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As someone who used to think I was an introvert, I wanted to challenge myself holistically. I envisioned myself becoming outspoken and influential, and I wanted to expose myself to front-end and creative fields. Today, I can say that I have successfully improved myself in these aspects through my academic studies.

Sunway University’s marketing programme contained subjects that constantly pushed me out of my comfort zone – training my presentation skills, managing teamwork as a team leader, grooming my social skills, and more. These were essential in preparing me for entering the working world. Most importantly, the programme changed my mindset and trained my critical thinking skills. The lecturers constantly encouraged us to think beyond the textbook theories and apply them to real-life scenarios. For example, one assignment required us to pick and write about our favourite brand. I visited Krispy Kreme at Sunway Pyramid, interviewed the staff, collected receipts, and observed customers to gain real-world insights instead of just Googling information. This experience trained my thinking and application skills through actual case studies.

As a marketing graduate, I initially pursued marketing jobs but eventually grew to love sales. This is because I wanted to challenge myself by developing negotiation and customer management skills. I believe both fields are interconnected and versatile. The most challenging moments for us youth are always deciding our career path and answering the question, "What do you want to do in life?" My biggest takeaway is to go out there, meet everyone, say yes to everything, and narrow the field later, filtering out what doesn’t suit us. We are all little tree trunks; every learning experience helps us grow our branches, shaping our characters and skills.

I rose from an executive role to assistant manager in a short period due to the recognition from employers of my hard work and their willingness to give me an opportunity. I realised that success and skill were beyond just the title of the role; the responsibilities and leadership opportunities encouraged me to push myself further.

I have learned that teaching others is a form of contributing to society. I enjoy sharing my past experiences and knowledge with juniors. Whether it’s soft or hard skills, I'm always willing and excited to share with those eager to learn, hoping to inspire them. Sharing is part of my growth, excelling in what I do and ultimately giving back to society.

Apart from critical thinking skills, I have learned to have an open mindset. There is no absolute answer to exam questions; it's about how creatively I can think of solutions from different angles. This is what the course taught me.

I have constantly reminded myself of this value. Whether in my marketing or sales roles, I have taken on extra projects to enrich myself. For instance, I have tried projects as an emcee/host, modelling, advancing my Excel skills, handling operations roles, and more. Equipping myself with A-Z functions whenever possible has widened my horizons and given me competitive advantages in the working world.

Besides the impressive and well-equipped facilities, the lecturers were always there for us as long as we were willing to put in the hard work. I prepared early and arranged sessions with my lecturers to gain more insights and guidance, ensuring a thorough understanding of my subjects. I loved how my relationships with my lecturers were always engaging and interactive. They were truly helpful and willing to share knowledge with us. Stepping into Sunway Business School was pivotal in my life; the programme, lecturers, and culture gave me confidence. I transformed from a low-confidence student who often failed papers in high school to becoming a First Class Honours, a Top Scholar in my course, and a valedictorian. The environment provided sufficient resources for my transformation. Many societies and clubs also allowed us to connect with working professionals, for which I'm genuinely thankful. I submitted articles to the Sunway University Marketing Society (SUMS) to express my marketing views, which was an excellent platform for sharing.

Apart from the great moments with the lecturers, I cherish the days spent in the library with my classmates. We would discuss and role-play in the study rooms, exchanging information and knowledge together. Learning together was the most exciting and fun part of my university life, and it will always be unforgettable.

Edited by
Arumugam Muthusamy
Sunway Business School 
Email: @email