On October 8, 2026, the Faculty of Social Sciences successfully hosted the first session of The Dialogue Series: Lunch and Learn, titled “The Consultant’s Edge: Turning Analytical Skills into Corporate Strategy.” Designed for Faculty undergraduate students, the small-group session offered an engaging platform for participants to explore career pathways in consulting, strategy, analytics, and professional services.
The session featured insightful sharing from Ms Celia Leung, Manager, Strategic Analytics & Insights, APAC Delivery at NielsenIQ, and Mr Wilson Tai, COO of FundFluent and former Lead of Credit and Decision Model at HSBC. Drawing on their diverse professional journeys, the speakers shared practical perspectives on how analytical skills can be translated into business insights, strategic recommendations, and real-world corporate impact.
The discussion was highly interactive, with participating students actively asking thoughtful questions throughout the session. Some students also brought in their own internship experiences at consulting and professional services firms, including PwC and KPMG, which further enriched the exchange. Meaningful questions were raised, including what the speakers wished they had known when they were fresh graduates, prompting valuable reflections on career planning, workplace expectations, and personal growth in the early stages of one’s professional journey.
Ms Leung shared candidly about her daily work life in a regional role overseeing APAC, where collaboration often takes place across different time zones. She also introduced students to the flexibility of her work arrangement, including a work-from-home policy, while highlighting the importance of communication, adaptability, and cross-cultural collaboration in a regional corporate environment.
Mr Tai spoke about his career path from working in prestigious consulting and financial institutions, including Accenture and HSBC, to founding his own start-up. His sharing offered students a contrasting perspective on different professional routes, from structured corporate and consulting environments to the fast-paced and dynamic nature of entrepreneurship. He also highlighted how consulting experience can build transferable skills that remain valuable across industries and career stages.
The lively discussion created a warm and energetic atmosphere, allowing students to gain insider knowledge about consulting, strategy, and start-up work while reflecting on how their Social Sciences training can be applied in professional settings. The speakers emphasised the value of critical thinking, research capability, communication, empathy, problem-solving, and commercial awareness, encouraging students to recognise the relevance of their academic learning beyond the classroom.
The Faculty extends its sincere appreciation to Ms Leung and Mr Tai for their generous sharing, as well as to all participating students for their active engagement and thoughtful questions. The Lunch and Learn series will continue to provide meaningful opportunities for students to connect with industry professionals, broaden their career horizons, and explore diverse pathways for future development.
To learn more about upcoming sessions, please click here to view the thematic schedule of The Dialogue Series.
