High performing graduates of City University of Hong Kong (CityU) have got off to a brilliant start in their careers after securing promising job offers from local and overseas corporations.

Mr Wong Chun-shen and Ms Yang Lujia, both fresh graduates majoring in Computational Finance in the Department of Economics and Finance, outperformed their counterparts, impressing employers with their versatility and exceptional skills. They received job offers with immense development potential and salaries significantly higher than average for fresh graduates during their final year of study.

After receiving job offers from major local and overseas corporations, Mr Wong accepted a Hong Kong-based offer as a quantitative trader. He made the decision because he looked at the long-term growth prospects for his career. “The company has a lot of trust in me and delegated a high level of responsibility to me. This is encouraging, and I believe this will help me build a successful career.”

Mr Wong, from Malaysia, said he chose CityU’s Computational Finance programme because he found it well-structured, and it suited his interests. The programme covers a variety of disciplines, such as finance, mathematics and statistics, which are enriched with details, helping him to lay a solid foundation with a broad range of knowledge and skills.

“The applied statistical financial skills I acquired from the programme have enhanced my competitiveness, especially as you usually learn these skills only when you work in the industry,” he said.

He said the exchange programme at CityU was another fascinating part of his studies. He went to Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, and found the talks by speakers from top business firms, such as the London Stock Exchange and Goldman Sachs, as well as the overseas connections he made there, eye-opening and useful.

Joining international competitions also contributed to his personal and career development, he said. He won Second Prize in the Rotman International Trading Competition, organised by the University of Toronto in 2019, with CityU providing sponsorship and coaching.

“Winning the prize resulted in recognition by a lot of companies, including my current employer,” he said.

CityU has put in place many programmes and resources to help enhance students’ employability, said Ms Yang. “For instance, the Business Career Fair organised by the College of Business provided a good opportunity for us to meet employers from multinational corporations and other large institutions, and showcase our capability to stand out in the job market.”

At the Business Career Fair, Ms Yang made contact with a French banking conglomerate, and her outstanding performance led to a job offer as a data analyst, after several rounds of intensive interviews.

Ms Yang said she had been interested in studying in Hong Kong since she was a high school student in Shenzhen. The international and multidisciplinary nature made CityU’s programme uniquely attractive to her.

“The breadth and depth of the Computational Finance programme impressed me a lot,” she said. “I also like CityU’s international campus, where I can meet faculty and students from over the world.”

With her excellent academic results, Ms Yang was granted a full tuition scholarship under the CityU Mainland Student Scholarship Scheme during her four years of study. This is one of the many scholarship and award schemes that the University offers to undergraduates.