HKGCC, Standard Chartered Bank, and the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups launched a "Pearl for Youth" project on January 25 to help Hong Kong youths tap into career opportunities in the Pearl River Delta (PRD).

The event, officiated by Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Shelley Lee, attracted over 400 university students eager to learn about employment prospects north of the border.

Every year more than 30,000 university graduates enter Hong Kong's labour market. The idea of "going north" to kick-start their careers has never been given much thought, up until now. Part of the problem is that youths lack the experience and knowledge of what is available to them in the PRD. The organisers hope that through such seminars, this void can be filled.

In his opening remarks at the ceremony, HKGCC Chairman Christopher Cheng praised the quality of Hong Kong's graduates and encouraged them to have confidence in themselves and their abilities. "Be confident and you can make it!" he said.

Peter Wong, director, Standard Chartered Bank, was similarly encouraging. "The PRD is a land of many fortunes that promises huge opportunities for Hong Kong businesses and young professionals." HKFYG's Rosanna Wong, on the other hand, reminded students that "opportunities are always there for those who are well prepared."

During the panel session, Zung Fu CEO Y K Pang gave an overview of recent developments in the PRD and told students that there is no reason why they should not choose to develop their career path in the Mainland. However, as with Hong Kong, "Employers do not owe you a job. So you need to show your value by showing your innovation and problem solving skills," he said.

Fresh graduates also need to learn more about China if they are to succeed there, said USI General Manager Simon Lum. Mr Lum started his speech by challenging the audience with four geographic and cultural questions about China to illustrate his point.

Jennifer Tang of Emerson Electric China Human Resources also urged the audience to learn more about the Mainland, its culture, laws and ways of doing business, and to not expect to simply transplant the Hong Kong way of doing things in the PRD. Students need to have more courage, determination and to be realistic about their abilities and expectations. But they also need to put aside any arrogance which usually stems from ignorance, she added.

Integrated Enterprise Solutions Laboratory Manager Edgar Chow, echoed other speakers' comments on bettering themselves and to not give up if things don't go exactly the way that they had planned.

Speaking from experience, Mr Chow was among the first Hong Kong young professionals who went north to build a career in the early 1990s. He recollected that during friendly competitions with his Mainland subordinates to test language, technical, swimming and even social dance skills, he would always lose. This made him more determined to improve his skills and to get to the forefront of the talent pool.

Kitty Chan, assistant manager for Standard Chartered Bank, on the other hand, overcame her personal frustrations and psychological barriers in her early days of going north by integrating into the local social environment.

All speakers were adamant that Hong Kong young professionals should not eliminate the PRD when considering their career paths. But they pointed out that those who go with the perception that they are better than their Mainland counterparts, and that they should follow the Hong Kong way of doing business, then they will struggle to succeed.