Andrea FUNG

Setting Clear Goals: Embarking Challenges in Learning

Ms FUNG Yuen Jee (Andrea) is a 2011 graduate of the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) Programme at Lingnan University. Unlike many of her classmates, Andrea pursued a path outside her sociology background and ventured into the finance industry. Over the years, she has built an impressive career at renowned institutions including DBS Bank (Hong Kong), Hang Seng Bank, and The Bank of East Asia. She currently serves as the Head of Strategic Planning & Business Management at Fubon Bank.

Andrea’s journey exemplifies the value of embracing diverse opportunities and thinking beyond conventional career pathways. Through her experiences, we aim to inspire students to remain open to new possibilities during their studies and adopt a mindset of continuous learning to expand their horizons and explore varied career paths.

Cherished Memories in a Friendly Campus Atmosphere

Andrea has always been deeply interested in understanding societal issues. When she and her friend received admission offers for the social sciences programme at Lingnan University, they eagerly decided to accept and pursue their shared passion for behavioural science in modern society. Shortly after beginning her studies, Andrea was captivated by the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the Lingnan campus. She fondly recalls the presence of the “Lingnan Cats” that roam the campus, particularly the beloved cat “Tiger,” who would occasionally join students in their classes, adding a delightful and unique touch to campus life.

As a sports lover, she also joined the university’s volleyball team and eventually became the team captain, spending most of her free time on the court. She also frequently served as an MC for various school events and even joined university singing contests, showcasing her versatile talents. Although her dormitory life lasted only a year, Andrea describes her campus life at Lingnan as both fulfilling and regret-free. She highlights the university's culture of mutual learning and improvement among students, which allowed her to enjoy the joy of acquiring knowledge alongside close friends. Her bond with friends since her freshman year has lasted until now. They experienced the important milestones of building a family and raising the next generation together; even their children have made good friends with one another.

Andrea reflects on her classroom learning experience, emphasizing the immense value of the mandatory Mandarin and English courses. She is especially grateful for the encouragement from her teachers, which boosted her confidence and inspired her to practice speaking more frequently. After graduation, she found her Mandarin training particularly valuable in the workplace, enabling her to use the language fluently. She humorously recalls that during her time working in mainland China, some people mistakenly assumed Mandarin was her first language.

Curiosity Leads to Opportunities in Finance: A Proactive Approach to Growth

Despite her love for social and behavioural sciences, Andrea did not pursue a career in that field after graduation. In fact, the values instilled through her education in social sciences fostered a curiosity that droves her to embrace new challenges. During her time in Lingnan, she learned about the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's Student Ambassador Program. Witnessing her parents' long working hours in the finance industry, she decided to apply for the program, driven by curiosity to explore the intricacies of the finance sector and gain a deeper understanding of her parents' work.

She later took part in various internships facilitated by the university, including a position at the District Office, where she gained firsthand exposure to electoral processes and participated in discussions on social issues. These valuable experiences eventually led to a job interview opportunity recommended by the university. Deciding to step beyond her academic background, she embraced the chance to join DBS Bank as a Graduate Associate, becoming the only trainee without a business administration background. Upon completing her training, she was promoted to Sales Management and Strategy Manager, marking her official entry into the finance sector.

Embracing Challenges: Keeping an Open Mind Despite Background

In her work, Andrea often faced new challenges. During the trainee programme, she was required to rotate through different departments to learn their operations. Later, as a Sales Management and Strategy Manager, she managed digital technology-related promotional projects, even contributing to user requirement specifications without prior experience. To address these challenges, Andrea embraced a proactive approach to learning and personal growth. She observed that even within the same industry, companies often have distinct structures and cultural dynamics. As such, lacking a specific background shouldn't be a concern—maintaining an openness to learning fosters understanding and support from colleagues. Over time, the accumulation of diverse knowledge and skills not only made tasks more manageable but also opened the door to broader future opportunities. Andrea gradually acquired experiences in different fields, jumping out of her comfort zone by moving from corporate banking, SME banking to retail banking. 

Now serving as the Head of Strategic Planning and Business Management, Andrea navigates the significant challenge of managing three teams with distinct functions. She incorporates her philosophy of open learning into her management style, assigning tasks based not only on employees' designated roles but also on their individual strengths and capabilities. This approach enables team members to develop a broader understanding of their contributions, fostering mutual learning, inspiring fresh perspectives and promoting job satisfaction.

Guiding the Next Generation: Inspiring Students to Embrace Opportunities for Personal Growth

Andrea has remained closely connected to her alma mater by participating in Lingnan University's "Lingnanian Executive Mentoring Programme (LEMP)" as a career mentor. Andrea extends special thanks to her mentors for providing numerous internship opportunities during her student years, career counselling before graduation, and maintaining a mentor-friend relationship with the alumni even after graduation; she remains endlessly grateful for the nurturing opportunities received over the years. 

She now actively engages with her mentees, introducing them to suitable job and internship opportunities. Even during the challenges of the pandemic, Andrea maintained her commitment through virtual meetings, sharing valuable insights and experiences. Her goal is to empower students as they transition into the workforce and to guide them in shaping meaningful and fulfilling career paths.

Drawing on insights gained from the university’s career program, she is particularly passionate about guiding students on how to make their resumes stand out: "Employers prioritize the tangible value you can bring to their company as well as your can-do spirit over simply having high grades." She encourages students to reflect on how they want to be perceived, set clear goals, and proactively pursue opportunities to gain practical experience in extra-curricular activities and internship experiences to enrich their resumes.

Andrea believes that Lingnan University offers students a rich diversity of career development options. She advises students to explore beyond their fields, actively pursue diverse opportunities, and cultivate a well-rounded skill set to stand out in today’s competitive job market.