Edmund Ho studies accountancy and information management at the City University of Hong Kong College of Business (Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China). He serves as the internal secretary of City University’s ISACA® Student Group (ISG), which is affiliated with ISACA’s China–Hong Kong chapter and ISACA Global. Ho first connected with ISACA in his second year of study through the ISACA Case Competition jointly organized by the ISGs in Hong Kong. “Although I didn’t make it to the final round, I developed an interest in IT risk management and consulting,” he said. “I felt like ISACA’s global presence and variety of professions would be a great platform for me to develop my career and expand my professional network.”
In addition to growing his technical knowledge, Ho has developed his communication, project management and leadership skills by planning and participating in events with fellow students and members of the ISACA China Hong Kong Chapter. One of the events Ho found most meaningful was a recent webinar on the topic of the Certified Information Systems Auditor® (CISA®) exam, in which he facilitated a panel discussion with 3 recent graduates who have passed the CISA exam or received their CISA certification. The panel shared exam preparation and study tips and discussed how passing the CISA exam has positively impacted their careers. “The experiences I had enabled me to become a well-rounded business student, and I believe these skills will be beneficial and applicable in the workplace upon graduation,” Ho said.
As an ISG member studying during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ho has encountered challenges with managing his time and securing post-graduation employment. But allocating leadership duties among board members and working together on group projects has given him a new appreciation for time-saving group tasks. “Sharing leadership roles and collaborating with talented students has helped me make the best use of my time. I can focus on academic study and still have time for other extracurricular activities, internships and case competitions,” Ho said. Similarly, relationships he has built with professional ISACA members through the ISG’s Big 4 Alumni Sharing and other networking events have empowered Ho to make the most of his job search during a challenging time. Aided by the knowledge, experience and relationships he has built through the ISG, he received an offer from Citibank Commercial Banking.
ISGs are organizations at college campuses that discuss ISACA-related content and are affiliated with their local chapter and ISACA® Global. This is the first of a quarterly series of articles featuring student leaders from more than 120 ISGs around the world. To nominate an ISG student leader to be featured, please contact Dana Becker dbecker@isaca.org.