#WhitmanWatch: Xinye Zou

Class of 2017
Majors: Supply Chain Management, EEE, International Relations
Minor: Global Enterprise Technology
Hometown: China
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xinyezou

With three majors and one minor in three different Syracuse University colleges, Xinye Zou has embraced a diverse and busy academic experience in her time at SU.

Zou originally came to SU intending to study international relations, but discovered a love of entrepreneurship during her freshman year after attending the Collegiate Entrepreneur’s National Conference. “By listening to established entrepreneurs and networking with other colleagues, I became increasingly interested in business,” said Zou. “Though I received four utility model patents in China as a high school student, I didn’t realize I was suited for business until attending Whitman.”

Zou serves as the president of both SU’s International Relations Club and the Entrepreneurship Club. In these roles, she is responsible for ensuring that the students involved in each organization have a fulfilling academic and personal experience. For Zou, the opportunities for involvement outside of the classroom have been one of the most beneficial aspects of her Whitman education.

“When I was a freshman, I went to a national entrepreneurship conference with the Entrepreneurship Club in Chicago,” Zou explained. “This school trip was a valuable experience for me and I got a chance to learn more about entrepreneurship and expand my networking. These off-campus opportunities help students to see what the real world is and benefit them after they graduate.”

Last summer, Zou had the chance to enhance her academic experience as a supply chain management intern for Li & Fung Logistics. In this role, she worked with the international logistics team to assist a U.S. fashion brand in established their international bonded warehouse in China. She also helped manage 6,000 stocks in a non-bonded warehouse and 20,000 stocks in a bonded warehouse with distribution to 17 stores in China. “This internship experience in a real-world warehouse benefitted my academic learning in supply chain management by helping me to understand and apply abstract concepts in supply chain,” said Zou.

After graduation, Zou hopes to work in a consulting firm for a few years to gain experience. She then plans to pursue her MBA.