This term, our Year 11 students have been immersed in career exploration through the Bridge Program, featuring inspiring guest speakers on campus and meaningful industry visits across Hong Kong.
We were fortunate to welcome an incredible lineup of industry professionals, alumni, and faculty members, who generously shared their expertise, personal stories, and unique career paths.
Guest Speaker Sessions:
Emma Maclean (West Island School Alumna), Creative Director and Founder of Emma Maclean & Co, introduced students to the creative world of interior design and architecture, offering a glimpse into how spaces are transformed.
Emmy Sandt and Sneha Roy, Island School alumnas and co-founders of A Collective Space, shared their honest and refreshing journeys from transitioning out of Island School to higher education, making mistakes, pivoting, and ultimately finding themselves doing what they love. Whether working as a Technical Theater Designer or a Therapist, their message was clear: there is no single path to fulfilment. Follow your passion and don't be afraid of failure.
Dr Shauhrat Chopra, Associate Professor of Sustainability and Resilience Engineering at CityU, introduced students to programs and opportunities in sustainability, energy, and engineering. He is currently mentoring three of our students as they progress on their research papers.
Lucas Hemshall, Island School alumnus and now Manager of Learning and Development at The Executive Centre, took students through his winding yet purposeful journey, career breaks travelling through 14 countries, and roles in operations and talent development across Hong Kong and London.
Vince Lau, Regional Marketing and Communications Manager at Commtech Asia, broke down the world of marketing, explaining B2B vs B2C, what makes campaigns successful, and the emerging careers in storytelling and brand partnerships.
Dr Phyu Phyu Thin Zaw brought a truly global perspective. An MBBS graduate and epidemiologist with fellowships at Stanford and Oxford, she spoke passionately about her work advocating for displaced scientists through Scientists in Exile and her efforts supporting Myanmar students' access to education. Students were also delighted to learn she translated The Lord of the Rings into Burmese and writes non-fiction in her spare time.
Avinash (Avi) Sujanani, born and raised in Hong Kong and an Island School alumnus, shared his journey into finance after graduating from Oxford Brookes University, offering practical insights into the sector.
Josephine Chiu, Founder and Chief Designer of two jewellery brands, shared her story as an entrepreneur. Students learned about The Crystaling, her Hong Kong-based brand with an in-house gemstone-cutting facility. Through The Crystaling Academy, Josephine promotes wellness and shares the art of craft-making with the local community.
The networking lunch gave students the unique opportunity to connect personally with our guests, ask questions, and begin building their own professional networks.
Industry Visits: Learning Beyond the Classroom
In addition to our on-campus sessions, students stepped out into the professional world with two enriching industry visits.
CBRE Headquarters at Pacific Place
We extend our sincere thanks to Bevis Lo, Island School alumnus and Senior Director at CBRE, for warmly hosting our Year 11 students at the company's headquarters. Hearing about the personal journeys from Island School to CBRE was truly inspiring. Students asked insightful questions about Hong Kong's property sector and the skills required for success. The office tour also left a great impression, with students enjoying the flexible workspaces and beautiful facilities.
Prime Dynamics
Students also enjoyed a hands-on visit to Prime Dynamics, hosted by Hillman Tsang, a Middlesex University graduate in sports science. The session gave students a practical introduction to physiotherapy careers, sports management, and sports science. They had the opportunity to explore the facilities and gear up close, seeing firsthand how equipment is used in real-world settings. For students interested in physio and sports science, it was particularly powerful to see the direct outcomes of the work. We are delighted that Hillman will be joining us again on campus this coming Monday to present further to our students.
A huge thank you to all our speakers, hosts, and volunteers for their time, generosity, and inspiration.
