擁抱變化的能力

「有沒有想過九十多港元便可以在郵輪上，度過三日兩夜的波羅的海之旅？」這句話出自顧文傑多年前在本科新聞實習刊物《大學線》的文章，當時他在瑞典交流，趁機去旅行之餘，更撰文教讀者如何窮遊歐洲。他現在已是香格里拉酒店集團副總裁，本科的「窮遊」時光看似遙遠，但他憶述時仍然雀躍。他笑言當年交流選擇瑞典，皆因「不太喜歡跟大隊」，這個特質在他人生亦貫徹始終。

「通常父母都想你修讀比較傳統、所謂精英的學科，但我想另闢蹊徑、試試新的出路，然後發現新傳其實挺好玩，可以學多些不同東西，例如拍片、做廣告。」顧文傑解釋選擇本科的原因，而新傳亦不負所望，讓他自由探索不同可能，例如實習，「當時同學普遍選擇在新聞行業實習，但我覺得企業傳訊也是新傳學生的出路之一，結果我去了恆生銀行實習，其實本來沒有這個選項的，我為此寫信予時任恆生銀行傳訊部門高層張樹槐師兄爭取。」

顧文傑畢業後任職過不同公司，但工作都與數碼科技相關，他現時在集團領導數碼產品部門，職責之一是以手機應用程式幫助顧客在酒店享受到更好服務。他坦言工作與興趣有關，「我喜歡旅行，因此我覺得應用數碼科技去提升大家的旅遊體驗是很重要的，我對此很有熱誠。」

現時數碼化蔚然成風，但他在數碼科技還未成大勢之前就投身其中。不跟隨主流，難免無前車可鑑，他卻表示在新傳所學能助他應對職場挑戰，「在大學除了學習專業知識，解難技巧也很重要，特別是適應能力，當面對全新的領域，要用最快的速度去駕馭它，而新傳是培養個人靈活性的理想環境，正如我們做《大學線》，採訪一些立法會議員、重要人物，也是踏入一個不確定的情境，你如何臨場『執生』，老實說非常重要。」

如今他身處數碼化這個高速發展的行業，同樣要面對未知，「科技發展『今日不知明日事』，所以如果你培養到掌控不確定的能力，我相信對將來發展會大有裨益。」

簡介：
顧文傑，2010年香港中文大學新聞與傳播學院本科畢業，現為香格里拉酒店集團副總裁，主管數碼產品部門。

The Ability to Embrace Change

“Have you ever thought that for just over ninety Hong Kong dollars, you could spend three days and two nights cruising the Baltic Sea?” This question appeared in an article Daniel Koo wrote years ago for U-Beat Magazine, an undergraduate journalism publication. He was on exchange in Sweden, seizing every chance to travel—and even wrote guides to help readers backpack through Europe on a shoestring. Today, as Vice President of Shangri-La Hotel Group, his days of budget backpacking might seem like a distant memory, yet he still lights up when recalling them. He laughs when explaining his choice to study in Sweden: he “didn’t particularly like following the crowd” – a characteristic that has defined his entire career.

“Most parents want their children to pursue more traditional, so-called elite disciplines,” Koo explains, “but I wanted to carve out a different path and try something new. I discovered that journalism and communication was actually fascinating – you could learn so many different things, from filmmaking to advertising.” The field lived up to his expectations, giving him freedom to explore various possibilities, including unconventional internships. “Most of my classmates went for internships at news organizations, but I thought corporate communications was equally valid for journalism students. So I pursued an internship at Hang Seng Bank. The position didn’t even exist initially – I had to write directly to Walter Cheung, a senior executive in their communications department and fellow alumnus, to make my case.”

After graduation, Koo worked at various companies, all in digital technology roles. He currently heads the digital products department at Shangri-La, where he develops mobile applications to enhance the hotel experience for guests. His work aligns perfectly with his personal interests. “I love to travel, so using digital technology to improve people’s travel experiences feels incredibly meaningful. I’m genuinely passionate about it.”

While digitalization dominates today’s business landscape, Koo ventured into the field well before it became mainstream. Choosing an unconventional path meant having no roadmap to follow, but he credits his journalism education with preparing him for workplace challenges. “University isn’t just about acquiring knowledge – problem-solving skills matter enormously, especially adaptability. When you encounter completely unfamiliar territory, you need to master it quickly. Journalism provides an ideal environment for developing flexibility. Working on U-Beat Magazine, interviewing legislators and prominent figures – that meant stepping into unpredictable situations where thinking on your feet was absolutely crucial.”

Today, working in the rapidly evolving digital industry, he continues to face the unknown. “Technology is changing so fast that you truly don’t know what tomorrow will bring. If you can nurture the ability to handle uncertainty, I believe that will serve you incredibly well in whatever comes next.”

Profile:
Daniel Koo graduated from the School of Journalism and Communication at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2010 and currently serves as Vice President of Shangri-La Hotel Group, overseeing the digital products department.