Name: Maggie Shi
Job Title: Australia/NZ Senior Counsellor
Joined EduGlobal in: 2004
Home Town: Beijing
Education: Higher National Diploma in International Business and a Diploma in English

What is your role as Senior Counsellor?

Generally speaking I act as a guide. It’s up to me to help the student find an institution that is suitable for them individually. Everything from helping the student decide which country, institution and course is suitable for them and then guiding them through the documents needed to apply for their chosen institution. Our culture here at EduGlobal is that we aim to understand as much as possible about each individual student to allow us to make an informed decision about which institution is best for them. A lot of other companies blindly help students apply for a university only to fail to obtain a visa. For me, if I feel that a student isn’t suitable for the institution that they really want to go to, I will be completely frank with them and tell them so.

How would you describe your average day at work?

Every day is extremely busy for me. At EduGlobal, each counsellor has to deal with quite a lot of students so I’m constantly on the phone answering questions from students and their families. I also need to send applications forms to students and constantly monitor each step of the process otherwise mistakes can be made and the process needs to be started from scratch. Each student needs to have a carefully tailored plan to allow us to manage our time effectively and efficiently in order to give everyone the attention they need. After all, every student is at a different stage in their own application process and one small mistake by me can mean a lot of hassle for the student and their family.

What is your favorite part of the job? The most challenging?

Informing students that their visa application has been successful! Actually, in all my time with EduGlobal, none of the students I have counselled have been refused a visa. I put this down to the fact that I meticulously go through each requirement with each student to make completely sure that they are the right person for the course and country that they have chosen. Although this takes a lot of work on my part, it makes it easier for the visa officer in the embassies and, ultimately, easier for the student to adapt to the course and country that is truly right for them.

Some students come to EduGlobal with a particular institution in mind and regardless of what anyone says, they want to go there for whatever reason. Maybe they have a cousin or a friend who went there or they simply like the local sports team from that city. The most challenging part of my job is convincing these students that choosing the wrong institution is detrimental. It can sometimes be extremely difficult to persuade students otherwise.

Which is the most popular country for students to go to at the moment?

Without a doubt, America has always been the most popular choice for students from China because of the impact American business culture has had here. Most students want to study business-related subjects so American institutions are naturally their first choice. The American system of entry means that each application is treated on a case by case basis as opposed to other countries that have a rigid set of requirements. Many students don’t realize this before coming to EduGlobal so it needs to be explained to them very carefully.

How do you keep up to date on all the new courses that institutions offer?

I generally have three sources of information that I use to keep me updated on institutions. The first one is through EduGlobal’s Australian Client Relations Manager, May Song.  May sends me a weekly newsletter with any news from client and non-client Australian institutions.

 My second source of information is from EduGlobal’s extensive network of institution representatives that have offices within EduGlobal China. These representatives hold regular briefing and training sessions to keep us informed about new courses that are available in their respective institutions. These representatives are hired directly by institutions and usually have studied in the institution they represent.

My third source of information is directly from an institution website.

What is the general image of education service providers among Chinese students and their families?

There is a long tradition of education service providers in China and they have received a lot of negative attention in the media over the years, mainly because the actions of a few reflect badly on the majority of ethical companies. As a result, Chinese parents choose carefully. If someone has a bad experience with a company in China, it doesn’t take very long for word of this company to spread! The same is true for good companies.

Do many students apply directly to institutions?

It’s quite difficult for students to apply directly to institutions because it seems so complicated for them. A lot of students apply for a visa independently only to be turned down. It is usually then that they come to EduGlobal for convenience and expertise. Quite a lot of students have been able to apply directly to US institutions because of the case-by-case nature of the application process but for students applying to Australian institutions this has proven more difficult.

Why did you choose to work for an international education company?

After I graduated I was lucky to find a receptionist position in EduGlobal. I didn’t really have any preference to work for an international company but after a year I transferred to the visa department and then onto my current position as Counselor. I wouldn’t be in this job for as long as I have if I didn’t like it. I love the feeling of satisfaction that I get when one of the students I help gets accepted to the place they feel is right for them. There’s no other job that could give me that feeling.