“It's all about communications.”
Janet, the '2024 Marketing Graduates of the Year' awardee, has charted an impressive path in her academic pursuit at HKMU. With a passion for storytelling and building connections, she has adeptly transitioned her marketing skills into internal communications. Janet is poised to drive strategic campaigns that align employees with the company's vision, creating a positive impact both within the organisation and beyond.

Q: What led you to take a Business Degree at HKMU?
A: I love exploring different cultures and connecting with individuals from around the globe, and I believe understanding diverse perspectives is crucial in today's interconnected world. Choosing to study Global Business and Marketing at HKMU, I could dive into the global business scene and learn how to influence business decisions effectively, which is essential for conveying and launching my ideas.

Q: How do you feel being awarded 'Marketing Graduate of the Year'?
A: Being awarded 'the Marketing Graduate of the Year' by the Hong Kong Institute of Marketing is an incredible honor. The award recognises my academic performance, internship experiences and personal growth at university. I owe a heartfelt thank you to my professors, tutors, family, and friends for their unwavering support throughout my learning journey. In particular, I would like to thank Ms Katherine Wong for nominating me for the award and for her invaluable support along the way. She helped me build my confidence and develop my strategic thinking and presentation skills, turning my weaknesses into strengths.

Q: How do you see the skills or knowledge gained from MUBA?
A: The emphasis on people skills was incredibly valuable. We always had group presentations and business case pitches, and I learned to empathise with diverse perspectives, which is key for connecting with audiences and becoming a compelling storyteller. HKMU provided great resources to help us improve our presentation techniques. For instance, using Moodie.ai, an AI communication and presentation training platform, I practised various scenarios and received instant feedback on my pronunciation, intonation, pacing, facial expressions, etc.

I also found the assignments practical and relevant, particularly the real case studies that bridged the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world applications. I analysed real-world examples, which helped me understand how successful brands implement effective marketing strategies, giving me a holistic understanding of business dynamics. Through simulating bidding cases, I explored different bidding strategies and gained hands-on experience in decision-making processes, further connecting classroom learning to practical challenges. These exposures were essential in helping me adapt to the corporate world. Plus, I enhanced my technical skills in digital marketing, such as media design, video editing, and 3D mock-up creation via hands-on multi-media projects.

Q: What opportunities did you have at MUBA that helped you get where you are today?
A: Overseas Study Tour
One of the most unforgettable chapters of my university life was participating in an overseas study tour at the University of British Columbia, Canada. During this time, I collaborated with students from various countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, India, Germany and Australia. It really opened my eyes to different working styles and perspectives. My German groupmate often said, 'Be chill and relax' whenever we came across challenging situations. That stuck with me, and I still embrace that mindset when navigating new challenges today.

Internship
The School provided robust support in helping us secure diverse internship opportunities across various industries, enabling me to gain practical experience essential for growing in the marketing field. During my time at HKMU, I had opportunities to work as a student auditor at a local auditing firm and as a student recruitment researcher at a Singapore-based HR start-up. These roles were quite different – the first one focused more on data handling and financial reporting. The second one involved engaging with people and pitching job opportunities to potential candidates. Despite their differences, both positions provided me with hands-on experiences that strengthened my skills in market analysis and customer engagement, gave me valuable insights into both the analytical and human aspects of the business world, and equipped me with the practical tools needed to excel in marketing.

Q: What are your career goals?
A: Currently, I work in an internal communication role at an MNC, focusing on launching and optimising campaigns that align employees with the company's brand vision and drive meaningful engagement. In the next five years, I aim to expand my network and deepen my expertise in marketing to create innovative communication strategies that drive measurable impact both within the company and beyond.

Q: What advice would you give to our freshmen to work towards their goals and ambitions?
A: My advice is to be bold and creative in expressing your ideas. Do not be afraid to engage in discussions and debates; they can provide new insights that enhance your pitches and strategies.