Fu Kit Derrick Yeung
Country Of Origin: Hong Kong
Degree: BSc Accounting and Finance, 2020
MSc Business Analytics: Operational Research and Risk Analysis, Alliance Manchester Business School
Why did you choose to study at LUMS?
I did lots of research and comparison before I chose to study Accounting and Finance at LUMS. LUMS is a well-known business school with an excellent world ranking in Accounting and Finance degrees. The staff and the facilities at LUMS create a professional and friendly atmosphere for studying. LUMS also encourages students to explore yourself and collaborate with people from different nationalities and backgrounds.
What was the best thing about your course?
I appreciated the chance from my course to take some optional modules from the other LUMS departments. This flexibility helps the students explore and decide their final career path. The Management Science modules I took enlightened my interest in business analytics. The professors inspired and helped me gain a deeper understanding of what I want to become in the future. That is why I am doing a Masters in Business Analytics: Operational Research and Risk Analysis to enhance my knowledge.
In the Accounting and Finance Department, I could find the lecturers and tutors during their drop-in times and they are willing to help you. The department also organised many career-related events where you can get in touch with companies’ representatives and have a proactive experience.
You could also participate in workshops, 1-2-1 career consulting services, and careers fairs organised by the LUMS Careers Team.
What are your best memories of your time at Lancaster?
Apart from your studies, Lancaster gives you lots of opportunities to do different things and support you. Lancaster also rewards you for taking part in extra-curricular activities outside your academic studies (Lancaster Award). The support creates the best memories of my time at Lancaster.
To improve myself, I started participating in business case competitions. I became the team leader, initiating plans and assigning works to my teammates within stressful academic deadlines. Once we succeeded to become one of the Global Top 6 teams in the CFO Global Business Case Competition 2019, LUMS sponsored part of the expenses and helped with the trip preparation. The support reduced our struggles, and we could focus and enjoy on the competition itself.
I have participated and been involved in many societies. I became the societies’ Vice-President in HR and Project Management (PMers), I participated in training for the swimming team and the university choir, I even set up new societies “Acapella Society” and “Inspirational & Motivational Society” with the support from the Lancaster University Students’ Union. Lancaster encourages you to undertake a variety of activities, acquire new skills, and develop to your maximum potential.
Lancaster also wants students to believe that nothing is impossible if you want to do it. The Careers Team supported me to create a project called “Uneed-Unique: Lancaster University Obscure Career & Interest Expansion Project” when I proposed some suggestions for bringing soft skills (e.g. Procrastination, Conflict Management) workshops into the Careers Team services. I could organise events with promotion from the Careers Team social media. The Careers Team has also put more effort into this suggestion on the Key Skills Workshops series in the “GROW Your Future” Programme.
What is student life like in the colleges?
Lancaster is one of the UK universities that runs a collegiate system. The college creates a good social and study environment, gathering people together from different departments and backgrounds, so that you could meet more friends apart from on your course.
I was in Lonsdale College, we could take part in different inter-college competitions and events,
or just have a beer and a chat with others in the college bar. Lonsdale has an extra competition for the Founders series with Bowland College each year.
If you have any personal issues, the college well-being team could help you. You could also enjoy the study space, the computer room and other facilities in the college.
What impact has your Lancaster experience had on your career?
I am honoured to be rewarded with the Lancaster Award Gold, which is the highest extra-curricular award in Lancaster University. I enjoyed the modules I took in Management Science and I decided to explore this area further in my Masters that I am doing now.