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| HOME > Career Stories > Kit Tse |
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* The interview was conducted in Dec 2003
Bachelor of Science in Surveying, Year III
It was an internship in general practice surveying. I was posted to the Development and Valuation Department and worked there for seven weeks.
On the first two days the interns were taken round new commercial and residential properties developed by the Company. We were introduced to the various schemes that the Company used to provide exceptional value for its customers. For example, creating a network of complementary developments, designing the rooms in a way that makes usage flexible, installing advanced IT systems to improve quality of life within the property. During the major part of the internship I completed four reports and made a presentation. The first report was on hotels. I was asked to find out how many developers have applied to the Town Planning Board for change of use with a view to build a hotel. The second report was on retail. I studied what retailers in the neighbourhood of our properties were offering and made suggestions as to how our property might leverage on the current business environment. The third report was finding out from past sales figures, which size of flat and design of rooms were more popular with buyers. The fourth report was different from the previous three. While I still have to collect figures, analyse the situation and make comments, the three earlier assignments were more of a straight forward reporting nature. With the fourth report, I had to create an innovative idea after analysing the figures. For that report I had to suggest a retail plan for one of the Company's properties. The other difference with the fourth assignment was that it was carried out with a partner, another intern. With the other three assignments I was mainly working on my own. Our idea had to be professional and workable. This was a challenge so was the fact that my partner and I were asked to present our ideas to the General Manager of the Company.
I learned many things from my supervisor's feedback on my work. One of the important messages for me was that research is very important to the business of property developers. They need to conduct research whether or not the finding is of immediate use. They also need to know what their competitors are doing.
People who are interested in the property market, its business outlook and the impact of the economic and social environment on the business opportunities and challenges for the developer. They have to be curious and enjoy taking initiative to ask questions and find answers. They have to be active and outgoing in keeping supervisors informed of progress, making friends, learning from colleagues' experience and exchanging views with people.
The ability to analyse numbers, see patterns, draw conclusions, make comments and provide practical suggestions from a mass of figures is essential. So is the ability to solve problems, and nurture relationship through speaking and writing. Of course, the ability to make formal presentations is also helpful.
Read the Company's web-site and newspapers. Know its projects-past and future. Know what makes Swire Properties stand out. Know what impact does the economy have on property development. Of course, excellent command of English is crucial.
Be active and analytical. Constantly reflect on what you are doing and why you are doing it. Review your own performance and work out how you can improve your work.
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