Aaron Hobday

University Counsellor at Singapore International School (Hong Kong)
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Contact Information
us****@****om
(386) 825-5501
Location
Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, HK
Languages
  • English Native or bilingual proficiency
  • Russian Native or bilingual proficiency
  • Chinese (Mandarin) Full professional proficiency
  • French Limited working proficiency
  • Polish Limited working proficiency
  • Cantonese Elementary proficiency

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5.0

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Rafael Peters

Aaron sets himself and achieves very high standards of professionalism and has an unfailing drive to secure excellent public relations with agents, colleagues, and students alike. He prides himself in his collaborative, teamworking spirit, and usually exceeds stakeholder expectations on all fronts. Students and parents at the UKs number 1 ranked school can be exceptionally demanding, and through patient and diplomatic negotiation, combined with a strong sense of fair play and good nature, Aaron succeeds in resolving the trickiest of issues on behalf of the school. Aaron is unstinting in his commitment to his work, and routinely makes himself available from early morning to late evening, and from home at weekends. Aaron and his team have performed amicably throughout what has been a very challenging period. This year we had one of the school’s key agent partners contact us of their own accord with a very complementary review of Aaron’s character and work ethic over the past 2 years. This is the first personal accolade we have ever received at the college, something Aaron is thoroughly deserving of. With over a decade of experience at senior level within higher and secondary education, Aaron posses a wealth of knowledge and experience that marks him as an expert in his field. In summary, Aaron is trustworthy, diligent and reliable, and I believe he will be an asset to any company looking for expertise in their sales, admissions or even guidance counselling department.

Brendon Kenny

Aaron is one the most exceptional sales and recruitment professionals I have ever had the good fortune to work with. His commitment to his customers, his product knowledge, market expertise and brand advocacy is second to none. He quickly builds trust and rapport because he knows his stuff - he's so genuine, he never, ever resorts to 8ull$h!t - he's incredibly personable but always a consumnate professional. The depth of Aaron's customer understanding and the insights he builds and shares with colleagues doesn't just equip him to be exceptional in his role, but inspires others to become much better in their roles too. I am proud to say that includes me, as during the time we worked together at Study Group Aaron's open, collaborative and supportive approach was integral to my own success. I'm always astounded at the speed at which Aaron operates and the breadth of skills he has - he's a very talented guy. Already multi-lingual, he now seems able to pick up additional languages on the hoof... which means that there's very few people in the world immune to his charisma! I know I'm not the only one to be convinced that he's a borderline genius and as such, will be a credit to any employer who's lucky enough to recruit him.

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Credentials

  • Introduction to College Admissions
    UCLA Extension
    Feb, 2023
    - Oct, 2024
  • Child Protection for International Schools
    Tes
    Nov, 2022
    - Oct, 2024
  • UK Agent and Counsellor Training Award
    British Council
    Mar, 2023
    - Oct, 2024

Experience

    • Hong Kong
    • Primary and Secondary Education
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • University Counsellor
      • Aug 2022 - Present

      Working as part of the university guidance and counselling team at Singapore International School (Hong Kong). Our students apply to destinations such as the US, Canada, U.K., Europe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australasia. Working as part of the university guidance and counselling team at Singapore International School (Hong Kong). Our students apply to destinations such as the US, Canada, U.K., Europe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australasia.

    • Hong Kong
    • E-Learning Providers
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Head of Careers, Planning and Academic Strategy (CPAS)
      • Nov 2020 - Present

      Freelance position providing guidance counselling to students and parents interested in applying to UK and EU schools and universities. Freelance position providing guidance counselling to students and parents interested in applying to UK and EU schools and universities.

    • United Kingdom
    • Education Management
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Senior Regional Sales and Admissions Manager, Oxford International College (Asia)
      • Apr 2021 - May 2022

      Working at Oxford International CollegeResponsible for admissions, guidance and counselling in the Asia region, recruiting students for Oxford International College’s GCSE and A level programmes, as well as short courses, revision and summer programmes.

    • Regional Sales and Admissions Manager (Asia)
      • Feb 2020 - Mar 2021

      At Oxford International College (OIC) responsible for admissions in the Asia region, recruiting students for Oxford International College online short courses (GCSE/A level revision, Oxbridge and G5 University Prep courses), as well as the flagship GCSE and A level programmes at the UK’s number one boarding school (2019-2021). Guiding parents and students with their career and university choices.

    • United Kingdom
    • Higher Education
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Asia Recruitment Manager, Strategic Launch Team
      • Mar 2018 - Jan 2020

      Part of the Strategic Launch Team, in a business development and sales role, recruiting international students into the pathway programmes of the University of Aberdeen, the University of Sheffield, the University of Surrey, Cardiff University, Lancaster University and Durham University. Focussing on the Asian markets of Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong & Macau, and Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines.

    • Asia Recruitment Manager, University of Sheffield International College
      • Aug 2014 - Mar 2018

      Responsible for launching the new partnership and driving student numbers in China and the NSSA (North Asia, South East, South Asia and ANZ) region to the University of Sheffield International College• Organised Sheffield International College launch events in key cities across Asia• Managing and supporting the regional office teams across the Asia region• Innovating ideas and solutions to improve student progression and conversion• Giving regular presentations in Mandarin to parents, students and agents for training• Worked on developing online staff training modules for sales and recruitment use• Sourcing new agent partners and school feeder units• Recruiting to meet high financial targets Show less

    • United Kingdom
    • Education Administration Programs
    • 500 - 600 Employee
    • UK Regional Project Manager (South and West China)
      • Sep 2013 - Aug 2014

      Working as part of the INTO Guangzhou team to promote recruitment to all INTO UK partner institutes and centres. • Responsible for all INTO UK university partnerships in south and west China • Attending recruitment and marketing events, responsible for supporting and overseeing agent partner activities with extensive travel (50%) in the south and west China region • Conducting sales and marketing pitches in Mandarin • Building strong relationships with both local and national agent partners • Giving regular presentations in Mandarin to parents, students and agents for training • Overseeing the application process to ensure fast and correct responses to students. • Sourcing new agent partners Show less

    • Australia
    • Hospitality
    • 100 - 200 Employee
    • International Student Recruitment, Marketing and Admissions Manager (Maternity Cover)
      • Oct 2012 - Sep 2013

      Providing maternity cover, working as the Russian/Chinese/English speaking Marketing, International Student Recruitment and Admissions Manager. Also worked as a 'Teaching English for Academic Purposes' Teacher Providing maternity cover, working as the Russian/Chinese/English speaking Marketing, International Student Recruitment and Admissions Manager. Also worked as a 'Teaching English for Academic Purposes' Teacher

    • Key Client Manager & Marketing Officer
      • May 2012 - Oct 2012

      Key Client Manager and Marketing Officer promoting all of the UK Universities, and specialising in building stronger links with the University of Manchester, Cardiff University, the University of Kent, the University of Essex and Keele University. Also involved in marketing UK higher education institutions both at education recruitment fairs and via 'webinars', Experience using Chinese online social media marketing using Weibo, QQ, Renren and youku. Key Client Manager and Marketing Officer promoting all of the UK Universities, and specialising in building stronger links with the University of Manchester, Cardiff University, the University of Kent, the University of Essex and Keele University. Also involved in marketing UK higher education institutions both at education recruitment fairs and via 'webinars', Experience using Chinese online social media marketing using Weibo, QQ, Renren and youku.

    • United Kingdom
    • Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • International Office Admin Clerk
      • Mar 2012 - May 2012

      I was responsible for dealing with the emails coming into the international office, giving advice to international students regarding their application to the University of Manchester and supporting the International Officers with their clerical duties. I was then promoted at the international office, and whilst studying for my finals at university, I supervised the international office call centre, calling China, Malaysia, Nigeria, Russia and other countries. Here I was using Mandarin and Russian to speak with prospective students of the university who were based in China, Russia/CIS and Central Asia. Show less

    • Translator
      • May 2011 - May 2012

      Working remotely as the translator for the Moscow based real estate company Slavyanski Dvor. • Single-handedly translated their website: http://en.slrealty.ru/ Working remotely as the translator for the Moscow based real estate company Slavyanski Dvor. • Single-handedly translated their website: http://en.slrealty.ru/

    • Switzerland
    • Education Administration Programs
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Language Trainer (Summer Position)
      • Apr 2011 - Jul 2011

      Working as an English and Russian teacher planning courses for corporate companies. • Producing tailor made courses and language learning materials for corporate clients such as Knight Frank, Bank Zenit, Estee Lauder, GFK Russia, SAP, Renault and Metro Cash and Carry. Working as an English and Russian teacher planning courses for corporate companies. • Producing tailor made courses and language learning materials for corporate clients such as Knight Frank, Bank Zenit, Estee Lauder, GFK Russia, SAP, Renault and Metro Cash and Carry.

    • Italy
    • Technology, Information and Internet
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Intern
      • Apr 2007 - May 2007

      My role involved working as part of a team as well as on an individual basis. My work included: • Scheduling interviews and flights for BBC staff. • Performing background research on topical issues • Proof reading and translating interviews. • Researching the impact of the ex-president Yeltsin’s death and contributing to articles written regarding the cellist Rostropovich amongst other topical issues. My role involved working as part of a team as well as on an individual basis. My work included: • Scheduling interviews and flights for BBC staff. • Performing background research on topical issues • Proof reading and translating interviews. • Researching the impact of the ex-president Yeltsin’s death and contributing to articles written regarding the cellist Rostropovich amongst other topical issues.

Education

  • The University of Manchester
    Chinese and Russian Studies, BA (Hons) Chinese and Russian (Distinction)
    2007 - 2012
  • Hebei University
    Chinese Language
    2009 - 2010
  • Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU)
    2005 - 2007

Community

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