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GMBA alumni share career pathways to international organizations-Tsinghua Global MBA - Your Gateway to the Best of China Alumni Careers Executive Education EMBA MBA Master's Doctoral Undergraduate 中文版 Contact Us SEM Tsinghua University User Login Home about Academic Career Support Student Life Alumni Admissions Contact Us Home - Program News - Content GMBA alumni share career pathways to international organizations Jun 11, 2025 On the afternoon of April 26, three alumni of Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM) returned to campus to share their professional experiences in international organizations. The speakers were Dan Cowen MBE (15GMBA), a British national who currently serves as the trade & economy lead for Greater China at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Beijing Representative Office; Mary Losmithgul (21GMBA), a Thai national working as a partnership analyst in the Operational Partnerships Department at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB); and Rolando Alfredo Capote (22GMBA), an American data analytics consultant in AIIB's Strategy, Policy and Budget Department. Tsinghua SEM's Associate Dean Chi Wei emphasized the vital role alumni play in the holistic education of students. She noted that Tsinghua SEM education is enriched by the guidance and support of alumni, and said that engagement like this is instrumental in fostering students' personal growth and shaping their future career development. Chi Wei delivers an opening remark at the event. At the panel, Dan Cowen spoke on his career spanning diplomacy, finance, and policy, and said this was significantly shaped by his MBA experience at Tsinghua SEM. Cowen said the value of the program extends beyond academics as it offered meaningful exposure to China through travel, cultural immersion, and networking. These out-of-classroom experiences are instrumental in helping candidates stand out when pursuing careers in international organizations, he said. Recounting his journey to joining WEF, Cowen shared his unsuccessful applications for several positions at international organizations. However, he said, perseverance and relationship-building are critical. After being failed in his initial WEF application, he contacted the HR department for feedback and maintained contact for three years. That persistence eventually paid off when HR reached out to him about a new opportunity. Cowen also stressed that international organizations are highly rigorous and would eliminate candidates who do not meet requirements. He advised students to conduct in-depth research prior to applying and to prepare thoroughly for interviews in alignment with each organization's expectations. Dan Cowen gives his speech at the event. Even before joining Tsinghua SEM, Mary Losmithgul had established a diverse career background in project management, digital strategy, and brand development, as well as strategic partnerships across both international institutions and the creative industries. She said that her wide range of experiences, combined with SEM’s extensive ties and exposure to international organizations, helped to start her career at AIIB. Losmithgul said all her previous roles consistently involved building partnerships across sectors — a strength she gradually recognized, worked hard to hone, and strategically highlighted during her job application process. She emphasized the importance of identifying one's transferable skills, and effectively leveraging them to add value through targeted roles in international institutions. Losmithgul also encouraged students to explore multiple entry points into international organizations, and to not be discouraged by the challenges one might face. Her own journey began with a short-term, project-based digital consulting role at AIIB, before shifting into a full-time position. She emphasized that, unlike in the private sector, international organizations are mission-driven. Recruiters seek candidates with a clear sens