China Internship Spotlight: Navigating Tech Policy and Startup Culture in Shanghai
Dongze Lyu is a master’s student in Public Policy. He spent the summer interning at C12.ai, a robotics startup based in Shanghai, with financial support from the Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies (LRCCS).
In this interview, Dongze shares his experience navigating China’s fast-growing technology sector from a policy perspective—conducting government policy research, drafting company communications, and gaining insights into the leadership and teamwork dynamics of a startup environment.
Q: What made you interested in applying for the internship at C12.ai?
A: I was interested in tech policy and high-tech industries, and I had always wanted to intern at a promising startup. C12.ai met all of my expectations, so I didn’t hesitate to apply for the internship.
Q: How did your onboarding process go, and what were your first impressions of the company?
C12.ai is a small but dynamic company. During his internship, Dongze researched government subsidies and enterprise support policies—work that closely aligned with his academic training in public policy.
A: My onboarding process was very straightforward. I introduced myself during the morning meeting, and my supervisor introduced me to each team member. I received brief training on company norms and office systems.
My first impression was that the company was small but dynamic—everyone worked closely together, often discussing projects and sharing ideas in the same office.
Q: What was your first major assignment, and how did you approach it?
A: My first major assignment was to research government subsidies and enterprise support policies offered by the Hangzhou government and identify which ones the company could apply for.
I began by collecting relevant policies from multiple sources and organizing them into a spreadsheet. Then I contacted and consulted with government departments for detailed requirements and clarification. Finally, I visited the local high-tech park and met with local officials to discuss specific policy options for the company.
Q: How did your background in public policy help you handle the policy research for the potential Hangzhou branch?
A: My previous internships in government agencies helped me become comfortable with interpreting policies and communicating with public officials. In addition, my academic training in public policy equipped me with analytical tools for program evaluation, which proved useful in assessing the feasibility of establishing a branch company.
Q: What did you learn from presenting your cost-benefit analysis to the CEO?
A: When the CEO assigned me the task, he preferred to focus on clear and concise results rather than detailed policy explanations. He cared most about the cost and benefits of each option, especially those involving short-term financial advantages like one-time subsidies.
This taught me the importance of tailoring analysis and presentations to the audience, focusing on the aspects that matter most to decision-makers.
Q: You also worked on writing promotional articles for the company. How did you handle that task without a technical background in robotics or AI?
A: Since the promotional articles were aimed at a general audience, I focused on making them readable and engaging, rather than explaining complex technical details. I referred to the company’s previous materials for guidance and often asked my colleagues for help—they were always willing to explain technical concepts, even when they were busy.
Q: What challenges did you face when learning about robotics and AI concepts, and how did you overcome them?
A: It’s nearly impossible to fully grasp technical concepts in robotics and AI without a relevant background, especially in a short time. At first, I spent too much time trying to understand every detail. Later, I realized that my job wasn’t to learn the technical principles but to communicate the product’s value.
Once I shifted my focus to understanding the functions and applications of the products instead of their technical foundations, my work became much more effective.
Q: What did this internship teach you about leadership and teamwork?
A: I learned from the CEO that leadership doesn’t mean doing everything yourself, but rather setting direction and guiding priorities. I also developed stronger teamwork skills, particularly in collaborating across departments and understanding different roles within the company.
Q: In what ways has this experience influenced your future career plans?
A: This internship strengthened my interest in technology policy and the tech industry. However, for my first full-time position, I hope to work in a large organization with a clear division of responsibilities and a well-established training system. After gaining several years of professional experience, I might consider joining a startup later in my career.