This is to inform the organization that you are ready and looking forward to the internship, and enables you to find out if there is anything you need to be aware of before the internship commences. This helps build your image as a responsible professional and demonstrate your eagerness to join the team.
4
Learning Through Internships
The importance of internship programs simply cannot be ignored or taken lightly. In the competitive job market we face today, good jobs are scarce and only quality candidates will be chosen. As you go through your years of studies, you MUST NOT OVERLOOK the participation in INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS because this empowers you to get ready for your future career with an impressive cover letter, a strong CV and all the necessary soft skills that make you stand out from others.
HKUST Internship Network (iNet)
iNet is an integrated internship platform which provides a host of internship programs across HK, Mainland China and many foreign countries. The following are highlights of the programs:
Program Name Location Duration
HKUST
Internship Network (iNet)
On-campus Internship Program Part-time or full time
Duration: varies HKUST campus
HKETO in Mainland Internship Program 5-6 weeks
Winter/Summer Various cities in
Mainland China
ASEAN Internship for University Students of
Hong Kong Scheme 4-12 weeks
Winter/Summer ASEAN countries
The Cross-Cultural Internship Program Work & Travel USA Program
6-12 weeks Summer USA
The Intern Group International Internship Program The Bloom of Youth Global Internship Program
6-24 weeks
Year round, depending on program
Scheme on Corporate Summer Internship on the Mainland and Overseas
Pilot Apprenticeship Program for
Private Wealth Management 4-12 weeks
Summer HK
Pilot Program to Enhance Talent Training
for the Insurance Sector 4-12 weeks
Summer HK
Maritime and Aviation Internship Scheme 4 -12 weeks
Summer HK
HeadStart@HKUST Program 6-12 weeks
Summer HK, Mainland China
& overseas
Myriads of other Mainland summer internship programs 6 weeks Summer
(depending on respective programs)
Various cities in Mainland China Scheme on Corporate Summer Internship on the
Mainland and Overseas 6-16 weeks
Summer Various cities in
Mainland China Government Summer Jobs, PSSSIP refers (offers
1,000+ jobs in different government departments;
only for students who are HK permanent residents) HK 6-12 weeks
Y-Society Internship Program (Finance-related internships) Beijing 6 weeks Summer
Fintech Career Accelerator Scheme HK 4-12 weeks
Shanghai Future Leaders Internship Program (SHFLIP) Shanghai 6-8 weeks Summer Local InternshipsMainland InternshipsOverseas Internships
Local internships listed above are usually paid whereas the majority of Mainland and overseas internships are unpaid. Despite the fi nancial implication of taking up an unpaid internship in the Mainland or overseas, the programs promise you wider exposure to different cultures, local customs, work practices, and foreign languages, which may help develop your resilience while living in an alien city/country, as compared to a local internship. Therefore do not focus merely on whether you get paid or not when deliberating on your internship.
Jeff was an engineer for four years before he became a consultant. Hear him share how he stepped out from his comfort zone into new territories.
Leaving the safe cocoon
Deciding to change my career after four years of corporate life wasn’t a difficult decision. The move wasn’t because of having been fed up or the typical “bad boss” experience; in fact I had some of the most exciting experiences during that time. During those four years, I had the opportunities to take part in managing a HKD 400 million chemical plant project, involve in business-wide digital transformations, work in different locations, from cities like Nanjing to rural areas in Inner Mongolia, as well as meet amazing people with whom I’m still in touch now.
It was during one of my weekly trips to Xi’an. I realized that if I stayed with this company, while I would be happy with the stability and career progression, I would get comfortable. I knew I needed to make a change before I became too settled in my comfort zone – a change that would enable me to throw myself into the world of uncertainties, and continue to exploit my potential and push my limits. I then began my search for the next steps.
Making that first step
Researching options for the career move took me some time, because I didn’t want to move to a similar company; otherwise I could have just stayed. I wanted to try something new, and at the same time would allow me to leverage my China experience, as well as develop my passion for engaging with people and overcoming exciting challenges. Therefore I tried to look for something in the field of management consulting. But it was difficult: management consulting opportunities that would embrace the engineering aspect of my experience wasn’t at all common.
After months of research, I began to understand what the industry was like, companies in the sector, and typical profiles of practitioners from LinkedIn, but I still couldn’t find an opportunity that clicked. Until one day, a recruiter approached me for a consultant position for a company that had a vision that was nothing but a perfect match with my very own aspiration. Through a couple rounds of interviews, I met colleagues with similar backgrounds and amazing experience, and I knew I wanted to start my next job with them.
In hindsight, I find the following ways of thinking particularly important in job search and career development:
Always be open to changes:
Although I was trained as a chemical engineer, I take on every opportunity available, which helps me explore possibilities and expand my knowledge. In my career change, I have gone from chemical plant operation to plant design safety analysis, from managing the schedule and budget of a chemical plant development
JEFF LI
BEng (Chemical Engineering) Senior Consultant, Advisian