More than 150 business undergraduates this year are going to have a peek into the real business world and learn from elite business leaders and executives through the Faculty's Undergraduate Career Mentorship Programme. Taking into consideration of the recruiters' increasing expectation of the competence and all-round exposure of graduates, the Mentorship Programme has undergone restructuring and re-designed to emphasis on assisting our business undergraduates to achieve their career aspirations and pave their careers. This year, our 45 mentors come mainly from Finance, Accounting and Sales & Marketing industries which are the three most popular ones among our students. The kick-off ceremony was held on 18 November 2006 on campus where new mentors and mentees gathered to know each other.
On 18 November 2006, more than 150 year-2 or above business undergraduates felt excited when they met their mentors for the first time during the kick-off ceremony of the Undergraduate Career Mentorship Programme. The ceremony not only signified the landmark of setting new objectives for the Mentorship Programme, but also evidenced the start of a fruitful and long-lasting relationship among mentors and mentees.
This year, 45 elite outstanding business leaders and executives are committed to be mentors. What makes the Mentorship Programme more meaningful is that all mentors are our CUBA alumni! Joining the CUBA family again through the Mentorship Programme, mentors devote their precious time and effort to contribute to the Faculty and benefit our students. The majority of our mentors come from Finance, Accounting and Sales & Marketing – three industries in which many of our students have set goals to develop their long-term careers. Currently, many mentors are holding senior positions or at top management level in leading and well-known local or multinational companies in the respective industry.
Prof. Raymond So, Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies) of the Faculty of Business Administration, expressed his heartiest thanks to the mentors during his welcoming speech. "Being a mentor requires strong commitment and I am much appreciated that our alumni are willing to add this responsibility to their crowded schedules. We hope the bonding between our students and alumni can be further strengthened through the Mentorship Programme."
In the kick-off ceremony, our mentees did not miss this golden opportunity to get the first-hand, real-life industry information and practices from the mentors. Both mentees and mentors shared their expectations and career goals, and exchanged views on current business issues. Mentees also looked forward to the coming opportunities to further interact with their mentors and get a glimpse in the real business world and widen their exposure through attending activities like their mentors' business meetings, luncheons and social gatherings. It is hoped that the Mentor Programme can bring mutual benefits, and particularly, mentees can seek career advices from mentors and boost their academic and personal developments through mentors' guidance.
All year 2 or above business undergraduates are eligible to participate in the Undergraduate Career Mentorship Programme. Under the Mentorship Programme, each mentee (student) would be assigned to one mentor (alumnus) and each mentor would have maximum four mentees. Mentees' career aspirations, career fields that mentors belonged to as well as mentors' expertise were taken into consideration during the mentor-mentee matching process.
Let's hear some words from one of mentees
"I am glad that I could join the Career Mentorship Programme this year. My mentor is a CU alumni working in JP Morgan. He is so kind and helpful. His career preparation help in things like resume writing, a mock group and phone interview, and his sharing about life in finance field was invaluable. Because of his help, I now approach my career development with greater confidence. I hope that one day I can be one of the mentors guiding CUBA students towards a successful career."
-- Bernice Yu Wing Yan
