Students' Feedback on YDC Entrepreneurial Workshops

1. The workshop really surprised me. Never have I thought of a class about entrepreneurial and leadership skills could be that touching and "real". I did expect the workshop tell me somewhat about communication skills, creativity, managerial skills etc. However.. The workshop has illustrated a good that we are always critical to others but too lenient to ourselves. As a leader, we should be aware of our own weakness. Self-evaluation helps us improve ourselves. Perhaps, we really need bombardments that would inspire our thinking and make us be responsive to external stimulation. Life is beautiful but it seems that we have been suffocated by studies, work. Why don't we enjoy a nice world?
   
   Last but not least, what made me so astonished was the "sincerity" of the guest speakers and staff. As they are experienced in business and interpersonal relationships, I did expect them to be money-minded and arrogant. I was wrong! They were kind and willing to share with us, like respectable elderly teaching a group of young guys. The atmosphere was relaxing. Despite the economic turmoil, the workshop has give me hope and solutions in upgrading myself.
   
   
Wong Ho Yee


2. I didn't expect the workshop was about life. It was to my surprise. I thought the speakers would just present leadership skills with Powerpoint followed by a Q&A session. The workshop was very touching. It told me how to behave myself and love other people. In the workshop, I could really know how to improve myself. The methods were those that I hadn't thought of.
   
   I haven't been told about these topics since I was in Secondary School. The workshop seemed to be more touching. Perhaps it was due to what I face in the meantime and the speakers. I am a final year student and start job searching. Sometimes, I feel frustrated and lost. I always ask myself: What do I want? What should I do? The workshop did give me some guides. The speakers were enthusiastic and they were kind to spend a few hours to talk to us. Nowadays, everybody demands money for his effort. Many people would just think that it is a waste of time for doing something with no return.
   
   
Leung Wing Yin, Patricia


3. I am greatly impressed by the amiable character of the guest-speaker, Mrs. Sophie Leung. Although it seemed that the topics and points discussed in the workshop are not particularly addressed to the theme "leadership skills", I strongly believe they are indispensable elements in equipping ourselves with vision, in particular enlightening individuals on how to possess an amiable character that summons respect and friendship. In such an era, we are provided with a floodgate of information, rather than knowledge which are different principles deduced in different learning discipline. In fact these are the fundamental qualities that a future leader must possess. I am much pleased that the speakers in the forum gave me much insight into these matters. I hope that I can attend similar forums in the forthcoming days.
   
   
Nelson Wong, Law (LLB) year 1


4. The speakers in the workshop were very professional. They really spoke out some points and situation I encountered during my daily life. Most of these situation and problems were difficult to solve and less discussion in my past experience. I learnt how to make reflection for myself. I also realized that it is important to observe or investigate a thing in a different point of view other than my own as in the past. The saying of "should be well prepared for any difficulties happened suddenly" is really got into my heart, reminding me to be well prepared.
   
   
Vincent Leung


5. I continue to reflect on each day and I try to maintain a positive outlook. I think the most valuable lessons that I took from that workshop is to be positive, to be sincere and, that hard work DOES pay off despite what some others may have my thought. Many times I have doubted how far sincerity can get me, I can be the most sincere person but if my grades or my c.v. isn't up to par, then it's useless - especially in times like these where people are willing to do any job that comes there way, sincerity costs a dime a dozen; however, the workshop has steered me away from such a negative mode of thought and helped me to realize that it's not just sincerity, but also hard work and an eye on opportunities that will get me far.
   
   
Wendy Shen


6. I would like to thank you for the bombardment you have given me that evening. It was both enlightening and positive. The workshop was able to provide me good ways to reflect on myself, my image and ahs taught me good ways to evaluate myself, like how future employers or other people evaluate me. Techniques of 15-20 minutes reflection every day is also viable in the busy lives of students.
   
   
Jessie Chong, Bachelor of Law Year 3


7. The workshop has reminded me that the development and consolidation of one's character are extremely important, besides one's knowledge. To do so, we need to keep ourselves conscious all the time. For example, we should reflect on what has happened every day, including our work, dealings with people, our mind settings, etc; we can also extract what qualities of other we dislike or like, and avoid or follow those qualities. This help us grow and be more accepted by others. I must say that this workshop is very useful, not just informative, but also very constructive in that it let us know how we should behave and act when living on the world and especially when we leave university and enter society. It also introduces some basic psychology as well as the reality of working in society.
   
   
Kenneth Li

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University on January 31, 2002

1. Through this guest talk, I got the new suggestions and ideas on how to enhance my confidence and how to develop my potential. I appreciated the guests give me some special methods to cope with our daily life's difficulties in personal relationships and in learning. I can see that their suggestions are really practical, and have clear guidelines for us to practice.
   
   During the workshop, the speakers were not just his own sharing, but with interactive sharing with other students. They also gave comments to some of our individual difficulties. I think it is very useful and good for us to receive comments from "successful" entrepreneurs. We are not only learning methods to develop ourselves, but also listening to other people's stories and expanding our horizons. I think this is the most practical, useful and impressive workshop I've joined. Again, thank you for the speakers' giving out their valuable time.
   
   
Rebecca Lam, Year 2 in BA-Social Work


2. Through the discussion with the speakers and some schoolmates, I found my weakness and observed that many other schoolmates face some common problems, which I have also encountered. My weakness is that I find myself thinking too slowly and do not have enough confidence to speak up especially when facing some people who are smarter than me. Through the talk, I have got some ideas or suggestions on how to improve myself. However, I know it needs a long time to see its improvement.
   
   
Cynthia Woo Mei Fung

HKUST on April 29, 2002

1. I was alerted in the workshop that we sometimes define the success as the amount of asset that a person have. Also, the leadership is always assumed the traits that a successful (wealthy) business leader has. I am sure they are the wrong assumptions. The leadership means absolutely more than cash.
   
   
Daniel Lau Siu Hung


2. I really enjoyed the moment we shared together. All the students were involved and willing to tell their opinions. I didn't only learn from the speaker but also from my fellow schoolmates!! This workshop stimulated my thinking a lot, especially about business ethnics. In school, we are taught only the technical skills. It seems that not much people are caring about ethnics. As an accounting major, I am very much concerned on this issue. Especially ever since the ENRON scandal, Accounting becomes a very sensitive profession, the public are pointing their fingers of blame to the accountants. Therefore, I believe by upholding high level of integrity, I might be able to change the public's perception on accountants. And by doing my own part, I hope I can make a little difference and then gradually influence the others in the end.
   
   
Karen, Keng Sze Ngar


3. It was really an inspiring workshop. Here, we learned how to face competitions and challenges in study, life and career. Before this workshop, when I faced large stress, some of the time, I replied with procrastination. Now, I will plan and think carefully the downside risks before making my decision.
   
   This workshop was very helpful in the sense that it have prepared us for life after university and this is very important not just to us but also for the future of Hong Kong's success in the new economy. It encouraged us, the young people, to seek out and apply the standards crucial to the leadership spirit.
   
   
Ham Shum