Both Jungang (Kevin) Chen and Rita Ge are current students and co-cohort leaders in the MS in Organization Management and Strategy (MSOMS) program Class of 2025. Read below to hear about their experiences learning at Stern and living in New York City this past summer.
Jungang (Kevin) Chen
Hometown: Shenzhen, China
Undergraduate school: Western University, Canada
Undergraduate major: Finance & Computer Science
Previous work and/or internship experience:
- Industrial Securities Shenzhen overseas research team – Summer analyst internship
- Shanghai Unow Technology – Secretary Assistant
Reason for choosing this program: I love being a leader and finding creative solutions to solve problems and bring value to those around me, so this is the perfect program for me.
Career goals and interests: I want to have my own VC/HF someday, and I love investing in technology to push humanity forward.
Other fun facts: My ancestor is in the same family as Dowager Cixi (慈禧), the last empress.
Kevin in front of the Stern building
Rita Ge
Hometown: Irvine, California
Undergraduate school: University of California, Irvine
Undergraduate major: Economics
Previous work and/or internship experience:
- Previous Co-founder of Zooparty by providing strategic consulting
- Internship at TheHouseClub to help the company’s expansion into China
Reason for choosing this program: I chose the MSOMS program because it offers practical applications, providing the strategic insights and leadership skills essential for navigating complex business environments and driving innovation. Additionally, I am eager to build a strong professional network in China, as my long-term goal is to become an international business lawyer specializing in cross-border transactions between China and the U.S., where these connections will be invaluable.
Career goals and interests: I am interested in attending law school focusing on international business law between China and the US. Additionally, I’m keen on exploring various entrepreneurial opportunities.
Other fun facts: I once placed fourth in the Women’s World Open for chess and ranked eighth in the world for my age category.
Rita exploring Google NYC with other MSOMS students, guided by an incredible NYU Stern alumni
Favorite course this summer
Kevin: My favorite course is “The Strategic Landscape” taught by Professor Christina Fang. I like this course because it is highly interactive, and Professor Fang did a great job of making it an encouraging environment for students to share their views. I am a very extroverted person in class, and I was always encouraged to share and discuss different ideas.
Rita: I immensely enjoyed all of my courses at Stern, so I need to pick more than one favorite. Still, if I had to choose, it would be “Conflict, Collaboration, and Negotiation” with Professor Seth Freeman. This course was unlike any other I had taken before because Professor Freeman’s class was taught with a combination of practical simulations, class discussions, and lectures. Usually, we would try out the simulations on our own with our classmates according to the instructions, and we would be put in situations requiring conflict, collaboration, and negotiation. After the simulation, Professor Freeman would gather our feedback for class discussion, during which students would feel safe and respected to share their experiences and thoughts. After that, Professor Freeman would show us the results and teach us skills through fun lectures on how to better solve conflict, collaborate, and negotiate. I learned many helpful communication skills I still use daily to solve disputes, collaborate, and deal with issues. I learned how to ask my future boss for a raise, negotiate better deals that help both parties collaborate and benefit, understand that negotiation does not have to be tough on the person but on the problem, and much more. In addition, Professor Freeman shared his personal experiences that have widened my worldview.
Kevin: “The Strategic Landscape” is also very practical because I learned a lot about business strategy and how they apply to real life. I not only learned this from Professor Fang, but also from my classmates who are part of their family businesses. Professor Fang holds a lot of wisdom and never hesitates to share it.
Most memorable experience in New York this summer
Rita: One of my most memorable program experiences was the social event that we organized as co-cohort leaders at the bowling alley. Thanks to Kevin for taking the lead in planning the event, which had an incredible turnout, with our cohort members and students from the MS in Marketing and Retail Science (MSMRS) program joining us as well. The mix of different students created a diverse and vibrant atmosphere that made the evening even more enjoyable. It was an excellent opportunity for everyone to bond and have fun outside the usual academic setting.
NYU bowling social! A perfect mix of fun, bonding, and friendly competition!
Kevin: For me, my most memorable experience this summer outside of class has to be visiting the Intrepid Museum. If you are an aviation & history enthusiast like me, you would fall in love with this place. USS Intrepid was a full-sized aircraft carrier that survived World War II. Today it floats right on the west shore of Manhattan Island, hosting many interesting Airplanes, spacecraft, and submarines. Although I only became a private pilot, I call it a partial dream come true! There is also a Space Shuttle Enterprise onboard for you to see. Also, after class, I liked to find interesting dining spots in New York because I am such a foodie. Personally, I have a foodie list with more than 50 spots that I gathered and tried, they are all very good! If you are interested in this list, please feel free to reach out to me!
Dessert from Jean-Georges NYC, by world-famous French chef Jean Georges.
Life in New York this summer
Kevin: I lived in the Palladium Hall this summer. A typical study day for me starts with the 15-minute walk from Palladium Hall to NYU Stern. Palladium Hall is right next to Union Square Park, surrounded by businesses, and right next to the world-famous Broadway. Walking on Broadway every day to Stern is very refreshing to me, feeling the city and its very diverse demographic, you can see all kinds of people along the way. On campus, my two favorite spots are Washington Square Park and Bobst Library, which are both right next to the Stern Building. The park gives you a wonderful green space to relax and recharge after a tiring workday, and the beautiful library gives you a great space to work on your projects with your group or by yourself. As a graduate student, we have a dedicated study room on the basement level, but I always enjoy going to high floors to find a study spot with great scenery.
Broadway, Union Square Park
Library view on 10th floor
Washington Square
Advice for students studying at NYU Stern in New York
Rita: I think I benefited a lot from asking questions of faculty and peers. You’ll be surprised by how much you can learn from those around you. It’s natural for everyone to develop their own opinions and perspectives based on prior experiences, but Stern has shown me just how unique everyone truly is.
Kevin: The best advice I can give is to engage with everyone around you, including faculty, classmates, and other students in the building. Our faculty has been more than helpful to us during our time at Stern. They are great to interact with. Not only do they all hold wisdom in different fields, but they are also amazing people who love to help you. Every professor I met in this program has been warm-hearted; you can tell that they enjoy helping students grow. So, don’t be shy, talk to your professors and you may find them fascinating to talk with just like I do. Also don’t forget your classmates and other students! You are part of the Stern community now. Engaging with not only your classmates but also other programs that are there during summer will bring you value and you may find your best friend here.
Rita: I wouldn’t have made so many friends if I hadn’t taken the initiative to speak with others and genuinely get to know them. You never know if the next person you talk to might become a future business partner, a lifelong friend, or offer a perspective that changes the way you see the world. It’s crucial to approach every conversation with an open mind and a genuine curiosity to learn something new from each person. By doing so, you enrich your own experience and contribute to a vibrant, supportive community where everyone grows together.
One thing you look forward to doing in Shanghai during the fall semester
Kevin: We are now in Shanghai in the midst of the fall semester. I especially look forward to being able to do a part-time internship in Shanghai as this program is designed to help fast-track your business career, and it is specially designed to enable you to do an internship while studying.
Rita: I’m especially looking forward to the chance to work on the capstone project during the fall semester in Shanghai. Since I didn’t have the opportunity to do a capstone in my undergraduate studies, this will be a completely new and exciting experience. I’m eager not only to dive deep into the project itself but also to collaborate closely with my classmates. This experience will be an invaluable opportunity to apply what we’ve learned in a practical, real-world setting, where we can leverage each other’s strengths and diverse perspectives. The capstone project will be crucial to my personal and professional growth, offering insights and challenges that will push me to develop new skills and think critically. More than anything, I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together as a team. Working on a meaningful project in such a dynamic environment and learning from others’ experiences makes this a truly unique opportunity and one that I am eager to make the most out of.