Sem Two Advising (Feb 2019)

2. Academic support

Bridging the gap between secondary education and university learning is a big challenge for most year one students. How many learning resources do they know?

AASO’s latest 3-min briefing ‘Ace your assignment with library tools’

Check whether they know about library tools, HKU-subscribed databases, subject librarians that can help them in researching different subjects? Please click here

Study Roadmap and campus support network

Students don’t know what they don’t know. Show them available resources and reduce the “student traffic” that you have to handle. Please click here

3. Major and Careers

Most students in programmes with major/minor options may want to explore their interest in the first year and make a declaration in year two. The following are two resources to help them make a well-considered choice.

• • AASO complete list of major minor.

    Invite your advisees to check out the major / minor list at the AASO Website where they can find information listed by subject and by Faculty. They can also request to meet with a TAA (Temporary Academic Adviser) who advises students, from home and non-home faculties, about the subject as a major/minor.

  • Answers to career-related concerns by CEDARS Careers Advisers

    a. Should I choose a major by employment prospects?

    Employment prospects is only one of the many factors to consider when selecting a major. The job market is changing more quickly nowadays, and it is becoming more difficult to forecast the prospects of different industries and job roles. It is therefore important to consider other aspects: Personality and Preferences: Our personality and preferences are closely related to our work and communication styles, hence help determine the work nature and environment that suit us best. Interests and Passion: If students are certain about their interests and passion in certain career, they should go for a major/minor that would prepare them for that particular field. For students who are not sure, they can take courses which they like and try different activities to discover their directions.

    b. Should I do a double major?

    Based on our interaction with employers, students with a double major may give employers an impression that they have stronger academic or intellectual abilities, but that will not make them more qualified than other candidates with a major and a minor or only a major. Employers will look for answers from students during the screening and interview process to questions like — “Do candidates possess the relevant knowledge and skills for the job? “— The key is whether the major/minor studies provide a positive and persuasive reflection on candidates’ qualities, including interest and passion, knowledge, and hard and soft skills.

    c. If I major and minor in two very different disciplines, would employer question my clarity of goals?

    Students with two very different major and minor may either have a broad interest or uncertainty in their true interests or goals. The key is how they present themselves to employers throughout the application and interview process. They should clarify their career goals and demonstrate confidence in possessing such a diverse and unique combination of knowledge and skills from two different fields of studies, as well as to help employers see how they differentiate themselves from other candidates with the ability to contribute to their company.

4. Be alert: Late course changes

For different reasons, some students may request to “late-drop” a course which is normally not allowed. Support students to take responsibility of their decisions.

Consult Faculty policies

Advise your advisees to contact the Faculty office about the special approval form/procedures. Justifications would be needed.

Delve deeper if needed

Take the opportunity to find out the underlying causes and the nature of difficulties encountered by the student. Encourage students to find a solution. Make referrals if needed.