Accelerating your career with Chevening

Chevening alumnus Shasha Chen leveraged her Chevening experience as a springboard to shift from a primarily analytical role into a more strategic, forward-looking position in risk management. Today, Shasha focuses on modernising technology and cyber risk management by applying data-driven, innovative solutions.  

‘My Chevening experience was pivotal in this journey. It enriched me academically, broadened my global outlook, and strengthened my ability to connect across regions and disciplines.’ 

Read five lessons Shasha has learned along the way: 

1. Embrace the power of learning 

In fast-changing industries, staying curious and open to new knowledge is essential.  

Formal degree studies provided me with a strong foundation, but c

ontinuous learning has helped me to stay relevant. Online courses, seminars, bootcamps, and mentorships have all played a role in keeping my skills current — especially as modern technologies present both challenges and innovative solutions across many industries, including risk management.  

2. Community is powerful

A meaningful community turns career transitions into collaborative journeys.  

I am especially grateful for the Chevening alumni network and my broader professional communities, w

ho continue to shape my journey. When I relocated to Singapore to take on regional risk management responsibilities, I knew very few people. Cheveners working in regulatory, legal, and financial sectors offered invaluable insights that helped me settle both professionally and personally.  

This spirit of support reflects what Chevening stands for: building global networks rooted in collaboration, leadership, and shared purpose.

3. Asking open questions

Moving to the UK required adapting to a new culture, academic system, and professional environment — an experience many Cheveners share. Asking open questions  

Helped me navigate these changes and gradually became one of my most valuable skills.  

It allowed me to build knowledge quickly, understand organisational cultures during career transitions, and form meaningful relationships along the way. Often, the simplest questions open the door to the most valuable insights.  

4. Identify transferable skills 

Career transitions do not necessarily mean starting from scratch.  

As AI evolves, many professionals without technical backgrounds are finding opportunities by building on existing strengths such as analytical thinking, stakeholder management, and communication, while gradually adding technical knowledge.  

For me, interpreting regulations early in my career laid the foundation for understanding technology, cyber, and operational risk compliance. Over time, developing skills in data analysis and problem-solving has helped me to stay current as automation and machine learning continue to reshape risk management. 

 5. Give back to the community

Collaboration sparks innovation and shared learning. Giving back, whether through mentoring, sharing knowledge, and contributing to

 professional communities, strengthens not only others’ journeys but your own.  

Career transitions aren’t just about advancement; they are about creating value for others and building communities of trust, which reflects the Chevening spirit of collaboration and impact.

Shasha Chen is a regulatory compliance and risk controls professional, currently focused on technology and cyber risk automation in an investment bank in the UK. Her career spans technology, fraud, and cyber risk management across the UK and Asia, where she develops robust risk frameworks and delivers innovative solutions in complex and evolving environments.