TANG Hiu-nam Rina, BSc (Hons) Computing and BBA (Hons) Management || NG Wai-long Vincent, BSc (Hons) Internet & Multimedia Technologies || Microsoft Hong Kong Limited
Enjoys double delights
 In Hong Kong, Tang Hiu-nam Rina and Ng Wai-long Vincent also found themselves immersed in the world of technology by taking on an twelve-week internship at the Microsoft Hong Kong office in the summer.
Rina, a double degree student majoring in Computing and Management, received an offer to be a consulting intern and was required to work for improving customer satisfaction in using Microsoft products, services and technologies.
During the Internship, she was in charge of the Cathay Pacific Airways Limited’s Management System Project, being involved in system development, testing, deployment and training for the airline and conducting user acceptance tests within the Microsoft Solution Framework Software Development Cycle.
“I never expected to have the chance to work with two big corporations in one summer internship,” says Rina. She worked closely with the technical account managers, consultants, partners and clients at different stages, including regular meetings, project development, requirement collection, testing, demonstrations, writing technical documentation, providing training and aids for clients, and answering clients’ enquiries.
“I was most fortunate to be engaged throughout the entire project. This enabled me be more familiar with the skills and techniques required in project management,” she says.
Moreover, from providing onsite training for IT professionals at the Cathay City, she learnt the techniques of effective communication. During one of the training sessions, a client representative reflected that her teaching was not clear enough which reminded her of the importance of putting herself in others’ shoes to deliver messages effectively and to establish good rapport.
Exposed to new skills
Vincent, majoring in Internet and Multimedia Technologies, was placed as a site assistant to support the online marketing team and implement page design, produce XML web content and build and execute web production. “The most challenging task was to modify the programme for the PressPass website, which required me to use a new programming language C# for programming development for the first time. I had to learn how to use this language while working on the task by myself,” says Vincent. “I am glad to have had the chance to learn this programming language. Now I plan to use this language in my final year project.”
To have his work done perfectly, he searched for information on the internet, flipped through many reference books and consulted his colleagues in order to master the programming language. Vincent felt excited by the results of using the new programming language. With success in acquiring some new skills by himself, he has become more confident about himself and is ready to explore his potential further.
Discover potential and passion
Having the opportunity to work at one of the world’s greatest companies could be a once-in-a-life-time experience. Rina and Vincent grabbed every chance to participate in Microsoft events such as the Microsoft Annual Channel Kickoff 2009 held at Ocean Park. In the event, they helped demonstrate the latest products to the press, the company’s partners and clients. “It was really a rare experience to give a presentation to clients in a cable car!” Vincent recalls.
Having worked at Microsoft, both Rina and Vincent realised their potential to join the high-technology industry. Before the internship, Rina never thought that she could work well in the information technology industry. The invaluable experience prompted her to consider being a business analyst or system consultant.
“I am confident that I can provide business solutions for organisations to implement their information system, through which I can fully utilise my computing and management knowledge learnt from my double degree,” Rina says. “I hope I can pursue my future career in Microsoft after graduation.”
VN:F [1.7.5_995] Rating: 3.7/5 (19 votes cast)
LIU Tian-zhe Ollie || BBA (Hons) Management || Haier Group, Qingdao
 In the four-week project-based placement in Qingdao, Liu Tian-zhe Ollie experienced his first taste of being in a multinational team. Through the memorable summer internship, he realised effective communication is the key to success.
Being a consultant trainee at the leading Mainland electronics appliance manufacturer, Haier, Ollie and his team, which comprised of a Russian, two Mainland Chinese and four other Hong Kong students, were required to work on a proposal for the company.
In the very beginning, the collaboration among the seven members was not smooth at all due to the language barrier and cultural differences. However, they managed to find a way to work together. The entire team also benefited from their mixed backgrounds.
“English was not our mother tongue. No matter how hard I tried, I still wasn’t sure if the others understood my idea,” says Ollie, a Management student. “Since all of us study similar subjects in universities, we were able to reach agreement in the end. On the other hand, the different cultural backgrounds of the members brought in very distinctive mindsets and ideas to the project.”
The power of variety
While one of the Mainland students who studies in Canada contributed some western ideas, the other Mainland undergraduate provided some valuable insights into the mainland market which helped the team to understand the situation in the Mainland and ensured the project was on the right track. The Russian member also shared the customs from his home country. “I didn’t expect such a multi-cultural interaction when I learnt that I would be having my internship in Qingdao,” says Ollie.
 To allow the Russian teammate to take part in the final presentation, the team decided to complete the research report in both English and Chinese, in spite of the fact that their workload would be literally doubled. “In fact, we only needed to prepare the report in Chinese. But we didn’t want to leave our Russian teammate alone as an outsider, we would like to have him to work with us as a team and have his contributions in the project,” says Ollie.
Ollie is glad that the project was finished on time and without a hitch, even though the working styles of members were different. “We divided the projects into parts and each teammate focused on the area they are good at,” says Ollie. “Also, we were willing to accept each other’s ideas and ways of doing things. This is crucial to working in a team with such great diversity.”
VN:F [1.7.5_995] Rating: 4.4/5 (8 votes cast)
YUNG Yuk-ling Yoyo || BBA (Hons) Marketing || Hisense, Qingdao
 “Excuse me! We decided to buy a new television set. Could you give us some information?” said Yung Yuk-ling Yoyo to a salesperson at one of the major shopping malls in Qingdao, accompanied by her group members.
They were not regular customers but a consulting group formed by five PolyU students, gathering market information for a marketing proposal for the Qingdao division of mainland electronics manufacturer Hisense, the first electronic chip and flat panel TV provider in China.
Under the guidance of Hisense’s management, the group was required to garner Hong Kong consumers’ opinions about purchasing domestic appliances and to apply appropriate brand management theories to support their analysis. They also participated in an internal marketing training course. The five-day training, which was provided by Hisense’s senior management team, offered the five students the opportunity to learn more about the company’s market direction and a chance to interact with the senior staff.
Delegating tasks leads to success
Although three of the group members were majoring in non-business disciplines (Electronic Information Engineering and Internet and Multimedia Technologies), the students worked together seamlessly as a group and contributed interesting ideas and suggestions based on their own knowledge and perspectives.
To collect data from Hong Kong customers while they were in Qingdao presented an issue. Members who were good at IT  overcame the physical distance through the development of an online survey. Yoyo and another student, both majoring in Marketing, then took up the responsibility of researching of various brand management theories. With their strong teamwork and good division of tasks, they received over 250 completed questionnaires within a week, which was way far beyond the target they set.
To put together a report in alignment with the company’s culture and vision, the group interviewed a number of Hisense management staff from departments, such as Public Relations, Brand Management and International Marketing, to obtain more information about the company’s operation. “One of our teammates was a Mainland student. With his native Putonghua proficiency, he contributed a lot in information gathering and helped correct our pronunciation.” Their hard work and dedication paid off. The proposal was highly regarded as constructive and enlightening and was sent to Hisense’s Hong Kong division as a reference. The group was thrilled when they received an email from the Director in charge of the Hong Kong division complimenting them on the high standard of the proposal.
“It is hard to describe my internship in Qingdao in just a few words.” says Yoyo. Expecting the best and preparing for the worst is what Yoyo believes and she is confident her experience in Qingdao would be valuable asset for her to market herself to future employers.
VN:F [1.7.5_995] Rating: 4.2/5 (6 votes cast)
YAU Chi-wai Billy || BSc (Hons) Marketing || Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (China), Chengdu
Restorations in Chengdu 
In the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Chengdu (CDETO), Billy received a totally different perspective and experience. During three months in Chengdu, Billy supported the post-disaster restoration work after the Sichuan earthquake and helped the victims. He also experienced the passion of the Sichuan people and tasted their spicy cuisine.
At the start of the internship, Billy visited a site with the Chief Secretary for Administration of Hong Kong, Mr. Tang Ying-yen Henry. “I was so excited when I knew that I could work with such a senior official from Hong Kong. My task was to assist my supervisor in event planning and co-ordination. I spent a lot of time planning routes and security measures and arranging accommodation and transportation for other officials coming from Hong Kong,” he says.
On the event day, when the group walked towards the Mian Mao Expressway according to the original route, an aftershock suddenly occured. Billy recalls, “We witnessed rocks sliding from the mountain and the ground fissured. We had to cancel the visit for the sake of the safety of the Chief Secretary.” Because of this, Billy noticed the importance of contingency planning and the ability to deal with a crisis.
 In support of the post-disaster restoration work, though Billy wasn’t been involved in putting up the buildings with his own hands, he contributed in another way. “I handled some reports and proposals for the reconstruction of the ruins. I learnt that good planning was more important than rebuilding the houses without any organised plans,” says Billy.
The internship experience shed light on his career aims. He says, “Being a civil servant may not be as routine or monotonous as some people think. The opportunities offered by the HKSAR Government are diverse and eye-opening. I now have a strong interest to work in the Government and plan to get another degree in Legal Studies to better equip myself.”
“Chengdu is a place that once you visit, you would never want to leave.’’ Billy found the city fascinating and unique. “Chengdu has a strong character that attracts travellers, such as the spicy food, the delightful scenery and the high quality living environment,” he says. “When I first arrived in Chengdu, I was reluctant to try the spicy food as I worried about my tongue getting numb. Surprisingly, once I had a taste of it, I learnt to appreciate the feeling of heat.”
VN:F [1.7.5_995] Rating: 4.2/5 (11 votes cast)
IP King-him Mike || BBA (Hons) Marketing || Inima de Copil, Romania
 After a life-changing voyage in Romania, Ip King-him Mike is inpired to help the underprivileged with his marketing skills in the future.
Through AIESEC, the world’s largest student-run organisation, Mike received a placement offer to work for a non-governmental child organisation, Fundatia Inima de Copil (Heart of a Child Foundation), in Romania. The foundation helps and supports children and youth in need, such as orphans, the homeless and and sick children through through a wide range of social services.
Responsible for the planning and implementation of a strategic marketing plan, Mike effectively and efficiently applied what he learnt in university in his work during the two-month internship. With his knowledge of market research, he organised and implemented a comprehensive marketing plan and made constructive recommendations for the sustainable development of the foundation. For instance, he suggested different marketing and fundraising techniques to the foundation to raise public awareness and call for support.
While his marketing skills were strengthened, he also learnt to be observant and to analyse problems objectively. “It was a valuable opportunity for me to present my marketing plan in front of all the top management. This experience effectively enhanced my presentation skills in workplace. My study at PolyU has prepared me well for formal presentations in the workplace,” Mike says.
Enlightenment from the trip
Apart from the internship, Mike participated in a summer camp with 30 children from the organisation. In the camp, Mike delivered a cultural session to introduce the Hong Kong and Chinese culture. The children were all curious about Chinese culture and excited to know more about it. Mike enjoyed spending time with the children as they were fun to be with and allowed him to learn more about their needs.
Mike was deeply touched by his colleagues’ zeal for helping the deprived children and providing them a better life. “I realise that to give is better than to receive. We are lucky to lead a prosperous life and should not take everything for granted. We need to treasure what we have and at the same time give a helping hand to those in need,” Mike says.
The best marketers understand the real needs of the market and provide the best solutions in return. Mike believes a responsible global citizen should apply this marketing core value to people in need in society. “I hope in the near future, I can utilise my marketing capabilities and creativity to help those in need, “ Mike says. “My ultimate goal is to start my own business and therefore provide more financial aid to the poor.”
VN:F [1.7.5_995] Rating: 4.9/5 (9 votes cast)
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