Student Profile: Giving Back

Yansong Cao '07
First Recipient of the Laura Cha Scholarship
Member, Student Government - Academic Affairs Representative
Co-leader of The Greater China Club
Marathon Runner
Post-SOM position: JP Morgan, Hong Kong

I’ve run two marathons — Beijing and Boston. I definitely feel strongly about running, because when you run you fight with yourself. I like the simplicity of running; I don't need a lot of equipment — just shoes. When I run I am free to think what I want and reflect on my life. And when I feel like I can’t hold it anymore, I always tell myself, "I can do this, I can do this."

I came to the United States to get my PhD in physics. But later on I felt physics wouldn’t satisfy what I was seeking in a career, so I changed my focus to information systems and worked as a software engineer. I had a wonderful experience there, but I felt like the opportunity for career development was limited. So I applied to business school. Yale was always my top choice. I wanted to get into finance in Asia and I knew Yale had a strong reputation there.

I received a call from the director of admissions, Bruce DelMonico, offering me the Laura Cha Scholarship. I was very excited, and even more so when I learned that I would be the first recipient. Laura Cha is the chairman of HSBC in Hong Kong. During my first week at SOM, I had the opportunity to meet with her. She was very down-to-earth, not what you might expect from such a powerful woman in business. We immediately connected. She was so kind and generous; she made me feel like family. When I was in Hong Kong doing my internship at JP Morgan over the summer, she invited me to her office several times.

My internship in investment banking was very demanding. Laura gave me a lot of encouragement, which re-energized me. She is so passionate about the development in China, and helping the poor people around the world. I asked her, "Why did you select Yale SOM for your scholarship?" She said she valued SOM’s mission, “Educating leaders for business and society.” She also knew there was a strong connection between Yale and China.

These two years at SOM have been the most wonderful experience. It goes beyond what words can describe. I have made so many good friends and I think this is because of the small size of the student body. You get to know each other very well. There is a strong sense of community here.

I’ve received a lot of inspiration to aim high from Laura and from many of the people I’ve met at SOM. I’ve been in the United States studying and working for almost eight years now. I came here in 1999 and feel I have a great repertoire of experiences. It's time to go back to China and give back.

Interviewed on April 27, 2007.