Trends & Salaries > HR Bulletin

HR Bulletin

Graduates eye cross-border internships
by Aldric Chau

Hong Kong talent may benefit from mainland work experience

The Hong Kong government recently announced a series of measures to combat unemployment associated with the global financial crisis. This included a proposal that university graduates be given internship opportunities on the mainland.

The proposal sparked wide discussion and, earlier this month, the Human Resources Exchange Centre (HREC) polled 550 graduates from eight local tertiary institutions to gauge their sentiments on the matter.

Northern exposure

"We were delighted to find that our young talent is increasingly enthusiastic about exploring the mainland employment market," says Perry Suen, operating manager, Human Resources Exchange Centre. "About 60.4 per cent of the people surveyed considered working on the mainland, with Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou the most popular destinations."

A similar survey a year ago found that less than half of the graduates polled were keen to work on the mainland at the time. For this reason, the first HREC cross-border internship programme only created 20 places and it was held in Jiangsu province last year.

Stanley Wu, Chairman of Hong Kong Clerical and Professional Employees General Union, says there are a number of incentives for students to pursue mainland opportunities. Most of the students surveyed did not cite the current economic conditions as the major reason for their enthusiasm. Instead, more than half saw the move as beneficial for career development and personal growth.

Mr Wu notes that the optimum length of such internships would be between one and three years. If internships were too short, graduates would not get maximum benefit from the experience; on the other hand, they might become impractical, considering the relatively low salaries on offer.

Graduates surveyed were most keen on positions in banking and finance, followed by trading. This reflects Hong Kong's position as a financial hub, Mr Suen notes.

Hands-on experience

One local student who has experienced the benefits of a mainland internship is Poon Kwok-ki, a final year business administration student from Hong Kong Shue Yan University. Mr Poon spent time working at the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, observing banking operations and learning about new policies amid volatile market conditions.

"Not only did I gain valuable hands-on experience, but the internship also increased my marketability in the eyes of potential employers," Mr Poon says.

Meanwhile, the survey found that more than 60 per cent of the local respondents believe they have a competitive edge when it comes to creative thinking, international exposure and problem-solving skills. They link this to Hong Kong's fast-changing and cosmopolitan nature.

Cross-border internships do pose some challenges, including differences between Hong Kong and mainland salaries. While mainland graduates are paid a monthly salary about HK$7,000 maximum on average, nearly half of the Hong Kong graduates surveyed expect a monthly income of more than HK$11,000. Interns would therefore have to adjust their expectations, while the organisations involved ensure fair wages.

Before their departure, interns will meet with local business people who frequently travel to the mainland to prepare themselves for the cultural and professional differences they will encounter across the border.