. What greater way to spend an hour of your life than talking about something you are interested in and enjoy, in addition to having a meaningful impact on someone’s life.