Venessa Yong

Course: Bachelor of Business and Commerce, 2018
Nationality: Malaysian
Current role: Group Corporate Development & Strategy, The Parentinc (Singapore)

Why did you choose to study business?

At the start, I did not have a clear idea of what my career goals were, or what I wanted to do post-graduation. I chose accounting and finance as I thought it would have afforded me the highest degree of job stability and opportunities. Towards the end of my first year of university, I started to really enjoy what I did and from that point on, there were no doubts left.

How have your studies at Monash helped to prepare you for the working world?
To me, two main things are crucial to entering the working world – a solid foundation (the culmination of the knowledge you’ve amassed over the years of study) and your approach (soft skills, character, mindset etc.).

Monash has helped greatly in shaping me into the person I am today. The teachings, course syllabus and experienced lecturers has left me with a strong foundation in business and has developed my business acumen.

Through its culture of openness and helpfulness, in and out of class, Monash has equipped me with the confidence to speak up, ask questions and has instilled in my self-belief.

What type of opportunities did you participate in?

During my time in Monash, I was only active in the Cinematic Club as the Vice President. However, planning large-scale events (outdoor movie nights) bi-annually with a small team was no easy feat. There, I developed my ability to lead, manage stakeholders and projects.

Aside from balancing my studies, the rest of my time was spent participating in case study competitions. I realized how much I enjoyed working on various business problems, across a broad array of industries. It allowed me the freedom to be creative, enhanced my problem-solving skills and trained my ability to speak publicly and confidently. I loved the idea of being able to essentially tackle any problem, regardless of my field of study. It was exciting and it was there I found out about the consulting industry. I then joined BCG soon after graduating.

Did you go for any internships or work placements?

My first internship was in Pricewaterhouse Coopers, in the Assurance department. There, I greatly improved my Excel skills.

My second was in Principal Asset Management, in the Equity Research department. I grew significantly during my time here, led by helpful and experienced equity researchers and portfolio managers. I built my foundations in financial modelling here, forecasting stock prices and sharpening my financial acumen. I was sent for conferences and trainings and was also involved in meetings with economists. During these conferences, I was given the chance to speak to C-suites to inquire about their business prospects and expectations, to be used as input for my models.

Here, my self-confidence grew, I picked up financial modelling and strengthened my understanding of the nuts and bolts behind a business. All of which continued to be extremely useful in the roles I’ve held in both organizations.

What did you enjoy most about your student life at Monash?

I liked how helpful the lecturers and staff were in preparing me and my team for our case study competitions. They were constantly open to providing feedback and lending a hand in any way possible. Even after, as soon as I expressed my interest in the consulting industry, they connected me with relevant alumni to aid in my preparations – some of which, I have continued to develop close friendships with.

What is your career goal?

Impact on all fronts. To deliver significant impact driving strategy and growth within an organization of my choice. To be a part of the next big thing. To also deliver a positive impact on the people around me, by giving back, sharing my learnings, and developing them the way I was developed.