Pull of knowledge
After graduating from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) with a degree in computer science, Eric Wong joined conglomerate Jardine Matheson for about a year before plugging into the telecom sector via Hong Kong Broadband Network (HKBN), where he has been for almost two decades. From a marketing executive position, Wong has risen through the ranks to his current role - associate director of the corporate division.
As part of HKBN's programme for its high-potential employees, Wong enrolled in a part-time Executive MBA (EMBA) course at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in 2007, graduating in 2009.
Why did you opt for an EMBA?
It is because of both push and pull factors. For the pull factor, the company had offered me a very good package at that time - it fully sponsored my programme. As for the push factor, I studied computer science [at HKU] and had been working in sales and marketing for a very long time, so I thought maybe it was time for me to learn something new and meet new challenges, and also to broaden my horizons.
Why did you choose CUHK?
Firstly, it was because of the quality of the CUHK EMBA programme. Its world ranking has always been very high, and it attracts executives from different industries, which is important for good networking. CUHK's EMBA programme has met my needs.
How did you balance the demands of your job and your studies?
Apart from my job, I actually had three other things to balance when I studied my EMBA: my studies, my family and my life. My two kids were just two and five years old when I started my EMBA, so I wanted to spend as much time with them as I could - but I was also very busy with my studies.
Eventually, I figured out a way that allowed me to spend time with them while I was studying. Every time I read my EMBA books, I would also ask my kids to read their favourite books, so the three of us were reading at the same time, and they could immediately ask me if there was something they did not understand.
As a result, aside from doing my studies, I was also able to strengthen my bond with my kids.
