‘An alumni network should not just be about social connections; it should evolve into a self-sustaining, intelligent organism,’ says Jerry Zhou over Zoom. The founder and managing partner of JSmart Management Consulting, Mr Zhou is travelling for business but is usually based in Beijing, where he returned after completing his Master of Human Resource Management (2007) from Macquarie University.

The political and cultural centre of China, Mr Zhou says Beijing ‘combines the traditional and the modern. You can find many historic sites, such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace. It’s very beautiful, and you feel like you’re stepping back into history. At the same time, it is a very modern city, and a hub for professional and alumni activities.’

Macquarie University boasts alumni networks in Shanghai, Chengdu and Hong Kong, and the Beijing Alumni Network is one of the most active in China, bringing together over 1,000 alumni via WeChat. Mr Zhou first became involved in 2013, when he was invited to speak at the university’s Beijing graduations. ‘The following year, I helped interview MBA candidates for the former Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM),’ he recalls. ‘I wanted to contribute to the school by helping recruit more Chinese talent and nurture future leaders,’ he explains.

Indeed, his expertise and support have been invaluable in student recruitment activities, including graduates returning to their alma mater to complete post-graduate studies. The network is also involved in a range of areas thanks to his leadership, which was formalised when the then-network head, Mr. Li, immigrated to Canada. ‘It was a bit of a surprise when he passed the group leadership to me, but I felt it was an important responsibility and was happy to serve everyone.’

During his time at the helm, the network has grown and changed to include many subgroups tailored to interests as diverse as entrepreneurship and job-seeking to outdoor sports – there is even a matchmaking group, with one successful coupling so far. On a more serious note, there have also been academic lectures on psychology and legal topics, cultural tours to the Liubiju Museum, and even public welfare initiatives.

‘The Beijing Alumni Network has a long history, and our alumni span a wide age range and have diverse professional backgrounds, so their needs vary,’ he says. ‘We design activities that consider this diversity, and include both academic and more entertaining or cultural events. This year our core members will also bring in new members to help bring in fresh perspectives, and we’re planning to organise lectures related to AI technology.’

The focus is as much outward, as it is inward, however. With Mr Zhou’s direction, the network has been collaborating with alumni associations from other well-known universities in Beijing. ‘We’ve established relationships with the alumni association heads from the University of New South Wales, UTS and the University of Sydney,’ says Mr Zhou.

‘We successfully held a joint Christmas dinner with the other Sydney universities last year, and a classical music appreciation event with Duke University. This year, we plan to cooperate with the Alumni Association of Chinese Students and Scholars in Europe and America, and alumni associations from other well-known American universities.’

It’s a dynamic space for alumni to connect in Beijing, and with prominent graduates enhancing the university’s reputation, the network continues to thrive. But, Mr Zhou emphasises the value goes beyond social connections. ‘By activating the collective cognitive surplus of the group, we can create a flywheel effect of continuous value creation, ultimately forming a super ecosystem that can continuously benefit each member and drive social progress,’ he says.

It’s an interesting concept, and one that leverages the all-important trust premium inherent in the shared alumni identity. As Mr Zhou explains, ‘Research from Stanford University shows that the success rate of cooperation among alumni is 47 per cent higher than that of strangers, and the contract fulfilment period is shortened by 30 per cent – this trust capital can be converted into efficient resource matching,’ he says.

Mr Zhou’s dedication to the alumni community is rooted in his own transformative experience at Macquarie, and he hopes alumni in Beijing feel a lasting connection to their university and pride in its growing reputation – a sentiment shaped by his own journey and experience.

‘Having worked in HR and as a headhunter for seven years, I wanted to advance my career through further education. Macquarie’s Master in HR Management is part of the MBA program, so the curriculum is closely integrated with management, rather than just focusing on basic HR knowledge. I felt this was more in line with my needs, and it turned out to be the right choice.’

Of course, it was challenging at times. English is not his native language, and as someone who sets high standards for himself, he didn’t want to fail any courses. ‘Dealing with this academic pressure, adjusting my mindset and learning how to interact with international classmates and professors and understand different cultures was very helpful in my subsequent work for multinational companies.’

Indeed, less than a month after returning to China, Mr Zhou joined the L’Oréal Group as a human resources manager. Later, he was promoted to oversee the national employer brand and recruitment, and after three years joined the Printemps Store Department Group, where he was the head of human resources, reporting directly to the CEO.

After the group was acquired and merged, however, he felt it was time to start his own business, JSmart Management Consulting. ‘My company is dedicated to helping corporate clients discover and develop talent. We offer high-end headhunting services, corporate training, management consulting and background checks,’ he says.

The company has now been operating for over ten years, serving clients that include Fortune Global 500 companies, leading internet firms and prominent domestic enterprises, and Mr Zhou remains passionate about human resources, believing it brings value to both companies and individuals. ‘For companies, through proper organisational structure, talent pipeline development and corporate culture shaping, HR can help achieve business goals and commercial success. For individuals, I’ve seen so many cases where a successful job change has improved a candidate’s mental state, appearance and overall quality of life.

‘There are always challenges, of course,’ he says. ‘The current international economic situation is full of uncertainties, which requires human resources to be more adaptable to meet the changing needs of companies, but this is what makes HR work so interesting. You need to keep changing and embrace change,’ he says – and, no doubt, harness the power of your trusted alumni network.

Jerry Zhou's bio

Jerry Zhou holds a Master of Human Resource Management (2007) from Macquarie University. As a partner at JSmart Management Consulting and a human resources consultant for several companies, including Scitech Holdings Group and Ports International, he is dedicated to helping businesses identify and develop talent.

With over 20 years of experience in human resources, Mr Zhou has accumulated extensive practical experience in talent recruitment, employee development, training system construction and performance management at companies like PCD Store Group, the L'Oréal Group and China Career International.

He has been appointed as a career development mentor for MBA students at Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management, a career development mentor at Xiamen University's School of Economics and Management, a visiting professor at Capital Normal University, and a career mentor for the Australia-China Alumni Association.

Since 2010, Mr Zhou has been giving career planning lectures at New Oriental and other major universities. He has also been certified as a career mentor by LinkedIn and in 2014 published Only Finding Ways to Succeed: I Am the HR on Your Side. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in business administration.

Connect with Macquarie Alumni community

Whether you’re in Beijing or Brisbane, our alumni networks are here to help you connect, collaborate and grow. Join your local alumni network today and build lifelong friendships and professional connections, share your experiences and expertise, and stay up to date with the latest Macquarie news and events.

Connect with your fellow Macquarie alumni through our Global Alumni Network or, to join the Beijing Alumni Network, contact Jerry Zhou at jerry@jsmarthr.com. We are wherever you are in the world.