Savani Jayasooriya
Name: Savani Jayasooriya
Age: 26 years
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Bachelor of Arts (Global) (2012)
Tell us briefly about your work or role in your current organisation.
In my current capacity as a Communication Analyst for International Finance Corporation (IFC) in South Asia, I support the day-to-day operations of the communications team in the region. I am the regional lead on key functions related to social media content strategy, internal and external website management, coordination and project management – especially for the region’s digital communications activities.
How has your study in Monash Malaysia helped to prepare you for the working world?
My life and experience in Monash didn’t only prepare me for my career and the working world, but also prepared me for life outside my career. The skills I gained throughout the years – especially through the interactions with fellow students from different countries, lecturers and so on and so forth, helped me not just earn a degree from a prestigious university but also a degree in people, social skills that I did not even sign up for.
While at Monash what type of opportunities did you participate in?
One of the best things that I had the opportunity to be a part of was the student exchange program. I had the privilege of studying abroad at Monash Clayton Campus in Australia where I got a glimpse of the student life and the activities over there. This definitely opened up to new opportunities in learning and exploring into different subject areas, helping me broaden my knowledge and my way of thinking.
When you were choosing a course and a university did you have a clear picture of your future (and if so what was it)?
I’ve always wanted to pursue a development related career. When my journey with Monash started with MUFY, I always had that perspective in mind, hence my choice in majoring in international relations. Choosing communications as my minor was a very wise decision too, as I ended up choosing more of a communication for development approach as my prime professional path.
I am undoubtedly grateful that I chose Monash. In terms of the curriculum, we were offered different subject areas that helped me widen my knowledge and my options. As an international relations student, I was able to explore subjects from global studies to anthropology to gender and a lot of contemporary subject matters, which I certainly enjoyed.
While at Monash, did you have any industry exposure/placements? How has it made a difference to your own life or the life of others around you? Did it consolidate what you have learned from your undergraduate course?
I did not have any industry exposure/placements per se while I was studying in Monash. However, as soon as I came back to Sri Lanka finishing my degree, within a few days I was employed as a Communications and a Knowledge Management Associate (Internship) in UNICEF Sri Lanka. This kicked off my now five-year career in communication for development, and I strongly believe that my degree and experience in Monash was a huge incentive for this.
What was it about Monash that made you select this university in the first place?
The name, recognition and credibility!
What do you love most about your student life at Monash?
Leaving your home and living in a totally different country, and having to do almost everything on your own definitely stirs up your life to a certain extent. But Monash eased all those feelings within a few days – thanks to the people who later became friends for life. One of the main things I love about Monash is the people – the vibrant student community you get to know throughout the years makes your student life easy and enjoyable. Going with Monash’s ethos – “Ancora Imparo”, I can definitely say that life in Monash was always a new and learning experience. As I mentioned before, we did not just earn a degree from a world-renowned university, but also a degree in moving forward in life!