2019 SISU-HKU Career Development Camp: Learning through Action and Fun
2019 SISU-HKU Career Development Camp: Learning through Action and Fun
2019 SISU-HKU Career Development Camp: Learning through Action and FunMeeting guests from afar
“On March 2, the 2019 SISU-HKU Career Development Camp kicked off at Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). Wang Zheng, deputy director of International Cooperation and Exchange Office, extended a warm welcome to the students from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) at the opening ceremony at SISU Guesthouse. With the hope that the students could have a fulfilling and enjoyable experience in the next few days, Wang gave a brief introduction about SISU, the development of Shanghai-Hong Kong relations in recent years and the employment situation of Hong Kong citizens in Shanghai. He also emphasized the significance of such exchange programs.
Sharpening the young minds
As part of the activities of the camp, Professor Zhang Yugui, dean of SISU School of Economic and Finance, and Professor Zhao Mingwei, dean of SISU School of Marxism Studies, gave themed lectures, respectively on China-US trade war and China’s rapid development and rise of international status since the Reform and Opening-up in 1978. These informative and thought-provoking lectures renewed a sense of pride in the students’ Chinese identity. The two speakers were also impressed by HKU students’ earnest attitude and the ability to think critically.
Learning about Shanghai
A survey of Shanghai’s haipai culture was one of the featured activities of the camp. The students were able to explore the city’s unique dynamics: Shanghai is where the elegant and classical style of traditionalwuyue culture in southern China and the chic and vibrancy of a cosmopolitan meets.
In the Guangfulin Site of Ancient Culture, the students searched for the roots of the city. In Shanghai City Planning Exhibition Hall, they studied the history of the city’s growth from a small fishing village to a modern cosmopolitan. They appreciated traditional Chinese gardens in Yu Garden and walked through the bustling streets surrounding the City God Temple. Apart from enjoying a bird’s eye view from Shanghai Tower, the students also explored the delicate lanes of Xintiandi and Tianzifang and moved with the crowds on the always busy Nanjing Road Pedestrian Walkway. All this left happy memories. The HKU students marveled at Shanghai’s rapid growth and were fascinated by its charms, so much so that some even tried to learn Shanghai dialect.
Visiting workplaces
The company visits were undoubtedly the highlight of the camp. In a few days’ time, the students visited five famous corporations including Bank of East Asia (BEA), SAIC Volkswagen, Wework, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) and Debenham Tie Leung (DTZ). Through an exposure to different work environments and corporate cultures, and learning about job contents from senior staff, the students were able to form a better plan for their career development.
These are some of the comments the students made after the visits:
“I major in accounting and finance; therefore, PWC and BEA interested me most. The HR people from PWC explained very clearly about all the programmes they offered, what kind of candidates they are looking for and what kind of career development their employees have, which sparked my interest in PWC as a future employer.” ——— Chen Yining
“The president of BEA shared many stories from her work life with us, which helped me understand the importance of diligence and hard work.” ——— Wu Siqi
“The visit to SAIC Volkswagen was different from other visits and impressed me most. As an automation engineering major, I am particularly interested in the process of industrial automation production. More than half of the company’s manufacturing and assembling procedures have been automated. They are using robots with mechanical arms that can quickly produce and process car shells. The fantastic design of the automobile plant really broadened my horizons!” ———Li Chaobin
Furthermore, the HKU students also visited Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai. Ms. Deng Zhongmin, director of the Office, introduced the economic situation of Hong Kong and Shanghai as well as the trend of trade liberalization in recent years. Considering the gradual saturation of the job market in Hong Kong, many of the students expressed their interests in seeking employment in Shanghai. Director Deng also answered the students’ concerns about the tax and benefit policies in Shanghai.
Bonding through communication
An exchange meeting was held on Songjiang Campus to promote the communication between Shanghai and Hong Kong students. Before the meeting, Professor Cao Shujing, director of SISU Student Career Centre, gave a brief talk on career development and planning. Through a “values auction” game, the students got a better sense of their own needs. After ice-breaking, the students discussed their own experience in studying and adapting to new cultures. Bonds of friendship were formed through the cheerful exchange.
Closing ceremony: time for sharing and reflecting
At the closing ceremony, the students reported in groups what they had learned from the activities, from their understanding of Shanghai to their own experience of haipai culture and to their newly gained knowledge about the companies they had visited. For example, Chen Yining, who majored in finance, appreciated the way PWC valued its talents. Liao Jieru praised the way SAIC Volkswagen put its employees first. Cai Yingxue talked about the differences between the BEA branches in Hong Kong and Shanghai, and said that they enabled her to better understand the operation of Hong Kong companies in a localized environment. Tan Kaicheng learned about the importance of building positive interpersonal relationship at PWC.
The students all said that the one-week camp in Shanghai was a source of great inspiration and motivation for both their academic pursuit and career development. It is of course impossible to discover all of the wonders of Shanghai in such a short period. As for SISU, we are looking forward to reuniting with these young guests from afar soon.
