What HK students want: Top 3 ideal employers for new talents

University students have their eyes on tech firms Google and Apple, and even public work.

Most university students in business and IT are eyeing jobs at tech giant Google after they graduate, the Universum 2021 Hong Kong survey on university students reported.

After Google, the most ideal employer is the Hong Kong government, particularly students in engineering or natural sciences, and another tech giant Apple, which is the top choice for those in business, engineering, and information technology.

Universum surveyed some 6,270 students for the Hong Kong edition of the global talent survey. They were interviewed through online questionnaires between November 2020 and May 2021.

The survey also saw other companies jump higher into the list of most ideal employers, particularly EY, Pfizer, and Sun Hung Kai Properties.

This was attributed to a “good reference for future career” and “professional training and development” that is attractive for students.

EY is now ranked 17th amongst IT students, climbing 63 places, and 7th amongst those in business, up 10 places.

Moreover, the study found that Hong Kong students’ top preference changed to “high future earnings” from “a friendly working environment,” in the past two years.

“The findings from our 2021 survey shows a shift in the preference of Hong Kong’s young talent who now place greater emphasis on job security and future financial rewards from future employers, despite considerations for other attributes,” Mike Parsons, managing director APAC for Universum, said.

“It is not surprising to see this change following the unsettling uncertainty brought by the pandemic. Cultural aspects such as a friendly work environment remain key but talent has, understandably, deprioritized them in the wake of a shift towards more remote working.”