* The interview was conducted in Sep 2002

University

Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting and Finance), HKU, 2001

Current Employment

Management Trainee, Cathay Pacific Airways Limited

What does Gabriel look for in his career?

Instead of money, Gabriel looks for challenging and rewarding work in an open and friendly environment.

How challenging is the work of a Management Trainee at Cathay Pacific?

• Trainees are exposed to different facets of the airline's business such as:
  • Line function departments (e.g. Marketing, Inflight Services, Airline Planning Revenue Management),
  • Support function departments (e.g. Information Management, Personnel, Financial Services), and
  • Postings outside Hong Kong for a year, mostly as an Assistant to a Country Manager or Regional Manager.
• A career with Cathay Pacific is dynamic and fast track career path.
• Executives will be posted to outports throughout their career and are expected to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
• Opportunities to work closely with people from different parts of the world exist in abundance.
• Comprehensive classroom and on-the-job training are provided to help trainees advance towards more senior positions.
  

How friendly is the working environment at Cathay?

Gabriel has this to say about his experience at Cathay Pacific:

• Seniors are always ready to coach and are open to new ideas from juniors.
• There is a private entertainment and sports complex for staff adjacent to the office.
• Many sports activities are available between colleagues, e.g. lunchtime badminton and gym exercises, and company dragon boat team.
• Colleagues socialize after work in pubs.
  

What does Gabriel treasure most at HKU?

He counts these as his major experiences:

• Living in St. John's College,
  
• Being the Floor Chairman and Basketball Team Captain of St. John's, and
  
• Taking the Broadening Course, Culture Heritage, taught by a Mathematics professor; for which he was required to solve interesting real life problems with mathematics and logic.
  

Looking ahead

For the immediate future, Gabriel will focus on:

• Understand more about the airline business in different aspects
• Learning and improving his managerial skills;
• Developing the ability to react instantly to complex and critical situations; and
• Working effectively with people from different walks of life.
  

Advice to students - How to bring out the best in yourself

• "Strive for the best" - a message from St. John's College,
• Aim high,
• Stretch yourself beyond what you assume to be your limit,
• Learn from the process rather than count on the result only,
• Be passionate about what you are doing, and
• Use the space that HKU provides to develop yourself mentally and maximize your potential.
  

Questions are welcome. Send a note <cepc@cepc.hku.hk>.