Frederick Ma Urges Students to Prioritize Career Growth Over Property Ownership
Thestandard · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong Trade Development Council chairman Frederick Ma Si-hang has urged young people to prioritize career development over immediate property ownership, sharing personal stories of early career hardship and eventual success. Speaking at an orientation event at Saint Francis University on Tuesday, Ma recounted being posted to New York by a bank in his twenties, where he struggled with foreign exchange trading and adapting to a new environment. After spending weekends studying to improve his skills, he was promoted after about 18 months and gained greater confidence in handling professional challenges.
Key Points
- Ma recalled being reduced to tears by the pressure of unfamiliar foreign exchange trading during his New York posting in his twenties
- He responded by studying documents on weekends, looking up unfamiliar terms, and eventually earning a promotion after 1.5 years in New York
- Ma likened overcoming a first major career setback to "climbing the first mountain," saying subsequent challenges become easier once confidence and resilience are built
- He advised students not to be overly anxious about property ownership, noting he only bought his first home at age 40, while university president Cheung became a homeowner in his 60s
- Ma encouraged students to look beyond Hong Kong for career opportunities, highlighting the Greater Bay Area's rapid development and urging aspiring entrepreneurs to gain corporate experience first
Why It Matters
The advice from Ma, a senior figure in Hong Kong's business community, comes at a time when property affordability remains a critical concern for young Hong Kong residents . His message that financial rewards follow hard work and perseverance offers a perspective on navigating career challenges in a competitive environment where many feel locked out of the property market .
The advice from Ma, a senior figure in Hong Kong's business community, comes at a time when property affordability remains a critical concern for young Hong Kong residents . His message that financial rewards follow hard work and perseverance offers a perspective on navigating career challenges in a competitive environment where many feel locked out of the property market .