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)
KOO On-ying Joanna || BSc (Hons) Enterprise Information Systems || Hong Kong conomic and Trade Office(Canada), Vancouver
Valuable meetings in Vancouver 
Also interned in the HKETO in Canada, Joanna was based in the liaison office in Vanconver. On top of the tasks of the daily routine and clerical support, she was an assistant event co-ordinator. To gain and learn the most from the promotional activities, she conducted research into the background of the organisers, the event objectives and VIPs being invited. “I also paid visits to academies, Government offices, community organisations and media groups, which all formed valuable experience for me,” she says.
Joanna benefited from evaluation and feedback given in review sessions with her supervisor. “We discussed my strengths and weaknesses. I took the comments on board to improve my performance and event organising skills,” she says.
What’s more, Joanna was happy that she had the chance to meet two dignitaries which gave extra prestige to her internship. In early July, the Vancouver office arranged a luncheon when Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Lam Sui-lung Stephen, paid a visit to Canada. “My colleagues and I worked on the pre-set action plan for the event day. We set up the venue, designed the rundown and received guests and VIPs at the front door.
She continues, “I never  expected that I would meet a senior official faraway from Hong Kong. I learnt a lot from Mr Lam’s speech on the economic ties between Hong Kong and Canada. It was really inspiring and impressive.”
Another memorable experience came when she met PolyU President Professor Timothy Tong at a dinner organised by the PolyU overseas alumni association to welcome the new President. “I enjoyed listening to stories of my senior fellows and the interaction with Prof. Tong,” she says. “I was far from home, yet I still had ties with PolyU.” Joanna also met her secondary school teacher again in Canada when visiting the Chinese Culture Center in Vancouver. “He is now a manager there and I volunteered to help out with some activities there. This experience was also very rewarding,” says Joanna.
The internship experience has given Joanna a good chance to reflect on her competence and career interest. “I now pay more attention to the world’s current issues because I know employers look for all-rounded people,” she says. She also appreciates the care she received from the PolyU alumni. “They were the guiding angels in my whole journey. One of the board members helped me find a home stay and took care of my daily life; others treated me to meals and took me sightseeing. I want to take every opportunity I can to say thank you to them!”
VN:F [1.7.5_995] Rating: 4.5/5 (10 votes cast)
LAU Yin-mei Joyce || BSc (Hons) Enterprise Information Systems || SVOX AG, Switzerland
 Lau Yin-mei Joyce went beyond her limitations when she interned at SVOX, a global supplier of embedded speech recognition, speech output and speech dialog solutions for the automatic and mobile industries in Switzerland for three months.
As a native Chinese speaker, the computing undergraduate was assigned to optimise embedded speech solutions in Mandarin and Cantonese so as to meet customers’ technical requirements and market needs.
“I participated in tuning the sound phrase in Mandarin and Cantonese for a Global Positioning System (GPS). It provided a valuable opportunity for me to learn the software of tuning sound waves,” says Joyce.
She was also assigned to write a programme for departmental usage. “It wasn’t easy for me to write a programme with a specified programming language which I was unfamiliar with. I utilised my knowledge acquired through my Enterprise Information Systems study to solve all the problems step by step. I was glad to learn something new through different hands-on experience,” Joyce says.
Surmounting the language barrier
Apart from challenges encountered at work, the language barrier was another obstacle for Joyce. “To be honest, I was not that confident with my spoken English before going to Switzerland. I encouraged myself to communicate with foreigners,” she says. “If I took a passive role, I would have lost the chance to improve my spoken English and to know more about other cultures.”
 Through interactions with her colleagues from different cultural backgrounds, Joyce experienced various cultures such as Spanish and Turkish. She still keeps in touch with her Swiss colleagues after returning to Hong Kong.
When Joyce travelled alone in Zurich, she met a German girl on the way and experienced an in-depth intercultural exchange. They toured around the city and visited different attractions together, turning from complete strangers to travel companions. Joyce introduced the Chinese culture to the German girl and taught her some simple Chinese, also, she got to know more about the German culture.
Being sociable and genuine by nature, Joyce made lots of friends and spent a wonderful time in Switzerland. “To celebrate Christmas, our company held a party. We then went to see an ice hockey game and enjoyed cheese fondue in a restaurant. It was my very first time to watch an ice hockey game and have such a delicious cheese fondue,” says Joyce.
Now back in Hong Kong, Joyce continues to work as a part-time staff member for the company, which provides a valuable opportunity for her to further develop her computing skills.
VN:F [1.7.5_995] Rating: 3.6/5 (11 votes cast)
 LO Wai-kwan Kenneth || BSc (Hons) Computing || Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS), Denmark
 Every year, Microsoft attracts a wealth of talents seeking career and internship opportunities in their offices worldwide. Demonstrated professional competence and with sufficient preparation, passion and sincerity, three PolyU students secured internship positions at Microsoft in Denmark and Hong Kong.
Work around the clock
Lo Wai-kwan Kenneth, a final year computing student, stood out from countless competitors and attained a one-year internship in Microsoft’s Denmark office, Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS). The international office works around the clock and closely with the U.S. and Shanghai offices. To develop the new product, Microsoft Dynamics AX, staff in the three offices worked together, with Kenneth and his team in Denmark acting as the support between the developers and testers.
“Due to time difference, every day when the U.S. team finished their work, they passed the project to us to follow-up. At the end of our day, we passed the job to our colleagues in Shanghai to continue the work. It was indeed an eye-opening experience to see how every minute was fully utilised,” he says.
“In fact, the Denmark office itself is a miniature of the world. My working partners were from Poland and Spain, and there were people of many different nationalities such as local Danish, American, Swedish and Chinese,” he says. Under such a multinational environment, communication can be a challenge and sometimes language becomes an unavoidabe barrier. Kenneth managed to adapt and gain good understanding of various cultures and believes that the experience will highly enhance his future employability.
Kenneth also came into close contact with Microsoft’s renowned management style of innovation and openness. “In Microsoft, employees are viewed as the most important asset and the company tries to give the best to their employees. For instance, we were allowed to work at home and on flexi-hours instead of sticking to the nine to five routine. This is a good reflection of the company’s trust in people,” he says.
To allow a good balance between work and life, the company provides comprehensive facilities in the office. “There are video game rooms, a football field and climbing wall as well as rooms for us to take a nap. Also, unlimited refreshments and meals at discounted price are available throughout the day,” says Kenneth. He believes a set of good welfare policies can empower staff to maximise their potential, initiative and creativity.
The internship has had a positive impact on  Kenneth’s career goal and study plan. He says, “All of my workmates were graduates of with master’s degrees or even PhDs, so I often failed to catch up with their speed and work,” recalls Kenneth, who now plans to obtain a master degree in Computing before entering the employment market. He has also set his goal to join Microsoft HK. “I will make good use of my last university year to better equip myself,’ says Kenneth determinedly.
Kenneth adds that the selection process for the internship programme was also a good learning experience. He went through three phone interviews, in which his proficiency in English, personality and computer knowledge were assessed. “Each phone interview lasted for over half an hour and was conducted by overseas Microsoft staff. In the last phone call, I was required to complete an online test on computer coding at the same time,” he says. He stresses one should be well-prepared at all time in order to grasp good opportunities that may come along.
VN:F [1.7.5_995] Rating: 4.0/5 (9 votes cast)
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