Mohamed Syairoz Mohd Odman
What year did you graduate?
2001
What was your IRK & Human Sciences major in IIUM?
Political Science
What was your degree specialisation?
International Relations
What is your Current Position & Company?
Asst. General Manager, Strategic Relations Division, Berjaya Corporation Berhad
I am entrusted to lead a team to liaise with the authorities i.e. Ministries and Government agencies. The task is to ensure the existing relationship of Berjaya Group is maintained and strengthened. As the Berjaya Group is a very diversified conglomerate, the task of establishing and maintaining good rapport is very critical.
The plus point of being an IIUM Graduate is our friends or alumni are everywhere and Alhamdu lillah well-positioned at almost all Ministries in Putrajaya. It is all about friendship and making new friends which had open many doors in making my task a lot easier.
Establishing contact is one thing but sustaining them is another matter all together. The bonding where IIUM alumni has is simply fantastic. I have seen it, tasted it and enjoying it all the way. It is not always achieving results that count, but having a pool of friends which elevates us from the rest.
The strong networking is the key and this is not taught in the classroom. While we are good at it, bank on it and make it so strong that the trait is attached to you and makes you a valuable asset to the Company.
Please share your work history, companies you've worked for, your responsibilities in each role and your achievements in those roles
- 2001 - Personal Asst. to the Group CEO, IIUM Holdings (handling Board of Directors)
- 2002 - Manager, Corp. Comms Dept, IIUM Holdings (setup company branding exersice)
- 2004 - Manager, IIUM Events Sdn Bhd (managing events internal & external)
- 2005 - General Manager, IIUM Resorts Sdn Bhd (managing Tanjung Bidara Beach Resort)
- 2006 - Head, Corp. Comms Dept, IIUM Holdings (managing media relations and corporate events)
- 2007 - Board of Trustee, Book Village Foundation Malaysia
- 2008 - Deputy Group CEO, IIUM Holdings (assisting Group CEO on administrative matters)
- 2010 - General Manager, IIUM Lower Education (managing Intl. Islamic School,IIUM Montessori, Sek. Taman Ilmu & Budi)
- 2011 till now - Asst. General Manager, Strategic Relations Division, Berjaya Corporation Berhad (government liaison for Group)"
What are some of the challenges you faced as a IRK & Human Sciences student while you were studying at IIUM?
Life was fun being a student.
What are some of the challenges you faced as a fresh graduate?
Usually our thoughts and opinion are doubted. It is very crucial to lay low. Some may see us an asset while others see us as a threat. It will be good to have a mentor. He or she will be able to give sound advise and guidance.
What advice would you give to IRK & Human Sciences students seeking to pursue careers using their qualifications?
Degree and qualifications will only open doors for an interview. It will only make your parents proud but in the real corporate world, believe me and ask many others, it's your attitude. One should always be clear in what to do or to be in life. You can always have an ambition. It will not always be true.
In particular Human Sciences students, am not sure of IRK, we are so general in qualification with no real specialization. One can choose to be a popular tv broadcaster or a successful port and vessel manager, and what major or minor we do NEVER come to the picture.
It is always your personal skills, initiatives, commitment and passion. It is always significant to show your best and make yourself indispensable. The qualities you have must always be polished.
Knowledge comes multi-version, not always in classroom or books. It can be obtained from talking to people, travel, mixing with all walks of life. Life is indeed like a wheel, there will be times we are at the top and sometimes we are at the bottom. Being humble and having true friends, I am pretty sure we can survive no matter what challenges that may come.
What else would you like to tell the IRK & Human Sciences students currently studying at IIUM?
- Get busy in clubs or society. Build your skills. Becoming a committee member in various programmes plus heading a few bureau really helps. It is not always academic in getting where you want to be. It is the personality.
- Being helpful and resourceful is crucial. At least you know how to operate a photocopy machine or even a LCD projector.
- To know making good and nice powerpoint is not good enough if you don't have the ability to think and make sure in your presentation it helps to have a pointer with a working battery. All this you can earn by getting yourself involve in student programmes.
- Not being shy and able to write good English or Bahasa Malaysia letters is considered a talent which will help outshine the rest of the interview candidates. What more if you know how to speak English well, it will impress people.
- Again, qualification only open doors for interview but good attitude can guarantee a offer letter.
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