Page 7 - UMP Issue167_final

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TOWARDS YOUR CAREER ASPIRATIONS
UMP 大學廣場
APR 2013
Summer Xiang Ya-Yang, a girl who was always
tempted by gourmet food and the less pressured
environment of the back of the house, was determined
to join the Food and Beverage Department of a hotel
while she was still a student at the School of Hotel
and Tourism Management. Her dream came true
when Four Seasons Hotel hired her as a Management
Trainee. Now, being an Assistant Chief Steward at the
Hotel, Summer’s major duty is to handle administrative
tasks like catering, purchasing, supervising operations,
analysing the data of leftovers and garbage, etc.
“I think the knowledge of food and beverage
management acquired at university laid a solid
foundation for my work. The hands-on experience as
an intern and a management trainee well translated
theories into practice and determined my zeal for food
and beverage service. Although my job is stressful, I do
enjoy it – it has efficiency and team work. Also, I have a
feeling of satisfaction because I can see my hard work
being paid off here. I am grateful that I am working at
such a caring and trustful company.
As a high performer at work, I think the following tips
on career planning and job hunting might help current
students:
• Practise your languages. As a non-local person
I’m currently the General Coordinator of Institutional
Revolutionary Party’s (PRI) Social Media in the
Mexican Senate. My job is to ensure that the senators
of our party get the important messages across with
the public through different media, both traditional and
digital. I enjoy my work very much, as it gives me the
opportunities to know how my country is being shaped
through reforms. Besides, I can also meet those
significant people who are in charge of making such
changes, such as ministers, governors, senators, and
congressmen.
Although I would love to stay in Hong Kong which is
such an amazing place, right after my graduation last
Three non-local graduates from different countries of origin, after receiving their bachelor’s degrees at CUHK, have
chosen different career paths. Here, they share with us their jobs and tips on career planning.
working in Hong Kong, I have a strong feeling on
this issue: It’s not just English. Cantonese is also
substantial for non-local students to learn, and to
speak it well. Better language skills mean more
opportunities.
• Develop your interpersonal skills. I think being
humble and willing to listen is important. Leadership
is also an essence which can be sharpened by
joining more student activities or societies.
• Find your interest. Participating in internship,
exchange or mentorship programmes provides you
good opportunities to know more about your own
characteristics. Only when you are doing something
you really like, you can work in enjoyment and
perform well.”
Xiang Ya-Yang
(From mainland China / Graduate in Hotel and Tourism Management, 2011)
Benjamin Obeso
(From Mexico / Graduate in Economics, 2012)
Small Talks
on Careers
for non-local students