Tencent launches biggest campus hiring drive with 28,000 internships

Shenzhen-based tech giant Tencent is ramping up efforts to recruit young talent from around the world through its largest-ever hiring initiative for graduates, with plans to offer 28,000 internship positions over the next three years.

The company plans to convert many of these internships into full-time roles, starting with 10,000 campus internships in 2025, 60% of which will focus on technology.

Tencent’s new headquarters (as shown at the top of the picture), known as “Penguin Island,” is under construction in the Dachan Bay area of Qianhai. File photo

The program includes five major job categories: technology, product, design, marketing, and corporate functions. There is an emphasis on advanced technical fields such as large language models, algorithms, and R&D.

Hiring efforts will be focused both domestically and internationally. Positions will be available in cities such as Shenzhen, Beijing, and Shanghai, as well as in 20 other countries including Singapore, the U.S., and the U.K. The company has held recruitment events at over 40 universities and hosted online sessions that reached over 400,000 students.

This move comes at a time when China is set to see a record 12.22 million university graduates this year, even as the economy undergoes restructuring amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

“Employment is the cornerstone of people’s well-being,” said Luo Haibo, Tencent’s global head of recruitment. “As a platform company, we recognize it as our responsibility to contribute to job creation, particularly in such a challenging environment.”

Qiao Zijiang, a computer science student from Xi’an University of Posts and Telecommunications, is among the new recruits. Having long been fascinated by internet firms such as Tencent, Qiao joined the company’s campus ambassador program during his sophomore year.

That experience proved instrumental in helping him secure an internship with Tencent in March, where he is now training for a technical product and business role.

“Within our department, training combines real-world sales simulations and client interactions,” Qiao said. “We’re assigned dual mentors — one for industry insights and one for business skills — which has really helped me make a smooth transition from school to the workplace.”

Zhang Jie, a computer and software major at Shenzhen University, is interning as a product manager for iOA, Tencent’s in-house, zero-trust security platform aimed at protecting small and medium-sized enterprises.

“My job is to translate client feedback into product features,” Zhang said. “It requires a deep understanding of cybersecurity concepts, as well as the ability to anticipate and respond to customer needs.”

Zhang hopes to secure a permanent role and is receiving guidance through Tencent’s mentorship system. “My mentor regularly helps me solve problems and improve. I feel I’m growing every day.”

Currently, Tencent employs over 55,000 full-time staff, with 73% of its workforce comprising tech professionals. More than 27,000 employees are involved in technical R&D.

Tencent hosts a campus recruitment seminar at Shanghai Jiao Tong University to engage with prospective graduates. Courtesy of Tencent

Tencent is pairing its hiring push with robust training and internal mobility programs to help new hires thrive. The company’s “dual-path” career system allows employees to pursue either technical or management tracks, with the flexibility to switch between them.

Additionally, an internal talent circulation program, known as the “Water Plan,” helps match employees to suitable roles across departments.

“Our philosophy is that investing in young people is investing in the future,” said Luo. “Beyond internships, we will continue to launch campus recruitment programs and collaborate with partners to create more opportunities for high-quality employment.”