Maxine Lim Jen Ai
Course: Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Communications & International Relations), 2008
Nationality: Malaysian
Current role: Communications Manager, Nestlé (Switzerland)
Please tell us about your role in your current organisation.
I’ve recently taken on the role of Corporate Communications Manager with Nestlé for Zone Asia, Oceania and Africa. It’s an exciting, highly complex and dynamic region, covering 113 countries from Africa and the Middle East on one side to Papua New Guinea on the other.
My role involves providing counsel and guidance especially to the Corporate Communications teams across our Markets on our company’s business strategy and priorities including on products and brands, health and nutrition, as well as on sustainability in our journey to regeneration.
How have your studies at Monash helped to prepare you for the working world?
I would say that Monash graduates are quite highly regarded and highly sought after in the working world. Coming from a reputable institute of higher learning from Monash does open more doors for qualified fresh graduates.
Coming from the School of Arts and Social Sciences, the course and lecturers have been instrumental in encouraging us to develop critical thinking, form our own opinions and not be afraid to share our thoughts and question the status quo. These especially are good qualities that employers look for when recruiting fresh graduates.
While at Monash what type of opportunities did you participate in?
All very 'writerly' activities. I was involved in the Monash Communications Students Association as well as the Monash University Student Magazine. I also had the great opportunity to be part of the School of Arts study trip to the Philippines and Cambodia, which were extremely eye-opening experiences.
When you were choosing a course and a university did you have a clear picture of your future (and if so what was it)?
Not at all! Can’t say I do even now. All I knew was that even as a science-stream student, I did not want to be stuck in a lab doing experiments or crunching numbers in reports. I knew having a Bachelor of Arts would give me a breadth of different opportunities within the media & communications field to consider, and well, no regrets!
If you didn’t have a clear picture of your future, was there a moment at Monash that made you change the direction you would like to take in life?
Students and especially parents are always caught up in the notion of taking a course that maximises your job opportunities in the future. At the end of the day, I find it infinitely more important to study something you love and excel in it. If you’re keen on a corporate career, unless it is a professional degree, most corporations don’t hire you for what you know. They hire you for the potential of who you can become.
The Monash School of Arts that I know understands this and focuses more on the education of minds and building of characters, by encouraging students to question and understand communities, organisations, and how people behave.
Did you have any industry exposure/placements, and if so, did it consolidate what you have learnt from your undergraduate course?
No, during my study, it was not a requirement. However, I did participate in an inter-university competition organised by British American Tobacco Malaysia at that time, representing Monash, and though we didn’t win, I had an opportunity to join them as an intern, and later as a Management Trainee. I was with BAT Malaysia for close to seven years before I moved to Nestlé Malaysia.
Why did you choose Monash?
Even though the fees were (and still are) exorbitant, people have a good impression and perception of Monash and its graduates. Back then, I was looking for a university that could offer the best chance of employment after graduation, and in the end, it turns out I came out with a lot more than just that.
What did you enjoy most about your student life?
The course in the School of Arts, having great life-long friends and tireless and eccentric lecturers who went the extra mile in developing students as critical thinkers.