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Make
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2012
What do you see yourself doing in 20 years?
Every individual has a unique calling. To fulfill it
may be an endeavor of an entire lifetime, but to
discover it is an important first step to pursue a
life both challenging and gratifying. Building your
career is, then, part and parcel of discovering
and fulfilling your calling not because you will be
spending at least 40 hours each week on your job,
but because your career will be a major channel
through which you could actualize your dreams and
make a mark in this world. Dreams are not merely
fantasies or wishful thinking, but targets and goals that
may be a bit far-fetched, yet reachable.
As you are holding this Guide in your hand, I urge you to imagine
yourself opening a door to a world of endless possibilities. Aim high
– don’t be limited by current circumstances. Start small – build on a
foundation of strengths before stretching yourself. Stay real – respond and
adapt to the many changes in your own life and in the world. University
life offers you a glimpse of what you could be; you must go beyond your
perceived boundaries to explore what you are meant to be.
As HKUST celebrates her 20th anniversary, I have big dreams for the
University 20 years from now. I have big dreams for each one of you as
well: In 20 years, I hope to see you following your passion, living out your
dreams, and fulfilling your calling.
Contact us
Career Center Room 5016, 5/F,
Academic Building (via Lift 3)
Enquiries Tel +852 2358-6688 Fax +852 2719-9412 Email saocc@ust.hk Website http://career.ust.hk Open Monday to Thursday 8:45 – 13:00 14:00 – 17:30 Friday 8:45 – 13:00 14:00 – 17:45 Closed on Saturdays, Sundays & public holidays
Prof Tony F Chan
President, HKUST
Produced by
8th Floor, 88 Gloucester Road,
Wan Chai, Hong Kong tel +(852) 3973 5920 fax +(852) 3973 8500 email gradhongkong@ gradhongkong.com Editor Stephen Yeo
HKUST Editorial Team
Vivian Au, Ruby Lam
Editorial
Winnie Lim , Carol Murugiah, Jaideep Patel, Yeong Suk Yee, Ng Juan Hann
Design & Production
Winson Loh, Tan Kai Li, Daryl Lu
Web
Chandler Kwek, Joey Goh, Phoebe Ong, June Loh
Marketing & Business Development
Nickie Yew, Candy Chan
Client Support
Loo Pei Lyn, Shireen Hong
Administration
Ang Wai Lin, Jessie Loh
Publisher
Michele Lam, Hee Kim Fah, Adrian Wood
Printer
Allion Printing Co. Ltd © GTI Media Asia Limited
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means including, but not
limited to, photocopying or storage in a retrieval system in any form without prior written consent of GTI. The views expressed in the articles are those of authors and their publication does not necessarily imply that such views are shared by GTI. Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this publication, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, or for consequential loss arising from such inaccuracies, or for any loss, direct or consequential, arising in connection with information in this publication.
Welcome
1
THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2012
Join our programs
Know Who You Are
16 Explore your career options 18 Plan your path20 Experience work
22 The value of extra-curricular activities 26 Build your network
Know What’s Out There
28 The career scene in Hong Kong
30 Job market in Mainland China
32 A look inside the minds of employers
Getting The Job
40 The “write” way to success
42 Standing out in assessment centers
44 Succeeding at interviews
46 Evaluating job offers
Something Different
48 In pursuit of an unforgotten dream
50 Getting ahead by seeing the world
52 Taking a time-out
54 Changing careers
55 A wonderful awakening
Further Studies
56 How about another degree?
57 Sweat, tears and growth – how the PG years shaped their lives
Jobs & Course Providers
61 Information on courses, internships and graduate job opportunities
Bank of America Merrill Lynch ... 61
Barclays Capital ...[IFC], 61 Bloomberg L.P. ...62
BNP Paribas ... [IBC] Citibank ...[17]
CPA Australia ... [27]
Credit Suisse ...63
Ernst & Young ...62
Jane Street Asia Limited ...62
J. P. Morgan ... [OBC] Nomura ...[25], 64 Standard Chartered Bank (HK) Limited ...64
Notes:
IFC = inside front cover IBC = inside back cover OBC = outside back cover
At your Career Center website Go to http://career.ust.hk/ for...
• Up-to-date job information for internships, part-time or graduate employment • Sharing of career insights by professionals,
alumni, students and friends of HKUST • Everything you need to help you plan your
career, from trends and prospects of your favorite industries to career development resources
• Details of career building courses, further studies and recruitment events
Vote for your favorite employers As a HKUST student, you can let your voice be heard by voting for your favorite employers at hongkongs100.com. Your precious vote will decide the ranking of Hong Kong’s 100 leading graduate employers 2012. In the process, you will stand a chance to win attractive prizes!
The survey observes the employment outlook of students and graduates, and examines their preference, priorities and influences when selecting their first employer after graduation. It is powered by trendence, one of Europe’s leading consultancies on employer branding and recruitment research.
http://career.ust.hk
3
THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2012
Chris WONG (BEng in Industrial Engineering, 2004) has made
quite a few tough choices during his years at HKUST. He gave up the opportunity to study at Georgia Institute of Technology as an exchange student – not once, but twice. “I chose HKUST because I wanted these exchange opportunities; and for an Industrial Engineering student, Georgia Tech is the place to go. But ultimately, I decided to fulfill my responsibilities towards AIESEC instead. Not many people would understand, but I did what I thought was right at the time.”
Chris became the Vice-President of AIESEC in Year 1 – a rare situation where the entire executive committee was made up of fresh members. In the following year, he became the President. “I matured a lot in those two years. When you have fellow students ‘following’ you, you develop a sense of mission and responsibility. At that time, we had to meet some target numbers concerning overseas internships. If we couldn’t meet those numbers, the HKUST Chapter might not be able to continue. It’s serious business!”
Since AIESEC is a global organization, his leadership roles brought about many opportunities to go abroad. “I went overseas three to four times for AIESEC global meetings and other AIESEC-related activities in those two years. I met a fellow AIESECer from Serbia on a train in Eastern Europe once and we had the most interesting cross-cultural conversation that I can remember. I also remember meeting a German AIESECer who can speak better Putonghua than I do! Those were the kinds of experiences that I had hoped for when joining HKUST.”
We asked three alumni the question:
“What does an HKUST degree mean to
you?” All three of them answered:
“Much more than a degree.”
MO
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They say I ‘sacrificed’, but the fact is, I actually
‘gained’.
Chris WONG, BEng, 2004
Born and raised in Shenzhen, Kelly WEN (BSc in Economics and
Finance, 2007) never really planned to come to Hong Kong for
her undergraduate studies. “Back then, Hong Kong’s universities were less well known to Mainland students as they are now. Similar to other students in Shenzhen, I always pictured myself studying in a top university in mainland China, the US or UK. However, during my senior year in high school, my father saw an ad for HKUST and asked me to do some research on it. After thorough consideration, I decided that HKUST was the place for me to pursue my bachelor’s degree.”
Upon her arrival at HKUST, Kelly was excited to see many challenges and new opportunities presented to her. And she embraced them all. “One of the many unique things that I did while at HKUST was being the Master of Ceremony for many different university events. Although I had never been an MC before, I thought that the role would be exciting and help me practice my presentation and language skills.”
The first event that Kelly hosted as an MC was a scholarship program launching ceremony, where senior management of the sponsor, the President of the University and Deans of different schools were present. “I was quite nervous at first as I had never spoken in front of so many people before. But after a few minutes, I was able to relax and enjoy the evening”. She went on to host numerous university events, including the HKUST 15th
I can see how different opportunities at HKUST
have brought me to where and who I am now.
Kelly WEN, BSc, 2007
Associate at an international investment bank
Even though he gave up the chance to exchange at Georgia Tech, Chris went to the US twice during his university years. He and some of his classmates were chosen to go to Stanford University for a week to work on a project with the students there. He also got selected by the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council to go to Los Angeles and Atlanta for a visit along with CEOs of local logistics companies. “I was one of the two student representatives who got to hang out with the ‘big guys’ in the industry. As a result of the relationships established during that trip, I found myself an internship at Modern Terminals Ltd. That was a comprehensive learning experience.”
Upon graduation, however, Chris didn’t go into the logistics industry. Instead, he became an Engineering Trainee at Cathay Pacific. “For someone who came from a modest family, salary was a major consideration. However, it didn’t take me long to find out that the job wasn’t for me. The job nature was very technical. I had to deal with aircrafts, spare parts, technical manuals, etc. That was very different from my internship experience, or even my days with AIESEC. Gradually, I realized that job nature is more important than the money I get.”
Now as Assistant Manager at NWS Holdings Limited, Chris loves the daily challenges. “My supervisor once asked me to bargain with Towngas, which is the only gas provider in Hong Kong. So I thought – why would they give me any discount? They had no need to! At first I complained about this impossible task, but then I decided to give it a try.” As it turned out, he successfully fought for a 30% discount. “After that time, I learned something very important,” he said, “and that is never say never.”
Looking back, Chris is grateful for those HKUST years during which he learned to stick to his guns. “People still ask me why I gave up Georgia Tech. They say I ‘sacrificed’, but the fact is, I actually ‘gained’. If I didn’t have the leadership training at AIESEC, I wouldn’t have become who I am today. The training I received helped me develop my presentation skills, and in turn, made me stand out as an engineering graduate. Ultimately, we all have own paths that are different from others. We just need to find it.”
The HKUST Experience
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THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2012
Anniversary Concert held at the City Hall. “My MC experiences turned out to be a lot more than what I had expected. They became some of the most unforgettable moments in my university years.”
Kelly also acquired some overseas experience while at HKUST. She and a few fellow business students joined the renowned international business case competition at USC Marshall School of Business and her team was the only one from Asia to have made it to the finals. She also went on to study at New York University for her exchange program. “The six months living in New York City were such an amazing time and rewarding experience.”
Many of the experiences Kelly had at HKUST led her to her interest in the finance industry, an internship and eventually a career at an international investment bank. Kelly admits that it was very difficult to get a job with the top banks as a fresh graduate. “Competition is fierce as you are interviewing for positions along with other top students from around the world. I think the bottom line is you have to be yourself—if it turns out that you’re not the person that you are in the interview, you won’t last too long.”
Kelly joined the world of investment banking when the market was strong and bullish. But soon enough, the financial meltdown in 2008 changed everything. “It was a terrible time. But it was also a precious learning experience, especially for someone new in the field. As a junior, it’s easy to get intimidated by others. The key is to always ask yourself—‘How much have I improved?’ If steady progress has been made, and if I continue to improve in this pace, then after a certain period of time, I will get to where that person is, if not further. You have to have faith in yourself.”
Looking back, Kelly sees how her HKUST years prepared her for her career. “It might sound cliché, but you never really know what the next step in life may bring you. So embrace opportunities as they come and enjoy them. When I connect the dots, I can see how different opportunities at HKUST have brought me to where and who I am now.”
Alan LAM (BSc in Mathematics, 2003) started learning the
computer at a very young age, and before he knew it, he became a ‘designer’ by default. “In those days, if you only had some remote knowledge about the computer, people assumed that you could use computer software to do some sort of design. So my schoolmates started asking me to design posters, flyers, etc., to promote school events. I’m sure what I created back then was far from impressive, but at least I found myself very willing to learn new things.”
After getting into HKUST, Alan became an enthusiastic participant of many different activities—he was an executive committee member of UG Hall IV, and was an active member of the Dance Society. “What I didn’t do was study well. Actually, my first major was Computer Science. But there was this particular course which I failed twice. That led to a very unfortunate consequence—I was put on probation and was this close to being kicked out.”
However, when a door closes, another opens. “I found out that I did quite well on all my Mathematics courses. So I approached the Mathematics Department and asked if there was anything I could do to get into their program. They decided to let me take three Mathematics courses in the summer and if I managed to get an A for all of them, then they would consider. I finally got one A, one B and one C – not perfect, but they said I was able to use my computer science knowledge to solve mathematical problems. So at the end, they allowed me to switch to the Mathematics program, for which I’m forever grateful.”
After getting into the Mathematics program, Alan’s grades improved significantly. “That incident was a huge lesson for me. I experienced pain but also growth. Thankfully, I didn’t lose confidence in myself. Even though I failed, it only meant that my focus was wrong. It didn’t mean that I was a failure. I knew that I wasn’t incompetent. So after receiving a second chance, I knew I needed to focus my energy on the right things.”
In that year, a lot of computer-animated movies came out. And that got Alan thinking. “Computer graphics are actually closely related to mathematics and computer science. As a computer animator, you need to be very observant about the things around you, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to recreate the image digitally. I found that very interesting, as I’ve always been a very visually-oriented person. So I signed up for a night course on computer animation and digital effects at CityU Scope.”
This part-time course opened a brand new horizon for Alan. “Initially, I took it on purely out of interest, but as I dug deeper
Even though I failed, it only meant that my focus
was wrong. It didn’t mean I was a failure.
Alan LAM, BSc, 2003
CG Supervisor/3D Stereographer, Imagi Studios
into the subject, I realized that I could apply my knowledge in computer programming and mathematics and integrate it with animation creation. On the one hand, that made computer animation even more exciting. On the other, it added interest to those purely scientific subjects, and helped me become more passionate about my course of study.”
After picking up this new skill, Alan started working freelance as a 3D animator, designing different toy advertisements. Upon graduation, he went on to working fulltime, which was tough at first, “Since this industry does not really expect starters to have a college degree, the entry level salary is low. In the beginning, I had to work 70 hours per week, sometimes even over 100 hours. But I learned a lot.”
After one year, he went on to work for Centro Digital Pictures Limited and was involved in the production of films like “Curse of the Golden Flower” (滿城盡帶黃金甲) and “The Promise” (無 極). After joining Imagi Studios, he took part in the animated film “Astro Boy” (阿童木) and was the technical director for lighting. He has since been promoted to CG Supervisor/3D Stereographer. “I love what I do. Creating something visually gives me such a tremendous sense of satisfaction. And it never gets boring.”
With this exciting career that is ever-changing and growing, Alan is grateful for those HKUST years which help him remain level-headed. When asked what he got out of those days, he smiled and said, “I found myself.”
The HKUST Experience
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THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2012
Cheryl LEE
Associate 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 at HKUST, 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.
Currently, Cheryl is assisting the Director of Student Affairs in overseeing the operation and development of the Career Center.
Karen CHUA
Assistant Director, 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 at HKUST. Her previous posts at HKUST involved staff recruitment and retention strategy. Her primary responsibilities at the Career Center include the Internship Learning Scheme, providing advice related to government policies on ‘Non-Local Students Working in Hong Kong’ and website development.
Ruby CHAN
Assistant Director, 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 Career Development Programs, on-campus job fairs (Career Mosaic) and Graduate Employment Survey.
The Career Center is staffed with trained and experienced
professionals who are ready to help students with enrichment
opportunities, career planning and development.
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 tertiary education institutions. Her main areas of work at the Career Center include Career Development Programs and Graduate Employment Survey.
Eva YEUNG
Manager, Career Center BA & 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 conducting the Graduate Employment Survey and organizing on-campus job fairs (Career Mosaic).
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. Since joining the Career Center in 2009, her main areas of work have involved the Internship Learning Scheme and the On-campus Internship Program.
Fanny YIP
Manager, Career Center
BA (Chinese Language & Literature and English Linguistics)
Having worked on career services for university students since 2001, Fanny has accumulated a great amount of experience in organizing internship programs, employer networking as well as career counseling and guidance. Before joining the tertiary education sector, Fanny was involved in the retail and banking industries. Her primary work areas are the Internship Learning Scheme and arranging overseas and mainland internships.
Irene TSUI
Assistant Manager, Career Center BSc (Computer Science)
Irene gained extensive experience in social service, customer service and consultancy service from her previous jobs in the private sector and government statutory body. Prior to joining HKUST, Irene worked at another local university for about six years focusing on career services that included internship program and graduate recruitment. Her main areas of work at the Career Center are the Internship Learning Scheme and on-campus job fairs (Career Mosaic).
Winnie CHOY
Manager, Career Center BSocSc & 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 Career Development Programs.
The HKUST Experience
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THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2012
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Career Development Programs
Students can benefit greatly from our extensive catalog of interesting and interactive programs to develop better self-understanding, industry knowledge and job search skills, as well as to gain useful connections, insights and inspirations. Here is a list of career development programs available throughout the academic year.
Personal management
• Knowing Your MBTI Type
• Exploring career interests through Self-Directed Search (SDS)
• Communication skills training
• Professional image & business etiquette workshops
• Seminars on work ethics & workplace relationships
• Skincare and makeup workshops
Exploring the world of work
• Sharing sessions from Alumni and Professionals
• Career seminars on Different Industries/Professions
• Info session on Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) & Basic Law Test • Company visits
• Info session on “Non-local Students Working in Hong Kong”
• Info session on Working in Mainland China/abroad
• Info session on MPF
• Info session on Personal Data Ordinance
• Seminars on entrepreneurship • Info session on competitions
Career building
• CV writing workshops (Basic & Advanced Level)
• Interview skills training
• “Two-in-one” Mock Interview Sessions • Police Inspectorate Selection Training
Programs
• Career Center Resources Workshops • Mock aptitude test sessions
• Individual career consultations
The Career Center organizes a variety of
programs to help students understand
themselves, explore the working world
and develop their career paths.
The competition is interesting as we normally do not have a chance
to be a trader. The most challenging part of the game is to read a lot of
information on the screen and then grasp the chance to bid. After the
competition, I know more about how traders work and the stress they
face. I will consider joining this industry but I do believe that it is not as
easy as what I did in the competition!
Hanon LUI, Mathematics, Year 3
First runner-up of Student Traders Trophy 2010
The way this mock interview was delivered caught my full
attention. With immediate feedback from the career advisor and other
participants, I learned more about my weak areas that I should improve
on, and how to interact well with the interviewers during a real job
interview in the future.
Participant of “Two-in-one” Mock Interview Session
It was a very practical and interactive workshop! Through
hands-on practice, we could really develop some technical skills in building
financial models. We have learned a lot.
Internship Learning Scheme (ILS)
Take the opportunity to have a “rehearsal” of your desired career. 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.
The pre-internship training is composed of three areas: personal management, work exploration and career building. After the internship, participants will also get a chance to consolidate their learning experience and build credentials for their future career.
Eligibility
ILS is open to HKUST undergraduates of all disciplines (except exchange-in students), with priority given to penultimate-year students.
Reflections of ILS participants
The internship was much more rewarding than I had expected. I
learned a lot from the people around me. I believe the soft skills and
people skills acquired from this experience will definitely benefit me in
any job and in life.
Canace MOK, Quantitative Finance
Intern at Walt Disney World, Florida
Shun Hing Internship Program was a well-organized program that
helped me understand myself more. It will serve as an important
stepping stone to my future career.
Helen TSANG, Accounting
Intern at Shun Hing Technology Group
After joining the trainings and workshops offered by ILS, I had
a clearer direction in my career planning. Now I have a goal in my
future career and I know how to set up the action plan to achieve it.
To conclude, I found the scheme very essential for all second-year
students because we can practice the skills learnt and apply them to
summer internship applications.
Clair MAK, Logistics Management and Engineering
Intern at P&G
Selected employers
for ILS participants
in summer 2011
Bloomberg L.P.BNP Paribas
Census and Statistics Department CSL Ltd.
DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Ltd. Deutsche Bank
Ernst & Young Esprit
HNA Group Co., Ltd. Hong Kong Observatory Hong Kong Police Force Hongkong International Terminals HSBC
IBM China/Hong Kong Ltd KPMG
Mott MacDonald Hong Kong Ltd. MTR Corporation Ltd.
Philips Electronics Hong Kong Limited Procter & Gamble
Securities and Futures Commission Swire Properties Ltd.
Walt Disney World (Orlando, USA) Yahoo! Hong Kong Ltd.
中信建設有限責任公司 (北京) 北京香格里拉飯店有限公司 招商銀行 (上海) 東方早報 (上海) 廣安門醫院 (北京)
Employer’s Feedback
We are truly delighted to have an exceptional intern like Elin on our
projects and look forward to more great interns from HKUST. We are
very proud of the University having this kind of program to encourage
undergraduates to have real work experience prior to graduation. Keep
up this great program!
The Nielsen Company
該學生善於分析、研究，對於新知識和概念具有較強的理
解能力。實習期間態度認真、工作能力強、思維敏捷，對於
已熟悉及掌握好的工作能快速完成，並保證工作質量，大大
提昇我部工作的時效及質量。
中國人壽保險股份有限公司北京分公司
China Life Insurance (Group) Company, Beijing Branch, China
The HKUST Experience
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THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2012
Types of internship
Internship opportunities are available in private or public organizations in Hong Kong, Mainland China or overseas countries. Career Center will inform ILS participants of various internship opportunities. However, placement is not guaranteed and participants need to take full responsibility in securing their internships. They may also take up internships they solicit from their own sources.
Enquiry
Announcements on enrolment will be made on our website (http://career.ust. hk -> “Internships”) in Sept/Oct every year. 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.
Career Building Course (GNED2510/
SCIE1100/PDEV5020)
“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, Ex-Instructor, Career Center 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, CV 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
Student’s Feedback
I enrolled in this course expecting to gain ONLY job hunting skills
initially, but I ended up learning so much more. The way it has shaped
my values and perspective on work and life easily makes this course
one of the most valuable courses I have taken in college.
School of Science, Year 2
The course has changed the way I look at career planning and
provided lots of insights on employers’ expectations and perspective.
I really appreciate the instructor’s help outside the classroom. I can’t
imagine going through the job hunting process without her advice!
School of Engineering, Year 3
Alumni sharing was the most interesting part of the course since
the alumni who came were all very candid – unlike some typical career
talks where people just give out model or official answers.
School of Engineering, Year 2
After taking this course, 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 the key to success.
On-campus Internship Program
This program allows undergraduate students to acquire work experience within the University. Internship opportunities are available at both academic and administration 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 one month per intern; full-time internship during winter break only applies to local students) • 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 -> “Internship” -> “On-campus Internship Program
• Department/School websites or online job banks
Student reflections:
My main duties were to organize joint-group activities and engage
participants in different discussions and activities. These gave me a
very good practice of the skills a successful facilitator and organizer
would need to acquire. Most importantly, I improved my problem
solving skills.
CHAN Tsz Pui, Information Systems, Year 3
I feel lucky that I have the chance to take part in this program.
Although it is unlikely that I shall take a similar job after I graduate,
the skills acquired especially in communication and problem solving
as well as the good habits developed will surely bring me long term
benefits.
HUANG Qing Qing, Electronic & Computer Engineering, Year 4
My on-campus internship experience brought me new ideas about
my career plan. I realized I am more interested in a career that is more
people-oriented.
PAN Huilin, Biochemistry, Year 3
The HKUST Experience
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THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2012
A
s 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 a 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”).
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2012
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
Investment banks
x
x
x
Government
x
x
Management consulting
x
x
Accounting firms
x
x
x
x
x
Commercial banks
x
x
x
Career Mosaic - Job Fairs (various industries)
x
x
Property development and real estate
x
x
x
Conglomerates
x
x
Fast Moving Consumer Goods
x
x
x
x
Airlines
x
x
Internship program organizers
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Government-related organizations
x
x
x
Telecom/Communication
x
x
x
x
Insurance
x
x
IT
x
x
x
x
x
x
Marketing and Market Research
x
x
x
Logistics/Construction/Engineering/Manufacturing
x
x
x
x
Pharmaceuticals
x
x
Public utilities
x
x
Retail / Trading
x
x
x
x
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.
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 support@jijis. org.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 HKUST 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). Do drop by and take a look.
• Additional job-hunting resources can be found at the HKUST Library
website: http://library.ust.hk/guides/ jobs/jobs.html.
Government recruitment schedule 2011-12
Sep 2011
Administration Officer (AO)/Executive Officer II (EOII) recruitment talk on campusApplications for AO/EO
8 and 15 Oct 2011
CRE and BLT3- 7 Oct 2011
Career Mosaic – Recruitment for graduate posts and career talks by various government departmentsNov 2011
Applications for Auxiliary Police (Undergraduates) Scheme (AUS) and Police Mentoring Program (PMP)Nomination of AUS and PMP by University PMP selection interviews on campus
10 Dec 2011
Tentative schedule for CRE and BLT outside Hong Kong – please see http:// www.csb.gov.hk/english/recruit/cre/949.html for the city listJan 2012
Applications for AO Summer InternshipAUS selection interviews at Auxiliary Police Headquarters
Feb 2012
Panel Interviews on campus for AO Summer InternshipsApr 2012
Announcement of AO Summer Internship results Announcement of AO offersPMP Inauguration Ceremony Applications for CRE/BLT in June
Applications for Post-secondary Student Summer Internship Program at various departments
May 2012
Announcement of AUS appointmentsJun 2012
CRE and BLTJun – Aug 2012
Post-secondary Student Summer Internship Program AO Summer InternshipPMP Job attachment
AUS training at Auxiliary Police Headquarters
Aug 2012 (exact date
to be provided by
Govt. in Aug)
Applications for Common Recruitment Exam (CRE)/Basic Law Test (BLT) in October
The HKUST Experience
15
THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2012
EXPLORE
YOUR
CAREER
OPTIONS
F
or students who have yet to experience a taste of work life, choosing the right career can be rather daunting. If you are unsure where and how to start, seek the guidance of your career advisors. Alternatively, follow this four-stage planning cycle and you should be on the right track.Stage 1: Self-assessment
Before you can decide what you want to be, you have to discover who you are. Essentially, self-assessment is the process of “knowing yourself.” It involves taking an inventory of your likes, dislikes, personal characteristics, values, wants, and needs. If you want to have a successful and meaningful career, it should be in line with your interests and you should have the relevant skills and abilities.
Stage 2: Career exploration
After completing your self-assessment, you should be able to come up with a list of occupations to explore. Find out more about the job description, educational and other requirements, job outlook, advancement opportunities and earning potentials for each occupation on your list.
Stage 3: Job hunting
Once you have done your in-depth research, you should be able to determine which career is a good match for you. Now is the time for you to search for the right job in the right industry with the right employer. You should consider taking up an internship in the sector you have identified to gain experience and to widen your network with people in the field.
Stage 4: Career building
Securing a job is only the first step in your career journey. To reach your long-term career goals, you should establish your career priorities, create an inventory of your current skills and resources, identify your deficiencies, set goals and evaluate opportunities. As people and circumstances are constantly changing, you need to periodically review these in relation to your career goals.
The career planning process should be ongoing. Your first career-related decision after graduation does not limit your path. Re-evaluate your goals, keep your options open and do not confine yourself to narrow career choices.
Some students know what
career to pursue before
they graduate, while
others don’t have the
faintest idea. Whichever
group you belong to, it is
never too early to start
planning for your future.
Job exploration tool
Prospects Planner
This online job exploration tool helps you to identify your skills, motivations and interests and then to explore relevant job types. You can use it to generate a list of jobs that are “good matches” or “poor matches” based on your profile with an explanation of the reasons why. To use Prospects Planner, you need to create a My Prospects account. Registration is free at www.prospects.ac.uk/ links/pplanner.
Self-assessment tool
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)
This psychometric test is designed to measure an individual’s preferences in four areas: perception, decision making, personality type and cognitive type. The completed questionnaire will produce a result that indicates the type of personality you have. For more information, visit www. myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/ mbti-basics.
Plan your path
Every new student 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 0/1
So you’re a new student – 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 personalitytypes 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-curricularactivities – 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. Want to get involved but don’t know how? Check out the First Year Success website (http://fys.ust.hk) for ideas.
Think Ahead
–
Use your extra time and summer vacation to give your CV a boost. Find a summer job; get into voluntarywork (through HKUST Connect); join an exchange program; or take part in a study tour. Take up a leadership role 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 local 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.
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 gainsome 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 forWorkshops in 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 (GNED2510/SCIE1100/PDEV5020), a one-credit general education free elective offered by the Career Center, for a more structured training on job search skills.
Plan Ahead
–
Give yourself an honest assessment of what you have done and what still needs to be done. Then do your best to fill the gaps! If all seems like too much to handle, you can always makean 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 jobsearch. 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 andcover 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 (GNED2510/SCIE1100/
PDEV5020) 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. Takecharge of your career development journey
and build up your credentials along the way.
Know Who You Are
19
THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2012
Experience work
Gaining work experience while at
university will beef up your CV and
impress your future employers.
No matter where you are in your
course, it is never too early to start.
W
ork experience is an excellent way to gain important skills to build a solid foundation for your future career. Whether you are undergoing industrial training or an internship, it is crucial to put the time and opportunity to good use.Salary and benefits
Most organizations will pay an hourly rate or a stipend to cover your travel and basic expenses. Most internships include a proper salary.
Besides providing industry exposure, job-related skills and useful contacts, work experience also allows you to apply
the skills that you have acquired in your studies and are excellent gateways into industries that rarely advertise their vacancies.
Application and entry
Compulsory industrial trainings are usually arranged by the university, so be sure to check with your department to avoid sending out unnecessary applications.
For other types of work, all you will need is a simple application, followed by a short interview. However, some companies may have a longer hiring process so if you have a particular organization in mind, start filling out your applications as soon as you see the job posting. Larger companies have highly structured internship programs with regularly scheduled intern recruitment cycles, so from as early as your first year, take note of when your top choices recruit and plan ahead for when you become eligible to apply.
Students who are interested in taking up internships can participate in the HKUST Internship Learning Scheme, the on-campus internship program or the recruitment events. Turn to page 11, log on to http://career.ust.hk/internships. html or visit the Career Center to find out more.
Industrial training
Duration: Three months to one year
Usually a compulsory component of a university engineering course, industrial trainings are structured formal training programs with heavy emphasis on highly technical and practical skills. At HKUST, the trainings are usually offered to first- and second-year students.
Internships
Duration: One to 12 months
Internships are designed to allow interns to experience a particular area of work and pick up job-related skills. They can range from highly structured programs, rotating the intern through all departments in the organization for set periods, to more loosely defined, where the intern is assigned to help out at whichever area needs manpower. Internships can be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis and at any point of your university studies, though most employers prefer to hire students in their penultimate or final year as a certain level of technical knowledge will be required.
Part-time, casual work and vacation
jobs
Duration: A few hours to a few months These forms of work are usually short-term, done between classes or during semester breaks, as a means to earn extra cash or to occupy free time. They provide flexible working hours that can be molded to fit your schedule. Most of the positions are clerical, service and sales-oriented or require manual labor. If you have expertise in a particular area, you can choose to tutor, freelance or provide contract-based services.
Voluntary work
Duration: Few hours to a year (or more) Voluntary work involves providing your services for free. You will be expected to take on various duties that may range from feeding animals at a shelter to designing a marketing strategy for a fundraising event. Besides allowing you to exercise your passion and commitment for a cause and to build friendships with like-minded individuals, volunteering is also an excellent way to impress your future employers and add personality to your CV.
Learn to be a pro
Just because you’re a student does not mean you’re insignificant. Remember that you have a purpose and that people are counting on you – even if all you have to do is show up, take calls and make photocopies.
Love what you do
Enthusiasm and a positive attitude are valuable traits to have at the workplace. Not only do they create an amicable and productive work environment, they also make people want to work with you. If you can be just as dedicated when you’re making photocopies as you would be when working on a project that you’re interested in, your superiors will certainly notice and have a favorable impression of you. Every job has elements that are less exciting as others. Remind yourself to embrace the whole package and remember that you can shine even in the most trivial assignment.
Don’t just do what you’re told – do more
Ideally, the company that you are working for would have a structured internship program, with tasks already assigned for you. However, in reality, that is often not the case. Instead of sitting around and waiting for assignments to fall in your lap, ask for them. Remind your superiors and colleagues that you are there to help.
If you find yourself with no assigned tasks, offer your help. Some organizations
have regular training sessions, meetings and brainstorming sessions in which you can ask your supervisor’s permission to participate. Also look out for workshops, events or conferences that you can attend.
Ask, listen and learn
As a student or fresh graduate, you will not be expected to know everything, so if you have any questions, ask! The act of asking questions shows your employer that you are passionate about the industry and want to learn more.
Since you’re new on the job, you might make a few mistakes along the way. Just remember to accept corrections and criticism constructively and make sure you don’t make the same mistake twice! Listen carefully to your mentors when they are giving you advice or showing you how things are done.
The learning process never ends. Stay interested by researching as much as you can about the company, its stakeholders and the industry. You can also learn by observing your colleagues at work and by mingling with people from other departments.
Work smart, not late
Brownie points are earned from your contributions, not by the number of hours you spend at the office. Stay late only if you have unfinished work, not to impress your superiors. If you stay beyond office hours every day, it could actually imply
that you have bad time management skills and are not able to finish your assignments efficiently.
Make friends, not foes
Be friendly to everyone – treat everyone with respect, regardless of their job titles. You don’t need to be the most animated person to make eye contact, smile, say hello or make small talk. Interpersonal and communication skills are central in career success. Each person you meet could potentially influence your career. It pays to have more contacts who can provide you with advice and help you with your job hunt in the future.
At all times, conduct yourself professionally. This includes dressing appropriately, being courteous and respectful, staying out of office politics and being punctual for work and
meetings. What better way to learn to be a pro than to act like one?
There’s no such thing as a bad
experience
Enter every job with humility, an open mind and determination, and you’re bound to come away with something. If you feel like you are not learning as much as you’d like, talk to your supervisor and provide suggestions on how you can contribute. Be proactive and remember that it is ultimately your responsibility to take charge of your experience. Last but not least, enjoy your work!
Know Who You Are
21
THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2012
The
va
l
u
e
ra-
cu
r
ri
cu
lar a
c
t
ivit
i
es
D
ue to the large number of graduates, participation in extra-curricular activities is now a determining factor in recruitment. Organizations look for non-academic qualities such as adaptability and leadership to separate the good from the great.Extra-curricular activities allow you to showcase aptitude and skills that aren’t identifiable from academic transcripts and also help to substantiate the skills that you claim to possess. For example, participation in debates or Toastmasters displays communication skills and self-confidence, whereas serving as the captain of the basketball team suggests leadership and management abilities. Holding a leadership position in a club or an association is an endorsement of your competence in taking up responsibility that’s better than any letter of reference. Remember to keep a record of all your contributions, the tasks you have been assigned and other evidence of your work such as certificates, marketing materials, program booklets, etc.
Breaking the ice
Healthy, non-academic pursuits add a splash of personality to your CV and can potentially set you apart from other candidates. Unique activities, such as a stint with the World Wide Fund for Nature or a passion for extreme sports, are attention grabbers and great for generating conversation during the interview. However, don’t put hobbies or personal interests in your CV unless you have a real passion for them and can talk knowledgeably about them when asked. Otherwise, you look like you’re only trying to pad your CV.
Skills for the real world
When it comes to soft skills, the more you do, the better you get. Getting involved in extra-curricular activities, especially in the coordination and implementation of projects and events, promotes numerous skills from leadership and teamwork to problem solving
There’s more to university life than
lectures, assignments and textbooks.
Taking part in extra-curricular activities
will help you build valuable soft skills
as well as your social and professional
network.
and time management. These competencies are widely sought after in all industries and are easily transferable to the working environment. Employers will acknowledge your experience in working with individuals from diverse backgrounds even if you’ve never had a real paying job.
Finding your way
Taking part in extra-curricular activities is a good way to step out of your comfort zone without straying too far, and to see which area of work suits you best. Try out as many things that tickle your interest as you can, and see what sticks. For instance, if you’re an aspiring engineer, joining your engineering society lets you interact with other students who have the same interests, and share your experiences. You can also engage external bodies or experienced professionals to conduct talks and workshops to gain insider advice for your career.
Extra-curricular activities are, as the name implies, extras. Though an added advantage, they are meant to complement your existing knowledge and are by no means substitutes for good academic results. Getting the grade is still a student’s first priority. However, by complementing your work experience between semesters with regular participation in extra-curricular activities, you can get the best of both worlds.
Getting involved
There’s a wide variety of programs and activities that you can join on campus from sports to societies that are organized by student bodies or the Student Affairs Office. You can even form your own if none of the existing ones are able to serve your needs. To find out more about the available programs and activities, visit the Student Affairs Office or log on to https://sao.ust.hk.
NAME Alice NG
QUALIFICATION BEng in Mechanical Engineering, 2006
JOBElectrical and Mechanical Engineer
EMPLOYER Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, HKSAR Government
My three years in HKUST gave me much more than academic knowledge. What I did outside the classroom played an important role in helping me become who I am today, and paving the way for my present career.
In Year 2, I participated in a robotic competition called Robocon Hong Kong Contest. Our group represented HKUST to design and make robotics to finish some tasks in the contest. Apart from learning practical skills in engineering, I also learned how to work and solve problems in a group. I was thrilled when we won the championship and the Best Engineering Award in the Hong Kong Contest. Subsequently, we represented Hong Kong and placed second runner-up in the Beijing Contest.
In Year 3, a few classmates and I set up an HKUST Branch of a professional organization –The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). It was quite a challenging task but I was able to polish my organization and communication skills. I also got to establish connections with people in the industry, which opened my eyes and helped me prepare for my career planning.
My final year design project was to design and fabricate a type of illumination device that has lower power consumption and longer operation life, and demonstrate the feasibility of using this device on the MTR subway trains. The MTR Corporation sponsored this project and finally adopted our product, which is now being used on MTR trains. Our team received further encouragement when the project won the Outstanding Engineering Project Award organized by The Jardine Engineering Corporation, Ltd. I learned a lot about the real industry after this project.
Looking back, I see how my involvement in a series of out-of-classroom projects set me apart as a job candidate. Apart from being a talking point, my experience in competitions built up my presentation skills. Recruiters were also very interested in my final year project as it involved real life application. I believe that was an important reason why I landed my first job at Parsons Brinckerhoff (Asia) Ltd., an engineering consultancy firm. While at Parsons, I was sent to different cities in Asia to work on tunnel design projects. Although it was a tough experience, I gained much and grew a lot as an individual. Now working for EMSD, my primary work focus is standards and laws, which is very different from system design. Without my prior experience at Parsons, I would have a much steeper learning curve in this job. One good thing really leads to another.
ONE
GO
OD THING
RE
AL
L
Y
LE
ADS
T
O A
NO
T
H
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R
Know Who You Are
23
THE HKUST CAREER GUIDE 2012
Dream on, dream off
Growing up in Shenzhen, I was a curious child who was interested in many different things. One of my most unforgettable memories happened when I was in primary school. It was 1993, and my mother was watching the International Varsity Debate (國際大專辯論賽) on TV. I didn’t know what those people were talking about, but I was very impressed by the way they spoke and presented themselves. In the end, Fudan University won the championship. At that time, I thought to myself: “When I grow up, I will go to Fudan, join their debating team, win the championship and become the best debater!” That became my dream.
Years passed and it was time for me to apply for universities. I applied to both Fudan and HKUST, and was accepted by both. But my father advised me to go to HKUST because he felt HKUST could offer me more exposure. I took my father’s advice and was excited about coming to Hong Kong. But at the same time, I also felt a bit sad that my dream to represent
Fudan and win the championship at the International Varsity Debate would vanish…
It was meant to be
However, life is full of surprises. One day, a HKUST classmate came up to me and said, “I think you should join the Putonghua Debating Team.” Out of curiosity, I attended one of the team’s activities and found out that the Hong Kong champion out of the eight universities actually got to compete at the International Varsity Debate – right on CCTV. So my dream was resurrected; it just seemed meant to be.
After I joined the team, I found out that the best result that HKUST had ever achieved was a third place. I didn’t feel discouraged at all. “We can do it,” I thought to myself, “Where there is a will, there is a way!”
And we did it. We won the
championship in Hong Kong – a first time for HKUST. In fact, in the three years that I was in HKUST, we won the Hong Kong
championship every year. We even won the “Best Team” award every time; but I never won “best debater”. Suffice it to say, I was quite disappointed.
Learning to improvise
One year, our team went to Shanghai for a national competition. It was exam period and we were very underprepared. In the end, I took 5 A4-sized blank papers to jot down some points as we went along, and those notes were all I used for the entire debate. It turned out that the judges were very impressed by my performance. They commented that what I said responded directly to what took place there and then—and that made me stand out from the others. It was then that I realized that I had improvisatory talent. A well-rehearsed script actually limited and restrained me. From then on, I debated without any scripts, and it was never the same again.
Since the Hong Kong championships were organized by RTHK, I met a lot of people who worked for the Putonghua channel and was even invited several times
