Career prospects
Since many Hong Kong students are not familiar with Cognitive Science, it is natural for some applicants to be worried about their career prospects if they choose to study in this programme.
Cognitive Science provides an excellent foundation for a wide variety of careers. Our students have been successful in securing jobs in education, business, sales and marketing, management, the service industries, and IT and technology-related areas.
General occupations
One of the most exciting aspects of Cognitive Science is its interdisciplinary nature. That is, it combines (and requires the knowledge of) many different but more traditional disciplines. Students of Cognitive Science are therefore well trained to have a good ability to manage vastly different streams of knowledge and skills in analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of different theories or approaches. In the modern job market, graduates are expected to be able to solve problems and master new areas of knowledge quickly. Studying in Cognitive Science provides exactly the training needed.
It should also be pointed out that many occupations require a good deal of understanding of human psychology. Good advertising and marketing campaigns require a deep understanding of consumer psychology. Government policies should take into account how people are likely to make decisions. Effective education and communication have to consider how human beings learn and interpret information. Human resource management likewise can be improved given knowledge of the motivational structures of people. Knowledge of Cognitive Science is likely to be of practical importance in any successful career in the long run.
Further studies and research
The BCogSc programme in Hong Kong provides a multi-disciplinary training into the study of the human mind. Many students became very interested in the area and decided to pursue further research in psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, or related fields.
All students in the programme are required to complete a research thesis. This provides a very valuable training for research and independent learning. Many students have continued their studies in Hong Kong. Many have also obtained scholarships and studentships at prestigious overseas universities, such as Oxford.
A background in Cognitive Science can also be very helpful to those who want to pursue other professional goals, e.g., to be a clinical psychologist or an educational psychologist. Training in understanding how the mind works, combined with strong methodological, analytical, and computer skills is also a good preparation for just about any career path, as we move further in the 21st century.
Information technology
In Cognitive Science, we examine how the brain functions as a computer in carrying out complicated tasks. Computer simulations are used to test theories as well as being crucial components of experiments.
Knowledge of Cognitive Science is particularly relevant to a career in IT. Issues such as computer-human interface design, artificial intelligence, knowledge database and information services management are all related to questions about how the brain stores and uses information.
Some statistics
Employment statistics for our graduates vary year by year. Here is the data for a typical year:
If you want more information about employment statistics, please visit HKU's Centre of Development, Careers and Placement
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