A career in wine? SHTM student talks about career aspirations in the Chinese wine trade.
This is the second of three blogs about the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Last month, we interviewed an alumnus and in April, we talk with a professor in the program.
School status: Master of Science in International Wine Management student at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). I’m now in my second semester.
Anticipated graduation date: Fall 2023.
Background: My Chinese name is Jieyu Wang. I am from Kunming, Yunnan, China. I studied Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Adelaide, Australia for four years and got my WSET Level 3 certificate. I worked in a winery in Australia for about half a year as a cellar hand. After that, I decided to go further and pursue my study in wine management, which would be very beneficial for my future development.
Q1: Thank you for talking with us about your studies at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management. Please tell me about the program you are enrolled in.
A: Our program is a master’s degree offered by the SHTM. I have had a very good study experience in the past several months. Our class has around 20 people. The School provides abundant resources to facilitate our learning. The program covers different subjects which are comprehensive, ranging from wine economics, marketing, and branding to winemaking and tasting. Some of the professors are top industry professionals, and to have the opportunity to learn from them is very precious to us. These industry experts include Master of Wine Dr. Jeannie Cho Lee, Professor of Practice (Wine).
Q2: When will you graduate, and what do you hope to do with your degree? Specifically, what type of jobs will you apply for?
A: I will graduate in the fall of 2023. I’m excited to be able to complete my master’s degree and receive the parchment. What’s more important is to have gained useful professional knowledge. For my future career, I’m looking for opportunities in the wine trade or being a sommelier in Hong Kong.
Q3: Tell me about your classes. What is your most memorable experience so far in the MSc in International Wine Management program?
A: Memory is always about people. In February 2023, we took a field trip to Macau for our Consultancy project, the experience was most memorable to me. Dr. Tony Tse, Dr. Anyu Liu and our team met Mr. João De Melo Pires, our client from the Melco Group. The plan and schedule he made for us to facilitate our consultancy project were superb. We visited many places in the City of Dreams and talked with many people in the Melco Group, which deepened my understanding of the profession and what it took to be a professional team. The field trip experience is my most memorable experience so far.
Q4: What else will you be studying in the MSc in International Wine Management program?
A: Wine management and branding are subjects that are new to me compared with other courses based on my background. I am very lucky to be able to take these two subjects that are taught by Dr. Crystal Shi. Numerous opportunities for practice and presentations deepen my knowledge, but also its applications. In the future, I’ll take Dr. Anyu Liu’s subject on Wine Economics to further my understanding of the wine industry.
Q5: What drew you to study at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management?
A: After my bachelor’s study, I learned what was viticulture and oenology. Then I realized, besides winemaking, I also needed to know about wine management and how the market works. So, I decide to apply for a master’s degree in order to achieve my goal. PolyU’s SHTM has a very high international ranking and reputation. And the school offers what I exactly need. I prepared for my application very early during the application season and received my offer in November 2021. When I got the offer, I accepted it without a second thought. Looking back, the choice I made was the right one.
Thank you for your time and insights! Best wishes for the coming year.
Learn more about The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management. In 2022, SHTM was rated No. 1 in the world in the “Hospitality and Tourism Management” category according to ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. In 2021/2022, they placed No. 1 globally in the “Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services” category in the University Ranking by Academic Performance. It has also ranked No. 1 in the world in the “Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism” subject area by the CWUR Rankings by Subject, and rated No. 2 in the world among university-based programs in the “Hospitality and Leisure Management” subject area in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023. The School represents excellence in the field, amply living up to its motto of “Leading Hospitality and Tourism.” See their full profile here.
0 Comments