GROWING UP IN a family keenly interested in the arts, Regina Chan planned for a career in which she would be surrounded by paintings and other artistic creations.
After graduating in fine arts from the University of Hong Kong, Ms Chan's first job was with the Hong Kong Museum of Art. Home to more than 14,000 works of art including Chinese paintings and treasures, calligraphy and works by local artists, the museum should have been an art graduate's paradise.
But Ms Chan's work at the museum was not what she had expected. Much of her time was spent in bureaucratic tasks which left her with little time to interact with visitors. The job also did not provide opportunities for her to advance her knowledge of the art world.
'I could have carried on, but I saw very little point in doing a job that I wasn't enjoying,' Ms Chan said.
So three years ago, she quit her job at the museum to join the marketing department of Macmillan East Asia, the Asian arm of the British-based book publisher.
Ms Chan took up the job in book publishing without knowing much about the industry or the marketing profession.
'I decided to act on the advice of a friend who thought my personality suited marketing and told me about the vacancy,' Ms Chan said.
