Empowering graduates with a comprehensive support system
Graduating from university represents a significant milestone in one’s life. However, it is also common for graduating students to experience feelings of uncertainty and confusion regarding their future. In this article, we speak with students and alumni of the University of Macau (UM) to learn how UM’s comprehensive support system has helped them overcome challenges and find their directions in life.
Securing a position in an international firm
UM alumna Cheung Hio Wa graduated in 2021 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with an unstable employment market, she decided to take her chances at the UM Career and Internship Fair, a decision that turned out to be fruitful. With a major in financial controllership, Cheung successfully secured a position at PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the renowned Big Four international accounting firms. She attributes her success to UM’s Career Development Centre, which provides students with comprehensive support in their job searches, including CV improvement, personality tests, and grooming guidance. Cheung shares, ‘Initially, I had no idea what jobs would suit me. But after undergoing a series of tests and receiving guidance at the centre, I gradually discovered my strengths and weaknesses. The counsellors also offered suggestions on enhancing my CV, which proved to be highly beneficial.’
Currently, Cheung serves as a senior auditor at the accounting firm, overseeing multiple financial auditing projects. In addition to enhancing project efficiency, she also assists her team members in tackling various problems. Reflecting on her journey, she expresses gratitude to UM, saying, ‘I am grateful to the teachers I met during my four years at UM. Their guidance was instrumental to my development. Moreover, the discipline courses offered by my faculty, the activities organised by my residential college, and the internship opportunities provided by the university all significantly enhanced my leadership and problem-solving skills. These experiences at UM have had an impact on my career today.’
Perseverance and a good command of English are essential for success in an international enterprise. Cheung considers herself fortunate to have been part of the UM Honours College, which provided many student exchange opportunities. These experiences not only improved her language proficiency, but also broadened her international perspective. She explains, ‘The knowledge acquired during my university studies has proven valuable for my future development. As long as you maintain determination and perseverance, these learning experiences will greatly benefit you when you enter the real world.’
Passing on the culture of empathy
Many students choose to pursue further studies to improve their competitiveness in the job market, and UM alumna Yang Yutong is no exception. Graduating in 2022 with a major in Japanese studies, Yang decided to pursue postgraduate studies in a different field—communication. However, she faced many obstacles during the application process. Fortunately, she received exceptional support and guidance from the fellows and professors at her residential college and faculty, who helped her overcome these challenges and achieve her goals. Eventually, she was admitted to the Master of Creative Communication programme at the University of Hong Kong. Today, Yang still vividly recalls the helpful words of a professor during her application process: ‘Don’t worry about bothering me. I can write as many recommendation letters as you need, because I have been in your shoes.’
After completing her master’s studies, Yang secured a position at Xiaohongshu, a well-known social media platform in mainland China. She attributes her success to the whole-person education provided by her residential college and the leadership training she received at the Honours College. These experiences significantly enhanced her critical thinking, execution, communication, and teamwork skills. In addition, through volunteer training and teaching activities, Yang learned the value of caring for others, and she now aims to pass on this compassion. She says, ‘UM has not only equipped me with knowledge but also instilled a sense of humanistic care.’
Despite having already graduated from UM, Yang maintains a strong connection with her professors and occasionally seeks their guidance. She also encourages current UM students not to hesitate to seek help from their teachers when they encounter challenges in life, as their mentors will always be there and ready to help and hug.
Giving wings to students’ dreams
When venturing into entrepreneurship, inexperienced individuals often grapple with uncertainties surrounding the choice of industry, technology research and development, and various other challenges. Bao Kexin, a second-year master’s student in e-commerce technology in the UM Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), is one of the founders of Macao Cloud Tide Future Technology Company Limited. While Bao had participated in several entrepreneurial programmes in mainland China, she ultimately chose UM as the launchpad of her entrepreneurial dreams. She shares, ‘In comparison to traditional industries, I wanted to delve into high technology. I believe Macao offers abundant opportunities, because the government emphasises high-tech industries, and UM has a successful track record in research transfer.’
After joining UM, Bao met Zhang Zixi, a like-minded partner also pursuing a master’s degree in e-commerce technology at UM. After conducting extensive research on the supportive policies for the ocean economy in Guangdong and Macao, combined with their entrepreneurial experiences during undergraduate studies, the two entrepreneurs decided to venture into the underwater robot industry. Learning that UM’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) serves as a national co-working space, they sought its guidance to assess the market demand for their project in Macao and received assistance in research and development (R&D). CIE not only provided them with guidance and training courses about finance, taxation, and law, but also facilitated their project implementation in Macao and connected them with potential investors. Moreover, CIE recommended Prof Guo Jingzhi from FST as their mentor. Prof Guo not only shared insights on the utilisation of their robots for inspecting bridge foundations in Macao, but also provided valuable advice on R&D, production, and market application, offering significant support on their entrepreneurial path.
Currently, Cloud Tide Future Technology’s underwater robot project has reached an advanced stage in the R&D phase and production sampling. The company is preparing to launch the product in the market and is also gearing up for the second round of financing. Reflecting on the support and encouragement the team has received from UM, Bao expresses her heartfelt gratitude, saying, ‘UM has given wings to our dreams. Both UM teachers and CIE have selflessly supported our entrepreneurial team. They have helped us capitalise on our strengths and overcome obstacles by providing training and guidance. I am genuinely surprised and deeply touched!’
From receiving to giving help
UM frequently invites its alumni to return to the university and share their work experience and insights with graduating students preparing to enter the job market. Chan Ka Chon, an alumnus who graduated in 2009, has been a mentor in UM’s Alumni Mentorship Scheme for 12 years. Through this scheme, he provides students with valuable industry knowledge and information about career prospects. Even after students have graduated, Chan provides them with ongoing career guidance. Chan shares, ‘In the past, I received a lot of support from the university’s Peer Support Programme, where senior students played a crucial role in helping me integrate into campus life. When I learned that alumni could give back through the Alumni Mentorship Scheme, I felt compelled to do my part.’
Chan, who majored in marketing, now works as a TV host at TDM. Despite being offered a comfortable and secure job in the banking industry after graduation, he made a bold decision to leave behind this opportunity to pursue a path of growth and self-improvement. He ventured into the emcee and hosting industry, a field that has a high requirement of improvisational skills. Chan explains that the financial crisis during his graduation had a significant impact on employment prospects, which motivated him to explore a different field. Reflecting on his journey, he says, ‘One small step leads to a giant leap.’ The emcee and hosting industry has turned out to provide the best platform for him to shine.
By sharing his own experience, Chan wants to help students who feel uncertain about their career prospects find a clear path forward. He encourages them to embrace new challenges if their economic conditions allow; broaden their horizons by working in the Greater Bay Area, the mainland or even overseas; and participate in activities outside of work to expand their network and enhance their skill set. Chan concludes by sharing his belief, ‘As long as you have adequate preparation, you will be able to seize opportunities when they arise.’
The power of collective support
As the old saying goes, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.’ Along the academic journey, students may encounter various challenges, such as adapting to university life, having academic doubts, making a decision to pursue further studies, or experiencing anxiety about future employment. Fortunately, UM students benefit from a comprehensive support system consisting of teachers, peers, and alumni who provide them with encouragement and assistance. With this collective support, they not only overcome these challenges but also extend the care and compassion they have experienced at UM.
Text: Gloria Kuok & Kelvin U
English translation: Bess Che
Photos: Provided by the interviewees
Source: My UM Issue 134
