The HKUST Career Guide 2016

Abstract

HKUST Career Guide 2016

Your career path is a lifelong conversation. It has to be constantly weighed, debated and evaluated. Some of you start off with a dream and cannot wait for it to take flight. Some of you start off with nothing and you are clueless as to what you will be doing after graduation. Regardless, your university education will help you acquire the ‘language’ in order to have an honest and meaningful ‘career conversation’ throughout your life – one that leads to ultimate fulfillment. Within the covers of this publication are loads of tips and advice as to how to learn this ‘language’, but it comes down to ‘how’ you will be taking in all this information. Will you choose to follow those that seem easy enough or appealing at first sight? I hope the following three words will help you stretch your mindset and take full advantage of what this guide – and this university – has to offer. Abandon. Yes, there is a lot you need to acquire but there is just as much you need to offload: bad habits, preconceptions about certain jobs, prejudices against certain people, and limiting thoughts about yourself. An open mind isn’t just about being receptive to something new; it’s also about freeing your mind from things and thoughts that tell you it is not possible. Examine. In this digital age, we talk about efficiency and multitasking, but we often forget to dig deeper and look into the heart of things. You may join a gamut of activities to demonstrate your range of skills and interests, but how much of those experiences truly becomes your own? What you do in these four years is not for show and tell, it is to lead to what you are meant to become. So go deeper into everything you come across. You will be surprised by the treasure you find. Imagine. University education is never meant to hand you a formula to making it big; in fact, we challenge you to envision your own idea of success. In this publication you will read stories of alumni who have taken a less traveled path. Be inspired, and know that you, too, can create your own future. What HKUST offers you is a tool kit for life – one that you can always go back to as you carry out the ‘career conversation’ in years to come. I hope you will absorb everything with fresh eyes, an open mind, and the desire to really own it. Prof Tony F Chan President 01 - Contents - 42 Tips For Job Seekers - Kenneth So 38 Candy Woo - My Career, My Preferred Way 52 Skying Wai - Sky's the Limit 44 Terry Tsang - An Engineer who Constructs Ideas 57 Career Development Module 40 Interview Tips - Dr. Elaine Tang 12 Felix Tong - Opportunity comes to those who are prepared 28 Cyrus Tang & Alan Leung - Come Rain or Shine 53 Krystal He - It’s the possibility, not the guarantee, that keeps me going... 37 Henry Wong - Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish 56 Career Building Course 08 Plan your path 10 Non-local students working in Hong Kong 11 With preparation comes greater possibility 50 Career Development Programs 34 Tommy Lee - "I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying" – Michael Jordan 16 Sum Wong - 10 Tips for Starting Your Own Business 20 Hussain Tahir - Don’t settle for anything less than your ideal 06 On-Campus Recruitment Calendar 22 Career Mosaic 15 Dr. Eddy Wu - Turn your dreams into plans 18 Jaspar Cheng - Focus, exposures, shooting the targets... 26 Michael Wong - Life in the other hemisphere 55 Soojeong Ahn - Passion isn’t just a word 04 Ethics and the Job Search 30 Internship Network (iNET) 24 Homan Yeung - The best way to predict the future is to create it 32 Kevin Yuen - “My success was due to good luck, hard work, and support and advice from friends and mentors. But most importantly, it depended on me to keep trying after I had failed.” – Mark Warner 54 Johannes Rothe - “A successful career grows from a foundation of integrity, initiative and a commitment to learning.” – Eddy Rust, 2014 48 Billy Chan - A Black Belt is a White Belt who never Quit 46 Grace Fung - Many paths to the same destination 02|03 Dear Students, Hi, I am Cheryl, Associate Director of the Career Center at HKUST. It’s time of the year for the release of the Career Guide 2016 and I hope that each individual story in this publication could somehow provide you with inspirations and insights on how to start off your career. Whether you decide to pursue your postgraduate education or move on with your career after graduation, just don’t forget we welcome your visit should you have any query at all. We are here to assist you along the way, professionally and effectively. My team is proud of our roles as your Consultant, Trainer & Partner. Our missions are to help: Expand your career opportunities through our vast and growing network with prospective employers in Hong Kong, Mainland China and worldwide. Empower yourself with the knowledge on how to identify a career of your choice and meanwhile assist you on your career decision. Equip yourself to be competitive in the job market and learn the important values to sustain a successful career. I work very closely with a team of dedicated and experienced Career Advisors and pertinent colleagues to help you land on the road of success. We’re more than happy to listen to your needs and guide you the best way we know how. Therefore I urge each of you to gain maximum leverage from the abundant resources here at the Career Center. They are all thoughtfully designed and offered to you throughout your HKUST education. Lastly, everyone from the Career Center wishes you a good year ahead and all the best in your endeavors. Yours sincerely, Cheryl Lee Associate Director (Career Center) Student Affairs Office While in the process of knocking on doors for job interviews, there are a few key ethics one must observe carefully. Some people may get passed with unethical behavior but in time it will come back to haunt you and, at the very least, you will lose your credibility, if not your job. Prepare your portfolio Be HONEST and never exaggerate the level of experience or education background Lying is never fi ne, ever. If one falsifies the work experience and gets hired without being found out, sooner or later the person will be caught on the spot when he/she is asked to do some work but incapable of delivering it. In most organizations, lying on your employment application is grounds for immediate dismissal. Therefore never take a short cut by lying. Consult good CV writing guides or seek advice from our Career Advisor. Remember, “honesty is the best policy”. Before an interview Interview cancellation and no show management Whether you are being interviewed on or off campus, make absolutely sure you allow enough time to cancel prior because this is an important etiquette to observe and it reflects your sense of commitment and personality. Another serious negative behavior is failing to attend a scheduled interview without bothering to notify the company and the Career Center for proper arrangement. It is considered very unprofessional and rude, not to mention it hurts the image of your own university and the people who helped set up the interview for you. During job search Only apply and interview for jobs you are truly interested in Should I go to an interview just to practice or earn experience? Understandably most fresh graduates get nervous at a job interview but that does not mean you should accept interviews for the sake of experience rather than being really interested in the job. You must understand the process involves interviewer’s time and money. More importantly, you are depriving a chance for another student who may have a strong interest in that job. Should you have any doubt, go talk to our Career Advisor or try to talk with alumni for advice, but don’t abuse the job interview if you are not serious about it. Handle multiple job offers Accept a job offer in good faith Is it fi ne to accept a job offer and withdraw later when a better offer comes along? The answer is definitely “no”. If you need time to think it over, most likely the company is happy to offer you a grace period to make decision. The last thing either you or the company want is you stay for a short period and off for another company. Make sure the process is managed in a professional fashion so that you don’t leave the company with a bad impression. 04|05 On-Campus Recruitment Calendar As a bridge between HKUST and employers, the Career Center brings recruiters from different industries to our campus so you can meet them face to face. 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 plan your job search and internship activities for the coming year. Fall Term • Register for Common Recruitment Exam (CRE) and Basic Law Test (BLT), which would be held in October. Late application will not be accepted. • AO/EO: Attend Administrative Officer (AO)/Executive Officer (EO) recruitment talks on campus • AO/EO: Submit applications online • Attend Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) and Basic Law Test (BLT) • Attend Career Mosaic and meet representatives from different government units • Auxiliary Police (Undergraduates) Scheme (AUS) and Police Mentoring Program (PMP): Submit applications and attend fitness training workshops • AO Summer Internships: Submit applications via Career Center and attend preliminary selection interviews • Attend Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) and Basic Law Test (BLT) outside Hong Kong (for those who have not taken it in October) AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Spring Term • AO Summer Internships: Attend final selection interviews • Auxiliary Police (Undergraduates) Scheme (AUS) and Police Mentoring Program (PMP): Attend selection interviews • AO Summer Internship: Offers announcements • AO (graduate positions): Offers announcements • Police Mentorship Program (PMP): Inauguration Ceremony • Register for Common Recruitment Exam (CRE) and Basic Law Test (BLT) which would be held in June • Post-Secondary Student Summer Internship Program (PSSSIP): submit applications via Career Center • Auxiliary Police (Undergraduates) Scheme (AUS): Offers announcements JAN APR MAY Summer Term • Attend Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) and Basic Law Test (BLT) • Post-Secondary Student Summer Internship Program (PSSSIP) • AO Summer Internship • Police Mentorship Program (PMP): Job attachment • Auxiliary Police (Undergraduate) Scheme (AUS): Training at Auxiliary Police Headquarters JUN JUN AUG Government Recruitment Schedule (tentative) Accounting Advertising/Marketing/ Market Research/Public Relations Aviation/Transport/Logistics Architecture/Construction/ Engineering Consultancy/ Quantity Surveying Banking/Finance - Commercial Banks Banking/Finance - Investment Banks Banking /Finance - Private Equities/Hedge Funds/ Asset Management Banking/Finance - Other financial & investment institutions or financial services Beauty/Health Care/Fitness Biotechnology/Chemicals/ Laboratory/Testing Services Catering/Food & Beverage Charity/NGO/Quasi-government/ Professional Bodies Civil Service/Government Design Education/Research/Training Engineering/Technical Services Environmental Science Fast Moving Consumer Goods General Business Services/ Other Consulting Services HR/Recruitment Services Hospitality/Hotels/Tourism/Entertainment Information Technology Insurance Internet/Digital/e-Commerce Manufacturing/Machinery/ Automation Equipment Management Consulting Media/Publishing Medical Services/Pharmaceutical Motor Vehicles Multi-nature Conglomerates Property/Real Estate Development/ Property Management Retail/Wholesale/Trading/Import & Export Telecommunication Utilities/Energy/Power On-campus Recruitment Here is a general and tentative timeline of our 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” Fall Term Spring Term 06|07 Other Resources Online Job Vacancy Information “Finding a Job” on HKUST Career Center website - Some employers have graduate jobs and internships specifically targeted to HKUST students. These jobs are posted on the Career Center website: http://career.ust.hk  “Job Board” JIJIS (Joint Institutions Job Information System) – All full-time university students can visit http:// 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. 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 4001, Academic Building via Lift 4). 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. On-Campus Recruitment Schedule – by Industry Year 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 are 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 etc. The Career Center offers workshops that help you to understand your personality types through different psychological assessments like MBTI and Self-Directed Search (SDS). Make good use of these workshops and get ready to know yourself and what you stand for. Get Involved Once you set a 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. 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 a leadership role in these activities, and try to brush up your language skills. The Center for Language Education is a great source to advance your language abilities. YPolaunr Path What gives you a competitive edge over others? How to make the most of your thousand days at HKUST ? Year 2-3 Year 4 ******************************(pdf 11) 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 Advisor if you need help. Explore Your Options Get off the couch and look for ways to identify your career interests and gain some real work experience. Joining the Internship Network (iNET) offered by the Career Center is a good choice. What’s more is to attend job fairs, recruitment events, alumni sharing sessions and company visits to know more about different industries. Get Equipped Visit Career Center website and sign up for Workshops on CV Writing, Interview Skills, Presentation Skills and Group Discussion Skills, and Mock Aptitude Test Sessions. Soft skills such as business etiquette, personal grooming and work ethics are also part of the package. Take the Career Building Course, 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. If all seems too much to handle, you can always make an appointment with one of the Career Advisors. Through professional coaching and discussion, they can help you prioritize and focus on what’s urgent and important. This is it – the fi nal year! Take advantage of this crucial time to lay some groundwork of 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. Effective channels include joining a professional organization as a student member and attending events, conferences, competitions and social gatherings. Social media like Facebook and LinkedIn are also effective platform through which you can build resourceful connections. Don’t be shy. People you meet through university days may become your business partners, customers, supervisors or colleagues. Get Ready Early birds always catch the worm. Make yourself available to meet up with employers at recruitment talks and job fairs. Make sure you have at least a set of presentable CV and cover letter on hand, and customize them according to individual jobs. Polish your interview skills by getting real interview experience. Keep abreast of current affairs, the economic situation and industry trends by media. If you would like to go through more structured job search skills training, taking the Career Building Course (onecredit general education free elective) offered by the Career Center will be a good choice. Look Ahead No one can predict how good or bad the economic environment will be when you graduate. The time may be hard. Remember, this is only the fi rst phase of your entire career path. You will continue to equip yourself and whatever experience you will have gathered in your fi rst job will not be in vain. If you can’t fi nd 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. 08|09 Any plan to take up employment in Hong Kong during and af ter your study? Generally speaking, students who enter Hong Kong with a student visa cannot take up any kind of full-time or part-time employment, whether paid or unpaid, on-campus or off-campus. Commencing 17 March 2014, the Hong Kong Immigration Department has further relaxed the immigration policy such that non-local students may be allowed to take up curriculum- or studyrelated internships as well as part-time on-campus employment during term time, and to take up employment during summer months. Eligible students will be notifi ed individually by a “No- Objection Letter (NOL)” issued by the Immigration Department upon issue of the student visas/entry permits. You may read more about these employmentrelated regulations from the website of the Hong Kong Immigration Department ( ht tp://ww w.immd. gov.hk/eng/index.html) and the Career Center of HKUST (http://career.ust.hk). You should get yourself familiarized with relevant rules and regulations stipulated in these two websites and clear the legalities before starting your employment. In case of doubt, please contact the Career Center. Non-compliance may result in deportation. NON-LOCAL STUDENTS WORKING IN HONG KONG All the best and enjoy the process! 1 2 34 56 7 Understand what you want. Find out where as you can. This will help you fi nd your potential career path and allocate time to hone the skills required. Find out also about the language skills needed in your dream job. Consider joining relevant societies, competitions, exchange programs, and regularly update yourself on news of the industry you are interested in. Always have a Plan B. Expand your job search, focusing on multiple job functions, probably within the industry you like. As the Hong Kong job market is competitive, it is good to increase your chance by exploring other opportunities, such as applying for jobs in other cities and countries. Mitigate possible challenges brought by your student status. Understand what it means to be having an international student visa status. Proactively seek opportunities to apply for a work permit independently. Visit the Career Center and learn from your career advisors. As newcomers in the city, it is very useful for international students to seek insights from people in the industry. There are plenty of resources in the Career Center which can help including career advisors. You can discuss with them on any issues related to career development, job search or further studies. Network and aim for internships. Increased more people in the industry and having internship experiences will be immensely useful in showing potential employers your commitment to the job, the industry, and the city. Look beyond vacancies ─ focus on employers’ needs. If you are truly interested in a specifi c industry or company, there is no need to wait until the company posts job advertisements. Put yourself out there and politely tell their Human Resources team that you are happy to be considered should there be a vacancy. Stay focused and confi dent. This is, above all, the most important thing to remember. Many senior international students have gone through countless interviews, and some were unsuccessful. When that happens all you need to do is to remember your goal, be confi dent but humble, and try again! your passion, strengths and weaknesses lie as soon 5Network competition in the job market means that knowing 6e6mployers’ 4your 4 2Always 2search, 33your As a prominent and thriving business center, Hong Kong is undoubtedly a great place for students to start their career. This is also true for many international students, who hope to succeed and settle in the city. However, many employers and headhunters take into consideration the time and capital investments of hiring students, which are often higher in the case of international students. There are questions of whether the company needs to provide sponsorship for work permits, whether the student is really committed to the city and thus worth training, and problems of possible mismatches between the student’s language skills and the common languages of the city. Because of these possible challenges, international students need to proactively plan and prepare. You may start with the following: With preparation comes greater possibility 10|11 Opportunity Comes To Those Who Are Prepared FELIX TONG Director - Family Counselling Center, The Lutheran Church Hong Kong Synod Part-time Lecturer, Concordia Theological Seminary (Hong Kong) & Alliance Bible Seminary Clinical Supervisor, Monash University BEng (Computer Science) MSocSc (Counselling) MCS (Marriage and Family Therapy) Post-graduate Certifi cate (Education) DMin (Spiritual Direction) (Candidate) **************************************************************** Back in the day, we used to spend most of our time in the computer lab working on the final year project. While we were debugging our programs, we used to talk for hours about jobs and careers upon graduation. I came to realize that I would have to spend more than 30 years in the job market. I told myself that debugging programs would not be a very meaningful task in life. I started to explore and to rethink what I really wanted to do. As a Christian, I always wanted to embark on a career that I could help and be of service to others, albeit I did not have any ideal jobs in mind! So, to actualize this end, with my academic background, I thought that it would be good for me to be a teacher. In the year 1997, graduates could easily find teaching jobs in secondary schools in Hong Kong. Hence, I started to teach. 12|13 Good old days… Life at HKUST was busy – in a good way, a huge variety of student organizations, activities, and educational opportunities kept campus lively. I made the best use of my spare time to read different books, especially those about Christianity and psychology. I paid special attention on how to maintain good psychological health. I set my mind to serving others. I joined Campus Crusade for Christ and preached the gospel on campus. For this, I came into contact with different people and I wanted to win friends and infl uence people. Apart from my Christian faith, the 3 years in HKUST made me realize that I did not want to delve into the IT industry. I took elective humanity subjects including Modern Chinese History. These elective subjects were as if my majors and I achieved surprisingly good grades, then I thought I might have chosen the wrong major! The fond reminiscences of the day that I walked into the Career Center, scanned through potential employers in the database, sent out application letters, prayed to Almighty God, and waited, were still clearly on my mind. Having taught for 13 years, I changed to my current ideal career - counseling. I could change profession for I had never ceased to upgrade and prepare myself by studying part-time. I was well prepared when opportunity did arise. I was very lucky. I knew what I wanted, and did it until it was done. Looking back, I could say that I was fortunate to have the chance to work in two different fi elds, teaching and counseling. I am privileged to have participated in these two professions. Therefore, my advice for young men and women is that when you know what you want to do, just go ahead. Follow your heart! My teaching career I was a man of few words. At the beginning, my teaching work was not encouraging and I thought of quitting at times. But deep in my heart, I told myself that there were many things that I had not done nor achieved. I wanted to quit but I did not feel like quitting! The school that I once taught was like a training camp and I was not qualifi ed to graduate for I was determined to carry on until the training was over. And in this training camp, I had a lot of companions and comrades who shared the same mission and vision in life. We helped and supported each other, and with this in mind, I maintained my course with no deviation. During my days as a teacher, I did not consider myself actually teaching someone some new knowledge but rather helping someone to grow and mature. Passing on knowledge to another person was far too easier than helping him/her to grow and prosper. I spent most of my time caring for the disadvantaged students. I developed good rapport with their parents, and because of this I got two awards, namely: the ‘Hong Kong Outstanding Teacher Selection 2008’ by the Hong Kong Occupational Therapy Association, and the ‘Excellent Teacher (caring) Award 2009’ by the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers. These were beyond my dreams. We all might have formed our views under the infl uence of the society, but I would look at things from a different perspective, I learned a lot from my students. talents in each and every individual. I learned They taught me that there were different to accept ‘uniqueness’. There were students who might not be ‘good’ at schoolwork but they excelled in other areas. I had a student who was a silver medalist at the Asian Games, a chef at US Disneyland, a famous hat designer who always appeared on TV shows, an IT genius who received trophies in the International Olympiad in Informatics. They were the underachievers during their school days because they were in an educational system that they could not shine. But they all shined like jewels in other areas. They inspired me to work in the fi eld of parent-education-counseling. A meaningful transition With my Christian faith and belief, I committed whole-heartedly to my work. And I would conclude that if bad students needed help from good teachers then worse students would require assistance from better teachers. I maintained that there were always rooms for improvement for anyone. My motto was to keep trying to do my utmost and to labor and not to count the cost. Because of this fi rm conviction and belief, ever since my graduation, I had never ceased to get involved in different in-service training programs like: counseling, family therapy, education, and theology. I aimed to enrich and equip myself to handle students’ problems whenever and wherever they needed me. The experience I gained from handling the troubled and diffi cult students reaffi rmed my belief that young men and women needed appropriate help and proper guidance. A better way to achieve this end was to help them and their families as a whole. With this ultimate goal in mind, I dived right into family counseling services. Before you go out to win others, win yourself Stay focused on my goal taught me not to be selfi sh and calculating. That was because my goal was fueled by passion and enthusiasm that guided my way. When I worked as a teacher, I did not have a high regard for money. Nonetheless, teaching job offered attractive salary. Many studied for a PGDE in order to advance two points in the salary scale, but I rather chose counseling courses instead. My aim was to help students and be a good shepherd. It was a modest intention to start with but the end results revealed that both the sheep and the shepherd were nurtured and nourished. A lot of people were and lucrative and to start from zero again. I replied that I put my emphasis on personal growth and If one ever committed to do It was important to set goals and motivate oneself to actually achieve them. came across others or events that one disfavored, one might take them as tests or exercises. One should not just sit there and blame others. Instead, one should think hard and fi nd ways to overcome the adversities and in this way one would start to mature. It was usually the case that one didn’t like something because he/she was not ready to handle it. You could say that the system failed you and this might be probably true. But you had to learn to be consciously responsible for and to decide how you would go on even you could not change the things around you. To conclude, I wish to point out the cruel fact that as a fresh graduate straight out of university, the prospect of fi nding a dream job would be most diffi cult, if not improbable. So, try to experience new things, be more perseverant and open-minded and to face hardships as opportunities in life. More importantly, learn to appreciate the mission of oneself in this world. What makes one mature is when one faces his/her biggest failure or setback. If you have not yet succeeded in anything, it is because you haven’t learned from your failure and setbacks. University life gives you a lot of time, make the best use of it to seek and rediscover your interests, read more, and explore your aim in life! and the drive to overcome diffi culties. When one is constant to purpose. a job well, money would surely be round the corner! Goals produced perseverance diffifi amazed why I gave up a job that was relatively stable possible’. I always maintained that I would change Virginia Satir said ‘Change is always possible; even if external change is limited, internal change is still The "Mother of Family Therapy” whatever I could change, if I realized that there was realization of dreams. I fi rmly believed that success room to change and I would change for the better. During my last year of PhD study at the HKUST, I recall I did not have a clear idea as to what I wanted to do but I always knew science was my most favorite subject. Therefore the fi rst thing that came to my mind was the pharmaceutical industry because it’s a part of medical science and good drugs can save millions of lives, just simple as that. But in the meantime I also tried to explore a few career possibilities including working in academic sector. Whilst I was going through the search for job opportunities, I joined an international Biotechnology training workshop (BioCamp) where I had a chance to talk to people from the pharmaceutical industry. After that I got very interested in it, so I decided to write a letter to Novartis to introduce myself. I guess because of my strong science academic background, I only waited for a little while before I was offered an entry grade position in Novartis Pharmaceutical Company as a medical associate in their medical department. It was the fi rst step of my health career journey. In my years of career in the medical fi eld, I feel I am really blessed to be able to work with prominent fi gures around the world and the products produced by my company can help bring back good health to sick people. Every job has its ups and downs. Just don’t be complacent if everything you do is well and smooth; equally do not feel depressed if you encounter problems because there’s always a solution to resolve them. I would be lying to you if I said I didn’t fi 14|15 positive attitude of b believing my own ability and I dream job, as far as I am concerned it is what you do make you happy and that you know you have a big part to contribute. It’s not all about how much you make or how senior a position you hold. If you ask me what is considered to be a would discuss with my colleagues on fifi nding the best solution to resolve. After all, you are not alone and, remember, success comes from teamwork. have any problems at work. But I always hold a Turn Your Dreams Into Plans DR. EDDY WU China Medical Director, Allergan BSc (Biochemistry) PhD (Biochemistry) ************************************************** Sum Wong is the co-founder of the IT company Appzolute and EventXtra. He studied Computer Science in the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. During his studies he went on exchange to Tsinghua University and George Washington University. He has joined a few startups and helped them develop their products at the early stage. Later he founded his own company EventXtra which helps event organizers such as Google, Alibaba, Deloitte and some government organizations to cut cost and time through replacing laborintensive tasks by mobile technology. Sum and his team’s effort is well-recognized publicly especially by colleagues in the industry and the company has been selected as "The Best Startup in Hong Kong" by Technode, as well as won a number of Mob-Ex Awards including Best CRM & Loyalty Application, Most Innovative Mobile Application and Best Direct Response Campaign. Besides technology, Sum is also passionate about personal development. He is volunteer and project leader of a remote village teaching program “Lighthouse Project” and he was once selected to compete for “Top Leader Award” and “My Favorite Leader Award“ in a Joint- School Leadership Program. SUM WONG **************************************** Work In A Small Company That You Like: When you are young and inexperienced, working in a small company that you like is the fastest way by which you can learn about how to build the values and culture of a company. It gives you a safety net to try and learn without risking your own money. Most successful entrepreneurs have worked in a few companies before starting their own. Start From Something Small: A lot of big projects started from being a side project. For example, Gmail was actually developed by a group of engineers during their free time (about 20% of their total time available). Starting a side project when you are still at school is a great idea because students have the time and school has a whole pool of talents. What’s more, most people in school don’t mind working on a project just for fun instead of for making money. 10 Tips for Starting Your Own Business Thinking of starting your own business? Here are 10 tips that might help: Follow Your Heart: Your passion would be the fuel of your long journey. Work on something that you are interested in. It's just like meeting your loved one. You will know it when you have found it. If you hesitate and are not sure about whether something is your passion, that means no, you haven't found it yet. Look For People With The Same Values and Passion: All great businesses are built by a team of people. You should look for people who believe in what you believe. You can then spend your time working together towards the same goal instead of wasting time arguing over core beliefs. However, bear in mind you do need to reinforce the values and beliefs among your team from time to time. Look For Mentors and Advisors: You should defi nitely have mentors and advisors both before and after you start your own business. They have experienced what you are experiencing and could show you the shortcuts to where you should be going as well as all the "know-hows". Having their advice will save you a lot of time and effort. Keep Learning From People: Not a lot of entrepreneurs have an MBA background; they may not even have any management experience. The good news is that you can learn from others. Books, videos, mentors, advisors and other entrepreneurs are great resources that you should take advantage of in order to learn and grow. Spend some time having coffee and keep connected to other entrepreneurs so that you can help each other during the hard times and share the happy moments. Make Things Clear: From day one, set all the rules, and share with other partners structure and details that are related to benefi ts and money. They might be one of the main causes of argument in the future. Make agreements and put them black and white on paper upfront so that everyone understands them clearly without any ambiguities. Set Vision and Goals: A team is always led by vision and goals. Make sure everybody really knows the vision (at least when you ask them, everybody is saying the same thing). Measurable goals will give the team direction and will be useful when evaluating the process and learning. Make sure that everybody is involved in the discussion and expectations are aligned; this creates a sense of ownership for everybody. Train Your Discipline Muscle: The day you start your business is the day you no longer have a boss; you are your own supervisor. You need discipline to keep moving yourself and your team forward. Discipline is just like your muscles – train it and it will become stronger. Focus On Solving Problems Instead Of Building A Company: Most people fi nd it very cool to build a company. But at the end of the day, you are actually trying to solve a problem. Research shows that the biggest reason why companies fail is because they have been building something that no customer wants. Focus on solving problems and it will prevent you from failing or dying. 16|17 Focus, Exposures, Shooting The Targets… Did I tell you I’m talking about photography? ************************************************************** I am now working in my own production house as an event and landscape photographer. Before I graduated from HKUST, I assisted a photographer who was based at HKUST for two years. I helped him retouch photos and set up studios. I learned how to take photographs while assisting him. After I graduated, I started taking photography jobs from clients and assisted some famous photographers in Hong Kong. Thanks to the skills they have taught me, I have now started up my own company and am confi dent in taking stunning pictures for my clients. When I was studying Computer Engineering, I really didn’t know what I would do upon graduation, although many people kept asking me. I once thought of becoming a programmer or a clerk. However, I actually didn’t want a job that required me to sit in the offi ce for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. After being encouraged by some colleagues in HKUST and my friends, I started considering the possibility of being a full-time photographer. I was inspired to join this industry defi nitely because of the photographer I assisted back in HKUST. I saw his passion for photography; shootings got, or how hard the job was, he really enjoyed every moment. This has made me love photography. no matter how late our ************************************************************** 18|19 Coming up with solutions to problems… quickly Taking big group photos is always an important but challenging job when shooting for an event. There are many unexpected problems you need to solve, many of which are not even related to photography. A good group photo should have every face – nice and sharp – in it. You also need to do it quickly when everyone is in a good mood and make sure that a group photo is taken as it is the most important picture for people to remember the event. I remember that when I fi rst started taking event photos, I was asked to take a group photo for a summer camp inside a big lecture theater. At that moment, I didn’t have a lens wide enough to fi t everyone into the picture, as I didn’t have suffi cient money to buy one. When I was taking the picture, I asked everyone to shout “Yeah” so that I could capture their big smiles. I took a picture of those on my left, those in the middle, and those on my right. After the event, I used Photoshop to merge the three photos into one big group photo. To make it perfect, I made sure the merging was properly done and that everyone was in the photo. That took me more than an hour. Finally, the client was satisfi ed and because it’s a merged photo, the pixel was doubled; everyone’s face could be seen clearly. In this age, we are lucky to be able to fi nd all answers on the Internet. We can learn how to use new products and software on the Internet once they are launched. It is relatively easy to handle new changes in this industry now than ever before. I am indeed blessed to have started a business of lower risks. Before I invest in anything, I have plans and I can rent or even borrow the equipment I need from my photographer friends. If I face some technical photography problems, I can always fi nd the answers online or from my friends who have worked as photographers for more than 20 years. I can say that I am lucky and I have never thought of giving up. Improving…continuously As I have just graduated, I don’t have heavy fi nancial burden. I think that keeping improving myself is the most important factor in building a successful career. No matter working for a boss or being your own boss, everyone needs to continuously improve. For me, I do this by making a “to-do list” when planning my jobs and I also use this to remind myself what skills I need to improve on. There are four categories on my list and I tackle my work following this order: urgent and important, not urgent but important, urgent but I keep adding different kinds of skills that I think I have to learn to the “not urgent and important” category. I force myself to learn something after I have fi nished my job for the day. Recently, I have been learning “After Effects”. I love learning how to use software on YouTube. There are thousands of free tutorial videos available on YouTube. They are much more interesting than reading a book or studying in a class. If you don’t understand anything, you can always watch the videos repeatedly. Fortunately, since being a photographer has been my dream and passion ever since I started to learn photography, I am really motivated. Therefore there hasn’t been anything that I really dislike in my job and this has kept me motivated. It is interesting that people seem to have many misunderstandings about the photography industry. For example, one of my old neighbors thought as a photographer, I needed to print photos every day. One of my friends thought I took pictures of young models every day. Another friend thought I could take good pictures because I had a good camera. When I heard him say that, I turned my camera into “auto” mode and gave it to him. After he took a few pictures, he could tell the differences between his photos and my photos. He began to understand why people need a photographer, even when everyone can take pictures with using their smartphone and fi My passion for photography is definitely the not important, and not urgent nor important. Taking a good picture is more than just pressing the some even own a digital single-lens refl ex camera. shutter. There are lots of pre- and post-production work to do. On top of that, some jobs are hard and take a long time to fifififi nish. But as a photographer I will not give up. This is the passion for photography. motivation in every change. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering from National University of Science & Technology (Karachi, Pakistan). I always wanted to do Mechanical Engineering but due to my low score in the university entrance test I did not get admitted to the program. So I decided to do my degree in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering as it was a similar fi eld to Mechanical Engineering. When I completed my bachelor’s I realized I loved the fi eld of my studies, and I actually felt lucky to have been admitted to it. To carry on with my studies in the same fi eld I opted to pursue a master’s in Engineering Enterprise Management in HKUST. My areas of studies included supply chain, operations, transportation and logistics management. I chose to come to Hong Kong since its service sector is wellestablished and I also believed it would be easier for me to fi nd a job in a related fi eld here. My fi rst job hunting experience started with connecting to the Career Center of HKUST, and it was indeed an amazing experience. Lots of companies gave career talks in our university and many even came for direct recruitment. I attended almost all the recruitment talks that were in English and related to my fi eld of studies. With respect to year students usually can’t afford waiting for the best job, so it is important to apply for multiple jobs simultaneously. For me, I had three categories of jobs: the fi rst ‘tier’ being a job in my dream company, secondly an industry in which I wanted to pursue my career in general (perhaps an industry similar to my expertise), then jobs in a location that I liked. Your list depends much on what is important for you: what you want to be, what your future plan is, your background, where you want to work, whether you can accept a job different from your dream job or how different they could be. Obviously we do not always get our dream jobs, but at least what we get eventually is something we quite like. I would like to say this again: It is not easy to balance the likes and dislikes in a job, especially when you have to look after multiple things. For example, I dislike waiting for people to reply my emails (and without their replies I cannot go on with my work). I think you just need to like your job overall. For example, I like to provide different supply chain solutions for my clients and fortunately this is what I am currently doing. factors in building a successful career is to hang on in there during diffi cult times, persevere and grow. Everyone has moments in their lives in which they get completely frustrated, and sometimes things go against your wish; there seem to be hurdles like stones blocking our way. At those times we need to be patient and stay cool. Remember that a new day comes after every dark night. We need to see the bigger picture and always have a goal in life that constantly motivates us. Believe that the path we take is not as diffi cult as we think – no matter what you want to become, even a general manager! It is very important to understand our needs because they motivate us. Don’t Settle For Anything Less Than Your Ideal job searching, what I did was to ‘rank’ the jobs. I fi rst had in mind an industry I really liked and some “dream companies”, and t then applied for their jobs. But we should also make a contingency plan – if we fail to get our ‘dream jobs’ what we would like to like trains your patience and maybe you can learn I think the most important something new out of it. Again, if you are satisfi ed don’t like. Actually, doing something that you don’t know what might come up and make you change be aware that those needs do not become greed, because needs can be satisfi ed but greed can never be. It’s not bad to have needs, but but they are just for guiding purposes. You never your mind. don’t be fi xed minded; make plans with your work overall, you can bear things you do, or what other industries we could work in. Final ******************************** 20|21 ******************************** Let me also share a quote from a speech by Mr Brian Dyson, the former CEO of Coca Cola: Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. They are Work, Family, Health, Friends and Spirit and you are keeping all these in the air. You will soon understand that Work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But other four balls – Family, Health, Friends and Spirit – are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffled, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life. I advise graduates to work effi ciently during offi ce hours and leave on time. Give your family and friends enough time and have proper rest; they are very important to you. If you don’t care about them, one day you might lose them. When I was still a university student, I already had a clear idea what I wanted to become. I think when students enter the last year of studies, be it undergraduate or master’s degree, they should have an idea what they would like to do, because they would have done a lot of related course work and projects, as well as had a couple of internships. I also think students should have at least a fi ve to seven- year career plan. Of course the plan might change with time and it’s indeed fl exible, but having a plan helps us move forward. For university students, remember that you only live your university life once. My advice for you is to manage your time for studies, and at the same time also participate in other activities such as going to events and playing sports. Hang out with others and explore the university environment; take a deep breath of the fresh air. We are indeed lucky to have such a beautiful university in a beautiful and friendly environment. Of course you have pressure from tests and assignment deadlines, but you will have more pressure to handle and deadlines to meet in the workplace. Therefore cherish and enjoy this period of time in your life so you will have no regrets in the future. precious things are on. Value has a value only if its value is valued – it depends on whose hands these HUSSAIN TAHIR Project Coordinator, Kerry Logistics Hong Kong BEng (Manufacturing Engineering) MSc (Engineering Enterprise Management) CMaorseaeicr Career Mosaic is a biannual campus-wide career fair organized by the Career Center, in October and March. More than 200 companies and organizations have participated every year. Career Mosaic offers a highly effective platform for employers to reach out to HKUST students on recruiting them for internship and graduate employment opportunities. Benefi ts to students Identify graduate and internship opportunities in their areas of interest Meet with employers from different industries Submit applications directly to the employers at the event Obtain interviews from some employers on the spot Benefi ts to employers Reach out to your potential talent pool to fulfi ll your talent needs Build your brand on campus and increase awareness in the student community Meet with talents and perform selection on the spot to save recruiting costs 22|23 HOMAN YEUNG A nine-month internship in India BSc (Mathematics and Economics) The Best Way To Predict The Future Is To Create It Don’t be a thinker, be a doer! Can you briefl y describe your working holiday experience, and what attracted you to do something different? I spent 9 months working as a Business Development Executive in a software product company in Hyderabad, India. My key responsibility was to to expand our business into the Greater China Region. We marketed our mobility solutions to IT specialists or CIOs through conference calls. Since getting into HKUST, I was surprised by the fact that a lot of students put 99% of their time on academic or career-oriented activities like business case competition or part-time jobs. I surely did appreciate their determined effort in GPA and career pursuit. I wished I could be one of them, however, as for me I would expect to have a more “romantic” university life. a platform that provided overseas internship and I dived right in to take up an overseas job placement instead of an academic exchange for a gap year. Firstly, it provided salary that suffi ced my livelihood in a foreign country and I would not need money from home. Secondly, I could truly immerse myself into a foreign environment. I worked with local Indian software engineers and other interns from more than 15 countries. English was the only means of communication and this greatly improved my language skill. I had not aimed at doing something different but rather followed my heart to wherever it might lead! **************************************************************** It’s a big world and I wanted to see more beyond Hong Kong. So doing, I believed it would add value to my whole life. I was lucky enough to have found 24|25 What was the biggest challenge you have faced and how did you tackle it? I faced a situation when I was on my way back to Hong Kong towards the end of my internship. I planned a one-month tour to 9 cities in India. The last 2 stops were Varanasi and Kolkata. I booked my train ticket from Varanasi to Kolkata through a travel agency. And I would fl y home from Kolkata. I was expected to arrive at Kolkata 7 hours before the scheduled fl ight so that I would have enough time to reach the airport. However a few hours before leaving Varanasi, the travel agency informed me that the train would be delayed for 12 hours. If I waited for the train I would have missed my fl ight. The agent found me a rickshaw to take me to the train station for there were usually few tickets especially reserved for foreigners. However, when I arrived at the train station, all confi rmed tickets were sold out. The agent left me at the train station and said that he had done his part and there would be nothing more that he could help. So I had to fi gure my way out of this predicament. I walked across different platforms to seek help but no station offi cers could advise me what to do. Eventually, a passenger advised me that I could get onto the train with a general ticket and pay additional charges to the conductor on board. Despite I would not be given a bed during the train ride but it was still a lawful trip and this was the usual practice in India! Immediately, I heeded his advice and got on the train. Sitting at the corner of a passenger bed at the beginning, I later slept on the fl oor throughout the 12-hours train ride. I prayed no cockroaches would have climbed over me! If you had a chance to re-do one thing in between, what would that be? Why? I wished I could have learned how to play cricket, the national sport for India. In fact, I was not the athletic type so I kept giving myself excuses for not participating in sports. But when I came back to Hong Kong, I realized that there were no chances for me to learn and play the game again! What would be your next mission in life? Why? For sure I would start to work after graduation. All my dorm mates vowed to meet in 10 years if not in 5 years. A group of 20 plus interns from over 15 countries lived together for more than 6 months. We became good friends and were in close ties as if it were our 2nd family. We decided to meet with one another in our respective countries: Hong Kong, Columbia, Bolivia, Belgium, and Russia…etc. in the future. And in fact, I have already met 7 of them here in Hong Kong and in the Philippines. Meeting old friends in different countries could add great values to my Any motivational advice to your fellow schoolmates? The hardest part in planning to go abroad was the would be problems and diffi culties but you could always fi nd a way to solve them! It might not be the best way to tackle issues, but we all learned during the process. We are still young. Don’t be a thinker, be a doer! time that you made up your mind to go! decided you moved one step forward, things would travels and I would try to do my very best to actualize not be as diffi cult as you might imagine. Surely, there Once you had our rendezvous! Life In The Other Hemisphere MICHAEL WONG One-year working holiday in Australia BSc (Mathematics and Economics) **************************************************************** Working and traveling in Australia I took up numerous different jobs when I was having my working holiday in Australia for a year. I worked as a mine site labor, a farmer and a kitchen steward, to name but a few. I started my journey in West Australia alone in January, 2014. Occasionally I moved from place to place and travelled around the whole of West Australia (WA) at the same time. After spending seven months in WA, I moved to Melbourne and continued my journey for the rest of the year. The typical cycle of a backpacker’s life is saving money for road trips, spending all their money on travelling, going back to work to save money again and spending all money on travelling again. This pretty much sums up my life in this one year. In Australia, many places are unpolluted and the views are spectacular, such as the tallest Karri Tree in Southern WA and the Coral Bay in Northern WA. I would say one year is still not enough for one to fully enjoy and appreciate life in Australia. Therefore I prefer to stay in a place longer, rather than rushing from one tourist spot to another. 26|27 The main reason why I was motivated to live in Australia for a year was that I thought Hong Kong was just a tiny place in the globe. What we believe to be social norms here may not necessarily be true in other places; there should be many people who are leading different lives from that of typical Hong Kong people. Honestly, in my opinion, many of my friends in HKUST do not have specifi c goals in their lives; they are just trying to fulfi ll society’s or their family’s expectations. They live without fi nding out what they want to achieve in their lives after graduating from university. At the same time, the university should not be a factory that mass produces, emphasizing indoctrination of knowledge. Instead, it should be able to enlighten its students to come up with their own goals, and encourage them to follow their dreams and ultimately to be unique. As someone who always tries to avoid being ordinary and boring, I decided to travel to Australia to broaden my horizons and see how people in other countries live before I get old. Lots of challenges but no regrets I face both physical and mental challenges when I was in Australia. Physically, for example, I worked in a mine site which was over 40 degrees. The gas might cause cancer so we had to wear protective gears during work. The job was exhausting: Every day I needed to get up at 4am and worked till 6pm. There were no holidays until the project fi nished. I worked for 14 days consecutively and it was a torture, but I made good money there and other things such as the catering and accommodation were awesome. I have also worked in a farm when the temperature was 0 degrees. Despite the cold weather and having to get up early for work, life in a farm was quite relaxing and simple. Lastly, I once slept in the airport in order to catch a train the following morning. There were mental challenges too. For example, I was afraid of not having a job when I had almost spent all my savings. Of course, there was also this loneliness when I only had myself to rely on for everything, for the fi rst time in my life. After some self-refl ection, I realize that some of the decisions I made on my journey were unwise and impulsive. For example, I quit my job as a kitchen steward of a café and went to work in a farm when I only had AUD500 in my pocket. Still I would not change any decisions I’ve made, although I always think that we must learn from our failure and not commit the same mistakes again in the future. I am proud of the decisions I’ve made as they have made me who I am today. Now, after coming home, I want to join the Fire Services Department and become a professional who has the power to protect people. Hopefully you will see me become a member of the High Angle Rescue Team in the future. Go where there is no path yet Finally I would like to use the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson to encourage fellow students: Don’t go where path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave your own trail. It’s simple as this: it’s your life, and don’t let others tell you what you should or can’t do. Trust the voices from your heart, and go for your dream with determination and dedication. and willing to tackle problems decisively. I have learned to be proactive fififi Come Rain or Shine CYRUS TANG & ALAN LEUNG One-year Interns, Hong Kong Observatory BSc (Physics) ******************************************************************************** What do physicists do in the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO)? Cyrus: During my one-year internship with HKO, my main duties were to assist my supervisor in evaluating the accuracy of past weather forecasts. For example, we compared the forecast tracks of tropical cyclones by our system in the past fi ve years with their actual tracks, and evaluated the performance of the Windshear and Turbulence Warning System (WTWS) of the Hong Kong International Airport in different seasons. I also looked at statistics from weather radars and satellites and examined how accurate they were in forecasting rainfall in the South China region. My main goal was to identify and correct the errors of the forecast system. I hoped to improve the accuracy of the system, and this was indeed my biggest motivation while working there. Alan: For me, my main duty was to process statistical data that came from metrology equipment records, and to refi ne weather forecast models on the computer. The seniors were often too busy to test the new equipment so I had lots of chances to test the effectiveness of the instruments, experiencing advanced technology fi rst-hand. What attracted you to apply for an internship with the HKO? Alan: I decided to apply for this internship six months before my graduation. At that time I was struggling between going onto research so I could contribute to society, and getting a job as soon as I could so as to give my parents a better life. I was thrilled when I found out about this internship opportunity as both of these wishes could come true! I applied for it immediately and was fortunate to be hired. Alan Cyrus 28|29 What was the most challenging experience during the internship? Cyrus: My supervisor allowed me lots of freedom in my work. He would just let me know the objectives and I could complete the jobs in whatever ways I chose to. Because there was a huge amount of data, even a small error could delay our work for a couple of days. I also learned about the various ways of presenting data. I will be starting an MPhil in HKUST next year and I’m really hoping to learn a lot and pursue a career in research. Alan: Fine-tuning the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model was the most important yet most diffi cult task during my internship. Actually before I reported duty, my supervisor had suggested me to try practicing installing the model on my computer. I had always thought using the model was the most challenging, and it turned out that installing it was! Also, it’s not until at least half-way through the project that my supervisor told me about using a server to test the new model, and just the installation already took us a few weeks! The WRF was hard to master for two reasons: Firstly, it had a complicated structure; even if your settings were just a bit different from the developer’s, this might affect the whole system, and you would end up having problems that were hard to understand, let alone solve. Secondly, more often than not the instructions on the manual and what people say on online discussion platforms were rather different from the actual version and the real situation. Some problems had not even been discovered before. Fortunately there were colleagues using the same program and we could exchange our thoughts and tackle the problems together. Is there anything you would have done differently? Alan: One thing I wish I could have done differently is to try taking up different roles during the internship, a few site visits, my job was mainly about the laterstage analysis and I therefore didn’t gain much hands-on experience related to the work of an offi cer. I understand that HKO usually hires scientifi c offi cers who at least have a master’s degree, so my goal now, like Cyrus’s, is to pursue an MPhil. Do you have any advice for graduates? Alan: I suggest students who are also interested in working for the HKO to know more about climate and weather, as well as statistics and computational physics. Needless to say meteorological knowledge is very important, especially that about weather phenomena in South-east Asia such as tropical cyclones. Knowledge in statistics is also very important because the HKO needs to compare different forecasting methods. Lastly, since HKO offi cers very often have to manage and transfer lots of weather observation data, knowledge in computational physics is essential. What about students? What would you like to say to them? Cyrus: I encourage those still at the university to try to participate in different internships. In the workplace, you encounter lots of things you’ve never improve and acquire the necessary knowledge while you are still at school. When you graduate and start working, I am sure you will fi nd it a lot easier to adjust to the environment and advance faster compared to your peers who do not have such experiences. anticipated. You can learn how to work with different colleagues and understand what your supervisor’s instructions really mean. Ultimately the experiences and by observing how other colleagues approached Of course as a newcomer I had a hard time in the beginning, but through trial and error their work, I gradually learned how to handle the assignments well. especially the more frontline ones. Although I had help you recognize your shortcomings so you can Learning Through Internships The importance of internship programs simply cannot be ignored or taken lightly. In the competitive job market we face today, good jobs are scarce and only good quality candidates will be chosen. As you go through your years of studies, you MUST NOT OVERLOOK the participation of INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS because this empowers you to get ready for your future career with an impressive cover letter, a strong CV and all the necessary soft skills that make you stand out from the others. a host of program-based internship opportunities across HK, Mainland China and many foreign countries. The following are highlights of these programs: The Cross-Cultural Internship Program Work & Travel USA Program The Intern Group International Internship Program The Bloom of Youth Global Internship Program Myriads of Mainland summer internship programs ASEAN Internship for University Students of Hong Kong Scheme SOAR Shanghai (30-40 students) HKUST campus The USA Australia/Colombia/ UK/Spain and other European countries Various Mainland cities ASEAN countries Shanghai On-campus Internship Program 7 -12 weeks 6 -24 wee ks (depending on the program) 4-6 weeks (depending on the program) 6 weeks (early June – mid July) 4 -12 weeks 6 weeks (early July – mid August) Details of these internship programs are available from our website (http://career.ust > “Internship”). Info session announcements or calls for applications will be made via email and our website starting from September/October. HKUST Internship Network (iNET) is a fl agship internship program of HKUST Career Center which provides Duration: varies Part-time or full time SOAR Beijing (30-40 students) Beijing Program Name Location Duration Government Summer Jobs, PSSSIP refers (offers 100+ jobs in different government departments; only for students who are permanent HK residents) HK Varies from 6-12 weeks Local Internships Mainland Internships Overseas Internships 是次計劃讓我得以善用暑假時間為自己增 值，而實習部份提供了一個很好的機會， 讓我能夠更多了解內地職場文化，賺取 寶貴的工作經驗。通過與上司和同事的相 處，我亦能提昇自己的軟技能，如人際溝 通技巧、匯報技巧等，同時在過程中更認 識自己，了解自己的不足，作出改善，為 將來投身社會打好根基。 Year 2 (SBM) 雷博財務管理諮詢 (北京) 有限公司 I gained valuable experience throughout this internship with improvement in my English communication skills as well as people skills. I also learned how to pay attention to every detail. This internship gave me a precious opportunity to work with people from different countries and cultural backgrounds. Year 2 (ECOF) Trainee of Delta Executive Search (London, UK) The internship gave me an opportunity to participate in university recruitment work, which involves a lot of communication with students and is dynamic in nature. Through this internship, my teamwork, communication and time management skills have been improved. Year 3 (ISOM) Part-time Assistant Copywriter of Undergraduate Recruitment and Admissions Offi ce 來北京實習雖然只有短短的一個半月，但 是我得到的不僅是工作上的經驗，還有與 同事老師相處的技巧、了解北京與香港的 文化差異、跟科大的同學─ 我的組員一份 寶貴的友誼、獨立生活的經歷和管理錢財 的技巧等，教我日後在社會工作上有更好 的裝備，並明白自己在大學階段應及早規 劃自己的前程。 Year 2 (SSCI) 北京大學第一醫院實習中心 Through this internship, my soft skills have signifi cantly been improved. Whilst working for different departments, and interviewing and meeting new people, my communication abilities have been greatly enhanced. I was also able to expand my professional network. There was not only work, but a lot of fun as well. Year 1 (SENG) Summer Intern of Terumo BCT (Asia Pacifi c) Limited (Singapore) This internship experience has helped me fi nd my interest in people-oriented jobs. When I worked at the counter, I enjoyed talking with people from different backgrounds. As a result of this internship, my communication, customer service and computer skills have been polished. Year 3 (MARK) Part-time Customer Service Intern of the Career Center 30|31 Local Internships Mainland Internships Overseas Internships My success was due to good luck, hard work, and support and advice from friends and mentors. But most importantly, it depended on me to keep trying after I had failed. — Mark Warner ******************************************************** I started my career in 2014 and have just entered the second year of my Management Associate (MA) Program at Hilti. In the fi rst year of the program, I worked at the front line as a Technical Sales Representative. I will now be working in the Strategic Marketing Division. Working as a sales representative in a company with a direct sales model was a humbling experience. I was given the opportunity to work with a diverse group of people with different personalities. Learning how to communicate with each of them and to handle different situations has really enabled me to mature faster “Failure is not the opposite of success; it’s part of success.” I started my job hunting rather late as I was on exchange during the fi rst term of my fi nal year. Immediately after returning to Hong Kong, I spent most of my time touching up my CV, seeking career counselling and submitting applications. It was a grueling process: I sent over 100 applications. Although I was invited to numerous interviews, there were also many rejections. It was a heartbreaking but valuable experience. In hindsight, having attended these assessment centers, tests and interviews was one of the key factors for my success in the later stage of the interviews as well as in my career. KEVIN YUEN Management Associate, Hilti (Hong Kong) Limited BBA (Marketing and Operations & Management) ******************************************************** 32|33 Just last year when I was still at university, like most undergraduates, I had no clear idea what I wanted to do. Although I had my own ambitions and goals, I did not know how to achieve them. Actually, instead of a specifi c job title or company, I was looking for a company culture or work environment that would provide me with the right opportunities, exposure and freedom to grow and fi nd my passion. I was very fortunate to have landed a job in Hilti, a company that truly values staff development and fl exibility. At Hilti, I have been given various opportunities to work in different departments and the freedom to truly fi nd myself. After a month of training at the beginning of the MA program, I fi nally started working as a Technical Sales Representative. Prior to working at Hilti I had absolutely no experience working as a sales representative. Although Hilti had equipped me with the relevant product information and sales techniques, applying them in real life was a completely different story especially when Cantonese isn’t my fi rst language. I found it extremely challenging to adapt to different environments. Rejections were common and putting up with others’ poor attitude was part of my job. However, with the support from my colleagues and the management, my sales skills were refi ned and understanding of the industry improved. They have also helped me overcome my shortcomings. I’m very fortunate to have been raised in a very supportive family. My parents are willing to sacrifi ce their own comfort to give me the best education and opportunities anyone could ever ask for. Knowing this gives me the courage and motivation to work harder and perform better, hoping that one day I will be able to pay back what my parents have sacrifi ced for me. “It is good to have ambitions, but it’s more important to stay humble.” I’ve just started working so honestly I don’t exactly know what the most important factors in building a successful career are. However, I do believe that you need to be humble and curious, and you need to have the courage to take calculated risks. Most importantly, you need to know that “strong people don’t put others down, they lift them up.” I also think it is important to maintain a good work-life balance or even achieve work-life integration. Again, I am very fortunate to be working in a company that provides many opportunities for team collaborations, afterwork recreational activities and most importantly a culture of positivity and enthusiasm. Besides, I try to maintain a positive attitude and look at situations from different perspectives; I always look at the bright side. Being a recent graduate I know exactly what graduates-to-be are thinking. I don’t think I am qualifi ed to tell them what my expectations are, but instead I’ll suggest fresh graduates some good practices that have helped me in the past year. First, make sure you know who to turn to for advice and when. Don’t be afraid to ask questions but instead take advantage of the resources around you. Second, always be punctual, manage your time well and never miss deadlines. Third, refi ne your communication skills so you can present ideas and get your messages across clearly. Fourth, think critically. Don’t just follow orders; question when you’re in doubt, and try to come up with the most effective solutions. Finally, be mature and always take responsibility for your actions. Many people used to tell me that university would be the best days of my life. I still don’t know if that’s true or not, but if I were given the chance to live my university life again, I would spend more time fi nding my passion and getting involved in more activities, and be open to trying new things. I suggest undergraduates to socialize and build their own social and support networks. At the same time, don’t forget to work hard but don’t beat yourself up too much over bad grades either. There is no point dwelling on something you cannot change. What is more important is to ask yourself what you have learned from the failure, why it happened and how you can improve. fifi TOMMY LEE Graduate Trainee, The Hongkong Electric Company Ltd. BSc (Chemistry) ******************************************************************** Take advantage of resources at university Since my fi rst day at university, I decided to try as many things as I could. The university is like a treasure full of resources, and what you could gain from it depends on how devoted you are and how much you are willing to explore. At university I participated in many enrichment activities. I was actively involved in student societies, organized a service learning trip to Malaysia, gave primary school students classes and mentored junior UST students, and my horizons were broadened as a result. I was also fortunate enough to have advice from my coursemates and from staff at the School of Science - they indeed helped me lead a fruitful school life. For my fi rst job hunting, at fi rst I tried looking for a job in business that required a science background, or a teaching position in a secondary school. In fact, I had had little job hunting experience even after two years at university. At that time a senior suggested me to try working part-time in the university’s Health, Safety and Environment Offi ce. I joined some schoolbased projects by being the coordinator of a course for children and an event helper as well. Still I did not have much idea about my career. I thought it’s time to change so I decided at the beginning of my fi nal year to take the Career Building Course offered by the Career Center to see what options were available out there. Ms. Grace Siu, the course’s instructor and one of the most enthusiastic and experienced career advisors I have ever met, taught the class how to refi ne a CV, write a decent cover letter and deal with interviews. Most importantly, she encouraged us to explore. Inspired by her, I started looking up recruitment websites such as HKUST Job Board, JobsDB and government pages, and attended various recruitment talks to learn more about jobs of different nature. In December 2013, the School of Science sent me an email regarding a Chemist (Graduate) Trainee opening in the Hongkong Electric Company. It was a rare opportunity as public utilities seldom recruited science students. The job duties of the position included water quality control, auxiliary plant maintenance, coal and oil analyses, and giving recommendations on environmental matters – these were exactly the areas where I could put the knowledge learned in school into real practice, and the jobs aligned perfectly with my interests. Without any hesitation, I applied for the job. After three rounds of interviews, I stood out among other candidates and was hired by the company. It is no exaggeration to say that if I had not taken the Career Building Course, I would not have noticed the position and had the ability to write an application letter which eventually connected me with my current employer. I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying. — Michael Jordan 34|35 Give your best and learn from even the most ordinary tasks In my current workplace, the major challenge is dealing with electrical and mechanical issues. For example, I have little knowledge about three-phase electric power, the material behavior of boiler tubes, and which types of valves and pumps are needed to complete a pipeline network. Once, my team had to perform a large-scale chemical cleaning on an 80-meter high boiler. Inside the boiler there were numerous pathways to be remembered, such as chemical backwash, chemical injection, oxygen injection, nitrogen sealing and chemical rinsing. Each pathway had its own complicated pipeline and contained different valves and pumps. So if you were to play a leading role in the team, you had to be really familiar with each pathway so that you could respond immediately and accurately in case there was an incident. As I said earlier, I like to try as much as I can. Right after I walked out of the offi ce, I made a sketch of each pathway, walked through the narrow space between the pipelines and put down what I observed. I also asked senior colleagues questions and they were very willing to help. After the thorough preparation and when it came to the actual cleaning, I wanted to prove that my predictions were right; I compared the hypothesis with the actual situation during the cleaning. Eventually, the cleaning was carried out very smoothly. I successfully predicted how the work should be done after my supervisor had just told me a few steps. On top of that, my supervisor handed me a Walky-Talky and I took care of giving commands. He also praised me as I could clearly understand the steps and corresponding pathway. The experience has broadened my horizons; I had the chance to gain lots of exposure in the engineering world. There are no tests and examinations at work to assess what one has learned, and therefore it is diffi Acquiring work-related knowledge is not the same as taking a school course. We cannot master this knowledge in a short time; in fact this takes a long while – what we know evolves day by day and eventually becomes our experience. Therefore I always examine particular matters, consider how I could have done better and improve myself accordingly. Others could see your hard work if you have paid effort. I have a little story of mine to share, which I believe is meaningful: One day I shadowed my supervisor and we worked outside as usual, and the task of the day was to use a heavy hydrant hose to wash away sludge and this took hours. It was a mundane assignment and other senior staff thought no trainees would be willing to do the job. For me I saw the value of doing so instead; I knew that after fi nishing the work, I would know the time and manpower required for the task. I could even suggest, from my fi rst-hand experience, some possible ways for improvement. There was also an unexpected outcome: a seasoned technician shared with me his experience. Later he even came to the laboratory where I was working and encouraged me to keep up my good work. Every time I feel lost I would encourage myself with this story. There would always be someone who recognizes my effort and witnesses how much I have grown. This is how I hold on to my dream every time l am about to give up. I encourage both students and graduates to always go the extra mile to get things done, and you would learn more than you would have ever expected. Sometimes the gains are subconscious and might not be easily noticeable, but we can somehow apply the knowledge acquired one day. Another key to a successful career is to stay humble. Anyone at any stage of their lives would have something they could learn from others. Thus, we should not harbor prejudice against others nor feel ashamed to ask others for opinions. With others' help, you would definitely get more solutions to solve a problem. understand a particular s subject and have the ability to For me, I keep asking myself whether or not I truly complete the job on my own in the future. sometimes diffifi cult to evaluate the learning progress. Sometimes my confusion and disorientation result in some “dislikes” at work. My advice for others who have similar experience is to try your best to not worry and seek help when needed. Also, focus on what you like and don’t get consumed by what you Be prepared and overcome fear Finally I’d like to share with graduates-to-be some career advice. First, they should be themselves in front of potential employers during interviews. One performs the best when they are being natural. You can present a fl awless CV to an employer and prepare some polished answers to questions you anticipate. But if you can demonstrate your unique personality on top of these answers, you would leave an even more positive impression. I was once asked during an interview, “Are you worried about getting soiled at work?” Many might have answered with just a simple “Yes” or “No”. At that moment, however, the words that came out of my mouth were and we continued under a more relaxing atmosphere. I could answer in that way because I prepared well, and was thus confi dent. I believe there are few geniuses in the world, but hard work can lead to success. Having enough preparation can boost your confidence, and being confident can allow you to show interviewers anything you want to; for me, I chose to show my sense of humor! I’d also like to encourage those still at university, too. First, stay active. During university years, you would be exposed to numerous activities and opportunities: case competitions, joining a student society as a committee member, research, internships, networking events, overseas exchanges, making friends with foreigners, etc. These experiences would shape you into a unique individual and would enhance your confidence over time. Second, sharpen your communication skills. It is not only about speaking a lot and becoming articulate. It is also about saying the right thing at the right time to the right people and in a logical way. Even for me who work in a highly technical field, I still have to report to my supervisors, communicate with fellow colleagues and give instructions to subordinates. Interacting regularly with others would certainly facilitate your work. If you work hard to hone your communication skills, you would eventually be able to impress others. The legendary basketball player Michael Jordan once said, Sometimes we cease trying because of fears. A lot of the times our fears come from self-doubt: Why don’t you join an exchange program? “My English is not good and I’m afraid I won’t be able to talk to others.” Why don’t you spend a term in a student hall? “I don’t know anyone who stays there and my roommate’s life-style would probably be very different from mine. I’m afraid.” Why don’t you do something special? “I don’t know the situation, I’m afraid…” There would always be something you are fearful of. Instead, be positive. Always look at the bright side. Take a step forward and give it a shot. Sometimes you may fail in the end, but you would still learn from the experience and know better how to deal with similar situations in the future. Everyone is different – my strengths, weaknesses and interests are not the same as yours. All I can suggest you to do is to “go and try”. If you don’t try, you will never become what you want to be. I feel honored to be able to share my story with you all. I wish you a successful school life and a bright future! “I can accept failure, everyone fails at man, and a student f from HKUST, of course I won’t The interviewers showed big smiles shun the hassle.” “As a something; but I can’t accept not trying.” ******************************************************** too far – one should seek gradual improvement and not “ask for the moon”. don’t like. Striving for perfection is great but don’t go ******************************************************** Grace Siu and Henry Wong got to know each other in Spring Term, 2014 in the Career Building Course (GNED2510) Grace was teaching. Grace is really happy to see Henry’s career development in the past year and is sure Henry’s experience can encourage both the graduates and students. Grace: Henry, a while ago when you were still a university student, did you have a clear idea what you wanted to do? Henry: I think I am a lucky person who already knew what I liked and what I wanted to be when I was still very young. I started to have this passion in aviation in high school. Since then, I have always be sure that I would work in the aviation industry for my entire life. I started to prepare myself so I could be qualifi ed for entering the industry. For example, in the past few years, I have joined a number of aviation societies and relevant internships. Grace: So you must be very confi dent when you looked for your fi rst job. Henry: Well actually my fi rst job hunting wasn’t that easy. I applied for positions in quite a lot of companies, both in Hong Kong and overseas. Some interviews were very challenging. For example, one The good thing was I came to know that I needed to keep improving myself in order to become more competitive in the market. In the end, I landed what I believed to be a decent job in this fi eld that I liked – Graduate Engineer at Cathay Pacifi c. Grace: That’s really good. What about after you’ve started working? What has been the most challenging experience so far? Henry: I think the most challenging experience in my career so far has been a cabin project. It was a huge project that required a lot of manpower and at the same time rather tedious as well. To be honest, Therefore, I tried my best to overcome this challenge. I remember that during that period, I spent many days and nights in the offi ce. It was hard for me at the moment, but when I look back, it was also the moment I learned the most. Grace: It must have been hard but as the saying goes, ‘every cloud has a silver lining’. Actually how do you balance the like and dislike at work? Henry: I believe that dealing with the like and dislike depends on what you think and what you want to achieve. Every job has its diffi culties as well as rewards. What I do is try to keep myself excited and to gain satisfaction from my job duties. However, if you realize you don’t like your job most of the time, maybe you should consider what you truly want to do. Grace: Do you have any expectations for fresh graduates? Henry: I would like to encourage graduates to love what they are doing, be confi dent with themselves, and to be proactive. I also highly recommend Steve Jobs’ speech at Stanford University in 2005. Grace: Oh is it the one with the famous “stay hungry, stay foolish” message? Henry: Yes it is! Steve Jobs also talked about how the “dots connect” in our life – one day when you look back, you will very likely begin to appreciate truly love and don’t lose faith. Follow your heart and intuition. Grace: Perhaps you can give university students a few tips as well? Henry: I don’t know if it’s a tip but this works really well for me – always try something new and don't be afraid of may actually be what we need most in our lives at what Jobs calls “awfully tasting medicine”, but they the world, who would like to work in this same fi eld. that there were a lot of strong competitors around to go through many kinds of interviews. I realized candidates from all over the world and we needed of them was a two-day camp. In the camp there were Above all, hold onto what you that very moment. sometimes life is tough and the experiences are like the value of the things you’re doing today. Also, changes. don’t let your schedule go empty; HENRY WONG Graduate Engineer, Cathay Pacific Airways BEng (Mechanical Engineering) Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish there was indeed a moment when I wanted to give up. But quitting at hard times means failure to me. 36|37 My Career, My Preferred Way CANDY WOO Management Trainee, Hang Seng Bank (Retail Banking & Wealth Management) BBA (Operations Management & Management) **************************************************************** Attracted by the industry nature and the company culture Two years ago, when I was still a final year student busy working on numerous projects and preparing for loads of exams, I did not have a clear idea what I would like as a career. However, I had a strong desire to work in a company which allowed continuous development and had a family-like culture. Therefore, I applied for the Hang Seng Bank Management Trainee (MT) Program. I was shortlisted and went through several phrases of interviews, including a group interview with nine other candidates and a panel interview with a few senior executives. I am very grateful to have finally got the job, joined the company and started my career in banking. I don’t have any regrets. In my opinion, the banking industry is both very challenging and interesting, and this has inspired me to join the industry. It is not solely about money, figures and financial statistics. There are various specialties within the industry, such as corporate banking and retail banking. You can have the chance to work with different experts, gain knowledge from different units and broaden your horizons. Meanwhile, since technology is advancing rapidly these days, digital banking is becoming more and more popular. During my placement in the digital banking division, I had a myriad of opportunities to learn new things and grow, seeing changes in the e-channel of Hang Seng Bank. In order to get a dream job, one needs to understand what kind of person the company is looking for. Even within the same industry, the culture of two companies can be very different. Therefore, finding a company with a working atmosphere that fits your personalities would definitely be a plus when it comes to your career development. Besides, familiarize yourself with the industry and the company you want to work for by being tuned in to industry and company developments (such as through reading press releases). This will help you impress the interviewers and get hired eventually. 38|39 A positive attitude counts So far, the most challenging experience at work has been to take care of a campaign of a new initiative in the digital banking division, since it was in an area I was not familiar with. In overcoming difficulties, attitude counts more than anything. You should always be humble and not afraid of asking the seniors and managers questions whenever you are unsure about anything. It is also important to learn through observations, be proactive and embrace the challenges; work hard and put in as much effort as you can. Having a proactive attitude towards your job not only helps you face the difficulties, but also enables you to build a successful career. One should therefore possess a can-do attitude and be eager to learn. What motivates me have been the chances to rotate in different divisions. Within the first 1.5 years of the MT Program, we have job rotations every three to six months. I have worked in five departments so far, from taking up frontline roles in a branch to a project management role in back office divisions. Through rotating in different departments, I have gained lots of invaluable experiences. Apart from acquiring new knowledge, I have had various chances to work with different people, both internally and externally, which has definitely built my professional network and enhanced my interpersonal skills. All these gains encourage me a lot and make me look forward to upcoming rotations and challenges. Of course, during the rotations, there may be some jobs that I am not familiar with nor interested in. I will treat them as a chance to lay more solid foundations. Once I can do well even in those less exciting jobs, I believe I will definitely do better also in jobs that I like. Most importantly, you will have more confidence in yourself and your boss will also trust you more if you can handle even the less preferred tasks well. In short, when facing unpleasant tasks, I will try to turn the ‘dislikes’ into ‘likes’. I have two pieces of advice for new graduates: 1. Be proactive. Be brave to take up challenges. Though the process may be tough, you will realize that it’s a steep learning curve. 2. Have a good attitude. As a fresh graduate, you may not know how to deal with many tasks or situations. However, do not be afraid; be humble and ask questions, and learn through observations. I am glad that I have met lots of good colleagues and mentors in Hang Seng Bank, who are willing to give me helping hands and guidance. To live a university life to the fullest, I encourage students to treasure and enjoy every moment and opportunity they have. For me, I joined the international exchange program to the UK in Year 3. I was also a Rotaract Club committee member and interned for Lenovo. Determination and commitment are important. are devoted to something, the more you would gain in the process. opportunity and even challenge. The more you Cherish and be committed to every Dr. ELAINE TANG Career Advisor In the past year I have done a lot of mock interviews with students – undergraduates and postgraduates – for both developmental and assessment purposes. There are a few questions I almost always ask. While I thought they are very common interview questions, few students could answer them well. Let me first tell you what these questions are. You can have a think how you would answer them if you were asked those questions at a job interview, and I will then tell you what I think are better ways of approaching them. These common yet challenging interview questions are: Would you like to introduce yourself? (Or, tell us/me something about yourself.) Why do you want to work for us? What do you think are your biggest weaknesses? “Tell us something about yourself.” Common mistakes When asked this question, lots of students start by telling me their names, majors, extra-curricular activity commitments, and maybe their interests and hobbies. I think by the time the interviewers have invited you to come for an interview, they know all that already! It’s highly likely that you’ve listed all those information on your CV, and by providing those basic facts about yourself you are wasting an opportunity to show how you stand out from others. Worse still, you fail to relate your credentials and experiences to what the company is looking for. An interview is not about merely introducing yourself; it’s about showing your suitability for a job. A better way of approaching the question Giving your answer to this question is actually a brilliant time to demonstrate your knowledge about the company and why you would fi t the job. Always relate information about yourself to the job requirements. For example, part of the answer could look like this: I worked as a Customer Service Assistant for Go Mobile last summer and handled at least 20 customer enquires or complaints in both Cantonese and English every day. I know Customer Services Representatives of your company need to respond to customers’ complaints and process returns quickly. I believe I have both the language skills and patience the job requires. The interviewers would then be interested to know more about that summer job, and you could then continue to talk about the skills you have acquired, the problems you have solved etc. This would keep the conversation going towards a direction you can anticipate, allowing you to be more confident and at ease. Ordinary interview questions that are actually extraordinarily tricky “Why do you want to work for us?” Common mistakes Lots of students tell me how great they think the company is when asked this question. “I know your company is one of the Fortune 500 companies.” “Because your company is one of the biggest hotel groups in Asia.” “Oh everyone knows that your company won the Best Employer Award last year.” While these might be a possible way (I personally wouldn’t even say a good way as a lot of the times the trying really hard to say good things about the company sounds really insincere to me) to start your answer, again, you miss an excellent opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the interviewers. You are telling them something they already know, and knowing a company is a big and famous one doesn’t justify one’s wanting to work there! A better way of approaching the question There are many ways of answering this question well. One way, I believe, is to point out how different the company is among similar companies in the industry. In this way, you show the interviewers that you have done your homework and you have actually given this some thought (rather than applying to just any companies). But of course you shouldn’t say bad things about the other companies; just focus on the positive (about the company you’re applying to). Another way, similar to answering the “self introduction” question, is to talk about a project or culture the company has, and how you can contribute to that project or advance that culture given your qualifications and experiences. “What do you think are your biggest weaknesses?” Common mistakes We are all afraid to talk honestly about our weaknesses, and all the more when we are facing a potential employer. Perhaps that’s why lots of candidates find this question about own weaknesses very intimidating. Answers I have heard a lot include: 1. pretending that a strength is a weakness e.g. “Oh I often work too hard” “Oh I’m a perfectionist and I always give too much in teamwork.” (This sounds really hypocritical or pretentious!) 2. talking about a so-called weakness that almost everyone has e.g. “My English isn’t good enough.” “I don’t exercise enough.” (This sounds rather insincere.) 3. describing a past weakness e.g. “I used to have difficulty meeting deadlines but I don’t have this problem anymore.” (Com’on – people are asking you about a current weakness!) A better way of approaching the question In fact it is okay to admit that we have certain shortcomings, because we just do! At the same time, employers definitely look for someone who is eager to change and grow. Therefore while trying to be honest with your weaknesses, it’s important to also talk about how you are working on them. For example “I think as a typical enthusiast, my biggest weakness is that I constantly seek new things and experiences, making it sometimes hard for me to focus on a few things that are truly important. I’ve now started building a habit of categorizing tasks into for example whether they are important, urgent, developmental, or simply just fun. This is helping me to prioritize and I’m also learning to say no more. I meet my mentor regularly and she holds me accountable for the decisions I’ve made.” 40|41 How to dress? Whether you like it or not, your appearance is the fi rst thing people notice about you. You don’t have to dress to kill! Most hiring managers need to be able to visualize you in the position that they are trying to fi ll. So, you can look conservative and wear a suit and a tie to a job interview at a banking or fi nancial institution and be confi dent and dress in smart casual when you are invited to a job interview with the CIO or COO of an IT or tech corporation. Remember, there is no excuse for not dressing appropriately for a job interview. It is always better to check out the offi ce attire prior to showing up for the interview. A bit of research will give you an edge. Half of the effort in an interview is to prove that you belong and can be part of the team! Regardless of the types of interview, be prepared and how to best respond will make a big difference in whether or not you win the job offer. The art of greeting others Greeting is an art. Remember, the fi rst impression is the best impression! Smile and use a confi dent tone of voice and convey a warm demeanor. 1. “My name is Bond, James Bond.” How you greet people reveals a great deal about you - your confi dence, your attitude, your polish. Enter the interview room with enthusiasm and energy. Give a good handshake. Smile, make eye contact, and say your fi rst and last name. Remembers James Bond, Agent 007, he always introduces himself by saying, “My name is Bond, James Bond.” 2. “I am happy to be here.” / “I appreciate the opportunity.” When the hiring manager offers you a seat and greets you saying “XX, thank you very much for coming to this interview”, please keep the conversation going with a simple reply: “I am happy to be here” (one-on-one interview). “I appreciate the opportunity” (when there is a panel). 3. “You too. Hope to hear from you soon.” The job interview comes to an end and the hiring manager stands up and says “Thank you very much for your time, we shall notify you in due course when we have completed interviewing all the potential candidates. You have a nice day.” Your reply must be short and polite “You, too. Hope to hear from you soon.” And walk out of the interview room gracefully. KENNETH SO Career Advisor 1. Show time! 42|43 Turn off your smartphone before your interview An Engineer Who Constructs Ideas TERRY TSANG Product Manager, Hilti (Hong Kong) Limited BEng (Mechanical Engineering) **************************************************************** Choosing from the big fi eld of engineering I graduated from HKUST with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2011. I didn’t have a clear idea what my career path would look like. I only wanted a job that would be suitable for me and in which I could develop myself. I decided to apply for an engineering job as the construction industry was blooming and there were a lot of opportunities out there. I started hunting for engineering positions using online platforms such as JobsDB. Finally, I found a job in M&E Contractors on the HKUST Intranet. I then started as a Graduate Engineer there, spending most of the time in construction jobsites taking care of design and project management. One year later, I decided to quit the job as I would like to explore different types of engineering work. At that time, I was looking for an engineering position that allowed me to interact with people more. Even more importantly, I’d like a job that offered room for creativity and innovation! Finally I joined Hilti, a construction material supplier, and started as a Design Engineer. I focused on developing partnership with and offering technical consultancy regarding products to structural engineers. Seizing opportunities to develop on fi rst jobs The fi rst few jobs after graduation are good opportunities to discover one’s real interests and their potentials. When I was a design engineer, I was able to develop strong partnership with clients I worked closely with and put in place several important specifi cations that have bought good business to the companies even to this day. These good track records enabled me to transfer to the marketing team later. company’s sport team, being a member of employee relationship committee, or even being the emcee of the annual party! Through more interactions with colleagues, you could establish deeper relationships with them, and mutual understanding can improve harmony and work effi ciency. Moreover, these occasions are excellent opportunities to demonstrate your strengths to even the senior management. They can more easily assess your strengths and provide you with feedback for future development. the company by actively participating in company’s events and gatherings. These may include joining the I also recommend graduates to stay highly visible in career path, you could just be brave and explore different kinds of job and be open-minded to different Before you are sure about your possibilities. It is also important to do your best. Applying the 70:20:10 model in career change I went through a great challenge in 2014 as I decided to change my career from engineering to marketing. I became the Product Engineer and joined the marketing department. I took care of the business of two product lines, and my jobs included sales steering and new product launches. As an engineering graduate, I didn’t know anything about marketing, nor have the skills to tackle daily operations. I therefore took reference from the 70:20:10 model for learning and development. I wanted to learn quickly so that I could perform on a par with other marketers. I took the initiative to learn by attending two marketing related certifi cate courses; this was to develop my business acumen (the 10 in the 70:20:10 model). Besides external training, I always maintained a positive attitude and actively asked others for their feedback on my marketing plans so as to develop comprehensive plans which would promote business (the 20). The most important part is to learn through day to day tasks, challenges and practices (the remaining 70). To further develop my career and be able to take up new challenges, I have decided to start doing an MBA this year. I believe strongly in my competence and I am always curious to test my own capability. These motivate me in every change. I have also had some diffi cult times. When I was developing a marketing plan for a product launch last year, there were many questions and challenges from my peers and the senior management. Of course, these frustrated and upset me for a while. I then tried to view the matter from their angles and understand the reasons behind the comments. I noticed the weaknesses and fl aws of my assumptions and revised my marketing plan, taking into account the other perspectives. Their comments indeed improved my launch plan. Eventually I was able to colleagues and external partners. prepare wholeheartedly, I have no regrets no matter what the outcome is. I think the most important factors in building a successful career are to set high standards, be disciplined and expect a lot from yourself. This drives you to produce quality work and outperform others. You can only build a successful career if you can deliver good work – this is the basic requirement. Also, I embrace both positive and negative comments from others. I believe there are always different opinions from people as we see things from different angles. After all, do what you believe is right! I am actually very lucky to have a very experienced and people-oriented supervisor, Ms. Alison Lee (also a HKUST alumnus!). We share our challenges at work and discuss the solutions together. She is always the one who could calm me when I am nervous. Exploring different things – jobs, interests and hobbies I expect fresh graduates (or even undergraduates) to be curious about the world and develop personal interests outside work. Find something that really excites you and that you enjoy doing. They could be a sport or a hobby. These personal interests could shape your character and help you maintain a worklife balance. Moreover, you can learn some skills and expand your social circle which could help you a lot – more than you could ever imagine. For example, I fl ung myself into magic performance of people. My artistic sense has also improved through photography during my leisure. My current marketing job requires this artistic sense, when I prepare market communication materials such as leafl ets and set up exhibition booths. I didn’t expect to have become a marketer as an engineering graduate. As I said, I didn’t have a clue about my career path in the beginning. However, my fi rst jobs have allowed me to discover my passion. The fi rst few positions after graduation are indeed good opportunities to explore your real interests and potentials. I encourage graduates to have the courage to explore different kinds of job and not be easily satisfi ed with the current situation until they truly know what the ultimate targets in their lives are. For undergraduates, university is a good place to explore different interests. I strongly encourage you to develop your personal interests, meet as many people as you can and enjoy your university life and not just focus on studies! As we always say – Work Hard and Play Hard ! 44|45 facing challenges is critical; I t treated every setback after graduation. The on-stage magic performances as delivering clear messages to the audience have helped me lay a solid foundation in terms have enhanced my presentation skills, such and speaking persuasively. These experiences of presentation skills. I am now able to deliver seminars and presentations in front of hundreds when I was an undergraduate and into photography as an opportunity to learn and grow. As long as I raise the awareness of the product both among Our attitude when Many Paths To The Same Destination GRACE FUNG Compensation & Benefits Assistant - Asia Pacific Donaldson Company Inc. BSc (Maths) ************************************************************************** Tips from Grace It’s ok to try⋯try and sometimes fail. Many things are done through trial and error, so don't worry about failing. At work, when you get stuck in a particular situation, take You may able it differently and a break. then be to see the problem will be solved easily. It’s always good to start your career planning as early as possible and find out what your strengths and interests are. For students still at university, it’s important to explore different things and find your interests, rather than spending all your energy on studies only. 46|47 Finding my way into Human Resources During my colorful university life, I was a hedonist. I resisted thinking about my future and I had completely no idea what I wanted to become. Later, it was clear to me that my objective was to pursue a career in Human Resources (HR) so I started to narrow down my searches and look for HR positions. However, things didn’t go so well; I got no replies at all after sending out more than 10 resumes. Then I started wondering if I was not qualifi ed for those positions. I had to say I was not because I knew nothing about HR at all, and since my major was Mathematics it was hard to convince employers to grant me an interview opportunity. They had tons of Human Resources Management degree holders to choose from. I know this path wouldn’t work so I tried HR agencies. That was indeed easier! After six months of learning in a recruitment agency, I landed an in house HR position. It was a fascinating experience to have got what I desired in a different way. HR has been the only industry that attracts me. To me, HR involves both paperwork and personal interactions. I think it wouldn't be boring anyway. It took me a long while though to fi nd my dream job. Indeed it takes time for one to realize what their dream job really is and at the same time it might be discovered by trial and error. After deciding that HR was going to be my lifelong career, I thought I should just persist. Yet this is not necessarily true. Sometimes you try and discover that it's not exactly what you expected, you may need to make adjustments to I experienced all these on my way to fi nding my dream job. Success=Determination, Perseverance and Courage In my current job, trying to remember things has been the most challenging. I'm very forgetful and am unhappy about it. I have tried putting the tasks down on a notebook, but I sometimes forget to even look at it when thousands of tasks are flooding in. Also, sometimes I feel like giving up when things are not what I expected and when pressure from my supervisor is overwhelming. However, I know I shouldn’t give up just because of the problems. No matter how diffi cult the situation is, I know I will The work environment has not only sharpened my skills but also made me more I would say perseverance in achieving career goals and the courage to make changes when needed are the most important factors in building a successful career. My courage comes from believing in myself, and this motivates me in the midst of changes. Only I myself know what suits me the best. Others can offer me their opinions, but not everything people say counts and must be followed. I really believe that Let me share a story which has made me learn a lot: I once prepared a consolidation report for the whole Asia Pacific region. I didn’t realize the data received from one country were incorrect. Of course it’s my responsibility so I was held accountable. Thank God my department head protected me. My head handled this case wisely by correcting the mistake right away instead of looking into whose fault it was. Also, I learnt what I should have done to avoid future mistakes – In the case of data collection, we should use simple wordings when communicating with colleagues from different regions to avoid misunderstanding. your plans, instead of insisting on sticking to them. Sometimes failures lead to success. Don't be afraid therefore not rely on others to make decisions for us. the ones who bear the consequences and we should can change the “dislikes” at work into your “likes”, diffififi be tougher and stronger when I have overcome the challenges. it’s the right job for you. determined to become an HR professional. If you we should follow our own hearts. Of course we are to make changes. A Black Belt Is A White Belt Who Never Quit BILLY CHAN Assistant Operations Manager, Xiamen International Container Terminals BEng (Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management) Master of Accountancy MPhil (Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management) **************************************************************** Billy’s career voyage Billy Chan’s career voyage is not a smooth sailing from the onset. In 2008, he graduated from the HKUST with a Bachelor degree in Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management and an MPhil degree in Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management. It was also the year when the world saw fi nancial crises in which high unemployment rate and harsh business environment were prevalent. Undoubtedly, it was far from easy for Billy to fi nd a suitable job. Regardless of his great efforts and good performance in interviews, he failed in seeking a job because of his academic background as well as the fi nancial status of the companies, which considered he would be underpaid if employed. Eventually, he succeeded in working in a trading company where initially he worked as an IT Executive and subsequently as an IT and Marketing Executive since the boss had offered him many opportunities to handle marketing issues. He managed to perform well in both areas. Afterwards, Billy met the other turbulence, the most challenging experience he considered in his career voyage. It was during the time when he was a management trainee in A&S (HK) Logistics Limited, where he was assigned to work in the traffi c department, a department responsible to allocate trucks to deliver / pick up goods or cargos to / from customers. One can image how challenging it was for a young man who had zero knowledge about trucking, such as the weight of trucks, and the capacity that trucks could handle. To overcome the diffi culties encountered, Billy sought advice from his supervisors or colleagues, but with negative response. They teased him for not knowing such basic knowledge with his banner background in academics. end, the customers were greatly dissatisfi ed and lodged complaints frequently. Billy studied the problem and solved it through implementation of a matching programme between customers and trucks available. He started by setting up a database by inputting existing customer profi les and the truck specifi cations. The programme will produce matching results that showed the availability of trucks for specifi c customers. Instead of trial and error, the supervisors could now do the truck assignment based on the matching results, thus saving time, and enhancing effi ciency, and most important of all, customers’ satisfaction. Now, Billy is the Assistant Manager (Operations) in Hutchison Ports Holdings. Looking back the time when he graduated from the HKUST a couple of years ago, he said that at the beginning he just had a sketchy idea that he wanted to work in generic focus with by means of practitioners’ experience or even of truck assignment which had only been dealt trial and error method at the expense of time and effi ciency. Being the ones who suffered in the Not willing to give up, Billy attempted to break the ice by helping them solve daily operation problems 48|49 Tips for building a successful career Billy believes that three factors are paramount in building a successful career: growing and learning, job responsibilities and the vision of the company. Whenever he is faced with challenges or changes, he envisages them as opportunities to grow and learn. Whenever he encounters obstacles, he never thinks of giving up, but regards them as the lessons for him to learn, telling him what he has to fl effi When asked how to balance the likes and dislikes in job, Billy said he treats the dislikes as a reminder that he is not perfect and improvement is needed. For the likes, they are the motivations and enjoyment for his daily working life. Tips for fresh graduates Billy expected that the fresh graduates should be benefi – to ask questions and take up tasks actively. Moreover, they should have their independent thinking and views. Tips for current students In order to live the university life to the fullest, Billy advised that students should strike a balance between study, extra-curricular activities and sports. Don’t forget to maintain a healthy body and positive mindset. However, after a certain period, you will fi nd yourself become a more capable person. You will fi nd the problems that are used to be a problem no longer exist, just like solving Mathematics homework of primary one level. At that time, you will also fi nd there are a lot of opportunities waiting for you, such as promotion and salary increase. Furthermore, the enjoyment and satisfaction that you will gain are worthwhile spending your time and efforts. job, like mixed mode of business and engineering, and not a single area of work. He wished to join the logistics industry because it was part of his major in university and found it challenging and interesting. Moreover, it was a mixed mode job – not only requiring the knowledge of know-how, but also business sense to meet customers’ satisfaction, and to make the supply chain move on. take time”. Most o of the time, improvement and Billy said one of his masters has told him, eager to learn even though sometimes benefifi ts are streamline the process flfl ow, to enhance effifi ciency, in the logistic industry in taking the lead in projects to flflfl effififi pursuing his dream in career – to become the leader improvement that drives him to be persistent in and to reduce operating cost. do for further improvement. And it is the continuous opportunities for results do not show up immediately. not directly related to. They should also be proactive “Cooks Career Development Programs Students from all years and disciplines can benefi t 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 and insights. Personal Management Workshops: • Career interest exploration through Self-Directed Search (SDS) and STRONG • Fashion styling, skincare and makeup workshop • Business etiquette workshop • Personal branding & networking workshop • The fi rst 90 days at the workplace • Professional portrait-taking session • Delivering a powerful self-introduction • Discover your career passion through coaching • Building professional relationship through effective networking Job Hunting Skills Training: • Recruiting roadmap and strategies for landing internships • CV and cover letter writing • Interview skills • Mock interview practices • Group discussions practices • Mock aptitude tests • Handling multiple job offers • How to ace a software technical interview • Police inspectorate selection training program • How to write a professional personal statement • Case interview preparation workshops Info Session, Industry Seminar & Experience Sharing: • Industry sharing seminars • Overview of the Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) and Basic Law Test (BLT) • Overview of mainland and overseas internship opportunities • “Working in China” sharing • Job Experience Sharing/ Information Session for Non-Local Students • Make a successful transition from academic to corporate • The 101s of Management Consulting – an Insider Perspective • Non-local students working in Hong Kong • Seminar on Employment Contract “ The speakers gave very practical and u nique suggestions! They are very experienced. I especially like the small group discussions in which I could ask more q uest ions face-to-fac e. ” (Working and L iving in China) “ The speak er provided a lot of useful tips. “ (Making a Perfect Match for Summer Job ─ School-based program for SSCI) “ It was practical and the live demonstrations by the speakers were good. “ (Skincare and Hairstyle Workshop) “ Very knowledgeable speaker! Really stimulates my interest in case interviews. “ (Case Interview Practice on the Management Consulting Profession) “ Rotating to different grou ps to interact with the guest speak ers is a good idea. The session has really broadened my horizons, and I got to know different professions. “ (Getting to Know Some Non-traditional Industries) “ It really meets my needs because presentation is unavoidable in the workplace. I like the hands-on practices ─ I learned how to introduce myself and to give the audience surprises. ” (Presentation and Public Speaking Skills) 50|51 ************************************************************ Hunting for the fi rst job is undoubtedly a challenging task for fresh graduates. For me, since I have always had the passion to work as a cabin crew member, I went to the recruitment day of Emirates in Hong Kong last year. The interview process was tough; I needed to pass many rounds of assessments, and waiting for the offer call for more than a month was a torture. There was a point when I felt so uncertain about my future that I wanted to give up. However, I believe that if you are determined to make your dream come true, you will be chasing after it no matter what. Understanding what suits you best To be honest, although I knew I wanted a job in the aviation industry, I did not have a thorough plan of how to reach my goal when I was still a university student. My advice for students is that most important. Everyone has different targets. While some people like getting things done independently, some prefer teamwork; at the same time some people like handling technical tasks, and others like working with people. Looking for a dream job, you have to understand what suits you the most, and discover how to quickly access important information about the industry you want to join. The bittersweet cabin crew life Safety, security, and service are cabin crew’s keys to maintaining professional performance on every fl ight. Although customer service is critical, safety and security on board must come fi rst when the three are in confl ict. I can be fl exible when providing services, but I cannot relax the safety regulations when dealing with my passengers. fl Balancing the likes and dislikes requires wisdom too. I do have some grievances from time to time, but I always try to bear in mind that unhappy passengers are just talking to the uniform and I shouldn’t take their complaints too personally. We all know that there are no perfect jobs in the world. As long as I like the job nature and enjoy the good time I am having at the present moment, I can balance the likes and dislikes by thinking positively. One of the best things about my current job is that I get to work with people from different backgrounds since Emirates is a multi-national airline. On every fl ight, I work with a crew of multiple nationalities such as French, Egyptian, Italian, Lebanese, British, Tunisian and Taiwanese. It's really interesting to work with people from all over the world; I can always learn from them. It is also very rewarding when we get things done well through effective communication. I really enjoy this kind of experience! SKYING WAI Cabin Crew, Emirates Airlines BSc(Global China Studies) for an interview, make sure you have a “working flflfl exible wisely, and be assertive tactfully. I believe I would say: be flflflflflfl being a reliable person is the most important factor to career success. You have to be extremely reliable as an employee in every company if you want to build a splendid career. adult” mindset. Focusing on work attitude is the before going Sky’s The Limit Chase your dreams, young graduates! ********************************************************** KRYSTAL HE Materials Engineer, ASM Pacifi c Technologies BEng (Polymer Materials and Engineering) MPhil (Innovative Technologies Leadership) It’s The Possibility, Not The Guarantee, That Keeps Me Going... Actually, I applied for more than 60 jobs and this took a lot of patience and perseverance. For the majority of those applications, I didn’t get any replies from the companies. Don’t give up and try something new. Eventually, something good would turn up. Have a positive attitude and keep going At fi rst, I only wanted to go into investment banking. It’s when I started looking for a job that I realized that many things were quite different from what I had thought before. You can have your preferences, but don’t let them limit your choices. Be open to every opportunity from your family, friends, teachers, career coaches and others. When I applied for a job I was not familiar with, I always turned to people for help, especially those who worked in that fi eld. They can give you insights, advice, encouragement, and make you feel that you are not alone. Don’t be shy to ask for help 52|53 JOHANNES ROTHE Manager for Customer Service in a leading airline company in Shenzhen, China BSc (Business Administration & Industrial Engineering) MSc (Engineering Enterprise Management) **************************************************************** My career path looks more like a gravel path than a highway. I have come to a lot of crossroads where I had to make decisions for new directions and opportunities. I would like to share three valuable pieces of advice with you to improve your tactic and approach of actions. Firstly, it is really helpful to fi “A single conversation study of books.” don’t miss out on the sharing and advice from these wise leaders. My second advice is that Education feeds you with laws, theories and models and introduces the right tools and their usage to you, but the application of these tools and the communication among departments in an integrated environment are part of your job life, and these only come with real experience. The third point is benefi I have come to notice that there are tremendous differences in the amount of time needed in creating cover letters for different positions. fi Don’t waste your precious time applying to you are not convinced you are one of the best candidates. You might ask how I handle the frustration of not being able to identify with the job descriptions or of being rejected. In fact, after I got serious about working either in Hong Kong or South China, I suddenly felt lost because of dissatisfactory job postings and salary reports, and I missed the deadlines of some applications to multinational companies. Indeed the starting salary is truly an obstacle for westerners trying to get a job in this part of the world. fl these may help you to land an interesting job and have a satisfying start after graduation. enable you to get your work done, inspire and motivate However, it is therefore very important to stay positive about your future and be flflflflflfl exible about new industries flflfl and jobs which you may not yet have considered; flflflfl paper. jobs which you don’t think is a fi t for you, or that fifi nd a mentor who can you, as well as help you grow. across the table with a wise man is worth a month’s Talk to career advisors, professors When you are planning your career, you have to ‘get your hands dirty’ through practical experience. the benefifififififi ts of building cover letter Even when no cover letter was required, I found myself sitting at a desk with the job descriptions on my left and my personal capabilities on the right, in order to fififi nd a match and put down what I had found on writing skills, and alumni. A successful career grows from a foundation of integrity, initiative and a commitment to learning. — Eddy Rust, 2014 54|55 Some international friends of mine benefited from the career website so I decided to check it regularly, and finally I found my current job with NBA. I had to scour for it and when the opportunity came, I took it up as fast as I could. ******************************************************** SOOJEONG AHN Graduate Hire, Global Merchandising Group, NBA Asia, Hong Kong BBA (Operations Management, minor in Humanities in History and Anthropology) Passion Isn’t Just A Word 1 2 34 HKUST is a relatively new university that specializes in a few areas, and our alumni and jobs listed on the career website are mainly from a few industries such as IT and banking. For those who know me, neither of those interests me. For roles that interested me, there might be language requirements which as an international student I could not meet. Actually, at some point I applied for jobs that did not require Chinese regardless of the job nature or industry. Needless to say the very technical interviews I was invited to did not go well. I’ve been given interview advice such as being prepared and confi dent, looking nice and doing your research etc. To me what matters ultimately is being self-aware, which entails honesty and acceptance. Really, try to fi gure out what your strengths and weaknesses are, and how to present these two sides of you in a way that is not at odds with who you really are. Be critical but don’t criticize, not just with yourself but the environment, and honestly evaluate the circumstances without biases. Finally, accept your qualities and use them to your advantage in everything you do. The journey may be rough, and people will give you tough times. You’ll be tempted to waver but at the very least be steady and keep going. The Career Building Courses are 1-credit general education free electives offered since Spring 2009 for undergraduate students. Led by well-experienced instructors with extensive expertise in career planning and recruitment, the courses cover the basics of career building, including: • Self-exploration • HR marking schemes on CV and cover letter • Mock interview with real industry senior • Job offer management The one-to-one consultation was really useful. ( GNED 2510 / SCIE 1100 ) There aren’t many chances to have someone who is willing to solve every career mystery, not to mention getting valuable feedback after every attempt. This course is helpful to everyone; even the most experienced university students can learn something new from it. This course does not only teach job hunting skills, but also inspires us in terms of attitude towards life. Enjoy the course and you will defi nitely experience more than you expect. It is the most intriguing and engrossing course I have ever enrolled in! This is an amazing course that you will enjoy every week. Hope you can get the most out of it. 56 You cannot imagine how it can enrich your thoughts unless you come to the class. Be prepared. (Course code 6770 series) Open to Year 1 research postgraduate students of various schools, this module is designed to empower students to start planning their careers in small class setting to enhance more discussions, practices and interactions. In particular, we will explore job search strategies for postgraduates who are interested in careers beyond research and academia. DCeavreeelorpment Module • Understand the work world • Present myself through a winning profi le • Basic interview skills • Powerful self-introduction in job interview • Get through a panel interview • Networking skills Professional Development Course for Research Postgraduates Development