Those who make it all the way through the application process for the latest Classified Post Shadow a CEO Programme will get to choose one of four senior executives to work with, based on their career aspirations.
The twice-yearly programme offers the opportunity to spend three days seeing the business world through the eyes of someone who has made it to the top, with successful “shadows” doing things like joining high-level meetings, going for site visits and much more.
The programme invites applications from students and recent graduates, who submit their CVs online together with a short motivational essay. Shortlisted candidates are invited to be individually interviewed at the forum by a team of consultants from recruitment firm Kelly Services.
The final interview stage will see each participating company interview six candidates, of whom up to three will be selected. The programme will take place between November 2017 and January 2018.
The companies this year come from a range of industries currently undergoing some of the momentous changes in their history. Gary Liu, CEO of the South China Morning Post will show his shadows how technology is changing the world of journalism and how his company is rising to the increasing challenges.
Albert Wong, CEO of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, will demonstrate to his three shadows the workings of a company that maintains a number of key facilities in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field, including Hong Kong Science Park, and three industrial estates. He will be hoping to instil in his shadows a passion for leadership in a sector that is forever growing in importance and is always in need of high-quality talent.
Olivier Blum, chief human resources officer at Schneider Electric, will give participants an insight into the electrical engineering industry, of which his company is a market leader. As well as emphasising the importance of diversity in a company that is unique in having three hubs across the globe instead of a single headquarters, Blum will also show his shadows how to delegate and empower staff to work effectively as a team.
From the field of design software, Dr Wendy Lee, country sales manager, Hong Kong and Macau for Autodesk Far East, plans to give shadows the opportunity to learn more about the challenges of the creative technology industry. She hopes they will use the opportunity to network with professionals and to set them off on a successful career in an exciting sector.
