What inspired you to join the Next Step Connections team?
After graduating university in the United States, I came back to Hong Kong as a returnee looking for a job at company where I could implement the skills I had learned. Having spent the majority of my education and internship experience in a different country, I have realized the importance in maturing independently and adapting into a new culture.
After work happy hour with our participants at Joe’s Bar and Billiards!
After getting in touch with Next Step Connections (NSC), I was instantly hooked on the mission to empower individuals to meet future challenges and reach their full potential through transformative career-building and personal growth experiences in Asia. I can personally relate to how much an experience abroad can change an individual’s life, and I want to be the reason why many of our alumni appreciate our efforts in transforming their lives.
How do you use your own experience moving from Hong Kong to the U.S. in your current role?
I connect with many students naturally, and a key skill that I’ve gained from my experience in the U.S. is empathy. The ability to understand how an intern feels when they arrive in Hong Kong goes a long way, especially since I understand how they may feel during their stay (excitement, nervousness, cultural shock, etc.).
Site visit to our intern, Latifa, at CNN Hong Kong.
Knowing how they feel can calm them down and I can anticipate potential issues that may arise because of the difference in culture for some interns.
Describe a typical day at work for you.
Most of my work days include meeting and having calls with companies for collaboration, along with planning for upcoming programs, months ahead before they begin.
I also advise future interns in securing an experience into a company they like and feel excited to join. I arrange everything to make sure their arrival and stay will be as smooth as possible. From visa, insurance, to airport pick up, and providing an orientation, I make sure everything is in order.
Internally, I also keep track of the HK office’s accounting and operations and make sure we have everything in order.
In what ways do you support Next Step Connections’ participants?
April 2018 - traveled to Bali, Indonesia for my cousin’s wedding
As mentioned in the previous answer, we support the participants in every way from start to finish. We provide advice for their visa, recommend and arrange accommodation, and anything in between during their stay in our locations. We arrange monthly events to hang out and catch up with all our participants. They really enjoy their stay and support from us!
Why do you think Next Step Connections’ programs are unique?
Our programs are really focused on social capital development. There is an emphasis on building relationships between organizations, talents, and businesses. I believe that this is a necessary foundation, and it is enjoyable to be able to keep the great relationships that we currently have with our alumni, as well as current participants.
Our alumni all have made valuable friendships with us and also other participants. Many of our participants still meet up and keep in touch!
As someone who is fluent in multiple languages, how important do you think it is for participants to know the local language before and during their program?
I would say it’s not that important as that’s part of the excitement in adapting into a different culture. Knowing the language definitely helps you get around, but not being fluent makes the stay more lively. Part of the adventure and fun is to bargain with a street hawker trying to sell you overpriced goods!
If you could participate in any Next Step Connections’ program, which one would you choose and why?
Personally, since I have an Asian background, I would prefer to experience something different. Since I have learned a little bit of Spanish, I would choose a Spain internship because I am very into Spanish Football (¡Hala Madrid!) and would love to have an internship in a football club in Spain, as some of our past participants have had!
Selfie with some of the NSC Hong Kong team at the office
What do you love most about your job?
I love working with NSC as it is a fun and diverse company. I feel proud whenever I describe this industry to people I meet. This industry is rare in Hong Kong and I believe the younger generation likes the uniqueness of our company.
Many younger generation workers in Hong Kong work from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and would usually work in finance, PR, or marketing roles. When they hear about the fun stories I have with our participants, they really get interested and even ask if we are hiring! I really think this shows that being able to meet people from around the world while you work is a big plus (social capital).
