Image

I began my journey as a Diploma in Performing Arts student at Sunway University and graduated in 2020 amidst the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. During the Movement Control Order (MCO), I started an e-commerce business on Shopee which eventually raised my curiosity about the field. This led me to explore the business programmes offered at Sunway University, where I found that the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Entrepreneurship programme appeals to me the most because it provides students with the opportunity to create their unique business plans.

This programme has equipped me with the business fundamentals of accounting, business law, marketing, finance, and other areas. Armed with this knowledge, we are encouraged to think creatively to identify a distinctive selling proposition that can support our business concept in the long term. During my final year project, I researched the wooden furniture market and discovered that most stores do not offer customisation or take weeks to months to fulfil orders. Thus, our group proposed partnering with a network of local carpenters and solid wood suppliers to offer customised services, which can be completed within 2 weeks. Of course, the process of turning an idea into a feasible business is not an easy procedure. We were tasked with weekly presentations where our concepts were challenged by both peers and lecturers, which enhanced our thought processes.

In my final year, I secured an internship position as a digital marketing intern at Paul Hype Page, a multinational company secretarial firm. Initially tasked with digital marketing responsibilities, my employer recognised my communication skills and ability to quickly grasp concepts of secretarial procedures through daily interactions. As a result, I was allowed to engage in consulting work with real clients. This led to short-term training at the company's Singapore headquarters, enriching my personal development.

Upon completing the internship, I was offered a position in the Malaysia office with a salary in Singapore dollars, a privilege extended only to me among the other interns. However, one of my proudest achievements was still the successful growth of my start-up company, VTEG Solid Wood which began from the entrepreneurship final year project. Through strategic initiatives and digital marketing skills, I achieved significant milestones such as securing B2B collaborators and becoming a preferred seller on Shopee. This accomplishment ultimately led me to decline the internship job offer to pursue the start-up.

The BENT programme at Sunway Business School (SBS) also instilled in me a sense of social responsibility by introducing the social context of entrepreneurship and community project courses. My group visited a refugee centre to organise a one-day activity and donate second-hand books. Even though our visit was short, seeing how grateful the children were for the little that we offered made a big impact on us. The social enterprise course also revealed how these organisations can fulfil social objectives while still generating their revenue stream. It was a valuable reminder for us to continuously give back to society while pursuing our business goals as future business leaders.

Thus, the BENT journey of developing an entrepreneurial mindset and skills is the key that truly benefits my career. Identifying market gaps, acknowledging potential business solutions, and then testing the prototypes were crucial. We learned valuable lessons in handling rejection, understanding the reasons behind it, and finding continuous ways to improve. Additionally, the concepts of market research, and understanding the preferences and demographics of the target consumers in the programme have laid a strong foundation for my entrepreneurial journey.

Apart from academics, my time at Sunway Business School has been enriched by various extracurricular activities and experiences. As a member of the Sunway Business School Student Concilium, I organised various events such as the T-shirt design competition, served as the emcee for the Student Orientation, and was the EXCO for the Million Invendify business pitching competition in collaboration with CPA Australia. Successfully hosting the grand finale at Jeffrey Cheah Hall boosted my confidence in my leadership abilities. In my third year, I was also given the invaluable opportunity to study at the London School of Economics - an immensely rewarding experience. Through diligent effort, I have achieved a place in the top 10% of students, earning an A+ among peers from prestigious universities worldwide. 

However, amidst all these experiences, the friendships I have built stand out the most. Whether we were facing tough deadlines or celebrating successes, the support of my peers made every moment special. These shared experiences, from classes to late-night study sessions, have left wonderful memories for me. From discovering my passion for entrepreneurship to gaining valuable friendship and experience, being a student at Sunway University greatly enriched my life.

You can visit Ng Joanna's LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ng-joanna-39b555220/

 Edited by
Arumugam Muthusamy
Sunway Business School 
Email: [email protected]