Profiles in Success  Submit a Profile In-depth looks at life after J-School. Class Notes  Submit a Class Note Shorter updates and recent alumni photos. Sort by Decade Sort by Name/Emphasis Show All 2000-Present 1990-1999 1980-1989 1970-1979 1960-1969 1950-1959 1940-1949 1930-1939 1920-1929 Show All: List by Last Name Graduate Degree Magazine Newspaper Photojournalism Radio-Television Strategic Communication Sort by Decade More Alumni Resources 2000-Present 1990-1999 1980-1989 1970-1979 1960-1969 1950-1959 1940-1949 1930-1939 1920-1929 @mizzou For All We Call Mizzou Mizzou Alumni Association MizzouNet

What do you do? And what is most interesting about it?
My job covers a wide range of press and public affairs work for the U.S. Embassy/U.S. government in my country. I liaise with Malaysian and international media, press secretaries in the Malaysian government, and Malaysian government agencies that monitor the press. I work closely in providing background information on media and news to the Press Attaché and Public Affairs Attaché. At the same time I provide press support for any outreach event by the various agencies and sections within the Embassy. (We have sections that promote business and industry, education exchange, military cooperation, etc.) The most interesting aspect of my job is the diversity of people, places and challenges of each particular project. I've met high level government officials in both the U.S. and Malaysian government. I've traveled to various places in my country - probably something I wouldn't get to do as much on my own time. Of course the opportunity to meet other "local" staff working at U.S. embassies around the world has been fantastic as I learn more about their countries and generally understand the world's perception of the U.S. - through U.S. foreign policies.

How did you get your job?
I left a job as a journalist and was between jobs when I answered an ad in the newspaper. At that time there was no mention which embassy was hiring so it was a surprise to be contacted by the Personnel Department of the largest foreign mission in Kuala Lumpur.

Best professional lesson learned at the J-School?
Adaptability. I went to school with such a diverse group of people - all kinds of backgrounds, races and nationalities. I learned so much about getting along with people just by hanging out with friends and acquaintances, having discussions in and out of class. The professors and teachers I met along the way (not just in J-School) encouraged this attitude, and I've always felt that my time in school was a boon not just to my paper qualification but also to my life and work skills.

What would be your best advice to current student?
I would tell them not to be confined to what feels comfortable. I was out of my country for four years, and had to learn to make myself feel comfortable with people from different cultures and backgrounds. For many foreign students, that becomes an essential skill because we usually come prepared for learning and adapting to the U.S. It would help any student to view university life as a foreign land altogether, and not to fight the differences but to have an attitude open to accepting the challenges they will face. Professionally, the more people they meet and get to know, the more it will benefit them in the future. Many of the friends with whom I maintain contact, are in different areas in their field or are now pursuing other careers. The good thing about being a J-School grad is that many of my friends are from different countries, and we have set up a good network that is useful support professionally as well as socially. The Missouri Mafia has a long reach!

What are you working on currently?
As part of the Public Affairs Office at the Embassy, I have several projects on-going. As my target audience is Malaysian citizens, I work on outreach programs with other sections of the Embassy. Currently, I'm working on outreach for U.S. visa issues as there have been new requirements for travelers to the U.S.; a project on food exports to the U.S. and issues of health security; as well as renewing press contacts for next year.

What are your next career steps?
For the next couple of years, I plan to continue working at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, but I do look forward to a career that will allow me more time for my family.

What do you consider to be your greatest professional achievement?
I don't believe that I've achieved that much in my past or current jobs to consider a particular event to be my greatest professional achievement. I'm still seeking that right balance of work and personal satisfaction, and I'm happy to continue my "education" until I get there.

What skill would you most like to have?
I would like to be more athletic and sports oriented. I participated a lot in "cheering and supporting" but was not motivated enough and too shy to enjoy sports for fun and competition. Now that there is less time for sporting activities, I do think that I should have been more active so it would be part of my life and not become such a trial in body coordination, or even a chore to find the time to enjoy sports!