Semi-pros on campus
Internet salesman, disc jockey, freelance photog all are students
By Angela Yau
Mr. Man Lap, a Year 3 student at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, has been an Internet salesman for nine months. He works approximately 20 hours a week for his brother’s company.
“Internet is gaining in popularity around the world. Facing such a large and growing market is really exciting.
“After nine months of work, I have greatly improved my presentation skills,” said he.
As Mr. Man is majoring in Japanese studies, his main duty is to serve local Japanese companies.
Being a part-time salesman, his working hours are very flexible. Besides earning a basic salary of $5,000 a month, a commission is added whenever a contract is signed.
“You can earn a lot of money if you are hard working and smart enough,” said he.
However, Mr. Man said his intensive commitment to the job was not for money, but for the challenges the job brings to him.
Though this job gives him great satisfaction, there is a price for his success.
“I am caught in an embarrassing situation. My colleagues regard me as a student, but my classmates think that I am different from them.
“A gap exists among us. I wish my classmates would treat me equally. I will try my best to narrow the gap,” said Mr. Man.
Another price is his academic performance.
“As I have no time to study, my grade point average is low,” said he.
Though Mr. Man took seven courses in the spring term, he did not show up on campus frequently, according to his friends.
Mr. Man said, “I think it is still worthwhile to continue this job. It helps me to further develop my critical mind, independent thinking and communication skills.
“I’ll try my best to strike a balance between work and study in the future,” he said.
However, not every student doing a part-time job regards the job as an obstacle to study. Mr. Sammy Leung, a final year student at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, is one of them.
“I am lazy,” said he. “When I don’t need to work, I watch television.”
Mr. Leung has been a disc jockey at Commercial Radio for two years. He is majoring in journalism and communication, so his job is related to what he is studying.
“I chose to be a disc jockey because I like it. Speaking in front of the public strengthens my confidence and builds up my self-esteem,” said he.
Mr. Leung entered the industry through a recruitment programme.
“Two years ago, Commercial Radio recruited fresh disc jockeys. More than 3,000 people applied for the jobs,” he said.
After several stages of interviews, 10 people were chosen for three month’s training. Mr. Leung was one of the candidates.
From then onwards, Mr. Leung has been a part-time disc jockey. He has done various kinds of radio programmes — for example, midnight music shows and morning entertainment programmes.
At present, he is doing a programme on Commercial Radio 2 called “Play Outside the Week”. The show is broadcast from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays on 90.3 FM.
“My work is like a piece of clay. It has a certain colour and texture. How it will be shaped, however, depends on the interpretations of my audiences,” said Mr. Leung.
“For me, expressing myself is the most effective way to attract audience. If people like me, they’ll like my programme. I am confident in what I say and I want to share it with others.
“Usually, I spend 10 hours a week to prepare the show,” he said.
Talking about the problems he encountered, Mr. Leung said he works under great pressure.
“Every word I say is heard by thousands of members of the audience.
“If I say something wrong or create a boring atmosphere, I will be very unhappy and depressed,” said he.
Another thing that makes him unhappy is his studies. Though Mr. Leung has a grade point average over 3.0, he thinks he has devoted too little time to academic work.
“I have not fully enjoyed campus life,” said he.
Mr. Leung is going to graduate soon. He will become a full time disc jockey this summer.
To some tertiary students, doing a part-time job can be very enjoyable.
Miss Venus Yim, a Year 2 diploma course student in the School of Design at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, has been a freelance photographer for 2 years.
Miss Yim’s working hours are flexible. She works about 10 hours a week and earns $100 to $200 for every roll of film she shoots.
“Generally, my customers include young girls, lovers, families and couples. If they appreciate my services, they recommend me to their friends. That’s how I get orders.
“I usually work on certain occasions like wedding banquets, graduation ceremonies and summer holidays,” said she.
Besides being a photographer, Miss Yim also designs name cards and makes dresses for parties.
“My customers usually need party dresses for their companies’ annual dinners or their friends’ weddings.
“I charge five to six times the cost of making a dress. The prices range from $700 to $1,000 each. But this source of income is not stable,” said Miss Yim.
As her working hours are decided solely by herself, Miss Yim does not think that doing a part-time job affects her school life.
Conversely, it gives her a chance to practise photography.
“In the future, I wish to study photographic design and become a famous photographer in Asia,” said Miss Yim.
No matter what kind of part-time jobs these students have chosen, gaining some experience before graduation is one of the biggest benefits.
