On May 27, 2021, nearly 20 master’s students from fields such as Management Science, Business Administration, and Industrial Economics visited the Shanghai headquarters of Cambly China, an innovative Silicon Valley-based company. The visit was organized under the guidance of Professor Wang Yunfeng from the Department of Management Science and Engineering and Mao Wenzheng, class advisor for the 2020 Management Science cohort.

Michael Shou, General Manager of Greater China, introduced Cambly’s founding and growth in Silicon Valley, sharing his insights on building the China team. He highlighted Cambly’s core values—“lifelong learning”and “empowering others”—as the spiritual bonds uniting the company.

Michael also explained how Cambly leverages its teacher-student network to drive sustainable user growth amid China’s evolving online education landscape.

Emma Huang, Growth Operations Manager, shared her career experiences in both traditional and internet industries. Addressing the debate between joining large firms versus startups for first-time job seekers, she advised: “Choose a large company if you seek guided growth, or a startup if you dare to take on independent responsibilities and embrace broader learning.”

Emma emphasized the value of diverse roles, noting skills from her past HR and sales roles still benefit her current work. “Never underestimate any job—every experience may become an opportunity,” she added.

During the Q&A session, students actively raised questions about Cambly’s operations, business models, AI applications, product promotion, industry trends, and market competition. Michael and Emma provided detailed responses.

On AI’s role in online education which students concerned, Michael cited Cambly’s pandemic-driven adaptations in 2020 to illustrate the potential of combining AI with human teaching.

Emma shared practical workplace tips, such as “take on tasks beyond your role for unexpected gains” and “introverts can excel in extroverted roles—don’t let shyness limit you.”

The visit allowed students to step out of the classroom and immerse themselves in a corporate setting, gaining firsthand insights into global online education trends and operational practices. Face-to-face interactions with Cambly’s team clarified industry dynamics and career goals, empowering students to chart clearer paths for their futures.

Moving forward, the Tongji SEM Alumni Association will continue fostering university-enterprise collaborations, providing students with more platforms for learning and professional growth!