2011
http://career.ust.hk
Job and internship opportunities
Graduates share career insights
Make winning applications
Other options after graduation
Welcome
Contact us Career Center Room 5016, 5/F,
Academic Building (via Lift 3) Telephone: (852) 2358-6688 Fax: (852) 2719-9412 E-mail: saocc@ust.hk Website: http://career.ust.hk Opening Monday to Thursday 8.45am – 1.00pm 2.00pm – 5.30pm Friday 8.45am – 1.00pm 2.00pm – 5.45pm
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays Closed
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The path to success and
fulfillment requires vision,
courage and stamina. You
may not know where it leads
you exactly. However, when
in your mind you envisage
where you want to be and
what you want to achieve,
then you can take the first
step with confidence and a
sense of purpose – even if you are still mapping out
the direction.
That is, in essence, what career planning is all about
– uncovering your gifts and passions, and linking
them to practical needs of the world. At UST, we strive
to nurture future leaders of society who endeavor
to make an impact on the world in their own unique
ways. The journey to that discovery will be full of
surprises, and sometimes setbacks. But one thing
is certain: great careers do not happen overnight;
they are built upon numerous big and small efforts,
undertaken dutifully and faithfully, that eventually
evolve into a series of positive rewards.
In your hands is the very first step that you can take
to enter the world of exciting career possibilities.
Allow this guide to help you find ways to build your
competencies, realize your potential, and pursue
your dreams.
2
THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2011
http://career.ust.hk
The career scene in Hong Kong
22
The value of extra-curricular activities
32
[ ] = advertisement IFC = inside front cover OBC = outside back cover
The HKUST experience
4 My HKUST experience 6 More than a degree
10 Meet the Career Center advisors 12 Join our programs
Prepare for work
18 Exploring your career options 20 Plan your path
22 The career scene in Hong Kong 24 The job market in mainland China 27 Skills that employers look for 30 Experience work
32 The value of extra-curricular activities 34 Building your network
35 Employment policies for non-local students
36 More than a simple decision: Mainland alumni working in Hong Kong
All you need to know about getting a job
38 Job hunting
40 Making winning applications
42 Standing out in assessment centers
43 Succeeding at interviews
44 What to do when everybody wants you
46 Career building
A different route
48 The pleasure and pain of entrepreneurship 52 Preparing to work abroad
56 Pursuing postgraduate studies
57 Why those years are all worthwhile: Stories of UST’s PG graduates
60 Taking a time-out
62 Making a successful career transition
Jobs and course providers
69 Information on jobs and course providers
Employers and course providers
Barclays Capital ... 69
Bloomberg L.P. ... 69
CPA Australia ...[IFC] Credit Suisse ... 70
Grant Thornton ... 70
Hang Seng Bank ... 70
ICT Career Centre ...72
J.P. Morgan ... [65, OBC] Leighton Contractors (Asia) Limited ...71
Meltwater Group ...71
Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited ...72
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group ...72
Contents
Recruitment events calendar
As a bridge between HKUST and employers, the Career Center brings recruiters from different industries to our campus so that you can meet them face to face.
On-campus recruitment
Here is the general/tentative timeline of on-campus recruitment events for the year. Mark your calendar and register in advance at the Career Center website (http://career.ust.hk -> “Event Registration”).
On-campus recruitment events 2010-11
Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr
Investment banks • •
Government • •
Management consulting • •
Accounting firms • • •
Commercial banks • • •
Career Mosaic – Job Fairs (various industries) • •
Property development and real estate •
Conglomerates • •
Fast Moving Consumer Goods • •
Airlines • • • • • •
Internship program organizers • • • • • • •
Government-related organizations • • • Telecom/Communication • • • Insurance • • • • IT • • Logistics/Construction/Engineering/Manufacturing • • Pharmaceuticals • • Public utilities • •
Government recruitment
Government recruitment follows a set timeline each year and requires standardized assessment procedures. If you are interested in working for the government, the following calendar can help you to plan your job search and internship activities for the coming year.
30 Jul – 12 Aug 2010
Applications for Common Recruitment Exam (CRE)/Basic Law Test (BLT) in October
Sep 2010 Administrative Officer (AO)/Executive Officer II (EOII)/ Management Services Officer II (MSOII) Recruitment talk on campus
Applications for AO/EO/MSOII 2 Oct 2010 CRE and BLT
7 – 8 Oct 2010 Career Mosaic – Recruitment for graduate posts and
Jan Applications for AO Summer Internship
AUS selection interviews at Auxiliary Police Headquarters Feb Panel interviews on campus for AO Summer Internships
Apr Announcement of AO Summer Internship results
Announcement of AO offers PMP Inauguration Ceremony Applications for CRE/BLT in June
Government recruitment and assessment schedule 2010-11
My HKUST experience...
... was the sweetest
‘nightmare’. I worked like
a dog, but gained a lot.
Oliver LEUnG (BEng 1997, MPhil 2000)
...felt like a buffet – there
was such a variety of
courses and extra-curricular
activities available!
Angelica LEUnG (BBA 1998)
... was painful when I was
there, lovely after I left,
and memorable as time
continues to pass...
Julio CHOw (BEng 2005)
... profoundly changed the
way I approach the world
and lead my life.
Xiyuan FAnG (BSc 2006)
... gave me so much that
words could not describe
or summarize.
Zachary MAU (BEng 2003)
... transformed me from a
piece of white paper into
a beautiful picture!
Mark LI (BBA 2007)
... ignited my interest in
public affairs, served as
a catalyst for my maturity and
helped me better understand the
community.
Jessie LUO (MSc 2009)
... built and shaped my
character.
Terry TSAnG (BSc 2004, MPhil 2006)
... was absolutely
an essential part of my life.
Thomas LEE (BEng 1998, MPhil 2000,
PhD 2003)
... was the happiest and
most enjoyable time in
my life.
Terence TSAnG (BEng 2006)
... one word – HARD!
work hard, row hard, play
hard! It shaped a TOUGH me!
Daisy CHOw (BSc 1997)
... enlightened me.
Vincent LEE (BSc 2007)
... was full of energetic
and cross-cultural
encounters.
Houston LEUnG (BSc 2007)
... was challenging,
enjoyable and
unforgettable.
Albert wAnG (MSc 2008)
THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2011
I realized that there are other ways to change
the world – more direct and efficient ways.
Ken LAw, BSc 1998
Founder & CEO, MotherApp.com
THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2011
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THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2011
http://career.ust.hk
More than a degree
“what did you get out of UST?” How will you answer
that question when you graduate?
A
s three alumni fondly recalled their university years, they believe that what they got far exceeds a bachelor’s degree.Make an impact
Ken LAW (BSc in Computer Science, 1998) dreamed of becoming an academic even
before he went to university. But his is not a simple story of pursuing and actualizing
one’s dream. He changed his mind along the way and became something that he never thought he would be interested
in – founder and CEO of a startup called MotherApp.com. “I realized that there are other ways to change the world,” Ken said, “more direct and efficient ways.”
With his A-level grades, Ken could have got into any university in Hong Kong. He finally picked UST because it offered him what he needed most – a strong academic atmosphere. “The biggest gain for me was my interaction with the professors and their continuous assessment of each student,” he said. “Our professors cared about us and demonstrated by example
the right attitude towards learning and research. That was the biggest value
added to me as a student.”
A one-year exchange experience at UCLA helped Ken gain an
advantage on top of his UST education. Upon graduation,
he got into the Master’s program at Stanford
University, where he met a lot of young
people just like him. “Coming from
Hong Kong, I
was pleasantly surprised to realize that my classmates and I had a lot in common; and I did not fail by comparison,” he said. “I learned not to underestimate myself.”
A project class in his last semester at Stanford opened the door for a life-changing opportunity. “The class was hosted by Sergey Brin and Larry Page, founders of Google. They developed some tools for Google and wanted students to use them in various projects,” Ken said. “My project stood out as one that struck a fine balance between technological interest and commercial value. As a result, they asked me to join the company.”
Working for Google in its startup phase proved to be an eye-opening experience for Ken. “I basically witnessed how technology could change the world,” he said. “I’ve seen and heard stories about how google.com was able to save people’s lives – providing source of help promptly in an emergency situation because of its powerful search functions, for example. So good technology not only creates a whole new business, it can contribute to the world in ways that never existed before.”
After working for Google for four years, Ken came back to Hong Kong and pursued a PhD in Computer Science. But soon after, he realized that studying for a doctorate degree was not for him anymore. “It’s too slow,” Ken said. “After seeing that there are non-traditional ways to change the world, getting a PhD just didn’t seem efficient enough.” In 2005, he reconnected with his UST classmate, Leo, and the rest was history. “I had a product idea, while he was a business guy. We found a perfect match right there.”
The HKUST experience
Ken dropped out of his PhD program, and together with Leo, founded
MotherApp.com, a startup that believes “everyone can app”. “App is just a tool like Lego,” Ken said. “Our goal is to lower the barriers so everyone, regardless of skill or background, can create apps and share them with the world.”
So is a PhD still in his plans? “No. I now believe in the value of entrepreneurship – not for the sake of making money, but making impact. Thanks to my education and experience, I’ve acquired a strong spirit of research that would help sustain my belief.”
Maximize every opportunity
It was also strong beliefs that got Daisy CHOW (BSc in Mathematics, 1997) where she is today. She is now Chief Operations Officer at Intimex Business Solutions Co Ltd, and owner of a business in the parenting arena. “I’ve always believed in maximizing every opportunity that comes my way,” Daisy said.
It all started when she was a young student. “After I got an offer from UST, my mother told me that we didn’t have money to pay for my tuition – we were $18,000 short. So I found a summer job that paid $6,000 per month. I worked there for three months and got my $18,000. I lived in Tuen Mun then and had to commute four hours to and from Siu Sai Wan every day. But I was determined to solve the problem. And I did.”
Ever since then, Daisy learned to never take anything for granted. “Studying was a luxury for me,” Daisy said. “I decided I wouldn’t give up any chance to broaden my knowledge and improve myself.” Back then, UST students were allowed to take courses beyond the credit limit. As a Science major, she took 12 courses in Business Administration, six courses in Humanities and Social Science and four courses in Engineering. “I truly cherished every opportunity to learn,” she said with a smile.
As a university student, Daisy lived up to her motto – work hard, play hard. Not only did she study well, she was also an outstanding sportswoman who competed with the University’s Rowing and Dragon Boat teams. “UST taught me everything about diligence, persistence and perseverance,” she said. “I realized that when you give, you gain. And the more you give, the more you gain.”
She carried this value to the workplace and impressed all her supervisors. “I remember working in an engineering firm one summer as an administrative assistant. My job description was rather vague and I actually didn’t have much to do. One time, my boss asked me to look for a quotation in his room. I found it and did more – I
tidied his desk, reorganized his folders and suggested to program certain procedures to streamline workflow.” As a result, she was asked to single-handedly organize an annual dinner for the company before she went back to school.
Her first job after graduation was working as an administrative officer in a trading firm. “It was a small company and not very structured,” Daisy said, “but because of that, I was able to lay my hands on all kinds of tasks. And whatever I did, I came up with better ways to do it. After three years, the sales turnover increased ten times, and the number of clients went from twenty to over a thousand. I did much more than what was required of me – and it paid off.”
Not exactly in monetary terms though. Daisy was underpaid but what she gained was more than what could be measured. “Because of all the trade shows I had to attend in different countries, I gained international exposure, learned about corporate branding, and established ties with some clients who later lent a hand when I needed help,” she said.
In 2000, Daisy joined Intimex as Assistant Marketing Manager. Two months into her employment, she successfully did a product launch with the advice of her previous clients. She continued to impress her boss with her can-do attitude and after three years or so, Daisy seized the opportunity and made a rather bold request. “I said to him, ‘I would be even more dedicated to the job if I became a partner. I would be able to give business directions to the company.’ In the end, he granted my request. I fought for what I wanted because I knew he could see my value.”
Daisy has since branched into other endeavors – developing EdToys, an online company selling educational toys and running Baby Dance, an educational institution offering music and dance playgroups for young children. Looking back, she is grateful for her UST experience. “UST is a demanding institution. But I took the chance to absorb like a sponge and really gained an advantage,” she said. “And I learned to value time – that has really made a difference in my life.”
THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2011
That little something special
Like Daisy, Mark LI (BBA in Professional Accounting and Operations Management, 2007) believes in putting extra effort, taking a step forward. He even has a name for this – the “Something Special Theory”.
“Every day could just be a normal routine. But the goal is to have something little every day that makes the day less routine. That ‘something special’ – be it good or bad – adds a little spice in life. Then you’ve already earned the day.”
Mark is now Assistant Vice President in a global project team at HSBC, but he was not your typical business school student. He didn’t join any exchange programs because he spent his early childhood in Canada. Neither did he join any case competitions, because he had his own case to plan and execute – that “something special” in his university years.
“The one thing I was most proud of was the ‘Watami Project’ that my classmate and I initiated out of the blue,” he said. “One day during Year 2 winter break, we got really frustrated by the long line in front of the minibus to Choi Hung. We went on to say that there needed to be some effective queue management. So we said, ‘why don’t we start a consultation project?’”
And just like that, Mark and his friend found ten people and two professors to join them. They consulted transportation companies and different retail stores. Finally, the Japanese restaurant Watami (和民) agreed to participate in a marketing and operations research project. In the month that followed, they conducted
research, provided feedback and brought the project to completion. “There wasn’t any credit, nor was there any money,” Mark said. “It started purely as a typical UST student complaint, but gradually turned into an exciting endeavor.”
This experience also became Mark’s niche. “This subject is what I talked about most in interviews,” he said. “I think it’s my initiative that has made all the difference.” That could well be one of the reasons why he was admitted to an HSBC internship program in the summer before his final year. After the internship, he and one other intern stood out from among 11 other candidates and received a permanent job offer one year before graduation. “All of us got solid skills, but I think my positive attitude set me apart,” Mark said, “the eagerness to exceed expectations.”
Most business school students at UST may not be happy with just one job offer, but Mark thinks otherwise. “I worked there, I liked it there, and I was happy about the job prospects,” he said.
“Was there a better job offer out there? Frankly, I didn’t know. But instead of wondering if there was anything ‘better’, I
chose to make the offer I got the best offer by actively creating the best environment for myself to succeed at the job.”
Mark admits that his progress at work over the three years after he graduated exceeded his expectations. “I am not afraid to ask questions,” he said. “Asking the right questions intelligently shows your superiors that you have thought things through, that you care, and that you are ready to take on bigger tasks. Never be intimidated or think that asking questions shows your weaknesses. On the contrary, it demonstrates your willingness to move forward.”
Looking back at his UST days, Mark is most grateful for the many opportunities that helped him develop logical and critical thinking skills. “When I applied those skills to myself, I knew I shouldn’t just ‘go with the flow’ and do everything just because everyone else was doing it. I needed to ask myself why I wanted to do it and what I wanted to achieve from it. It has to be your own initiative; then whatever you do will become your competitive edge, your niche, your ‘something special’!”
Cheryl LEE
Assistant Director, Career Center BSocSc (Social Work)
MSc (Training and Human Resource Management) Registered Social Worker, Member of HKIHRM Prior to joining HKUST in 1994, Cheryl was a social worker providing counseling and assistance to secondary school students and families in need. In the past decade, as a student counselor of the Student Affairs Office, she has built up extensive experience in providing career counseling to university students and enhancing students’ employability by organizing a wide range of career development programs. She has also played a significant role in establishing partnerships with employers from various industries including accounting, banking, finance, management consulting, fast moving consumer goods, retail and property development.
Currently, Cheryl is assisting the Director of Student Affairs in overseeing the operation and development of the Career Center.
Ruby CHAN
Senior Manager, Career Center BBA
Prior to joining HKUST’s student career services, Ruby gained extensive experience in Hong Kong and North America, working in outdoor advertising, quality assessment and service consultancy, financial planning and credit card businesses. Her major responsibilities in the Career Center are graduate placement, career development programs and the Graduate Employment Survey.
THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2011
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http://career.ust.hk
The Career Center is staffed with trained and experienced professionals who
are ready to help students with enrichment opportunities, career planning
and development.
Winnie CHOY Manager, Career Center BSocSc (Psychology) MPhil (Psychology) PgDip (Education)
Before joining the Career Center, Winnie received solid training in a wide range of psychological research areas, including the study of career and personality assessments. She also has more than five years of teaching experience in the secondary and tertiary education sectors, with a significant amount of time devoted to providing counseling and guidance to students. Her current major responsibilities at the Career Center include conducting career assessments and job hunting skills workshops, and organizing other career development programs.
Karen CHUA
Senior Manager, Career Center BA (English)
MBA
Karen’s professional experiences cover profit and non-profit enterprises in a variety of industries. Prior to joining the Career Center in 2008, she was a PR officer, a merchandiser and a veteran administrator serving various offices of HKUST. Her previous posts at HKUST involved staff recruitment and retention strategy. Her primary responsibilities at the Career Center include the Internship Learning Scheme, On-campus Internship Program and providing advice related to ‘Non-local Students Working in Hong Kong’.
Christina LAI
Assistant Manager, Career Center BA (Economics)
Prior to joining HKUST, Christina had extensive work experience as a personal assistant to CEO in the private sector in Hong Kong and as a Manager in Academic and Administrative Services at a university in Canada. She brings with her a wealth of experience in office administration as well as academic advising to students in higher education institution. Her main areas of work at the Career Center include career development programs and the Graduate Employment Survey.
Ruby LAM
Instructor, Career Center BSc (Industrial Engineering) MSc (Operations Research) MSc (Supply Chain Management) MBA
Before joining the Career Center, Ruby held a variety of management positions in the aviation and manufacturing industries. Prior to those management positions, Ruby worked as a management consultant, specializing in marketing strategy and operations, and consulted with companies in a variety of industries, such as consumer products, utilities, transportation and pharmaceuticals. Ruby has also worked extensively in the United States. Her major responsibilities at the Career Center include instruction for the Career Building Course, career development programs and publication of the Career Guide.
The HKUST experience
Fanny YIPManager, Career Center
BA (Chinese Language & Literature and English Linguistics)
Having worked previously at another local university for about seven years, Fanny has accumulated a great amount of experience in career services, employer networking and internship programs before joining HKUST in 2008. Her primary work focus now at the Career Center is the Internship Learning Scheme and arranging overseas and mainland internships.
Arthur CHUNG Manager, Career Center BEcon
Dip (Human Resource Management) Prior to joining HKUST, Arthur worked as a Consultant at a US-listed executive recruitment firm, where he had successfully placed mid- to senior-level candidates into multinational companies. He is experienced in advising and coaching candidates on interviews, CV writing and other selection methods. Having worked closely with HR and hiring managers, he has a good understanding of what employers expect from candidates. Currently, his work areas at the Career Center include the Internship Learning Scheme and career development programs, specializing in CV writing and interview skills training.
Janice LAU
Assistant Manager, Career Center BBus (HRM)
MCom
Janice has accumulated solid experience in administration, human resource management and customer service from her previous jobs at the HKUST College of LifeLong Learning and in the banking industry. Her current major work areas include the Internship Learning Scheme and On-campus Internship Program.
Eva YEUNG
Assistant Manager, Career Center BA (Geography)
MPhil (Geography)
Prior to joining HKUST in 2008, Eva worked at an engineering consultancy firm and accumulated solid experience in training and development as well as human resource management. Currently, her main areas of work at the Career Center include organizing on-campus job fairs, conducting the Graduate Employment Survey and user feedback survey and assisting the Internship Learning Scheme.
THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2011
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http://career.ust.hk
C
areer planning is a lifelong process that should start as early as possible. To help students embark on this important journey, the Career Center organizes a variety of programs to help students understand themselves, explore the working world and develop their career paths.Career development programs
Students can benefit greatly from our extensive catalog of interesting and interactive programs to gain better
self-understanding, industry updates, refined job search skills, useful connections, insights and inspirations, and much more. Here is a list of career development programs available throughout the academic year.
Personal management
Understanding personality types (MBTI) & career planning •
Exploring career interests through Self-Directed Search (SDS) •
Communication skills training •
Professional image & business etiquette workshops •
Seminars on work ethics & workplace relationships •
The Career Center at HKUST is
dedicated to helping you explore, plan
and prepare for your career.
Exploring the world of work
Sharing sessions by alumni and professionals •
Career seminars on different industries/professions •
Info session on Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) •
Company visits •
Info session on “Non-local Students Working in Hong Kong” •
Info session on working in mainland China/abroad •
Seminar on entrepreneurship •
Career building
CV writing workshop (Basic & Advanced Level) •
Interview skills training •
Impromptu speech workshop •
Presentation skills workshop •
Police Inspectorate selection training program •
Information session on Career Services •
Mock aptitude test session •
It was a rewarding and unforgettable
experience. The opportunities to take part in
the flight attendant mock interviews impressed me
most. we learned a lot about the recruitment and
training process of flight attendants, and about the
culture and structure of a big corporation.
A participant of Cathay City Visit
I believe skincare is equally important to both
genders because having a nice and clean look
really helps to make a good impression on recruiters.
As expected, I gained a lot of useful knowledge from
the workshop – from different skin types to basic
cleansing, from the importance of exercise for a
good physique to the importance of a healthy diet to
maintain nutrition and good skin. From now on, I will
be more aware of my physical appearance. Overall, it
was an interesting and eye-opening experience.
Matthew LEUnG, Year 1 Chemistry
Skincare and
Make-up Workshop
Internship Learning Scheme (ILS)
The Internship Learning Scheme (ILS) is a structured internship program where you can receive comprehensive pre-internship training, develop career competencies, acquire solid work
experience and build useful network through meaningful internship opportunities. Take this opportunity to have a “rehearsal” of your desired career.
The pre-internship training comprises three areas: personal management, work exploration and career building. After the
applications according to their backgrounds and preferences. Students may also take up internships solicited from their own sources to fulfill the internship requirement.
Enquiry
Announcements on enrollment will be made on our website (http://career.ust.hk -> “Internships”) in Sept/Oct 2010. You are also welcome to send any enquiries to sails@ust.hk or come to our service counter at Room 5016 (via lift 3) during office hours.
The HKUST experience
Selected employers for ILS
participants in Summer 2010
American Council of Engineering Companies (Washington DC, USA) •
Bloomberg L.P. •
The Dairy Farm Company Ltd •
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu •
Hamilton Madison House (New York, USA) •
Hong Kong Disneyland •
Hong Kong Electric Company Ltd •
Hong Kong Monetary Authority •
HSBC •
Pizza Hut Hong Kong •
Microsoft •
The Path to Police
Inspectorate Selection
It has always been my dream to be a
police officer since I was small. I think the
job is meaningful because I can contribute to
the society and help the needy. In my final year
at UST, I applied to be a police inspector. But I
failed at my first try because I was too nervous. I
wanted it so badly that my nervousness affected
my performance. I also felt very rushed, so I
was not able to formulate a plan before taking
action during the practical leadership exercise.
In spite of my disappointment, I didn’t give up.
Before my second attempt, I joined the training
program “The Path to Police Inspectorate Selection”
offered by the Career Center. Our instructor “Mak
Sir” was wonderful. Apart from giving practical
guidelines and advice, he also inspired us to think
more, and be brave to face our own weaknesses.
The program mentally prepared me to deliver my
best performance during the selection process.
In my second attempt, I was able to calm down
and mentally rehearse the situation beforehand. And
this time, I made it! I would not have acquired this
mental strength if I had not attended the program
and received such wonderful inspiration from “Mak
Sir”. I recommend this workshop to all students
because it helps you to understand and face your
weaknesses; and by overcoming them you become
stronger and more confident.
THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2011
14
http://career.ust.hk
to do an internship in Singapore at the
International Secretariat of the PECC in August 2009.
working overseas in an unfamiliar environment
with colleagues from different cultures made
this internship a truly unique and multicultural
experience. Throughout the internship, I was able
to interact and work closely with colleagues from
Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Korea, Shanghai
and Hong Kong. This element of my internship was
one which I most cherish.
Emily LI, Global Business, Year 1
Pacific Economic Cooperation Council
The three-month internship experience was
really memorable; it rewarded me with both
tangible and intangible gains, providing me with
on-the-job experience and allowing me to polish my
interpersonal skills. Everything that I gained in those
three months will be valuable for my future career as
well as my personal growth.
Edith TSO, Management, Year 2
MTR Corporation
I gained valuable experience and had a great
time working as an engineering trainee in
programming at Altai Technologies Ltd. Having
an internship experience related to
your field of study is a great way of
finding out if you are suitable for that
particular field of work. All the skills that
I acquired from the real working world
will give me an advantage for applying
for graduate jobs. I have also gained a
clearer understanding of my career goals.
Panisa nG, Computer Science, Year 2
Altai Technologies Limited
new environment in a short time and
demonstrated strong professionalism during the
entire internship. By always being punctual, she
showed respect towards her job and her work
performance was excellent. when faced with a
big workload, she never expressed frustration
but instead was able to follow her supervisors’
instructions dutifully and complete the task
with outstanding quality. All in all, she was a
hardworking, responsible and remarkable intern.
LI Xiangtao, Director, Zoological Laboratory
Beijing Museum of natural History
該實習生在首博信息中心多媒體組工
作，努力實踐，成績顯著。在專業方
面，他靈活運用自己的專業知識，為首博網
站兒童版考古宣傳網頁的制作，搜集了大量
有價值的資料，並提供了可貴的創新思路。
朱鍇ZHU Kai
信息中心副主任
Deputy Director, Information Centre
The HKUST experience
The Career Building Course is a 1-credit general education free elective course offered since Spring 2009. The course covers the basics of career building, including awareness of career planning, self-discovery, job market and industry analysis, résumé and cover letter preparation, interviewing and presentation skills, business ethics, professionalism, “survival” tips for the professional workplace and preparation for lifelong employability. Students learn through interactive lectures and in-class exercises, such as mock interviews and group discussions, and sharing sessions with professionals from all walks of life. In the course, personalized feedback is given on every assignment and students are encouraged to set up one-on-one meetings with the instructor.
Topics include:
Goal setting and self exploration •
Fact finding and strategic planning •
Skills development •
Career planning – beyond the first job •
It is not just about finding the first job.
It’s about shifting the paradigm of how
our graduates think about their job search,
shaping their attitude towards work, and getting
them to think critically about building their
own lifelong careers and employability.
Ruby LAM, Instructor, Career Center
Career Building Course (GNED151/GNED152/PDEV502)
It was great to get help on the CV and cover
letter – I got more than six offers! I love
the alumni sharing, aptitude tests, personality
assessments and mock interviews with
REAL recruiters.
School of Engineering, Year 3
Alumni sharing is the most interesting part of
the course since the alumni who came were all
very candid – unlike some typical recruitment talks
where people just give out model or official answers.
School of Engineering, Year 2
This is a very valuable course, especially for
Science students. I have learned a lot and it
helps me better understand myself and my career
plan...
School of Science, Year 3
The course has really changed my thinking
about my career – now I know that I need to
find a career that I am passionate about instead of
just finding a job in a prestigious company. Through
this course, I have learned about passion – whether
in job interviews, the workplace, or in life, passion is
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My main duties on the job were to communicate
with and assist non-local and exchange students
with their computer problems, and to cooperate
with my colleagues to work efficiently. As a result,
my communication skills have greatly improved. I
also found out that that I enjoy communicating and
working with others rather than working alone.
CHAn Chi To, Physics, Year 3
helpful because it gave me an opportunity
to identify both my strengths and weaknesses.
The skills that I acquired on the job would also
allow me to have a broader choice of career.
For instance, I found out that communicating
with others might be something that I’m
interested in and want to explore further.
CHUK Cheuk Man, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Year 3
The ITSC Office offered me a very good
opportunity to meet with other students
in need as well as other helpers from different
departments. In the past, I was afraid to meet
strangers; after the internship, I learned to open up
my mind. now I enjoy meeting people from different
backgrounds; it is quite an engaging way to learn.
KUnG Hin Hang, Economics, Year 2
experience within the University. Internship opportunities are available at both academic and administrative support departments/offices. Undergraduates in any discipline except non-local preparatory year and exchange-in students are eligible to apply.
Internships can be curriculum related or non-curriculum related. They come in two categories:
Full-time internship during summer or winter break •
(employment duration no less than 1 month per intern) Part-time internship throughout the year (minimum 30 hours •
per intern)
Internship openings are usually advertised through the following channels:
Career Center website at
• http://career.ust.hk -> “Finding a Job” Department/School websites or online job banks.
The HKUST experience
Other resources
Online Job Vacancy Information
JIJIS (Joint Institutions Job Information System)
All full-time university students can visit www.jijis.org.hk to look for full-time, part-time, temporary and summer jobs. First-time users need to register before logging in. For enquiries, please email jijis@ust.hk. Jobs on the Career Center website
Some hot jobs are posted on the Career Center website: http://career.ust.hk -> “Finding a Job”
General Career Information
The Career Center subscribes to the Vault Online Career Library at http://career.ust.hk/vault.html. All UST students and staff have FREE access to these useful and updated resources for job search, career exploration and industry updates.
Reading materials on career planning, industries, company information, professional qualifications and business strategies etc are available at the Career Center (Rm 5016, Academic Building via Lift 3).
Additional job-hunting resources can be found at the UST Library website: http://library.ust.hk/guides/jobs/jobs.html.
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Exploring your career options
S
ome students have the privilege of knowing which career path to take early on in life. However, for most, career development is a continuous and lifelong journey that can lead to unexpected twists and turns. Begin planning your career now to ease some of the bumps that you may encounter along the road to your dream job.It’s never too early to start planning for your future. By using a systematic approach, you can speed up the discovery process and identify your own values, interest, strengths and weaknesses as well
as develop the important skills required to achieve your career aspirations.
A career path is made out of many small decisions, not just one big decision after graduation. Keep your options open and do not limit yourself to narrow career choices. None of us is only good for one profession or career. Starting early allows you to reflect and backtrack and make better career decisions in the long run.
Generally, there are four stages in career development.
Stage 1:
Career exploration
Finding your passion and abilities and focusing your efforts to achieve the best results.
Stage 2:
Job hunting
Searching for the right job, the right industry and the right employers.
Stage 3:
Getting the job
Impressing your future employers and landing that position!
Stage 4:
Career building
Staying employed and working towards your goals.
Profile
Zachary’s dream to become a pilot started when he was small. “Our family lived in Lok Fu right next to the famous Kai Tak curve where planes made their final turn right before landing on the runway,” Zachary recalled. “I joked at the time that when I grew up, I wanted to make some noise too!”
As a boy, the young Zachary’s interest in flying deepened through some serious playtime. “I made a lot of aircraft models so I got to know and appreciate different types of aircrafts, from warplanes to commercial jets,” he said. “When the computer age arrived, I started playing a lot of fighter games. This may sound a bit exaggerated, but I would say that I actually acquired my basic flying skills through computer games!”
Taking off
In his final year at HKUST, Zachary attended Cathay Pacific’s recruitment talk on campus. Soon after, he submitted his application. “I went through three rounds of interview and a two-week flight grading program in a flying school in Australia,” said Zachary. “There I got to fly a light training aircraft for the first time.”
He got the offer. “I would say the main reason I got in was my pure love for flying,” he said. “Many candidates applied for the job just for the money and the benefits, while having no idea or passion about flying. There were also candidates who couldn’t figure out why traveling at 100km/hr for 2 hours would cover 200km of ground. All that came rather naturally for me. I guess all those years of imaginary flying equipped me with a pilot’s state of mind.”
After attending a cadet course designed for local students, Zachary flew to Adelaide, Australia to embark on a 60-week training program. One of his most unforgettable moments in the training was his first solo flight. “It was early morning with a crystal-clear sky; the sun was slowly coming up,” he recalled.
“My instructor and I were flying together for a regular training sortie. After some usual exercises, we landed back at the airport. I was planning to go back to my room for some more sleep when my instructor got off the plane and asked me to fly on my own. The last sentence from him before shutting the door was ‘remember to come back’! So off I flew on my first solo, and landed safely.”
During the training in Adelaide, Zachary flew four different types of training aircraft. “After I got back to Hong Kong, I was put into a Boeing 747-400 simulator to learn how to fly the real thing,” he said. “It was a bit like once you get your private car driving license, you are asked to drive a double decker bus!
Six years later, Zachary’s pilot dream is still flying high. “The thing I like most is doing the take-offs and landings,” Zachary said. “After six years in the job, I still find them very challenging and rewarding when you get them right!”
As with every job, there are pros and cons. “The thing I hate most is the fatigue during some long and abnormal hours of flying. But this is all part of the job so I just learn to accept it.”
Zachary’s advice for aspiring pilots is: Start flying early – even if only virtually! “Microsoft Flight Simulator is a very good tool; I ‘flew’ a lot and read a lot from its ‘Help section’ before going to the interviews!”
Besides that, some basic skills or qualities like sense of direction, situation awareness, eye-hand coordination, mental mathematics and leadership are essential for every pilot. “English proficiency is also crucial since English is the medium of
communication in the airline industry,” said Zachary. “I think I want to keep this profession for as long as I can, unless some of my other dreams start to come true!” What are they? “Becoming an automobile designer or an entrepreneur of a giant business,” he said with a laugh. “Meanwhile, I continue to love what I do and enjoy all the perks that come with it.” NAME Zachary MAU
DEGREE BEng in Mechanical Engineering, 2003
JOB Pilot
EMPLOYER Cathay Pacific
Year 0/1
So you’re a freshman – there should still be plenty of time to sit back and have fun, right? Well, doing something worthwhile and having fun is not mutually exclusive.
Know Yourself – Find out about your personal qualities, what you like, what you care about, what you’re good at, what excites you, what you think is important, etc. The Career Center offers workshops that help you understand your personality types through the MBTI assessment and career interests through Self-Directed Search (SDS). Make good use of these workshops and get to really know yourself and what you stand for. Only then will you know what you want to look for.
Get Involved – Once you set foot on campus, you will be presented with a kaleidoscope of extra-curricular activities: interest clubs, student societies, sports teams, enrichment programs etc. Try to strike a balance in what you participate in. If you join three sports teams, it may give people an impression that you’re not well-rounded. Don’t hesitate to step up and run for a position in an executive committee. It will allow you to develop leadership and team skills. Also consider joining a competition to challenge yourself, and find out how your talents and skills compare to those of your peers.
Think Ahead – Use your extra time and summer vacation to give your CV a boost. Find a summer job; get into voluntary work; join an exchange program; or take part in a study tour. Take up a leadership role in these activities if possible. The experience of leading and organizing activities is something that employers look for.
Brush up your language skills. High proficiency in English will always increase your employability. For students who may consider working in the Mainland, improve your Putonghua. For non-local students who may want to stay in Hong Kong after graduation, fluency in Cantonese would be an asset. Expand your social network, practice the language and get to know the culture. The Language Center is a great resource to advance your language abilities.
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Plan your path
Every freshman starts from the same point. what gives you a competitive edge
over others? Planning and acting early! Here’s a guide to make the most of your
thousand days at HKUST – from your first year to your final year.
Year 2
The penultimate year of your university life is a strategic time for career planning. Aim to have a career plan, or at least a draft, ready by the end of this year. A career plan is a blueprint for action. It describes your career goal and the steps you plan to take to reach that goal. Talk to our Career Advisors if you need help.
Explore Your Options – No more time for delay. Get off the couch and look for ways to identify your career interests and gain some real work experience. Big companies may start inviting summer internship applications as early as October. Better yet, join the Internship Learning Scheme offered by the Career Center. Get to know what’s out there for you – attend job fairs, recruitment events, alumni sharing sessions and company visits to know more about different industries. Once you start exploring the world of work, you won’t be apprehensive or scared of what’s to come.
Get Equipped – No one is born with a set of job search skills. These have to be acquired and refined; and we have the resources for you to do so. Visit the Career Center website and sign up for Workshops on CV Writing, Interview Skills, Presentation Skills and Group Discussion Skills, and a Mock Aptitude Test Session. Soft skills such as business etiquette, personal grooming and work ethics are also part of the package.
Take the Career Building Course (GNED151/GNED152/PDEV502), a one-credit general education free elective offered by the Career Center, for more structured job search skills training.
Plan Ahead – Give yourself an honest assessment of what you have done and what still needs to be done. Then do your best to catch up! If all seems like too much to handle, you can always make an appointment with one of the Career Advisors. They will help you prioritize and focus on what’s urgent and important. Then, it’s up to you to do your best to catch up.
Year 3
This is it – the final year! Take advantage of this crucial time to lay some important groundwork for your future career.
Build Your Network – Be creative in your job search. Expand your network through family members, relatives, friends, classmates, ex-colleagues, acquaintances, alumni and other sources. People you meet through different channels may one day become your colleagues, supervisors, customers or business partners. Consider joining a professional organization as a student member and attend events, conferences, competitions and social gatherings. Social networking websites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Plaxo are also effective platforms for building connections, but make sure you only include information that you want recruiters to see. Your online identities on these sites should be presentable and professional.
Get Ready – Early birds always catch the worms. Make yourself available to meet up with employers at recruitment talks and job fairs. Make sure you have a few presentable templates of your CV and cover letter on hand and customize them to individual jobs. Polish your interview skills by getting real interview experience. Keep abreast of current affairs, the economic situation and industry trends by reading newspapers and magazines. It is not too late to take the Career Building Course (GNED151/GNED152/PDEV502) if you have not already done so in Year 2.
Look Ahead – No one can predict how good or bad the economic environment will be when you graduate. The times may be hard. You may or may not be happy about your first job. Remember, this is only the first phase of your entire career path. You will continue to equip yourself and whatever experience you will have gathered in your first job will not be in vain. If you can’t find a job that you love yet, love the job you can get! A positive attitude makes a world of difference. Take charge of your career development journey and build up your credentials along the way.
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The career scene in Hong Kong
A volatile new job market has emerged from the global financial crisis that
rearranged world economies in 2008.
E
conomies around the world continue to suffer from the aftershocks of the 2008 financial crisis that brought Western markets to their knees.The good news, according to Hong Kong government research, is that the recent crisis was bad – but the country saw worse when the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 crashed through the region about 10 years ago. Both crises slashed stock indices by 45% from their peaks. However, on many other measures, Hong Kong has come through the latest crisis far better.
The labor market, for one, was more resilient. Employment fell by 0.3% in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the pre-crisis peak in September 2008.
Hong Kong labor trends
Hong Kong employers are optimistic about hiring more people, according to a survey by recruitment firm Hudson done in the second quarter of 2010. The poll of over 500 executives across six business sectors found that 59% of respondents plan to hire more staff in the second quarter of 2010, compared to 14% who reported this sentiment a year ago.
“The job market recovery remains strong: This is the fourth consecutive quarter of rising hiring expectations. Employee morale is up in all sectors,” said James Carrs, general manager of Hudson’s Hong Kong.
The emerging knowledge economy
Fresh university graduates are primed to play an important role in Hong Kong’s push to become a knowledge-based economy. According to government statistics, the share of gross domestic product added by knowledge-based industries has risen nearly 8.5% to 27% since 1998. The labor force has kept pace, with 31% of workers attaining post-secondary education in 2008, compared to 22% 10 years ago.
Indeed, fresh graduates are best equipped to take advantage of Hong Kong’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.
Despite the peachy outlook, job hunting will continue to be competitive and challenging. However, competitiveness does not justify bad job searching practices.
January Yuen (not her real name), a manager at a Big 4 firm, has been trying to fill a junior position for more than six months and has reviewed close to 100 applications. She described the hiring
Banking and financial services
One of the most promising sectors for new graduates is banking and financial services, a prime example of Hong Kong’s move towards a knowledge-based economy, since it employs only about 6% of the labor force but contributes some 19.5% of GDP.
According to government statistics, the sector added 2,300 more jobs in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, before subprime problems mutated into a full-blown crisis.
Employers in banking and financial services are the most optimistic about hiring, according to Hudson’s report. Some 73% of employers polled in the sector said they expected to hire in front-, mid- and back-office areas, although the emphasis will be on senior positions.
IT
IT sector managers are confident that they will increase staff in 2010, particularly in the financial industry, according to the Hudson’s survey. This finding also aligns with Robert Walters’ annual salary survey, which said the most in-demand skills were database administration, IT security and front office application development.
Legal
Hiring managers at law departments and firms were less certain about increasing headcount this year, according to Hudson’s survey. Some 35% of respondents said they would raise hiring in the second quarter of 2010 compared to 44% in the previous quarter. However, a possible reason for the fall in the outlook could be because legal firms expanded their IPO teams aggressively in the first quarter of 2010.
New graduates considering areas of specialisation might be interested to know that specialists in the technology, intellectual property and consumer goods areas are now in demand, according to recruitment agency Robert Walters’ annual salary survey.
HKUST graduates with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline can consider pursuing postgraduate Juris Doctor (JD) studies in order to become a lawyer. The JD can be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis. Currently, the University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong and City University of Hong Kong offer the JD program.
Media/PR/Advertising
According to Hudson’s survey, this sector is keen to increase hiring over the second quarter with focus placed on junior positions with the intention of grooming them for senior roles. Leading agencies and consultancies are expanding into the interactive area, with focus on digital media. With Hong Kong being a regional and international hub market for advertising and
Areas of growth
Prepare for work
process a nightmare due to badly written applications and worst of all, lies.
Speaking off the record, Yuen said that on too many occasions, she has found junior applicants lying about their skill sets. “One fresh graduate said that she was fluent in French,” Yuen said. “However, when she was spoken to in French, she sheepishly admitted that she had only taken one semester of it.”
Honesty is the best policy when writing your CV. Amplifying your achievements is not the same as lying about them. “I wouldn’t hire her even if she had other suitable qualifications,” Yuen said.
Graduates need to arm themselves with knowledge about how to put in good applications and the ability to speak in an interview in order to take advantage of the upward hiring trends. Without these basic skills, it may be difficult to get a satisfactory job even in good years.
Grad skills in demand
According to research conducted by Zhaopin.com, one of the largest recruitment agencies in China, the following ten sectors are expected to be the biggest employers this year:
customer service 1. software engineering 2. brand marketing 3. project management 4. real estate 5.
finance and accounting 6.
trade and distribution 7.
innovative design 8.
education and training 9.
senior management 10.
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Flexibility and adaptability is the key to finding gainful employment in the Mainland.
The job market in mainland China
D
ue to rapid urbanization, mainland China is still short of highly qualified personnel, especially in Tier 2 cities (the provincial capitals, and coastal cities such as Shijiazhuang 石家莊, Changzhou 常州, Wenzhou 温州, Xiamen 廈門 and Zhongshan 中山) and Tier 3 cities (such as Chaozhou 潮州, Luoyang 洛陽, Qinhuangdao 秦皇島, Dali 大理 and Weifang 濰坊).Tier 1 cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen are already experiencing very stiff job competition, with approximately six million Mainland graduates entering the job market every year. Analysts attribute this to the fact that while the Chinese government has raised the levels of education of the Chinese people, the country’s economy is still largely focused around manufacturing, which – combined with the economic downturn – is making it tough for graduates to secure employment at present as the majority of available jobs in manufacturing do not require undergraduate degree qualifications.
However, industry analysts believe that in the next decade, Tier 2 cities will be driving the country’s economy. Although comprising only 6% of the population, Tier 2 cities attracted 48% of total FDI in 2008. This trend is expected to continue as foreign entrants into the China market consider bypassing the Tier 1 cities and start out in Tier 2 and 3 cities, which presently lack qualified local human capital to manage the growth. This will open up new opportunities for local and foreign graduates who are willing to take on challenging new frontiers.
The Hong Kong advantage
Hong Kong graduates must display the ability to interact with their local counterparts. Besides being able to speak Putonghua, Hong Kong graduates need to acquire soft skills such as interpersonal communication skills, which are important to help them adapt to the local environment. Graduates will have to adapt to the local culture and working style in mainland China, in addition to adjusting expectations on salaries and benefits. They will need to have broad insight and vision, and must prove that they can add value to the organization.
For most entry-level graduate jobs in mainland China, a bachelor’s degree is sufficient. However, some areas are in greater demand, such as medical, architecture, legal and accounting. In these areas where technical expertise is required, a postgraduate degree might offer greater advantage.
Although graduates from Hong Kong who have a good command of Putonghua and exposure to Western culture are highly sought after by foreign-owned multinational companies with operations in China, competition is strong on other fronts. Having working experience (like part-time jobs and internships) with Chinese organizations will be very helpful, whether it is with the government, state-owned or private companies, or even non-profit organizations.
I made a lot of effort to interact with Mainland
students. That was how my conversational
Putonghua really improved.
Profile
NAME Adrian LEUNG
DEGREE BEng in Chemical Engineering, 2001; MPhil in Chemical Engineering, 2004
JOBExport Manager
EMPLOYERHandsome Chemical Development Ltd (A member of Yip’s Chemical Group)
People say chemical engineering graduates don’t have that many career options to choose from, especially in Hong Kong. It’s true, but only partially. Since HKUST is the only university in Hong Kong that offers chemistry engineering as a major, the competition decreases significantly. That is one of the reasons why I’ve never worried about not being able to get a job after graduation. However, if we want to find a job that has promising prospects, we as students have the responsibility to equip ourselves as best we can.
When I was in my undergraduate years, I already knew that there weren’t many chemical plants in Hong Kong; the trend would be to work in mainland China. To prepare for that, I took all three available Putonghua courses and a Chinese writing course at the Language Center. I wanted to let my future employer know that I was sincere about working in the Mainland.
Furthermore, I made a lot of effort to interact with Mainland students. That was how my conversational Putonghua really improved. Language courses only laid the foundation. Without actual practice, everything that I learned would probably have gone to waste.
It was also then that I attended some lab sessions to learn more about research, and found out that I was interested. But I also knew that I wasn’t the type to go all the way to PhD. Around that time, I found out that there was actually an exchange opportunity in the MPhil program. That encouraged me to enroll in the MPhil program because I knew an exchange experience would broaden my perspective.
In October 2001, I went to University of Zaragoza in Spain for an eight-month exchange. It was an especially rare opportunity because this institution was renowned for the very type of
Competition for this job was tough since the main recruitment pool for MTs was in Hong Kong. What set me apart, I believe, was my preparedness especially in two areas: language and extra-curricular record. Not only was I prepared in Putonghua, I was also proficient in English because I interacted frequently with international students while at UST. On top of that, my leadership experiences in cross country, orienteering and scouting demonstrated my resilience and proved that I could thrive in unfamiliar and unfavorable settings. That is definitely an asset when it comes to working in factories in different Mainland locations.
Since joining Yip’s in 2004, I’ve been assigned to three subsidiaries, the present one being a factory in Jiangmen, where most workers are locals. Over the past five and a half years, I’ve gone from management trainee to export manager, thanks to the promising prospects that my company provides. I have to say I’m happy with my progress so far and I feel positive about the near future. As much as I would love to be in Hong Kong every day, I will stay put for now, because opportunities available at my present job (with this kind of compensation) are probably impossible to find in Hong Kong.
I had to learn how to deal with delicate work
relationships – a very important thing in
the Mainland.
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NAME Julio CHOW
DEGREE BEng in Chemical Engineering, 2005
JOBDirector
EMPLOYERBrilliant Universal
The first job I got in the Mainland was a Management Trainee program that involved pigments – my area of expertise. It was also the first job that I ever interviewed for. What more could I ask for?
I was very excited at first, but reality turned out far from my expectations. I was told that Hong Kong employees would receive special treatment, get air-conditioned single rooms and eat with the senior management staff. This particular factory, however, stressed equality, so we all ate at the same restaurant where we were each given a stainless steel bowl and a spoon. Then we had to line up to get our meals, after which we had to wash our own dishes in a communal sink… It was all rather like a prison experience…
Instead of a single room, I shared my room with a member of the management staff, which meant that I did have some special treatment. But he left shortly after we moved in, so I was left alone in a double room. I initially loved having the room to myself, but I soon started to feel bored and lonely. I thought: What’s the point of getting special treatment if I wasn’t able to have any friends? So I asked to be transferred to a four-person room with neither air-conditioning nor water heater. Some people might think that I was crazy, but that turned out to be the best decision I made during my stay in the Mainland.
Our factory was in a rather bad side of Shenzhen so we were encouraged to stay inside the dormitory as much as possible. My roommates and I had a lot of fun playing cards every night. At first, they couldn’t understand my Putonghua because it was so bad. I got teased all the time, but that broke the ice and we got along well in no time.
The time with my roommates confirmed my belief that all human beings, no matter where they are from, are actually very similar. Now, I think and feel like a Mainlander. It’s not just that my Putonghua has greatly improved, but that my mentality has changed. I had to learn how to deal with delicate work relationships – a very important thing in the Mainland – and to go through the right channels, weigh in on sensitive issues, and observe the fine balance between different stakeholders. As a result, I managed to survive – and deliver.
Looking back, I have my mother to thank. She always reminded me to have an open mind – don’t get stuck in the “right” way and think everything else is wrong. I was able to accept different things and go with the flow while respecting my job and my colleagues. Now that I have my own business back in Hong Kong, I have faith I can overcome any obstacles. My Mainland experience has definitely made me a stronger person!
