We Are Wellington | Alumni Voices: Efekan Bilgin

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At Wellington, our mission is to equip our pupils with the knowledge and skills to be well-rounded, globally-minded citizens. So our key metric of success is ultimately the success of our pupils. In our We Are Wellington | Alumni Voices series, we showcase such successes by catching up with Old Wellingtonians to learn about experiences and insights gained in life after Wellington. In this edition, Efekan Bilgin, who left Wellington College International Shanghai in 2018, tells us why he chose to study Business at Koç University in Turkey and how Wellington has prepared him for success.

In what ways has your Wellington education prepared you for success at university?

Confucius once said, "授人以鱼不如授人以渔". In other words: if you give someone a fish, you feed them for a day; teach them to fish, and you feed them for a lifetime. This sums up my experience at Wellington. I was always encouraged to take my education into my own hands and go beyond what we learned in our lessons. I learned to see education not just as a means to an end but as a journey of discovery. This has paid huge dividends for me at university. So far, I have had no trouble navigating my way. I take initiative and feel accountable for my personal development. I make valuable contributions in class and interact more closely with my professors. After leaving Wellington, I am better equipped to "catch fish".

Why did you choose to enrol at Koç University?

At first, Koç University seemed like an atypical path. Most of the class of 2018 had decided to study at universities in the UK, US, Canada etc. Having studied for more than 15 years at British international schools in Beijing, Shanghai and Brussels, I was adamant to accept my Durham University offer (I was due to stay at the University College, the most competitive place that offers a Hogwarts-like college experience). How could I reject an offer like that? But I created a spreadsheet to assess the costs and benefits of attending Koç University. My family played an important role in guiding my decisions. Ultimately, we determined that the benefits of going to Koç far outweighed the costs.

To give some context, Koç University is affiliated with the Koç Group, a massive conglomerate at the forefront of the Turkish economy. Its total sales correspond to 8% of Turkey’s GDP. Such a connection brings tremendous advantages in the labour market as top companies (e.g., BCG, McKinsey, Google) channel their recruitment efforts toward schools like Koç. Studying here increases my chances of working for a great company after I graduate.

It brings lots of great networking opportunities with both faculty members and students as well. Koç University brings together some of the most accomplished people in their fields Olympians (academic and sports), actors, singers, celebrities and the brightest minds in Turkey. Enrolling at Koç felt like a good opportunity to reach out to such a diverse group of individuals. Also growing up abroad, I never had many friends from Turkey. I know that I want to settle down and spend my retirement years in Turkey, so seeking meaningful relationships certainly influenced my choice.

What made you want to study Business?

I have always been an experience-orientated individual. I knew that studying business would let me invest more in myself because there is more time for extracurricular activities. For instance, I have recently co-founded a 180 Degrees Consulting (the world’s largest student-led consultancy) branch at Koç University while juggling a year-long internship with my academics. It has been a challenge, but taking on more responsibilities helps me to hone my leadership, communication and stress management skills.

Also, business closely aligns with my interests at school. It is an umbrella term that encompasses finance, operations management, marketing etc. I figured that being a generalist would allow me more flexibility if I ever want to switch industries and pursue new experiences. A business degree also seemed the best way to hedge against the risks of coming into a job market that is becoming increasingly automated. Organisations will always need human input in the decision-making process.

Finally, business jobs tend to require travel abroad. I’ve spent the last 15 years travelling to places like the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan etc. I have developed a passion for travel. Visiting different places around the world on my employer's expense account (wink!) and getting to meet new people with different backgrounds is something has I have long looked forward to.

Since leaving Wellington, you have also interned with General Electric Healthcare and Harvard Business School Middle East and North Africa (MENA). What valuable lessons have you learned from these experiences and how have they influenced your career path?

1. Listen more, talk less

All the time you spend talking is time not spent listening and observing. The more you listen and observe, the better equipped you are to see the bigger picture and make better decisions. I learned this lesson very early on, and I have applied it to every subsequent internship.

2. Put yourself in other people's shoes

Ask yourself, "If I were supervising this intern, would I be satisfied with the work they have submitted?" This may be subjective, but eventually, you will learn what your supervisor's expectations are. This may mean investing a bit more time in the work that you do, but delivering quality work ultimately has a big payoff.

3. Patience prevails

There have been times when I was unable to find information after hours of surfing the internet. The lack of material on the subject you are researching, or any obstacle you may encounter, for that matter, can be demotivating, to say the least. But you have to remain patient and optimistic and develop strategies to get past the obstacles you encounter.

What do you like most about Koç University and why?

Without hesitation, I would say the university campus. It is in a forest. It is truly refreshing to wake up each day to blue skies and greenery, and I can always retreat to a serene environment after a long day in the bustling city. The architecture of the buildings is striking, too. It gracefully blends elements of Turkish culture with contemporary sensibilities.

You mentioned that Koç University is not as international as Wellington. Was it a challenge to adjust?

I believe my versatile character enabled me to transition seamlessly from Senior School to university. However, I have sometimes felt like a fish out of water. For instance, I would often be asked in my social circles why I resort to speaking English. It took longer for people to adjust to these differences. However, I was able to find my tribe (people who also grew up abroad) by joining the International Students Club. This definitely helped.

What three pieces of advice would you like to offer current Wellingtonians?

1. Strive to leave a footprint wherever you go

If you pursue an internship, be sure to get to know your colleagues. By cultivating strong professional relationships you will be remembered in the organisation. This opens the doors to your next career opportunity. It is a domino effect. A single domino (i.e. a strong professional connection) will set in motion a chain reaction. All the subsequent dominoes are the intermediary connections that get you to that last domino (i.e. your ultimate goal).

But leaving a footprint is not just about making connections. Identify areas of work in which you can add value to the organization and take on greater responsibilities. Working on different projects/tasks allows you to interact with different people across the organization. This allows you to maximise your impact and build more relationships.

2. Listen to your parents

Your parents have lived longer. They have more experience. They know things that you do not. If they suggest something. Hear them out without letting your emotions get in the way. They want the best for you. I certainly would have not found my niche if I did not take my parents' advice.

3. Adopt a “yes” philosophy

Here is some more wisdom from Confucius:  "生活就像一面镜子，你对它笑，它就对你笑；你对它哭，他对你哭". The basic meaning is this: life is a mirror and if you smile at it, it will smile back and vice versa. If you have a positive outlook towards life, you are more likely to reap the benefits along the way. So say 'yes' to opportunities when they come around. You want to be able to look back and say that you have exhausted every possible opportunity, provided that it suits your aspirations in life. So, if you want to run for head of college next year, go for it. Try something new. You have nothing to lose. Life is too short to keep hesitating.

Share with us your fondest memory of your time at Wellington.

I still reminisce about the house system. Most schools separate their pupils according to age groups, but at Wellington, we regularly interacted with pupils from year 7 and above. It made me feel like I was part of a family. Having the one-and-only Mr Shaw walk in every morning always started the day off with a lot of energy and positivity.

Another fond memory of mine is our trip to Zhangjiajie. I was sharing a tent with my two classmates, Luka and Ken. Around 3 am, a fierce storm hit, and we had to evacuate the area. We made our way back to our yurt on the back of a pickup truck, and I will never forget the banter we had with each other as lightning struck frighteningly close to us. 

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