James Foo Kok Chye
Course: Bachelor of Business and Commerce, 2006 and Master of Communications and Media Studies, 2016
Nationality: Malaysian
Current role: Business Development Manager, Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad
How have your studies at Monash helped to prepare you for the working world?
I undertook my studies for the Master of Communications and Media Studies after several years of serving in various capacities in the banking and finance industry, including corporate communicator, economic analyst and business development manager. Whilst each of these functions requires different sets of skills, the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently was the common denominator and indeed, a crucial determinant for success in the workplace. My Master’s Degree exposed me to the theoretical frameworks underpinning communications in the real world, giving me new insights into how to communicate more effectively with people across all strata of society.
You first graduated with a degree in business and commerce. Why did you decide to pursue a Master’s in communication and media studies?
I have always been interested in good communication practices, especially after my tenure in a leading banking group’s public affairs team where I was exposed to event management, speechwriting, and the production of publications like newsletters, press releases and annual reports. This interest intensified as I continued to undertake communications-centric responsibilities in my career and church life.
Did you take the research route and if so, can you briefly share what your research was about?
Yes, my research was on crisis communications in the Malaysian aviation industry, effectively studying the crisis-communications efforts undertaken by Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia in response to the air tragedies that afflicted the two airlines in recent years. This research utilised textual analysis as its method, with public comments on both airlines’ official Facebook pages being analysed to arrive at a measure of their crisis response effectiveness.
How was your learning experience at Monash?
Challenging yet exciting, as I was exposed to new learning material and methods that enabled me to better appreciate different perspectives and ways of doing things.
Did you participate in any student activities or opportunities?
I was Chairperson of Meetings in the Monash University Student Council, Writer on the Monash University Editorial Board, and an Active Member of the Monash Business Club.
Do you have any advice for current Monash students?
Keep pressing on in whatever you do. It’s easy to entertain thoughts of giving up when the going gets tough, but nothing in life worth having comes easy. Your hard work, sacrifice and perseverance would not be for nought.