Have you ever attended the annual Education and Career Expo at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center? During my internship in the Correctional Services Department, I was a helper at the Career Expo this year. This is my first time being a helper at the Expo. Being a helper was quite interesting because I could work with people and dogs! Do you know the feeling of being a helper?

 

On 21 July and 22 July, I was a helper in the Correctional Services booth. The booth was divided into three main parts: submitting application forms and inquiries, all about Regional Response Team (RRT), dog units, and the smart prison. I was a helper in the dog unit, and I had to help others take photos with my furry partners (Left: Nick, Right: Gin).

 

Let me introduce Nick and Gin first. Nick was a five years old boy. It was an experienced dog that had participated in the Expo before. It was quiet and obedient. When people stroked it, it stood still. However, Gin, a one-year-old dog, was still being trained. It was like a kid who became energetic when he knew that people were affectionate.

 

 

The most challenging part was that Gin was too enthusiastic. When he saw people walking close to it, he would jump and even try to play with them. When I first stroked it, it jumped and kissed me. When many children came and saw it, it ran around and scared some kids away. Gin was strong and a bit uncontrollable. When it saw other dogs, such as two Labradors from the Custom and Excise Department, it tried to run and meet them! I sometimes was not strong enough to hold Gin. Thanks to the help from other dog unit staff, Gin could quickly calm down and behave appropriately.

 

Although there were obstacles, I learned a lot in the two days. Do you know that Correctional Services Department is hiring two types of staff: assistant officer II and officer. Candidates must pass all the physical fitness tests and Basic Law and National Security Law Test. Some assistant officers will be assigned to be members of the RRT and even promoted to officers. If you are a university graduate, you can apply for officers. Apart from the tests, you still have to pass the written tests and interviews.

 

In addition to the recruitment, I had known more about the duty of an assistant officer. Apart from supervising persons in custody, they still had to cooperate with colleagues to investigate crimes and improper behaviors. When the assistant officers noticed some prisoners were a little bit down or unsatisfied, they had to do counseling.

 

In conclusion, I realized that being a helper at the Expo was easier said than done. I was proud of the assistant officers because they had to deal with many things when working.

 

If you are interested in the Education and Career Expo, feel free to go to Exhibition Center next year!