Mentorship programme strongly supports MBA Students
Coming to a new city can be daunting, and for many students on the CUHK MBA, the mentorship programme offers invaluable tools for advancement and support. “Being new to Hong Kong at that time, the Mentorship programme helped me build my professional network in Hong Kong. Having an alumnus to coach and offer me advice on a personal level helped me in my career planning,” says Keith Chua, Malaysia (2019).
After a fruitful time studying at CUHK, Keith works as a supply chain consultant at ebp Global in Hong Kong. The reason he pursued his MBA in Hong Kong was that it had always been his plan to have a career in the city. He attributed part of his success to the mentorship programme, which he believes helped him land the career that he had always wanted. Keith was able to get useful advice about local culture and an understanding of all the different aspects needed to be successful.
“I was once caught in the dilemma of having a few career options to choose from. Luckily, I was able to clarify my priorities and long term career goals, as well as making the right decision with my mentor’s valuable advice”
The crucial move: Choosing CUHK
The CUHK MBA mentorship programme pairs actively working MBA alumni with full time and second year part-time MBA students. The aim of this programme is to foster a learning and sharing environment about the knowledge and experience needed in the real business world. Mentors help students with character building, enhancement and strengthening their leadership skills, as well as building a support network and making connections that will benefit them in their careers and throughout life.
Valter Vieria (2018) has a similar story about the benefits of CUHK. Originally from Portugal, he had already been working in Hong Kong prior to undertaking his MBA, but he wanted to take his career further after the programme. He left his full-time position at LWK Partners to focus on setting up his own startup on Landscape Architecture and Design, while retaining a position as Associate Director at LWK for special projects after he graduated.
Valter says that the mentorship programme was instrumental in his decision to enter the world of entrepreneurship. His mentor, a senior level executive from the real estate investment industry had given him useful and practical advice on his strategy after graduation and built up the confidence he needed to embrace his startup adventure, through sharing advice on current market opportunities. “The mentorship programme has helped me on different levels: on the management of expectations during and after the MBA, on my relationships with my job at the time and on the preparation for the launch of my new venture,” Valter says.
Now on the path to entrepreneurialism, Valter is thankful to the career management centre who matched him with someone from the same industry background and congenial personality. “We work in the same construction and development industry. My mentor not only shared his knowledge, but he also introduced me to his network of contacts by taking me to parties and events,” he adds.
Gaining a deep understanding of Hong Kong and China
Another great help was that Valter’s mentor also guided him with a better understanding of the city’s layout, the real estate market and its relationship with Mainland China and the Asia Pacific region. They also frequently discuss topics they both have common interests in, including the strategies of local companies and the positioning of Hong Kong in the future of PRC.
It would be very clear to say that the mentorship programme is a valuable tool for the career and personal development of MBA students. Both the mentors and mentees benefit from mutual relationships, including the knowledge exchanged and the network generated. Some mentors and mentees even become great long-term friends, going far beyond the MBA programme! “The programme was very useful and continues to be. I still stay in touch with my mentor on a regular basis – his mentorship role does not stop even after I have graduated, as he still plays an important role in my life professionally as a mentor and personally as a friend,” Valter adds.
It is a sentiment that is shared by Keith. “The mentorship programme complements the MBA Programme well. It is particularly valuable, as its success is all about people connecting to people,” he says.