When thinking about a degree in translation, traditional career paths like translation or corporate communications usually come to mind. But for Emily Chow Mei Wah, Chief Executive of OneDegree—a leading virtual insurance company—her academic foundation became the launchpad for an unexpected and visionary journey into the world of finance, technology, and virtual insurance. Her path proves to current and prospective students that a language background can open doors to versatile, cross-sector leadership.
From Traditional Translation to Cross-Sector Career
Upon graduation, Emily initially entered the translation industry. However, she soon realized that traditional paths did not fully fit her professional aspirations. Rather than viewing her background as a limitation, she had a vital realization: language is a versatile, indispensable skill that fits into every industry, because every business ultimately relies on communication.
Her university and departmental life experience played a pivotal role in this mindset, training her in independent thinking, sharp judgment, critical analysis, logical problem-solving, and robust professional values—all honed through rigorous projects and presentations. Armed with this transferable asset, she successfully navigated a seamless transition into the fast-paced corporate and financial sectors following years of gruelling sleepless life at top-tier 4As agencies serving various banking and credit card brands. Bringing over 20 years of distinguished experience in banking and financial services marketing, she has consistently brought disruptive brands including launching of two virtual banks and now the virtual insurer, OneDegree, to market-leading positions.
Redefining Insurance Experience: Balancing AI and the Human Touch
Under Emily's leadership, OneDegree achieved record-breaking financial success as Hong Kong's first profitable virtual insurer alongside a sixfold revenue increase. She also expanded the company's market dominance in pet insurance and diversified its portfolio with innovative general insurance offerings. To fuel this growth, the company leverages AI and automation to boost efficiency while keeping a strict human-centric focus. "Technology brings convenience, but it is ultimately just a tool and a process," Emily points out. "Where we truly have to step into our customers' shoes is in the experience itself – does the technology really add value to our customers?"
A Future-Ready Mindset and the Pursuit of Excellence
For students embarking on their future careers, Emily emphasizes that success is about doing things exceptionally well rather than simply getting them done. This relentless drive for excellence is precisely why, 20 years into her career, she chose to pursue a doctoral programme in FinTech at PolyU again.
Emily Chow’s journey from a translation and language background to a tech-driven Chief Executive illustrates how a powerful combination of transferable skills, critical thinking, and a future-ready mindset can empower graduates to shape tomorrow's industries.
As job market changes rapidly, Emily reminds students: "Always be passionate and curious about what you are doing. Embrace the unknown, keep asking questions, and let your curiosity take you further than you ever imagined."
