A spring financial job fair was held at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics on March 4, attracting over 1,200 job seekers from various universities to explore more than 7,000 positions.

Marking the university's first major recruitment fair this year, the event featured both financial industry recruitment and broader career opportunities. Nearly 70 major financial institutions and 117 companies from various sectors were brought together at the fair.

The participating financial institutions included State-owned banks, insurance companies, securities firms, and fintech companies, while the comprehensive track covered sectors such as advanced manufacturing, internet technology, consulting services, and trade.

"We're exploring new opportunities for students," said Liu Liu from the career guidance office at the university. "Through partnerships with various organizations, we will host two to three specialized fairs weekly throughout March."

"Our recruitment target for this year remains stable," said Zhang Zepeng, HR manager at the Bank of Communications Financial Technology Co Ltd, which plans to hire 30 new graduates during this job-hunting season.

"As a growing fintech company, we're emphasizing positions in artificial intelligence, data analysis and more, alongside traditional financial roles. Our recruitment focuses exclusively on campus channels," he said.

Xiamen International Bank Shanghai Branch increased its graduate recruitment target by one-third compared to last year, seeking over 30 candidates.

"We value candidates with integrated backgrounds in finance, science and engineering among others," said Wang Baihe, the branch's recruitment manager. "Such comprehensive knowledge enhances our ability to serve clients across different industries. We can support new employees through cross-line rotation training, mentoring, and systematic learning programs."

Wang, whose company has participated in the fair for 10 years, praised the platform for its efficiency in connecting employers with students while reducing recruitment costs.

The event also provided an international education and career development consulting zone, offering one-on-one guidance to students.

At the job fair, Xu Tao, Party chief of the university, engaged with employers about recruitment trends and encouraged students to capitalize on available opportunities.

The university continues to strengthen its interdisciplinary programs to address evolving market demands, said Liu, noting that the university operates six dual-degree programs and recently established the School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence.

Liu also noted increased student initiative in job hunting, with a growing preference for stable employment.

Meanwhile, a Sydney University graduate surnamed Jiang, with a master's degree in software engineering, attended the fair after seeing the announcement online. "While I have an offer from a small private company, I'm exploring opportunities with larger organizations," he said.