Alco So
BA (Hons) Sociology, 2015
MSc Business Management with Digital Management, 2023
Hong Kong
My jobs have benefitted from some of the modules I studied at UWE, as they helped me to tailor the consumer needs to relevant societal factors.”
It had always been my dream to become a psychologist, but during my A-Levels my tutor, a UWE graduate, introduced me to sociology. The mix of economics, social theory and psychology appealed to me, and I realised sociology offered broader opportunities. My personal statement reflected how my interest grew from a multicultural upbringing, having lived in both Eastern and Western countries, and my desire to explore cultural theory and social identity. I was thrilled to receive five UCAS offers and chose UWE for my undergraduate degree.
Bristol immediately felt right. My connection began with a school trip to Bristol Cathedral, whose Gothic architecture left a lasting impression, later becoming the site of my graduation. The city’s diversity, accessibility and transport links made it ideal for study and personal growth. As the only Asian student in my sociology class, I stood out but also felt a strong sense of belonging. Over time, Bristol’s Asian community grew, with Hongkongers and British-born Chinese enriching the city’s cultural life through businesses and networks.
I greatly valued UWE’s teaching style. Lecturers were approachable and encouraged discussion beyond the classroom. Blackboard provided useful resources and peer support, while seminars and tutorials fostered collaboration. In my final year, I completed a TEFL course and joined a placement project linked to Bristol Green Capital, working with the University of Bristol and the Fair-TradeNetwork. This exposed me to professionals across sectors and became a highlight of my studies.
After graduation, I worked for an international luxury firm in London before moving to Hong Kong to join the luxury watch industry. I now specialise in business development and brand building for a distribution company representing independent Swiss watch brands across the Asia-Pacific region. My role has included hosting press conferences with international journalists at major events such as Watches and Wonders and Baselworld in Switzerland.
Though my career path may seem distant from sociology, my studies at UWE have been invaluable. Sociology sharpened my understanding of consumer behaviour, social trends and cultural influences, skills essential in luxury marketing and business development. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the rapid shift to digital strategies deepened my interest in technology, CRM systems and digital transformation within traditional luxury industries.
This inspired me to return to UWE for an MSc in Business with Digital Management. I am particularly interested in leadership, digital systems and customer relationship management, which will enable me to contribute innovative strategies to my company. Returning to the UK also allows me to reconnect with friends and family while beginning an exciting new chapter in both personal and professional development.
