【Extraordinary Business School Alumni】Artiste Heidi Chu (IBBA 1999) Carving a Unique Path as an Emcee
Over the course of its six-decade history, the CUHK Business School has guided over 40,000 graduates on their academic journeys. While many have ventured into the business world and found success, others have taken intriguing paths into fields you might never have expected. In the inaugural episode of the “Extraordinary Business School Alumni” series, we are delighted to introduce Heidi Chu . How did this 1999 graduate of the IBBA programme rise to the title of Miss Hong Kong? And how did she leverage her business background to craft an extraordinary career as a professional emcee? Let’s watch the video to uncover her fascinating journey.
Heidi was an arts student during her secondary school years, but she made a deliberate choice to enrol in CUHK’s IBBA programme to expand her prospects. Her recollections of the people and experiences she encountered during her three years at the university remain vivid and cherished. Long before she became Miss Hong Kong, Heidi had already been crowned Miss BA. “At that time, the competition was organised by the Faculty of Business Administration. Each college was to send a female student, and I represented the UC (United College). However, that was not a beauty pageant, but rather a test of everyone’s reactions and on-the-spot communication skills,” said Heidi with a smile.
Heidi was elected Miss BA during her university days.
When asked about her adherence to the “five must-dos in university” (studying/ skipping class, doing part-time jobs, joining student societies, dating, and living in dormitories), Heidi shared that she had managed four out of five, with the exception of residing in a dormitory. During her university years, she had a boyfriend who happened to be a fellow student at CUHK. Described herself as generally well-behaved, she emphasised that skipping classes only happened occasionally.
The Vibrant University Life
Heidi’s vibrant university life served as a valuable foundation for her professional endeavours after graduation. She noted that the Business School’s comprehensive education provided graduates with a significant competitive edge. By the time she completed her studies, she had already received four to five job offers, including a few management trainee positions. Heidi embarked on her career as an IT project officer at a quasi-governmental organisation and later transitioned to a role at an online media company where she assumed responsibilities related to public relations and marketing.
Heidi jokingly mentioned that she decided to sign up for the Miss Hong Kong Pageant because the application form was essentially the same as her regular job applications, except for the additional requirement of providing her body measurements.
As for Heidi’s involvement with the Miss Hong Kong Pageant, she said it all happened by chance. “A friend handed me an application form for Miss Hong Kong, and it looked similar to those I used for management traineeships. The only difference was that it required my body measurements. So I thought I’d give it a shot.” Heidi finished as the second runner-up in the 2001 Miss Hong Kong Pageant and went on to become an artiste in the entertainment industry. “But I promised my mum that after working for five or six years, I would study for a master’s degree. That is why I returned to CUHK to pursue a master’s degree in corporate communication.”
Heidi noted that during her university days, she frequently engaged in giving presentations, and this valuable experience served as the foundation for her career as an emcee.
From Miss Hong Kong to a Professional Emcee
To stand out in the entertainment industry, it takes more than just luck – having a clear and distinct positioning is crucial for success. Heidi expressed her gratitude to TVB for kick-starting her journey into emceeship and entrusting her with various programme hosting opportunities. She has become a familiar face at prominent events such as the Lunar New Year Fireworks Display, the Beijing Olympics, and TVB’s Awards Ceremonies. Heidi acknowledged that being an emcee and host aligns well with her personality. “During my university years, I had the opportunity to deliver numerous presentations. While some of my classmates were skilled at researching and gathering information, my strength lied in delivering engaging speeches. It was through these presentation experiences that I developed a solid foundation for pursuing a career as an emcee.”
Heidi’s background in business, stemming from her education, has helped her develop a professional emcee image. Numerous organisations have sought her help to host their IPO events, results announcements and product launches. Heidi believes that her reputation as a highly educated artiste has helped her gain the trust of many business clients. Her Business School education has also equipped her with an understanding of business operations and requirements, which has further elevated her performance in her emcee roles.
Heidi Chu Shares the Secret to a Fast-Charge: Power Naps
The ability to present one’s best self is crucial, whether as an artiste or an emcee. Heidi shared her daily routine for “recharging”, which includes taking power naps. She has mastered the art of maintaining an energetic and vibrant appearance on camera with just a 15-minute power nap.
Heidi revealed that she takes power naps to recharge her batteries and keep herself energetic in front of cameras.
According to a NASA study cited by the BBC, a 26-minute nap can enhance work performance by 34% and increase alertness by 54%. On the other hand, research from the Sleep Research Council in the UK suggests that the ideal nap duration is around 15 minutes. This is because if one sleeps for longer, especially beyond 20 minutes, they may enter a deeper sleep phase and wake up feeling groggier.
“I recall preparing for a public exam in secondary school and beginning to study at night. Whenever I felt sleepy, I would take a power nap. I have kept this practice till this day.” She described herself as someone who can easily doze off and explained that when her work becomes particularly demanding, she sets an alarm for a quick power nap. Interestingly, her daughter has also adopted this effective practice.