"As aspiring managers and leaders, crisis management and perseverance are two of many important qualities we need. Many of my classmates and I have chosen to regard the current circumstances as a real-life exercise in crisis management, and have found ways to adapt to the situation and deal with adversity." by Malvern WONG  

Pre-MBA: Individual Marketing Consultant 
MBA Internship: Strategic Marketing Intern for Global Marketing, Energy Management, Schneider Electric  

Transform and Soar with HKUST MBA 

 

From Canada to Hong Kong, the heart of Asian economies, our MBA student Malvern Wong shares his experience on how he landed internship with Schneider Electric in only 4 months after he started his MBA at HKUST.  

- Transformation Under Corurage Series -  

Malvern Wong (Canada) 
Class of 2021 
Pre-MBA: Individual Marketing Consultant 
MBA Internship: Strategic Marketing Intern for Global Marketing, Energy Management, Schneider Electric  

Hi! My name is Malvern Wong. I am honored to say that I am an MBA Candidate in HKUST’s 2019 intake. This year has been a unique experience for many reasons, but that’s what an MBA should be: A once-in-a-lifetime experience.  

1. Why HKUST?

HKUST’s offer of a place on a world-class Asia-based MBA course in Hong Kong was an attractive proposition for me. I wanted to broaden my career opportunities beyond marketing into new management and strategy roles in Asia. The fact that Hong Kong is an international hub and a gateway to the Asia-Pacific region made the decision a no-brainer for me.  

2. Landing a Part-Time Internship at Schneider Electric

Within four months in the program, I was honored to receive a part-time internship at Schneider Electric as a Strategic Marketing Intern. Beyond the quality of education at HKUST, one of the things that I appreciated the most is the small class sizes. This is one benefit of the small intake, and means that you have good access to resources, particularly the Career Professional Development (CPD) team.  

From the very beginning of the course, the team works diligently with you to help set career goals, polish your CV, and begin marketing yourself to potential employers. The CPD team played a big role in helping me land this position. Not only do they provide a platform on which potential employers and employees can connect, but they also make sure that you are well prepared for any interviews with potential employers.  

As soon as I heard of the opportunity at Schneider Electric, the CPD team was diligent in connecting me on short notice with one of the many remarkable external career coaches available, to help me prepare for my interview.  

Malvern (middle) with his MBA classmates in the Immersion Week  

3. How have the Protests and the Coronavirus Affected Your Experience?

One of the questions that I am frequently asked about my experience in Hong Kong is about the protests that were taking place, which is now often followed by questions about the effects of the coronavirus.  

It is often easier to focus on the negatives than the positives. The MBAO could not have done a better job of ensuring classes continued online, and the CPD team has added resources to connect with its alumni and external network to provide additional support and opportunities beyond Hong Kong.  

Hong Kong survived SARS in 2003 and the financial crisis in 2008, coming back stronger and better than ever both times. History shows that Hong Kong is resilient –this time should be no different.  

4. What is your most important outcome so far?

In the end, how we view a situation is based on perspective. As aspiring managers and leaders, crisis management and perseverance are two of many important qualities we need. Many of my classmates and I have chosen to regard the current circumstances as a real-life exercise in crisis management, and have found ways to adapt to the situation and deal with adversity.  

I am thankful for the learning opportunities I have had, and I look forward to what’s ahead.