Wanted: college staff

THE UNIVERSITY SECTOR may seem a daunting hunting ground to recently qualified graduates and young job seekers, but there are plenty of entry opportunities and, despite recent changes, the tertiary sector still offers good prospects for a long and rewarding career. It is true that in recent years Hong Kong universities have experieced difficult times, with government cutbacks and a troubled economy forcing pay cuts, early retirement and reduced starting salaries. Additionally, university salaries have been de-linked from the civil service pay scale, and contracts are generally shorter. But, despite the negatives, things are now looking much better. 'The situation has changed significantly in the past six months,' said Hong Kong University registrar Henry Wai. 'We have started to recruit new staff and conduct promotion exercises. We feel the worst time for universities is over. We are now very optimistic.' Indeed, Hong Kong universities are expanding, and will continue to do so in the coming years. The recent introduction of associate degrees has already significantly boosted the Hong Kong student population, and this has created a need for extra teachers and support staff. The trend is set to continue with the approach of the four-year university curriculum. 'The four-year curriculum will definitely result in additional posts in all universities in Hong Kong,' Mr Wai said. 'To attract and retain the best candidates, we will have to be more flexible in our human resources policies, including the recruitment process. 'The new curriculum starts in 2012, but we will have to employ teachers early to prepare for it. This applies to all institutions, and will result in an additional 14,500 undergraduates from 2012. Even assuming a rather unsatisfactory student/staff ratio of 20 to 1, universities in Hong Kong will need an additional 725 teachers by 2012,' he said. University vacancies are set to increase for both young graduates and non-graduates, although successful applicants would have to be well qualified. Degrees are usually required for teaching posts, including those of teaching assistant, instructor or tutor. Graduates may also apply for non-teaching posts, such as executive officer, programmer or research assistant (although the latter often involves some teaching or tutorial duties). Non-graduates have a choice of a wide range of supporting posts, such as clerical officer, laboratory assistant, personal secretary or technician. The majority of posts call for at least one or two years of related work experience. While the outlook is good, recruitment is competitive. Jessica Lee, senior personnel officer at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said applicants should be multi-skilled. 'Even where a post is categorised as teaching or non-teaching, technical or research, appointees have to be flexible. They may be called upon to perform tasks outside of that particular field.' She said the ability to work as a team member was also important. 'If we are employing a technician, we don't just look at his or her technical expertise. The communications side is also very important. Do they get on well with others, and are they good team players?' Contracts today are shorter than they used to be. 'Ten years ago, new academic staff were usually given a tenure contract, meaning they could be here forever. Now, contracts are usually for just one or two years. Reappointment would depend on a number of things, such as job performance, availability of funds and budget,' Ms Lee said. However, applicants enjoyed a high degree of flexibility and a greater number of employment options. 'Lower entry salaries means that departments can hire more staff, so there are more jobs and it's easier for young graduates to enter the profession,' Ms Lee said. 'Also, performance-related salary increases are a good incentive for hard work. At universities, there is plenty of scope for career progression.' But bear in mind that contracts vary from institution to institution. At HKU, for example, new teaching staff can expect a three-year contract on arrival. If the contract is completed satisfactorily, another three-year contract follows, and then permanent tenure. Most people consider universities desirable and prestigious employers, said Audrey Chung communications officer of Hong Kong City University. 'Jobs at universities are always attractive, especially to young graduates,' she said. 'We receive a great number of applications for different posts each year. Universities offer a good and safe work environment, the salary and remuneration package is generally still good, there are training and development programmes for staff, who can also expect career advancement and pay increases with good performance.' Mr Wai said universities provided greater job security than much of the private sector. 'Compared with the private sector, we have clearer procedures and policies.' KEY PLAYERS Professor Lecturer Teaching assistant Research assistant Executive officer Technician Clerical officer Personal secretary JARGON Freshman/fresher A first-year university student Undergraduate Somebody who is studying for an academic degree Postgraduate Somebody who is studying for a higher degree (eg: a master's or PhD) Major The main subject of study. Minor - a secondary subject of study PhD Abbreviation for Doctor of Philosophy, the highest form of academic degree (originally Latin - philosophiae doctor) Thesis A long essay or dissertation involving personal research, written as part of a university degree Campus The geographical site of a university