Resume

Ka Yan Chan

Profile

A diligent and responsible worker and an attentive listener with a passion for people and the finance industry.  An adaptable team player armed with exceptional communication / interpersonal skills. Self-studied Regression Analysis, Time Series Analysis and Probability and takes an analytical / creative approach to problem solving. Experienced at writing concise reports and speed-reading with strong command of the English Language. Effective in delivering presentations with visual aids. A shrewd observer and quick learner capable of multitasking.

Education

2010 – Present The ong Kong University of Science and Technology

BBA in Global Business and Double Major in Finance

CGA: A / 3.87 (out of 4.3)

2012    Fall National University of Singapore

Exchange Semester

CGA: __/__ (out of __)

2012    Spring Indiana University- Kelley School of Business

Exchange Semester

CGA: A/ 4.0 (out of 4.0)

2007 – 2010 Yew Chung International School

International General Certificate Secondary Education: 8A*, 1B

2007 Macleans College, New Zealand

Extra-Curricular Activities

2011  –  2012     HKUST Kendo Club, Internal Secretary

·    Coordinated internal matters, such as booking venue, preparing agenda, taking minutes etc.

·    Launched events to promote Kendo within the University community, e.g. competitions, information day, bbq evening, cycling trips, war game trips etc.

Nov.         2010       JUBMC Case Competition- Finalist

·    Represented HKUST in a business case competition sponsored by HSBC.

·    Proposed solutions whereby HSBC could better leverage on Generation Y’s talent as well as its emerging market.

2009     -    2010      Yew Chung International School, Year Book Committee - Chairperson

·    Led the committee to complete a year book at a short notice of 2 months

·    Collaborated with teachers, principles and outside printers

·    Designed layout and decorated pages with Adobe Illustrator

2009     -    2010      Yew Chung International School, Fair-Trade Committee – Vice President

·    Advocated the idea of sustainability and fair-trade to students and parents by holding assembly and providing fair-trade products during Parents Day and staff meetings

·    Introduced the fair-trade counter that is now available in recess, lunch and open-days

2009     -    2010     Model United Nation,  Delegate of Japan from Yew Chung International School

·    Represented Japan at model forum of United Nations in discussing contemporary issues such as the threat of nuclear activity in the Middle East

2009     -    2010     Debate Team, Representative of Yew Chung International School

·    Represented Yew Chung International School in competitions such as the Sing Tao Debate Competition

2007     -    2010     Yew Chung International School, Prefect

·    Enforced school rules

·    Coordinated school events such as morning assembly, Sports Day, Christmas Ball, New Year’s Fashion Competition etc.

·    Acted as translator during Parents Teacher Day

Job Experience

Mar.            2011    HKUST, MBA Office - translator

·    Translated for a group of MBA students from Merck University during sight-seeing in Hong Kong

Jan - Feb    2011    Queensberg Development Ltd – Personal Assistant

·    Wrote and translated letters

·    Handled Filing and data inputting

·    Formatted contract documents

·    Followed up banking matters

Awards and Other Recognitions

·          Member of The International Honor Society Beta Gamma Sigma

·          HKUST Dean’s List Award, 2010 Fall, 2010 Spring, 2011 Fall

·          HKUST University Scholarships, 2010

·          Li Po Chun Charitable Trust Fund Scholarship, 2011

·          Yew Chung International School- Humanitarian Award, 2010

·          Yew Chung International School- Principle’s Honorable Roll Award, 2010

·          Certificate of Merit in the Solo Verse Speaking: Secondary 5: Girls

·          UNICEF- Certificate of Appreciation

·          Yew Chung International School Top IGCSE Student Award, 2009

·          Yew Chung International School Best Achievement in English, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006 and 2005

·          Yew Chung International School Best Achievement in Chinese, 2010 and 2005

·          Yew Chung International School Best Achievement in French, 2009 and 2008

Skills and Interests

Languages: English (Fluent), Cantonese (Native), Putonghua (Fluent), French (Basic)

Computer: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Keynote, Numbers, Pages

Hobbies: Reading, road biking, yoga

Cover Letter to Oliver Wyman

Dear Human Resources Manager,

Re: Application for Entry-Level Consultants, Financial Services Management Consulting

Though I am now on exchange and am unable to attend the career events you hold at my university, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, I am nevertheless overjoyed to know that you are recruiting. I I would greatly appreciate it if you would allow me the opportunity to convince you why I am the candidate you seek.

Oliver Wyman Financial Services Management Consulting helps today’s enterprises to meet challenges in areas ranging from investment banking to asset management. Today, where business landscape changes constantly, it is essential to keep an inquisitive mind, to never take assumptions for granted and to always be eager to learn. I understood this at a very young age and now as a fresh graduate, even more so. When I was young, I was dubbed the name “problematic girl” not because I had issues, but because I always question why (in Cantonese, “problems” means issues as well as questions). In high school, I was called “abnormal” affectionately by my chemistry teacher because I ask the most unconventional questions and because of my “abnormally high grades.” In addition to be being inquisitive, I am also a shrewd observer and a quick learner. I understand that it is naïve to expect information be spoon-fed to you and hence, I always try to learn by observation. I enjoy challenging myself and had once done a year-worth of French in two months.

To this day, I continue to explore my limits. In university, I step out of my comfort zone and take courses that I have not an inkling of, for example, Human Prehistory and Western Civilization. I also enrolled in Ceramics, in which I received an A, when my sister calls stick figures my highest achievement in art. To further my knowledge, I also took courses outside of my discipline. To illustrate, I self-studied numerous mathematics courses such as Regression Analysis, Time Series Analysis, Probability, Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra etc. on top of my normal 19 credits course load and my position as the Internal Secretary of Kendo Club. My trials and errors in university allowed me to mature and learn that passion and hard work is not enough. Time and energy is simply limited; one must know oneself to achieve most. However, I was fortunate that these courses had been worth it. They honed my ability to approach problems critically, analytically and most important of all, creatively.  These, I believe, will be important assets if I were to offer business solutions to corporations.

Lastly, the ability to multitask and to adapt is also highly priced in today’s dynamic workplace. In my high school days, I was able to maintain a high academic standing, scoring 8A*s and 1 B for my IGCSE diploma and a 42 for my IB predicted grade (highest grade achievable excluding bonus points), while holding my position as the chairperson of the yearbook committee, vice president of the fair-trade committee and a member of the Model United Nation, the debate team and the prefects.  Apart from being adaptive across tasks, I am also adaptive across geographic regions. In 5 years, I went from living in Hong Kong for all my life, to living in New Zealand, then back to Hong Kong (where I was included in the Dean List for three consecutive semesters) then to United States for exchange (where I earned a CGA of 4.0 out of 4.0), then subsequently now here in Singapore. Apart from helping me discover my love for travel, my international exposure and my education in international school has also equipped me with cultural fluency and strong interpersonal and communication skills. These will prove vital in a diverse environment such as Oliver Wyman.

Although I know little of Oliver Wyman, the little that I do know impresses me. Oliver Wyman respects its people, to the point where you tell your failed applicants how they could improve. You support employee networks such as Racial and Ethnic Diversity Network (Mercer) and GLOW (Gays and Lesbians at Oliver Wyman).

Knowledge, one can learn. Character, however, is as fundamental as someone’s identity. I take my responsibilities seriously and believe that one misstep could potentially have a domino effect so huge that it’s irreparable. Character is what I look for in a corporation and I hope this is what you will find in me if you grant me an interview.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Yours faithfully,
Chan, Ka Yan

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

The story you are about to read is purely hypothetical and is meant only for discussion.

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Sarah is a 20 year old Chinese girl who has recently finished her exchange program. As she stepped out of the arrival terminal, she was greeted by her mom. They hugged and exchanged the common pleasantries "how was your flight?", "it was okay.". Over her mother's shoulder, Sarah was surprised to see her uncle, Aaron. Sarah's mother has 7 siblings, 6 older (in the order of age: Uncle Aaron, Aunt Irene, Aunt Rebecca, Aunt Faith, Uncle Ted, Aunt Joyce) and 1 younger (Uncle Dennis). Sarah was surprised because Uncle Aaron and her family are not really that close; at most, they have dinner every once in a few months.

Uncle Aaron smiled and waved her over. He spread his arms, gesturing for a hug. Once again, Sarah was surprised because it is uncommon, at least in Sarah's family, to hug an extended family member. The hug went on for several seconds, longer than social convention and it was a tight and enthusiastic one too, which surprised Sarah even further. Now, over her uncle's shoulder, Sarah saw her mother shifting her weight uncomfortably.

The hug ended and Uncle Aaron chatted on amiably while putting his arm around Sarah's shoulder. Sarah is intrigued, why the sudden affection? Behind Sarah, Sarah's mom is gesturing wildly with her eye, telling her not to stay too close to Uncle Aaron.

Later, it was revealed that Uncle Aaron has a history of sexually harassing family members. Aunt Irene, Aunt Faith and Aunt Joyce were all harassed by the teenage Aaron. Aunt Rebecca and Sarah's mom were the only exceptions; Aaron never attempted to harass Sarah's mom while Rebecca had been quick witted enough to maneuver away from his touch. Apart from Aunt Faith who told Grandma, everyone kept their silence until they were in their 30s / 40s, where one by one, told Sarah's mother who was everyone's confidante. Upon learning the news, grandma stopped letting Aaron to be alone with his sisters. The matter was never discussed and after several years, Uncle Aaron got into college and lived alone.

For quite a while, Sarah's mother was the only one who knew the true extent of Uncle Aaron's perversion as no one wanted to share their story of violation. She planned to keep it that way, until Aunt Faith, now in her 50s, has two sons, been married then divorced, was again harrassed by Uncle Aaron, who is now also married. After seeing how Aaron was with her daughter, Sarah's mom (after seeking consent of her sisters) decided to tell everyone about Aaron's perversion, especially, Uncle Dennis.
In the end, the family decided to deal with it passively, whereby Uncle Aaron will always be seated between Uncle Dennis and his wife. No female family member were to hang out with him alone. They decided not to expose Aaron because doing so would destroy his wife. Moreover, Uncle Aaron is also one who value his face above everything else. Exposing him would destroy him. In addition, no one believed therapy would do much good seeing Aaron is already in his 60s.

However, many are fooled by Aaron's gentlemanly disguise and Aaron sometimes tutor neighbor's kids. He is now the long term tutor of a 10 year old girl named Fern, whose mother treats the chronic back pain for his wife. Most believe that Aaron is unlikely going to harm this girl as the masseuse is really important for his wife.

How would you have handled the situation if you have a say in this family?