Many actors believe their looks can guarantee them a successful and glamorous film or TV career. But show business is unpredictable, and many of those involved have realised that continuing education allows them to change professions should they leave the industry. Astrid Chan Tsz-ching, an actress and programme host at TVB, is one such person. She knows that learning is vital because the entertainment business cannot be relied upon. 'It's changing fast. Our career calls for luck and knowledge. Studying makes me feel more comfortable here and helps me build my self-esteem,' she said. 'The people around me at work are so smart I often feel I'm not clever enough, so I try and compensate by working harder and studying more than others.' Chan has studied many different courses over the years. When she was pregnant in 2003, she studied for a child play therapy certificate at University of Hong Kong's School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU Space). She is now learning Chinese medicine and has a mentor. Working and studying simultaneously is never easy, especially for a television actress, but it is the joy of learning that keeps Chan going. The knowledge she receives from the programmes is practical and allows her to help the people around her. Chan learned child psychology through the child play therapy and multi-intelligence courses. She now knows how to teach her daughter and shares her experience with other parents. She has more patience with her daughter because she has come to understand that talent cannot be forced. Chan's TVB colleague, Choy Tsz-kin, said the knowledge gained from studying could help bolster an actor's career. 'Studying improves an artiste's overall image. An educated actor can be more convincing in professional roles such as doctors or lawyers. And, as a host, you have to be well-rounded. Your level of knowledge directly affects your performance.' He realised this at an early stage of his entertainment career, so he started a Bachelor of Business Administration programme at Open University of Hong Kong the year after he joined TVB in 1993. Choy graduated last year and then took a diploma in personal financial planning, which will finish this year. He is planning to apply for a Master of Business Administration course. 'At first I wanted to study something practical so that even if I couldn't survive in showbiz the qualifications would make it easier for me to get another job,' he said. Studying brought new challenges to actor Melvin Wong Kam-sang's life. Before appearing on the silver screen he had a doctorate in pharmacy and had worked at hospitals in the United States. He returned to Hong Kong to work as an actor at TVB for more than 10 years. He later became interested in law and joined an HKU Space part-time law degree programme to qualify in law and is now a practising lawyer. 'When you have worked in the same field for more than 10 years you want new challenges, so I decided to take another career path,' he said.