Simran Kaur
Course: Bachelor of Psychological Science and Business, 2011
Nationality: Malaysian
Current role: Lecturer, Monash University Malaysia
How have your studies at Monash Malaysia helped to prepare you for the working world?
The psychology and business program was a great pick because of its sheer range of options. I could pick to pursue further professional training in any number of areas, depending on my interest – anything from clinical, educational to occupational psychology, and even the business field. Not every graduate will go on to become a practising psychologist, but all of us definitely gained a magnitude of transferable skills and knowledge, that is attractive to any employer. With strong research and communication skills, and an understanding of why people act the way they do, I could end up working anywhere from marketing, management, to sports or healthcare – it’s a degree that gives you a huge variety of options.
Did you participate in any student activities or opportunities?
I was involved with the postgraduate association for two years in the capacity of the Welfare Executive. I organised and participated in a range of events (e.g. Board Games Night, Yoga, Zumba and Bootcamp) for students to be able to take some time off work to de-stress and mingle with their peers.
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 did not have a clear picture of my future but I was always curious as to why people behave the way they do. I figured studying psychology would provide insights about people's’ motivations, perceptions and behaviour that would give me a different perspective on why people react in the ways they do and help me to understand people (and myself) a little better.
Why did you choose Monash?
I chose Monash because it is a well-recognised university and a university consistently rated with high quality teaching not just in Malaysia, but in the world. With a significant proportion of international students, Monash also provided an opportunity to build friendships with people from a variety of backgrounds. The Monash ‘passport’ really does provide the extra edge when it comes to employability.
What did you enjoy most about your student life?
I really loved the fact that the student and lecturers in Monash came from various cultures and backgrounds. On top of getting a degree, I learnt so much about different cultures through my interactions with other students as Monash. It definitely is one of my fondest memories of Monash.