Jiahui Fang (Jerry) holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education Studies from NYU Steinhardt (Class of 2022). Building on this foundation, he earned a Master of Science degree through the NYU Stern/Shanghai Joint Program (Class of 2023), specializing in Marketing and Retail Science with a focus on data-driven consumer behavior analysis.
Currently serving as the sales manager at JD.com’s Beijing headquarters, Jerry spearheads strategic sales operations for this Chinese largest e-commerce platform. His dual academic background enables him to bridge knowledge in data analysis in social studies with commercial practice, designing retail strategies that align consumer insights with scalable business ideas in China’s dynamic digital marketplace.
Dare to explore. Looking back, I found there was no limit and no need to be afraid of exploring your curiosity and interests. There are many opportunities both inside and outside NYU.
How did the Education Studies program help you prepare for your career?
Education Studies is one of the coolest programs if you want to study social science. After you enter the program, you will take a holistic course intersecting with philosophy, anthropology, sociology, social policy, gender studies, etc. If you are undecided which specification you want to study, education is definitely a window and entry point for you to explore all the subjects. Personally, the program transformed my understanding of human development through its focus on socialization processes - particularly how knowledge transmission shapes individual and collective identity. The academic training unexpectedly enhanced my marketing career. I discovered striking parallels both in methodology and theory between education and marketing.
The conceptual frameworks from Education Studies keep inspiring my approach to identifying consumer behaviors and creating resonant consumer engagements. For students seeking intellectual flexibility combined with interdisciplinary vision and practical relevance, Education Studies provides unique scaffolding to develop critical thinking skills transferable to diverse contexts.
What was your favorite part of the Education Studies program?
The Education Studies program is a very small cohort. You get to take all of the core courses from introduction to senior seminar with the same group of people. All people from all backgrounds can communicate in a very harmonious environment, and eventually everyone becomes friends. As international students, we always feel very included in this community, from professors to staff and classmates.
What is your favorite part of your current job position?
This job gives me the chance to work on one of the biggest e-commerce platforms in China and work with the biggest brand in the world, Apple. From marketing, procurement, to selling, I get to leverage a considerable budget to implement plans and take charge of some part of the business independently. It is challenging while exciting for a freshman who has just graduated. Thanks to the fast pace of the internet company, I grew very fast and now take on businesses that are over 800 million independently.
What's next for you? What do you hope to accomplish in the next five years?
This year is a turning point for me. I will leave JD.com after working there for two years and get back to my family business in biotech international trading. I hope to be the head of the overseas business branch thanks to the international background that I gained from NYU.
Do you have any advice for current or prospective students?
Dare to explore. Looking back, I found there was no limit and no need to be afraid of exploring your curiosity and interests. There are many opportunities both inside and outside NYU. Some students in our class went into business, some went into social policy, and some went into law. I strongly recommend studying away and taking full advantage of NYU’s global network.