Cathy Yu's GHRM Journey: Turning Passion into Purpose

Before Cathy stepped into the classroom of Global Human Resource Management (GHRM MBA), she already had extensive experience in HR. At Vine Management Consultant, Cathy spent four enriching years as a Talent Development Project Planner, collaborating with over 500 corporate clients across various industries. Her daily work involved crafting tailored training solutions and guiding numerous developmental projects. Although she enjoyed facilitating growth for others, Cathy soon realized she needed to invest in her own professional growth as well.

Taking the leap to return to school while working full-time wasn't an easy decision, but Cathy knew it was essential. GHRM MBA stood out not just as an educational opportunity, but as an exciting gateway to broaden her horizons. It provided Cathy with a dynamic learning environment, a diverse network of peers from around the globe, and rich cross-cultural experiences that reshaped her perspective.

Today, Cathy thrives in her role within the HR team at Swire Coca-Cola Taiwan. Her responsibilities are diverse and fulfilling, blending creativity, strategic thinking, and interpersonal connections. Cathy designs e-learning courses, boosts employee engagement through various initiatives, and organizes important events such as the annual Spring Banquet and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). She also takes on critical projects at the corporate level, including renewing competency models, developing onboarding programs, and leading training sessions for newly appointed supervisors.

Cathy attributes much of her success to key lessons learned during her GHRM MBA journey. One of the most impactful was viewing HR as a strategic partnership—understanding it from a business perspective rather than just an administrative function. She also embraced cross-cultural communication by engaging with classmates from diverse backgrounds, which honed her teamwork and interpersonal skills. Courses like HR Analytics played a crucial role in strengthening her ability to communicate compelling stories through data. In addition, she significantly polished her presentation and communication skills, a vital capability in any corporate environment.

For those aiming to stand out in today’s competitive job market, Cathy offers practical advice: prioritize action over perfection, as companies value employees who deliver results and not just ideas; remain curious and adaptive by continuously learning and evolving professionally; foster emotional intelligence (EQ), which is indispensable for effective teamwork—especially in HR; and own your unique strengths by clearly articulating your personal contributions and value.

Cathy also shared valuable tips for those dreaming of joining prestigious companies like Swire Coca-Cola:

• Customize your resume: Highlight your achievements and impact rather than just listing responsibilities.

• Understand the company deeply: Go beyond the brand to grasp the company culture and values.

• Demonstrate initiative: Proactively engage in internships, projects, or volunteer work to showcase your drive.

• Be genuine during interviews: Authenticity helps create meaningful connections with potential employers.

After joining Swire Coca-Cola Taiwan, Cathy continued to grow and learn through real-world experiences. She mastered stakeholder management by collaborating effectively across diverse functions and organizational levels. Time management also became a critical skill, as efficient prioritization proved essential to handle her workload. Most importantly, she learned the value of combining professionalism with team spirit—balancing both to create impactful and lasting results.

“It gave me confidence, a broader perspective, and an inspiring community. If you're considering joining, go for it, embrace the challenge—your future self will thank you”

– Cathy Yu

Reflecting on her transformative GHRM MBA journey, Cathy emphasizes it wasn't merely a degree—it was a turning point in her life.

Written by: Stanislaus 蔡緗倫

Breaking Barriers: Career Growth Lessons from Jamie Huang, Suntory Global Spirits Sr. HR Specialist

On 25 November 2024, Student Association of International Programs hosted a Resume Workshop, featuring Jamie Huang as the guest speaker. Beyond sharing her expertise in crafting resumes and cover letters, Jamie offered a glimpse into her broader career journey and the lessons she has learned from working in dynamic, international environments. Her career embodies her skill in human resources and her ability to navigate and bridge diverse cultural landscapes.

Currently, Jamie serves as Senior People Solutions Specialist at Suntory Global Spirits (SGS), a renowned spirits company headquartered in New York, also a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. During nearly 4 years at SGS, she has been overseeing full employment cycles and key HR projects in APAC, including expatriates’ coordination. Her responsibilities span markets such as Taiwan, Korea, Thailand and also supports China, Singapore, and Vietnam when needed, reflecting her expertise in aligning global strategies with local needs as the role often involves interactions with regional Center of Excellence teams and market HRBPs to align strategies and practices, with commitment to fostering inclusive and effective work environment to optimize employe experience.

SGS has undergone cultural transformation in recent years as blended unique craftsmanship spirits from Suntory with American leadership styles from Jim Beam, leading to an exclusive model when “East meets West”. Jamie also highlighted a distinctive aspect of SGS’s work culture: the Japanese concept of Gemba, which translates to "the real place" in English. This principle involves observing consumers and retailers firsthand to gain insights into the market. “Sometimes employees will head out for drinks, not just to relax but also to engage in Gemba—understanding the dynamics of the market directly at the scene,” she explained. This hands-on approach illustrates SGS’s value to stay connected to the realities of its business while maintaining an engaging and collaborative work atmosphere.

Flexible work arrangements and results-driven focuses define Jamie’s work-life balance. “For me, work-life balance means stretching my time effectively,” Jamie shared. This includes being able to finish tasks at the office or working from home depending on necessity. Jamie’s role involves frequent interaction with international stakeholders, requiring her to adjust to their time zones. This flexibility not only accommodates the nature of Jamie’s work but also reflects the company’s understanding of the demands of a global workforce. By allowing employees to manage their schedules, SGS ensures that both productivity and work-life balance are maintained—a key factor that Jamie values in her role.

Reflecting on her studies at NSYSU’s GHRM MBA, Jamie credits the program’s emphasis on soft skills and intercultural collaboration as invaluable assets for her career. “The all-English environment and group projects with international peers were pivotal,” she assured. The program provided a unique opportunity for local Taiwanese students like Jamie to engage in an immersive, English-speaking environment. Unlike typical education settings, where such exposure is limited, the GHRM MBA fostered a space for continuous language practice and cross-cultural connection. Each discussion, group project, and collaboration required her to articulate ideas and negotiate solutions in English—an experience she describes as both demanding and transformative. This rigorous practice prepared her to thrive in roles requiring frequent communication with international stakeholders, a necessity in her current and past positions at multinational companies. “Forming the habit and overcoming the fear of speaking English are crucial,” Jamie said.

Jamie’s transition from academia to the professional world was smooth, thanks to her open mindset. “I never expected theories to be directly applicable in the workplace,” she noted. Instead, Jamie emphasized the importance of asking questions and seeking guidance when facing challenges. This approach also helped her during internships, where she tackled case studies and proposed solutions as part of the interview process. “Do your research, understand a company by knowing its products, services and reading relevant news before an interview,” she advised, as it’s important to prepare and present oneself confidently so as to highlight the value throughout the recruitment process.

She also offered a candid evaluation of Taiwan’s job market for international students: while international companies are more open to hiring non-local talents, Chinese fluency is often a decisive factor. “Unless you’re technically skilled, companies may hesitate to incur the additional cost of hiring foreign talents,” she said. Opportunities are more in industries like high-tech or software compared to retail or fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), where local expertise dominates. Jamie explained that those industries focus on selling goods in local markets, and thus rarely hire international talents due to business goals aiming at consumer needs and tight profit margins. Jamie stressed the importance of leveraging unique backgrounds to stand out in competitive markets.

Jamie’s journey from a GHRM MBA student to a senior HR specialist is a testament to the value of adaptability, continuous learning, and proactive career planning. Her story offers inspiration for current students and alumni navigating the complexities of global careers, particularly in Taiwan’s evolving job market. Thanks to Jamie’s open sharing, we could understand the job market from a different aspect. We wish her continued success in her career and look forward to more real-world sharing in the future.

Luxury Insights From ‘Michael Wattanaariyakit’: An Alumnus’s Take on HR Executive in Luxury Retail

In today’s competitive landscape, the luxury retail sector requires a keen understanding of high-end products and a deep appreciation for the people who make the business succeed. HR is an important position that finds highly potential employees who can satisfy those valuable clients and make the company thrive. Recently, we had the opportunity to interview Michael Wattanaariyakit, an alumnus of Global Human Resources Management at NSYSU and current HR Executive for a well-known global luxury retail brand in Thailand. With a focus on sourcing candidates and developing employee engagement strategies, Michael shared valuable insights from an HR in this industry.

Before pursuing his Master’s degree, Michael had experience in the luxury hotels and retail industries as a human resource officer and supervisor. Meanwhile, during his study in GHRM at NSYSU, Michael had an opportunity to be an intern in a luxury hotel in Taiwan. The internship offered an opportunity for Michael and Taiwanese employees to work together in a diversified workplace, preparing them and the company for working on an international scale. His HR experiences and Master’s degree in Global Human Resource Management allowed him to work in diverse environments, which shaped him to be a skillful HR with a strong background in the luxury industries. Hence, his academic background and work experiences made him an outstanding alumnus. Furthermore, reflecting on his time at NSYSU, he appreciated the university's incredible scenery. He loved the campus's scenic views of mountains and sea, which allowed him to unwind and relieve stress during his studies.

After completing his Master's degree from GHRM-MBA, he got a recruitment offer from a luxury retail company as a human resources executive in Thailand, also focusing and coordinating with the Vietnam branch. As an HR executive in a famous luxury retail company, he shared valuable insights about working in the luxury industry. He also emphasized how challenging the position is when working in a diverse environment. Michael found it challenging working in a diverse workplace. As an HR executive, one of his responsibilities is to foster a positive work culture and develop engagement initiatives. Hence, he highlighted the importance of cross-cultural understanding in the workplace. 

“Working in international organizations where there are employees from different racial groups, no one has the right to judge another's culture by their cultural standard." 

Also, remote working with his Vietnam branch is challenging as he cannot investigate the problems that occurred himself. To overcome this challenge, he implemented essential tools that can support them, instead of telling them what to do. It is more effective when he lets them do their tasks themselves, as they know the issues the best; and provides them with comprehensive support. 

Furthermore, Michael, an expert HR executive hiring the right candidates, gave us some recommendations for students interested in entering the field of luxury retail. He explained that beyond basic qualities like reliability and integrity, they should have a personality that aligns with each brand’s character. Plus, experience in the luxury sector is also crucial, as mid-level positions typically require a background in similar roles. For mid-level positions in luxury businesses, fresh graduates with no experience in a luxury-related field might be a big challenge. Michael also highlighted the importance of maturity, communication skills, and positive attitudes when working with high-end clients who expect exceptional service. He noted that these characteristics are key to maintaining a luxury brand's high standards and image.

In summary, Michael’s insights into HR in the luxury retail sector reveal the critical interplay between understanding people, especially people from different cultures, and managing his responsibilities with HR analytics and decision-making. His journey highlighted the importance of cultural awareness, hoping that current students would be concerned and prepare for their future careers in any field. Also, his valuable insights into the luxury industry are inspiring and informative.

[GHRMMBA] Success Stories from Thai Alumnus ‘Reianthong Vongseangkam’: How to Stand Out in the Job Market

Reianthong, a Thai alumnus of the GHRM-MBA program of National Sun Yat-Sen University, shared valuable career insights and job-hunting tips with the Student Association team in a recent online interview, which offers students in the management department advantageous insights and tricks when looking for jobs. 

During his study at GHRM-MBA, Reianthong not only focused on his academic learning but also took advantage of attending extracurricular activities to develop the abilities he needs for his future. He was the founder of the Hult Prize at NSYSU, and got an internship at the Rising Star Summer Internship Program of CTBC Bank in 2021 for two months. His academics and extracurricular responsibilities that he had pursued shaped him to become an outstanding alumnus.

After completing his Master's degree from GHRM-MBA, he quickly secured a role as an Organization Development Manager at Central Retail Corporation Public Company Limited, a multi-category retail leader and the flagship company at the roots of the Central Group in Thailand. As an Organization Development Manager, two years in this role, following his experience as an HR Strategy and Project Management Office Manager, he shared valuable insights into the complexities of OD. He emphasized how challenging and dynamic the position is, as it requires highlighting the critical link between employee development and financial performance of organizations. By applying both HR and business principles, his work focuses on driving the growth of the organization through the growth of its people, highlighting the critical link between personal development and organizational success. Plus, he recommended from his OD perspective that highlighting the critical link between employee development and financial performance of an organization. Thus, in his opinion, understanding business models and commercial priorities is the most critical skill that supports any HR to truly have value-added to the organization.       

Reflecting on his journey, he credited his academic skills and the experiences he had during his time in Taiwan for shaping his professional skills and mindset. He talked to us about the challenges and rewards of studying at NSYSU. He highlighted how adapting to a new culture and language broadened his worldview and strengthened his research skills. He gave him a chance to reflect on himself, which benefited him from working in the business field.

“Studying a Master's degree abroad is the beginning of serenity.”

He also noted that studying for a master's degree abroad became a key opportunity during his job search in Thailand and internationally. Studying for a master's abroad not only gave him a better chance to get better knowledge in the field and salary, but it also provided him a wonderful opportunity to have more time to reflect on himself. It made him think of himself as a 'global citizen' who can live or work wherever he wants, not just in Taiwan or Thailand—spending time in Taiwan helped him understand his identity by focusing on the "why" to stay focused, resilient, and productive.    

After sharing his job insights, Reianthong shared tricks he used to get the job, which made him exceptional compared to other candidates. 

Key tricks to be an outstanding candidate from an expert HR perspective: 

• LinkedIn and the STAR Model for Success:

A significant part of the interview was dedicated to practical advice on utilizing LinkedIn effectively—a tool that, according to Reianthong, played a critical role in his job search. He introduced the STAR model (Situation, Task, Action, Result) as a framework for showcasing skills and achievements on LinkedIn.

Situation: Describe the context of the role or challenge.

Task: Outline what you were tasked to do.

Action: Detail the specific steps you took.

Result: Highlight the positive outcome and how it benefited the company or project.

• Keyword Optimization

"Start by identifying the key skills and qualifications the position you’re applying for is looking for," Reianthong advised. Looking at job descriptions and noting down the important keywords. Once those keywords are identified, students should ensure those skills are stated on their LinkedIn profiles. 

• Highlight irreplaceable achievements: "They should reflect your skills but also demonstrate why you’re an irreplaceable candidate."

He also stressed the importance of tying unique achievements to those skills. "Your achievements should be something that sets you apart from other candidates," he said. "Think about what you’ve accomplished that others might not be able to replace you."

• Build your connections:  Job search sites are powerful tools for connecting with professionals and alumni in the field. Referral is crucial when you are looking for a job. "Don't hesitate to reach out and create your connections with other alumni or professions in the company that you are looking for."

• The right time to look for the jobs: The first quarter will be a perfect time to start applying for a job, as most people who want to change jobs will resign after they already got their bonuses, so many positions will be vacant during that period. 

The online interview with Reianthong provided students with a unique perspective on how to be outstanding candidates. His story served as a reminder that challenges, such as studying abroad, can become strengths in one’s professional journey. In closing, Reianthong encouraged students to "focus and reflect on yourselves to sharpen your sense of self.”