CW Chu College The Chinese University of Hong Kong eNewsletter

The College Summer Internship Scheme 2019 was open for application in early March 2019. Some 40 summer internship opportunities were sourced from 14 companies/ organisations across various fields, such as accounting, consulting, engineering, finance, hotel services, insurance, marketing, press, programming, research and development and social services. Applications from 23 students were received.

Workshops on Getting Ready for the Workplace

Workshop on CV Writing

The Workshop on CV Writing was organised on 22 March 2019. The instructor, Ms Tessa STEWART, introduced students to the Student and Career Development Portfolio concepts, keywords and transferable skills. In a breakout session where participants were divided into groups for discussion, students were guided on what to include in their CVs. Students were encouraged to submit their draft/ revised CVs to Ms STEWART for her online coaching after the workshop.

Speakers Series—Learn from Professionals and a Fellow Student

The Speakers Series, targeting junior students, especially those in Year One, and aiming to encourage them to have early plans for the workplace, was organised in the afternoon of 22 March 2019, following the Workshop on CV Writing.

The first speaker, Prof Kenneth YOUNG, urged students to identify gaps between their present competencies and job requirements at different levels in their intended professions, and have a plan to fill these gaps. He also reminded students of the differences between school and work, so they should acquire appropriate habits and proper attitudes for the workplace.

The College was grateful to have three experienced speakers offering participants advice from different perspectives. Ms Jessica YIP, Executive Officer of the Career Planning and Development Centre, Office of Student Affairs, introduced students to the Career Planning Cycle and Recruitment Cycle and various resources provided by their centre, such as Careers E-coach System and various career guidance programmes.

Mr TSE Kam Keung, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Tradelink Electronic Commerce Limited, and Prof Alex KOT, Professor and the Associate Dean (Graduate Studies), College of Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, hosted a question-and-answer session for the participants. Through answering their questions gathered before the workshop and related to their career planning, Mr TSE and Prof KOT gave the participants many tips on how to prepare their CVs, for job interviews and the workplace. Both Mr TSE and Prof KOT had benefitted from scholarships for overseas study given out by Dr CW CHU many years ago.

Ms WONG Lee Ching, a Year 4 IBBA student, spoke about her experience on how to prepare herself for the workplace during university, such as taking internships, going on exchange, doing voluntary work and participating in case competitions. She spoke about the benefits of starting planning early, and urged the participants to do so as soon as possible. She also shared tips on how to prepare for job interviews, what to do during and after an internship and where to find resources for career planning.

To the Workplace Programme

In the first cycle of the To the Workplace Programme launched in Term 2, 2018–19, 10 participants were matched with workplace mentors from fields like banking and finance, engineering, law, education and journalism; they then met their mentor-counsellors in person.

Through the programme, two participants majoring in Food and Nutritional Sciences had a chance to visit the North Point branch of Fairwood Fast Food Limited on 27 March 2019. They had a glimpse of the kitchen operation, and learnt about menu design and food safety.