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We had the pleasure of inviting 4 outstanding alumni and undergraduate speakers to share their expertise on Marketing and Leadership & Human Capital Management with our students. We obtained valuable insights from Syazwan Bin Juma’at, Senior Analyst specialising in HR Data Management at Johnson & Johnson, Mok Jun Qian, Management Associate at NUS, Joel Sim, Marketing and Leadership & Human Capital Management student, as well as Tracy Tan, double specialising in Marketing and Business Analytics.
Syazwan Bin Juma’at: Importance of Human Capital work
Syazwan Bin Juma’at shared his journey in Leadership & Human Capital Management, from being a founding member of NUS Human Capital Society (HCS) to taking on multiple roles at Johnson & Johnson. His rich experience in this field provided him with unique insights into the significance of human capital work. He emphasised the evolving and crucial role of HR in organisations, stressing that going beyond administrative tasks, HR plays a pivotal role in effective leadership and human capital management, which are key factors that drive organisational impact and growth. He advised that “Curiosity is key, knowledge is power, application is crucial”.
Mok Jun Qian: Embrace interdisciplinary
Mok Jun Qian’s internship and full-time experiences spanned various industries, exposing her to both Marketing and HR functions, where she was able to discover her passion for people development in the rotation of roles. She highlighted the importance of taking an interdisciplinary approach in Marketing and HR since they are often complementary, and leveraging workshops and career fairs to build experience. She also addressed common misconceptions about marketing and HR, emphasising that both fields offer versatile skill sets and are more than just ”fluff” or hiring. For those considering a career in Marketing or Leadership & Human Capital Management, she highlighted the promising career prospects, given that these roles are needed by almost every industry, noting that the soft skills acquired such as problem solving and analytical skills are transferable to other jobs as well.
Joel Sim: Navigating career choices
Joel Sim shared tips on how to discover the specialisation of your choice with his own experiences. Initially uncertain about which specialisation to pursue, his internships as well as experiences in MINT, planning mentorships and client projects has equipped him with the relevant hard and soft skills, helping him clarify his career direction. Enjoying data-based systematic approach and ever-changing fresh ideas, he decided to pursue further in marketing. He encouraged students to “start small” and be bold, actively stepping out of one’s comfort zone to take on unfamiliar tasks, emphasising the value of being earnest and true to yourself and those around you.
Tracy Tan: “Being relaxed is the best confidence!”
Initially double majoring in Marketing and Psychology, Tracy Tan shifted from Psychology to a Business Analytics specialisation, emphasising the importance of aligning one’s studies with personal interests and career goals. She encouraged students to plan their courses and exchange programmes early, highlighting how exchange experiences provided new learning perspectives. Her internship experiences played a key role in shaping her career path, where she sought for related experiences in the beauty and luxury industry as she knew this is where her interest lies. She emphasised the importance of gaining relevant experience, even in related industries or smaller companies so as to build a foundation for entering the industry of interest. A useful tip from her: “Being relaxed is the best confidence!”
Across the board, the speakers offered the following advice:
Start early and plan
Be it course planning, exchange preparation or seeking internships, beginning early ensures that you make the most out of your time in university.
Soft skills are important
While technical knowledge and academic qualifications are important, soft skills such as communication, problem-solving and adaptability are equally valuable in the professional world.
Don’t be afraid to try
Trying new roles, industries, or tasks, even if they seem outside your comfort zone, can provide valuable learning experiences.
Value of networking
Regularly engaging with your network, attending career events, and seeking advice from alumni can open doors and provide insights to help you make informed career decisions.
The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, where students engaged with the speakers and asked thoughtful questions. It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn directly from professionals who have successfully navigated their own career journeys.
The event was an impactful one that exposed students to potential careers in these fields, through the unique insights of the speakers, who covered a wide range of topics, from the specifics of marketing roles to what human capital management entails. Their discussions offered practical advice on finding our way in the job market and strategies for acing internship applications—insights that are incredibly helpful for our students as they plan their career paths. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Syazwan, Jun Qian, Joel, and Tracy for sharing your time and expertise!
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