- Rebecca Ma wanted to study literature until her father encouraged her to give I&T a chance
- Ma’s passion for I&T grew as she excelled in her studies and interned at several I&T companies
Internships are an excellent way for students to gain valuable work experience and learn about different industries, companies, and departments. Photo: Shutterstock Many people may think that IT and I&T are the same thing. This misconception can lead to a narrow view of the Innovation and Technology (I&T) field and limit people’s perception of what it really encompasses. The truth is, I&T is a vast field that supports many aspects in our daily lives, from communication to entertainment and even healthcare. Working in I&T offers tremendous opportunities for growth for companies as well as individuals.
For students looking at careers in I&T, internships are an excellent way to gain valuable work experience and learn more about what working in I&T encompasses. In March and April, The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) organised Talent GameOn 2K23, talent programme that offers a gamified journey for jobseekers to access thousands of exciting I&T job openings.
Hong Kong’s largest I&T ecosystem offers growth opportunities for tech and non-tech talents
Rebecca Ma, a BSc student majoring in financial statistics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), joined Talent GameOn 2K23 to help her find a summer internship. Ma was able to meet with potential employers through the gamified career journey to learn more about different companies and their job requirements. She found the process to be a great experience and believes that through the platform, she has found a good company fit for her internship.
Since childhood, technology has been a part of Ma’s life. Her father studied computer science and worked in a large tech company before setting up his own company. Ma wanted to study literature but with encouragement from her father, she decided to try a tech-related path.
“The first year was tough, but I was able to apply what I had learned in high school to the work in university,” she said. With hard work and determination, Ma quickly became the top student in her major.
Ma’s father told her that the I&T world would offer more opportunities than a career in literature. However, she also notes that passion should be the driving force when pursuing an I&T career path as there will always be new challenges requiring solutions within this dynamic industry. A good example would be Artificial Intelligence (AI), which continues to advance rapidly for its wide-ranging potential across multiple sectors.
A variety of domain knowledge is essential for I&T success
For anyone looking at a career in I&T, Ma suggested continuous learning. She has had internships at Huawei, Tencent and TikTok which have shown her how data analysis can be used. Being able to use the knowledge and skills gained through the classroom and applying these skills in a work environment have helped Ma solidify her learning. After her summer internship, Ma will continue her studies for the MSc in Business Analytics programme at Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Fanny Wong, Head of Talent and Human Resources at HKSTP, said last month at the launch of Hong Kong’s largest virtual I&T Career Expo “Hong Kong is truly back on the world stage with the return of major international events and a revival of economic activity, which makes this the perfect moment for our I&T sector to shine. HKSTP is reaching out more than ever to the global I&T community, drawing more young talent and tech companies to our city. With the co-launch of the “Gamified Career Journey in Live” event and Hong Kong I&T Career Expo 2023, we are showcasing I&T career opportunities to both tech and non-tech talent, which is proof that HKSTP and Hong Kong is now open to all.”
Interested in a career in I&T? Check out the Hong Kong I&T Career Expo 2023, the city’s largest virtual I&T career fair. Find listings for over 2,700 I&T job opportunities from over 250 companies in the hottest areas in tech including AI & data, biotech, fintech, and robotics, among others until May 1. Explore the job opportunities today!