Amiable character

“HKU Mentorship provides students with myriads of opportunities to meet different professionals and get insights from them, ranging from studies to hobbies. We also learnt how to communicate and build rapport with employers. These are what I expected to get from the programme. And until the end of the year, I have earned more than I had expected.

Firstly, I learnt to be thankful and treasure all the chances given to us. All the mentors are contributing their own time, coaching students about rights and wrongs in life. Their advice and words might not be absolutely right, but these can help us see things from a different angle. It might be hard to know a person well by meeting him/her a few times, but something undoubtedly clear was Marvin’s patience and positive attitude. He never takes things for granted. Even when the chance of success are uncertain, he does the best he could and prepares for the best outcome he can get.

Marvin shares the same views as me that the best time in life is when we are still students. He told me not to be someone I hate or dislike, no matter how the world changes. No one can change me if I am tough and strong enough.

Marvin also builds relationships with a mentees’ WhatsApp group, and tried to adopt our way of communications by using emojis, which is not very common for the older generations. The age gap can be lessened if both are willing to understand each other.

Through Marvin’s words and experience sharing, I have found out a career path that can utilise the skills and knowledge I am obtaining, which I never realised before. He gave me much inspiration on that and had guided me to think how I could do better to achieve my goal. I also received an internship offer, which is akin to my dream job. This is truly thanks to Marvin for his inspiration and support.

Marvin’s self-effacing and modest character gave me a heads up on how a person should be. He, as a successful person in his profession, sought our opinions, especially on how to be a better professor when he teaches at various universities. He is willing to improve himself all the time and he values everyone’s comments. Knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses is indispensable for people who have an explicit aim and would like to do life-long learning. I am also thankful that Marvin is being so true and willing to share with me. The way he listened and how he treasured my opinion made me feel being respected. I would say he is one of the best older friends I have had ever.”

Mentor since 2010: Mr Marvin Lai
Mentee (2016-17): Ada Cheung, BSc(IM) Year 3