Infographics
What Should I major in?
Marketing or accountancy? Management or economics (finance)? Management Sciences or information systems? For the irresolute and hesitant
business students like me, 'what should I major in' is a big headache for us to make up our mind. When I think of this challenging question,
I feel bewildered since I do not know which decision is the best and making an arbitrary judgement can definitely affect my future career path.
Among thirteen available majors in the College of Business, how can I find the one which suits me the most?
Originally, I wished to be a professional accountant since I studied primary school as it could earn high salary. Now I have changed my mind.
It is no doubt that studying accountancy requires considerable skills in describing, explaining and applying the conceptual and practical aspects
in several financial statements. However, when I studied accounting in my secondary school, I found that I was not sensitive to the revenues and
expenses. I spent a lot of time to understand the basic accounting concepts like debt and credit and the applications of different kinds of financial
ratios. It was quite difficult for me to pass the accounting tests and exams, or even a small quiz. Therefore, being a successful accountant is nearly
an impossible mission to me and I would totally not choose it as my major now.
Later on, when I got into university, I read the major catalogue and found a new subject that I never noticed - Management Sciences. In the
beginning, I had interest in studying it because It provides an integrated curriculum combing general business foundation, contemporary logistics
and supply chain management knowledge, which I had never learnt before. However, due to the frequent use of quantitative analysis, outstanding
analytical abilities, problem-solving and statistical skills are required. In fact, I really hate calculating the complicated statistics about logistics,
inventory storage, transportation costs and other complex topics because they need 'hundred of thousands' steps to work out the answers and I
lack such statistical skills. As I am an irascible and impetuous person, I cannot sit before a computer and use a whole day in doing a branch of
advanced mathematics. Apart from this, unlike accountancy, management science is not a profession but a general subject. When I enter the
competitive business environment in the future, it is particularly difficult to find a high-salary job when I hold that degree. Hence, it is not my ideal major.
Among the remaining majors, the only one I love is Information Systems. It divides into several streams like global business system management,
but no matter which stream I want to enter, I am required to have the ability to apply the concepts, methods and techniques of business intelligence
and analytics and create innovative solutions for financial services, Internet services or IS Audit. It is certainly my strength! Getting a level 5 in
ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in HKDSE and high scores in my website that I created for School-Based Assessment (SBA) have encouraged me to choose IS as my major. Besides, I desire it because of the fact that the IT industry is progressing
dramatically with the advancement of new technologies nearly every day and the prospect is really bright. The most important thing is I am keen
on system programming and want to use my effort to make new softwares and invent new system technologies to enhance people's living standard.
Because of my ability, industry future and keen interest, I believe that choosing IS as my major is the most precise.
As a maxim said by a famous editorial cartoonist Frank Tyger goes, 'Your future depends on many things, but mostly on you.' Although I am still
indecisive and ponder if IS is really suitable for me, I firmly believe that life shirks and expands in proportion to one's effort. No matter which
major I choose finally, I can succeed if I spare no pains to work hard. All roads lead to Rome!
business students like me, 'what should I major in' is a big headache for us to make up our mind. When I think of this challenging question,
I feel bewildered since I do not know which decision is the best and making an arbitrary judgement can definitely affect my future career path.
Among thirteen available majors in the College of Business, how can I find the one which suits me the most?
Originally, I wished to be a professional accountant since I studied primary school as it could earn high salary. Now I have changed my mind.
It is no doubt that studying accountancy requires considerable skills in describing, explaining and applying the conceptual and practical aspects
in several financial statements. However, when I studied accounting in my secondary school, I found that I was not sensitive to the revenues and
expenses. I spent a lot of time to understand the basic accounting concepts like debt and credit and the applications of different kinds of financial
ratios. It was quite difficult for me to pass the accounting tests and exams, or even a small quiz. Therefore, being a successful accountant is nearly
an impossible mission to me and I would totally not choose it as my major now.
Later on, when I got into university, I read the major catalogue and found a new subject that I never noticed - Management Sciences. In the
beginning, I had interest in studying it because It provides an integrated curriculum combing general business foundation, contemporary logistics
and supply chain management knowledge, which I had never learnt before. However, due to the frequent use of quantitative analysis, outstanding
analytical abilities, problem-solving and statistical skills are required. In fact, I really hate calculating the complicated statistics about logistics,
inventory storage, transportation costs and other complex topics because they need 'hundred of thousands' steps to work out the answers and I
lack such statistical skills. As I am an irascible and impetuous person, I cannot sit before a computer and use a whole day in doing a branch of
advanced mathematics. Apart from this, unlike accountancy, management science is not a profession but a general subject. When I enter the
competitive business environment in the future, it is particularly difficult to find a high-salary job when I hold that degree. Hence, it is not my ideal major.
Among the remaining majors, the only one I love is Information Systems. It divides into several streams like global business system management,
but no matter which stream I want to enter, I am required to have the ability to apply the concepts, methods and techniques of business intelligence
and analytics and create innovative solutions for financial services, Internet services or IS Audit. It is certainly my strength! Getting a level 5 in
ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in HKDSE and high scores in my website that I created for School-Based Assessment (SBA) have encouraged me to choose IS as my major. Besides, I desire it because of the fact that the IT industry is progressing
dramatically with the advancement of new technologies nearly every day and the prospect is really bright. The most important thing is I am keen
on system programming and want to use my effort to make new softwares and invent new system technologies to enhance people's living standard.
Because of my ability, industry future and keen interest, I believe that choosing IS as my major is the most precise.
As a maxim said by a famous editorial cartoonist Frank Tyger goes, 'Your future depends on many things, but mostly on you.' Although I am still
indecisive and ponder if IS is really suitable for me, I firmly believe that life shirks and expands in proportion to one's effort. No matter which
major I choose finally, I can succeed if I spare no pains to work hard. All roads lead to Rome!
My Ideal Utopia — Jiufen
Jiufen, which attracts many Japan and Hong Kong travellers, is a popular tourist spot in Taiwan. It was a peaceful Monday dusk.
I stood at the top of the highest mountain in Jiufen and overlooked this little island. The shining deep-blue sea under the dazzling sunlight and the bright sky full of downy cloud heaved in sight. The wave swung irregularly as the powerful sea wind
blew. A tiny fishing boat moved slowly on the sea level, like a fragile old man using the cane to walk carefully on the street.
A flock of unconfined sea gull showed off their spotless white feather and pursued each other delightedly in the sky.
Some sailing ships berthed together horizontally in the pier, waiting for their hosts to start their engines again.
Above the pier was Jiufen Old Street. Because of its long history, most of the architectures there were made of wood, bricks, cobbles and
fragmentary stones. Those were a variety of old-style tea houses, conventional grocery shops, and unique craft stores.
They were built in a straight line, just like the students lining up in the morning assembly. Due to the frequent rains in Jiufen, most of the stores
built the canopies outside, which formed a faint valley. Those were so many small alleys connected together from one place to another,
which could be as narrow as they only fit one person.
No cloud-capped commercial buildings could be seen, no repugnant noise of cars could be heard, no disgusting garbage smell could be inhaled.
Only traditional lodgings could be seen, only euphonious singing of sparrows could be listened, only fragrant aroma of flowers could be sniffed.
Simpleness and slowness are the characteristics of Jiufen. Many residents there love spending a whole morning for drinking tea and using a
whole afternoon for fishing, then a day has passed. You could never see them carrying black briefcases and rushing on the streets.
Simple but satisfied. Unlike Hong Kong citizens, everyone here always wears a sincere smile and let their white teeth have sun-bath. Here, you could experience totally different lifestyle and culture from Hong Kong.
Standing for a period of time made me exhausted. I stopped and found a wayside pavilion to take a short break. I took out Hongzao Meatball
that I had bought before hiking to replenish my energy. It was the well-known symbol of Jiufen local snacks. The stuffed meatball was made of pork salted with Hongzao. Steamed with fresh bamboo shoot threads,
the meatball looked so translucent and full. It smelled like Chiu-chao style dumplings. The jelly-like layer was as soft as spongy. When you bit through the surface layer, the salty and peppery meat juice inside immediately flooded into your mouth.
That stimulative feeling was as exciting as riding the roller coaster. Enjoying it together with a bowl of sour and sweet fish ball soup would be
a perfect match.
After the dusk, the lights were up and you could see a brilliant gold dragon lying on the dark hill. There were many log cabins available for
lodging and I would like to stay overnight to enjoy the night-time atmosphere of Jiufen.
I stood at the top of the highest mountain in Jiufen and overlooked this little island. The shining deep-blue sea under the dazzling sunlight and the bright sky full of downy cloud heaved in sight. The wave swung irregularly as the powerful sea wind
blew. A tiny fishing boat moved slowly on the sea level, like a fragile old man using the cane to walk carefully on the street.
A flock of unconfined sea gull showed off their spotless white feather and pursued each other delightedly in the sky.
Some sailing ships berthed together horizontally in the pier, waiting for their hosts to start their engines again.
Above the pier was Jiufen Old Street. Because of its long history, most of the architectures there were made of wood, bricks, cobbles and
fragmentary stones. Those were a variety of old-style tea houses, conventional grocery shops, and unique craft stores.
They were built in a straight line, just like the students lining up in the morning assembly. Due to the frequent rains in Jiufen, most of the stores
built the canopies outside, which formed a faint valley. Those were so many small alleys connected together from one place to another,
which could be as narrow as they only fit one person.
No cloud-capped commercial buildings could be seen, no repugnant noise of cars could be heard, no disgusting garbage smell could be inhaled.
Only traditional lodgings could be seen, only euphonious singing of sparrows could be listened, only fragrant aroma of flowers could be sniffed.
Simpleness and slowness are the characteristics of Jiufen. Many residents there love spending a whole morning for drinking tea and using a
whole afternoon for fishing, then a day has passed. You could never see them carrying black briefcases and rushing on the streets.
Simple but satisfied. Unlike Hong Kong citizens, everyone here always wears a sincere smile and let their white teeth have sun-bath. Here, you could experience totally different lifestyle and culture from Hong Kong.
Standing for a period of time made me exhausted. I stopped and found a wayside pavilion to take a short break. I took out Hongzao Meatball
that I had bought before hiking to replenish my energy. It was the well-known symbol of Jiufen local snacks. The stuffed meatball was made of pork salted with Hongzao. Steamed with fresh bamboo shoot threads,
the meatball looked so translucent and full. It smelled like Chiu-chao style dumplings. The jelly-like layer was as soft as spongy. When you bit through the surface layer, the salty and peppery meat juice inside immediately flooded into your mouth.
That stimulative feeling was as exciting as riding the roller coaster. Enjoying it together with a bowl of sour and sweet fish ball soup would be
a perfect match.
After the dusk, the lights were up and you could see a brilliant gold dragon lying on the dark hill. There were many log cabins available for
lodging and I would like to stay overnight to enjoy the night-time atmosphere of Jiufen.