USJ FHES Department of Social Work Holds Alumni Sharing Session
USJ FHES Department of Social Work Holds Alumni Sharing Session
17
Jun
17/06/2026
Alumnus Mr. Chan Ka Ip shares 15 years of career development and challenges of the times.
The Department of Social Work, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences (FHES) of the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) held an alumni sharing session on 3 June, themed “From Campus to Society: Choices, Growth, and Future in Social Work.” The event was supported by the Office for Students and Alumni Affairs (OSAA) and sponsored by the Macao Foundation. Alumnus Mr. Chan Ka Ip was invited back to his alma mater to engage in face-to-face discussions with current students. Drawing on his extensive experience over 15 years since graduating with a bachelor’s degree in social work, Mr. Chan shared profound and practical insights on his initial aspirations, career development, and re-exploration amidst social changes.
During the sharing session, Mr. Chan first reflected on why he chose to study social work and selected USJ. He explained that his decision stemmed from a deep concern for social development and the construction of macro-level social welfare systems. USJ’s encouraging, open, and discussion-oriented learning environment, along with its practice-focused curriculum, solidified his choice.
Speaking about his experiences as a student, Mr. Chan mentioned the challenges of language adaptation and encouraged students to face them positively. He also shared strategies for selecting electives, the importance of self-directed learning—including proactively seeking learning opportunities and engaging in academic exchanges with students and faculty from other institutions—and how to draw lessons from real-world cases during internships. He emphasized that growth in any profession is not limited to textbooks but lies in continuous exploration and reflection.
Regarding career considerations before graduation, Mr. Chan advised students not to rush into designing their paths but to first understand their strengths and value orientations. He then recounted various experiences over his 15 years in the workforce: from contemplating whether to enter the social service sector to trying out roles in professional arts performance groups, serving the government through short-term contracts, working as a consultant in a technology company, participating in public affairs, and balancing work and personal life. He admitted that the journey was not always smooth, but each transition reinforced his belief in the resilience and execution skills instilled by his training in USJ’s social work programme.
When discussing the roles that social work graduates can play in today’s society, Mr. Chan pointed out that social work is no longer confined to traditional casework but can have an impact in areas such as social enterprises, policy advocacy, community development, and corporate social responsibility. He specifically addressed the advent of the AI era, analyzing the opportunities and challenges artificial intelligence brings to the social service sector, such as improving administrative efficiency, while noting that AI cannot replace the empathetic connection between people. He encourages students to actively understand technology and collaborate with it rather than being replaced by it.
Lastly, Mr. Chan listened to the backgrounds and future plans of the attending students, responding to each of their questions. The atmosphere was lively, with many students expressing that they gained inspiration from the alumnus’ real-life stories and now have a clearer direction regarding their future career paths and self-positioning.
The Department of Social Work expressed gratitude to Mr. Chan Ka Ip for his selfless sharing. The department will continue to invite alumni from diverse backgrounds back to the university, bridging the gap between academia and practice, and assisting students in planning their professional development paths.
