Feature Stories

Every career journey is different. HKUST Business School nurtures students to explore different career options and to carve out unique paths to success that suit each graduate. For Alvin NG (BBA MGMT & IS, Class of 2024), HKUST was the memorable beginning of his career in human resources.

A strong foundation for a career in HR

An extrovert through and through, Alvin wanted something where he could talk to people while leveraging his technical skills. While perusing the wide range of internships available on the Career Center’s job board, one entry caught his eye and became the catalyst for a career in HR. “It was something about HR analytics. I decided to just give it a go, as it was technical and yet human enough with the component of relationship development.”

From there, Alvin pursued several internships in human resource teams in various industries, such as insurance, textiles, travel management, and a theme park franchise. “After my first internship as an analyst, I started to realize that there was more to human resources beyond analytics, such as talent acquisition, compensation and benefits, employee lifecycle management, etc. I decided to take up more internship opportunities in HR so that I could expand my horizons and gain a better idea of what else the HR field offers.” Through this process, Alvin developed a passion for talent acquisition, where he incorporated technical expertise with the human factor.

Dedicated Tailored Support

To prepare for the growing set of digital tools for HR processes, Alvin found that the courses he took at HKUST reinforced his fundamental knowledge and helped him cultivate an analytical mindset. The courses offered under the Information Systems and the Human Resources option in the Management curriculum, such as Knowing and Managing Your Social Networks for Careers and Business (MGMT4300), HR Analytics (MGMT4290) and Information Systems Analysis and Design (ISOM 3210), equipped him to appreciate team dynamics at work and contribute to digital transformation in HR. “I took a course in which we realized many companies lack the appropriate mindset, committees and skill sets to undergo digital transformation. Learning how to use various programming tools with advanced digital mindsets and going through case studies further encouraged me to get ready for my future career, which will rely more and more on data and utilize tools that automate the return process.” With the ability to communicate across technical and people-centred disciplines, he found that he was able to perform well while contributing to the team’s camaraderie.

Alvin also found help at the dedicated Career Center, which has full-time career advisors and hosts many career preparation and networking events, providing insights into how businesses recruit and add value to their company. “The career consultants advised me on how to be more prepared for different types of interviews, job seeking, networking, and the specifics of the HR field. There is also a crash course on how business recruits and operates from the HR perspective, and how we coordinate all the stakeholders within a business. With the analysis to optimize a company, I realized that, yeah, that's something that I want to do in the future and they're all-rounded functions and tasks that I want to handle.” Alvin added that the networking activities exposed him to the perspectives of industry professionals, informing him about the HR profession. “I ask my mentors about their companies' cultures, how their work facilitates their expertise and professionalism there. Aside from learning good communication skills by chatting with different mentors, I get to know more about different industries, company targets and how they operate day-to-day, and how they support different employees’ careers and engagement.”

A Season of Exploration

Alvin grasped every opportunity at HKUST to continue his exploration in HR through various competitions and networking events. He participated in the Top100HK Future Leaders Competition, a competition set up like a recruitment cycle that recognizes the top students in Hong Kong. Winning the L'Oreal Inclusive Future Leader Award for his performance on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) stream of the competition, Alvin had the chance to make connections with talent acquisition teams from top companies. “You have to demonstrate your inclusive mindset, how you want to bring forth inclusive attitudes in the workplace. At the awards presentation, I got to meet the entire L’Oreal HR team, who invited me to apply for their internship and MT programs. I met them again at this year’s Career Mosaic, and they remembered me! That helped me learn how to network and even form a friendship with their team.” The competition also opened his eyes to how HR teams of companies sponsor and organize youth empowerment initiatives to cultivate and identify talents and future leaders from students around the GBA area.

To further extend his network, Alvin also participated as a panel speaker for the Bloomberg and GradConnection Campus Recruitment Round Table Event, where many early career recruitment teams across diverse industries came to listen to students’ perspectives on the job market and expectations of employers. “I was really grateful to be invited as one of the student panel members for this roundtable. Not only did I get the chance to share my opinions with the HR professionals who came, but they also came up to connect with me on LinkedIn and share their company’s programs and opportunities. These kinds of networking opportunities help me grow as a young professional, talk to more people in the field, and potentially secure future employment opportunities through personal connections.”

A Bright Future

Alvin plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Europe after graduation to hone his competitiveness and stand out as a talent for faster career progression while paving the way for further global exposure to different HR working styles. “During my internships in talent acquisition, I noticed that applications from candidates with a Master’s degree stand out. Also, I hope that I could gain mobility through the experience I have working in different markets around the globe, understanding the cultural background, environment and working styles in other countries to effectively contribute to my company.”

As a soon-to-be graduate, Alvin is grateful for the many opportunities for students at HKUST to explore career interests. Additionally, employers view HKUST’s talents favorably, which enhances the competitive edge of HKUST students and graduates alike. “HKUST offers many channels and events for you to explore and decide what you want to do. I always encourage my juniors to proactively try different internships and career events to gain clarity on their career interests and plan for our future. We are competitive in the job market as employers have an impression that we are interested in gaining work experience, even in our freshman year, and are capable of exceeding expectations. Going the extra mile to work on your profile and focusing on the industries you are interested in during your university years will pave your way for a very bright future.”

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