Stepping back onto HKUST’s campus — a wave of familiarity and gratefulness hit me as soon as I laid my eyes upon the beautiful campus. The panorama of dotted islands floating on seas, the renovated student canteens, the engaged and determined looks on the students’ faces… I was grateful to be back as a student again. Back in my mind, the awareness of this being the last year of undergraduate studies rang loud — yet precious learning opportunities in exploring fields of interest, dedication on courses that I’ve never challenged myself for, and passing on gratefulness of giving back to juniors are a few important themes for the final year.
As with everything, transitioning from Sumer’s working lifestyle back to the flexibility of the role of a student needed some adjustment. Work deprives you of schedule flexibility throughout the day, while each moment would be upon your discretion of management as a student. Despite having fewer courses, I was slightly bewildered on the first two weeks — I see peers drifting different ways — some applying for master studies, some applying for jobs, and others submerged into studies already. “What calls to me? Is this the right path to embark on? What is the opportunity cost in taking this path?” Graduate work decisions on different fields, areas of interest for master studies, further PHD studies into academia, or completely changing track into another job field — I was flooded with wonder and uncertainty, I guess typical of a final year student turning on crossroads that transitions to another phase of life.
Conviction for the path that you take, a rough view on long term aspirations, and skills that are essential opening up paths are pivotal in deciding on short-term actions. Planning on life blueprints include flexibility in trying new fields and deliberate preparation — the previous when convictions aren’t established and the latter when goals are clarified with conviction.
Talking to professors strengthened my thoughts and conviction — the words of wisdom stay deep in the heart for long. In comparison, I found the “coffee chats” with industry personnel can be limited to specialized fields, for example career of a trading desk or within the banking industry. Professors offer a rounded view of student career development and insights to their own academia career — the actionable advice in the current student stage, the rigorous studies and often lonely field embarking on specialized research, and the joys of connection back to the University as a professor.
Talking to ***** has been one of the most stabilizing forces — I’ve had a great admiration for her ever since our first conversation — she radiates grace, wisdom, and serendipity through the care, compassion, and attention that she nurtures each student with. Giving back, sharing thoughtful advice, and being extremely kind and open, I see ***** as a role model in teaching conduct. I talked to her about uncertainties facing crossroads, which cleared as she guided and shared about her path. “The industry can be an excellent training ground for those who embark on different careers in the future. Some corporations have more resources in training juniors, a precious learning opportunity as you start off in your career.” “I’ve always felt my calling over academia, yet I was curious. I wanted to know how I’d fit in government, corporate, or banking — thus starting off not directly into further studies.” And the words of wisdom flow…
It is amusing how the different experience I’ve had over the past few weeks accumulated, yet the one that inked back in my mind are the conversations that I’ve had that nurtured my values. They were conversations with professors, with peers of completely different backgrounds (throwing me off the horse with a completely different yet equally valid argument haha) and catching up with the old pals.
It is time to reconnect, I realized. Back in the summer, I was too immersed in the working field, neglecting friendships that I treasure and nearly lost contact with. “People come and go, yet the important ones always stay.” Despite this being very true, friendship is like a pot of plant, and the ones that you cherish most needs constant care and watering to grow it stronger. I’m truly grateful for those that reach out, I had not been as proactive as I should be. It is a good wake-up call — university truly is the best place to meet people and grow friendships. You never get the same chance, once you step out school grounds.
