Letters | Hong Kong students without a university offer should look to their passion

Readers discuss the path forward for students to whom the Jupas route to university is closed, and how schools can better cultivate student well-being

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Students recieve their DSE results at a school in Pok Fu Lam on July 17. Photo: May Tse

Published: 11:30am, 20 Jul 2024

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On July 17, the Diploma of Secondary Education results were announced. As the director of the Bachelor of Business Administration-Marketing programme, I had the duty of interviewing students who did not quite meet the minimum entry requirements. Some, even with overall scores above 20, were quite heartbroken, having missed the minimum Level 3 in English or Chinese, which effectively closed the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (Jupas) route to university.

It was difficult to see their disappointment, but the day also presented me with a special opportunity. These interviews allowed me to look beyond the numbers and find students truly passionate about marketing and possessing that spark of potential. I always started with a simple question: “Why marketing?” Their answers told me more than any transcript.

Many of the students I met understand that a degree is just the beginning. They know that to stand out in today’s job market, they need more than good grades. They need to demonstrate leadership potential, problem-solving capacity and teamwork skills on their CVs. Furthermore, they know employers look for real-world experience and a global perspective. These are the keywords that make a resume shine, and if they were able articulate how they plan to spend the next four years developing these skills, their chances of getting into my programme were just a little higher.

Of course, not everyone received an offer that day. For those students, I suggest exploring alternative pathways, such as associate degrees or higher diplomas. My advice is to find a subject they are passionate about, as I firmly believe it is difficult to excel without passion.

The choice should not depend on the institution’s reputation but on the student’s personal interests.

Ultimately, employers care about what candidates bring to the table. The degree is just the minimum requirement. A graduate who spent four years solely focused on academics may not be as appealing as someone who actively sought leadership roles, tackled real-world projects and embraced opportunities to grow. So, I urge students to go beyond the books, build relevant skills and make the university experience count. Those keywords are not just buzzwords; they are the ticket to a brighter future.