FUSIA/CCIP students were pleasantly surprised when Alex Dong, Vice President of Marketing and New Product Development at Healthmonitor Network made a guest appearance at their mid-session discussion.

Organized by FUSIA/CCIP and taking place at the half-way mark of the seven week internship program, the discussion served as a platform to work closely with students and host companies to provide students a learning environment in the midst of a globalizing workplace. Kicking off the session with a comparison and evaluation of students' expectations of New York before and after arrival, the students were lead through an evaluation of their lifestyle, housing and their internships.

On Wednesday, June 18th, at the lounge of the Sheraton Hotel, we were able to get an interview Alex:

Q: Could you briefly explain a little about your background?

A: Presently, I am responsible for marketing, new product development, and technology for Healthmonitor Network, the largest point of care media company in the US. We reach around 40 million consumers every 2 months and over 110,000 doctors' offices. Before Healthmonitor, I held senior management positions at MetLife, Translocal Health, Walker Digital, Priceline.com, and Pfizer/Warner Lambert. I went to MIT for my undergraduate degree and obtained my MBA in Finance and Marketing, and Strategic Management from Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Q: What do you think is the main difference between US and Asian employees that employers take into consideration when hiring?

A: On average, Asians are hardworking and meticulous. They also tend to be not as strong in voicing their opinions publicly or making themselves stand out in terms of presentation of ideas. But that isn't to say they don't have the capability to excel in those areas. It is a product of their circumstances and surroundings. Many Asians are first generation who started their career in a very technical field, where communication is not as crucial as, marketing or sales. It takes time for someone to learn culture, and that includes work cultures as well. In general, Asians also are less likely to share views that would push the envelope and separate them from their peers. Whereas for the US employees, it is culturally ingrained in them that they speak their minds and aim for views and actions that set them apart.

Q: With such a diverse array experience, how do you know what you want to do?

A: You have to keep your mind open to the vast possibilities this world has to offer. I want to take on new challenges and find solutions. The excitement of discovery, learning, and satisfying a curiosity are what drive me forward. My advice to all of you is to make your own path. That you should listen to others is sound advice, but another piece of equally sound advice is that you shouldn't follow what others tell you without understanding.

Q: Asian Americans are still a minority in the US. How do you adjust to it?

A: The world is shrinking and boundaries between cultures are doing the same. It is a multicultural world, a global one. Each culture has its beauty, its mystery and a whole slew of other things, some desirable, some not so. As citizens of the world, we are capable of being part of any culture. The key is having respect for one another, and always the curiosity to learn more.

Q: With such vast experiences, how do you know what is next? How do you handle it when things do not go your way?

A: Having a large vision, believing in that vision and putting in a lot of hard work is the perfect recipe for dealing with the unknown. I can't know what is next. If I could see the future, I would be picking a winning stock right now. I enjoy what I do and am excited at the prospect of building Healthmonitor Network into a billion dollar company. Not everything in life will go your way or go according to plan, but that's of little consequence as long as you keep your perspective and think through the situation. Every challenge, no matter how big, can be broken down into smaller pieces. Just remember to be cool and be proactive.