Venus Chan reflects on how classroom knowledge, hands-on experience, and extracurricular activities – including her role as president of the Student Union – have provided her with a competitive edge for her career path, making her ready for the labour market
As Venus Chan Ho I prepares for the next chapter in her life, she is confident that the experience and skills she acquired over the past four years at UTM – on-campus and off it – will set her apart in a competitive labour market.
Venus fondly describes her university life as a Tourism Event Management undergraduate as “fruitful and vibrant.” “During my four years studying at UTM, I not only expanded my professional knowledge but also gained invaluable practical experience,” she states.
Venus served as president of the UTM Student Union for two years. She talks of a remarkable opportunity that allowed her to connect with the local community and granted her a seat on the UTM Council, alongside Macao SAR Government officials and other professionals drawn from a variety of backgrounds.
The Council’s duties include approving the UTM development strategy. The body draws representatives from: the UTM staff, the Macao SAR Government, the UTM student population, UTM alumni, and the general Macao community, including people from the tourism and hospitality industry.
Reflecting on her involvement with the Student Union, Venus says: “This role provided me with opportunities to connect with various external organisations and individuals. I was also invited to be a member of the Education Council.”
The latter, an advisory body of the Macao SAR Government, plays a role in shaping local education policies. With representatives from local universities, schools, academia, and community groups, it aims to facilitate communication and coordination between the Government and educational institutions at all levels.
In addition to her role with the UTM Student Union, Venus served as vice president of the General Association of Chinese Students of Macao and vice president of the Macao Universitarian Sports Association. “These experiences not only deepened my understanding of the Macao SAR Government’s commitment to education, but also nurtured my leadership abilities and communication skills,” she says.
In balancing her academic pursuits with extracurricular responsibilities, Venus honed a skill she thinks will benefit her in the workplace – effective time management. “Joining the Student Union made my university life more colourful and vibrant, but it also consumed a significant amount of my time,” she notes. As a result, she had to learn how to allocate effectively her time to different tasks.
After four transformative years at UTM, Venus feels she is equipped to thrive in the tourism and hospitality industry. “These valuable campus experiences not only enriched my university life but also laid a strong foundation for my career development,” she asserts.
Editor: UTM Public Relations Team
