I was reading the news and I saw an article talking about only approx. 200 fresh graduates ended up joining the 大學畢業生實習計畫. Below is an abstract from that article:

中原人力資源顧問董事總經理周綺萍批評，兩個月來僅吸引兩成畢業生北上實習，是反應冷淡，更反映本港大學畢業生好逸惡勞。她指內地工作機會相當難求，現時政府親自出馬拉攏內地大企業，大學生仍無動於衷，抗拒長時間駐內地工作，只求本地舒服安樂工作。盛智晉薈國際顧問公司行政總裁李彥樺指，香港大學生為怕辛苦，的確浪費政府一番心意。

I am very shocked at how Ms.周綺萍 and Mr.李彥樺commented about fresh graduates in Hong Kong. I disagree with them in two ways.

First, they are using terms like “好逸惡勞” and “怕辛苦” to describe ALL fresh graduates in Hong Kong which is obviously unfair, unjust and stereotyping. When the outcome does not reach expectations, I don’t believe blaming others is the best thing to do. I certainly disagree with such terms as I believe it needs enormous effort for fresh graduates to finish their degrees, trying to gear themselves up with knowledge and skills that they can apply on their careers in future. Please give them respect, as the few percent who have faught hard to get to where they are now.

Secondly, try and think from fresh graduates’ point of view. For every decision they make, they have to bear opportunity cost. Those 總經理 General Managers and 行政總裁CEOs who are well-paid with no economical concerns tend to neglect those families who use all their money on their children’s education with the hope of the children becoming the backbone of the family’s finance in the future. I believe the fresh graduates do see this as a great opportunity for them but the offers they are given are not enough as their families’ financial support.

Fresh graduates in Hong Kong 2009 have suffered enough – what they need is encouragement but not criticisms. They have been under tons of pressure from their families, the society and themselves already. The blame should not be on them but the education system in Hong Kong and the lack of sufficient and effective support to them.

This internship program I believe is not the best solution for the high unemployment rate, and the problem does not lie on money or laziness. However, money is always an important factor that affects people’s decision on their career choice – especially in a place that our CEO Mr. Tsang considers houses at the price of $4,000 per square feet are affordable and reasonable.

Support, encourage and respect fresh graduates. They deserve better chances and options as they are likely to become the backbone of not only their families, but also Hong Kong's economy.

FYI : http://news.sina.com.hk/cgi-bin/nw/show.cgi/2/1/1/1301767/1.html

今日の一言 : The battle never ends.