If you are a young professional eager to make it in New York, chances are you’re already a loyal listener of the podcast “Rookie Career Notes.” The founder of the podcast, Yi-Xian Jiang, was the first international student in her graduating class at New York University’s marketing research program, and her exceptional performance at work led an American company to sponsor her green card.
The challenging job-hunting experience prompted Jiang to decide not to keep her knowledge to herself, but to freely share her experiences of job searching in New York and cultivating cross-industry skills!
Witnessing many international students struggling to adapt to the American job market and eventually returning home after graduation, Jiang established “Rookie Career Notes” in 2021 to help more international students avoid unnecessary detours and secure employment in the US. She invited professionals who previously worked at renowned companies like Google, Amazon, Bloomberg, and Goldman Sachs to share their job-hunting experiences.
The initial intention behind managing “Rookie Career Notes” was simply to provide a platform to assist others in staying and developing in the United States. Upon closer engagement, Jiang discovered that the podcast’s operating model perfectly utilized her marketing expertise. Through extensive market research, data analysis, and marketing operations, she was able to understand the audience’s preferences and steer the direction of the channel accordingly.
In its first year, “Rookie Career Notes” ranked fifth in the Asia region (Taiwan, Hong Kong) on Apple Podcasts, and was among the top 30 in countries like South Korea, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
However, “Rookie Career Notes” not only tells the success story of Jiang successfully establishing herself in New York but also reflects on her struggles and resilience during difficult times.
In the post-pandemic era of 2022, with the global economic downturn and layoffs becoming prevalent in the tech industry, Jiang not only lost her job but also had to halt her green card application in progress.
During her period of unemployment, Jiang felt anxious, but fortunately, her family always provided positive encouragement, saying, “If you find a job smoothly, it will make the skills shared on the podcast even more credible.”
To her surprise, three weeks after sending out her resume, Jiang received acceptance letters from two publicly traded companies. She even recorded a special episode for the podcast, sharing her journey through the downs of layoffs, hoping to inspire listeners facing similar challenges.
From being a rookie in Manhattan to hosting discussions with experts from various fields on career insights, Jiang, who loves marketing, not only showcases her digital marketing expertise but also cherishes the interaction with her audience.
“For many listeners, being able to appear on my podcast for a conversation is considered a life goal, but for me and ‘Rookie Career Notes,’ it’s more like a ‘cycle of goodness,'” she said.