Kaohsiung, Taiwan — On November 10, Jan-Philipp (J.P.) Fink, Key Account Manager at Shell, returned to National Sun Yat-sen University to share his international learning journey, career development, and firsthand insights into the bitumen industry. The session was joined by Director Timo Eccarius of the Office of International Relations and Accreditation, who participated in the discussion with students.

J.P. reflected on his academic journey—from studying at a European business school, to completing his master’s degree at Nottingham Business School, and later joining NSYSU as a dual degree student in 2018. These international experiences broadened his perspective and opened the door to his career at Shell, where he advanced from Supply Operations Analyst to Sales Development Analyst and now serves as a Key Account Manager.

One of the most engaging parts of his talk was his introduction to the bitumen business—a crucial and high-value material in modern road construction. Although bitumen accounts for only about 10% of asphalt composition, it holds significant strategic importance and can represent nearly half of a project’s total cost. J.P. shared how Shell’s daily operations involve financial checks, real-time truck tracking under the just-in-time system, and project management based on client volume. “A big part of my job is paperwork—and building relationships,” he noted.

During the Q&A session, students asked about job requirements in Germany, work–life balance, and how to stand out internationally. J.P. offered candid insights:

- German fluency often matters more than degrees.

- Work–life balance: he admitted he still works during holidays, reviewing daily data out of habit.

- Relationships are central in German business culture—90% of client visits involve personal conversations, 10% business. Major clients contribute about 80% of Shell’s revenue.

He also encouraged students to be proactive when pursuing opportunities abroad. He entered Shell through a local job fair in Germany, where he visited Shell’s booth, followed up with a thank-you email, and later sent an additional message—small actions that made a lasting impression.

The session concluded warmly, with students expressing appreciation for J.P.’s honest sharing, and to Director Eccarius for fostering a meaningful exchange between academia and global industry practice.

Our College encourages students to make full use of available resources to enhance their language proficiency and strengthen connections with our alumni.
Please refer to the English Corner activity schedule for this semester: https://www.cm.nsysu.edu.tw/p/406-1024-365353,r159.php?Lang=zh-tw