Prof. Albert IP, an International Banker from New York City to San Francisco and ultimately Hong Kong, relinquished a successful banking career in 2007 as Managing Director of Citigroup, to focus on universities. Having served on the Councils of various universities including HKUST, Albert is enamored with a passion for nurturing students and supporting career development.
For almost 20 years, Prof. Ip has been providing counsel to university students, advising and helping them identify their passion and career aspirations, positioning for the appropriate opportunities within companies suitable for their skills and personal attributes. He works closely with students, conducting one-on-one and small group interviews, advising their career paths and matching jobs based on their strengths and attributes, which provide a higher chance of success. Prof. Ip would welcome to meet and coach passionate business students who are striving for career excellence; as many as 40 a year, some for a second or third time, coach them on interview skills, to enhance success of job placements.
Prof. Ip has shared his almost 20 years of education journey in proactive student engagements and successful career placements in his new book 《心之行 — 學生就業輔導與規劃》. Working with the Career Center and Career Development Advisory Council Members in the School of Business and Management at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and other universities, Prof. Ip utilizes his industry connections and those of the Career Council Members, reaching out to a broad range of companies to satisfy students’ needs, which he calls “job matching”.
In his book, Prof. Ip advises students to perform self-assessment and identify their passion, know their own strengths and weaknesses as well as jobs and companies to suit their skill set. Successful stories of students obtaining counsel from Prof. Ip and the Career Center, ultimately landing their jobs of choice, were discussed to share useful experiences for students.
Prof. Ip’s book was launched on July 19 at the Book Fair in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, moderated by HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP, and attended by President of HKUST (Guangzhou), Council Members, Vice Presidents, and other University leaders, CEOs and students. A very successful talk that attracted over 100 attendees and 300 books were sold on that day. One purchaser bought 100 copies and many purchased ten copies to give to their high schools as well as friends whose siblings will benefit from the book. Impressed by the launch, a company CEO arranged a book signing for 30 attendees on August 1, with 90 books sold.
Prof. Ip said in his book that 《心之行》 is the best career he finally landed, definitely more satisfying to help students succeed, especially those who need more support from him.