Jingjun Li

Country: China
Sector: Higher Education
Job title: PhD student
Subject of study: International Film Business
Year of graduation: 2022
Type/Level of study: Postgraduate Taught

Current Employer/Organisation Name

University of Exeter

What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?

I am the second year PhD of film study in Exeter.

Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?

After graduating from Exeter with a Master’s in International Film Business (MAIFB), I chose to continue my academic journey here by pursuing a PhD. I’m deeply grateful for the knowledge and support I gained during my time in the MAIFB program, which has inspired me to contribute to the field in any way I can.  First, I thoroughly enjoy collaborating with my two supervisors, who are the leads in the IFB program. Working with them has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Second, a significant portion of IFB graduates are students from mainland China. However, due to various limitations and geographical distance, many find it challenging to maintain a connection with Exeter after returning home. As a Chinese graduate myself, I see an opportunity to act as a bridge, facilitating communication and fostering connections between the program and its alumni in China. This sense of purpose and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to both sides is what I enjoy most about my work.

What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?

The biggest highlight of the programme was that, in addition to learning theoretical knowledge, we were given many opportunities to engage with industry practices and interact with professionals in the field.

What did you most enjoy about studying here?

I would say the learning environment and atmosphere. This includes not only the excellent library and online resources provided by the university but also the attitude and patience of the professors and staff towards us as international students.

Why did you choose to study at Exeter?

I was drawn to the MAIFB course because it offered not only the opportunity to deepen my professional knowledge but also valuable insights into the European film industry. This made Exeter an ideal choice for my Master’s studies. The positive experience inspired me to continue my academic journey here as a PhD student.

Similar Alumni

Mansi Vaid

Since completing my MSc degree at Exeter, I was Marketing, Communications and Events Coordinator with London Metropolitan University’s Students Union. I was working there from October 2023 – February 2024. At this role, I got the hands on experience in various aspects of marketing and events like social media marketing, print marketing, content creation, ppc, website management, partnerships, event organization and management, etc. In this role, I got to practice a lot of things I learnt during my course at Exeter. In February 2024, I switched to the role of a Faculty Marketing Coordinator role at University of Southampton. This role comprises of undertaking faculty marketing activities for Faculty of Arts and Humanities and Faculty of Environmental and Life Science. I have learnt a lot already and I am very grateful to be able to get these opportunities.

Elyse Shih-Yuan

I most enjoyed attending the Cannes Film Festival and the Berlin Film Festival to participate in the markets and engage with international producers for collaboration.