Helen Sneha Jambunathan
Course: Bachelor of Arts (Social Sciences), 2013 and Bachelor of Arts (Honours), 2014
Nationality: Malaysian
Current role: Associate Insight Director, Canvas8 (UK)
Please tell us about your role in your current organisation.
I've just completed a Master’s degree in social anthropology at the University of Cambridge, and have recently returned to Malaysia. At the moment, I'm a remote behavioural analyst for a London-based company and am also freelancing as a copywriter in Kuala Lumpur. My main tasks include researching consumer trends and producing various articles and reports.
Why did you choose Monash?
Monash University Malaysia was by far the best option in the country for me – it promised a world-class education and global prospects, right at my doorstep. I enrolled because I liked that the Writing major at SASS included both creative writing classes and literature ones, and was also interested in the social science units on offer.
Can you describe your study experience at Monash?
University broadened my horizons in a way I had never imagined possible. The knowledge, skills, and experiences I gained have remained valuable to me to this day. SASS classes were challenging and interesting, and exposed me to a wide range of fields - I wound up double-majoring in both Writing and International Studies, as well as taking units in Screen Studies and Gender Studies. I was also able to broaden my creative horizons by producing extracurricular content such as radio documentaries and magazine articles.
As an undergraduate, I was fortunate enough to travel on study trips to Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, to learn about the cultures of those countries. These were formative parts of my student life, and later, completing a credited internship at a local civil society organisation influenced me a great deal too. Together, they provided opportunities to gain valuable work and cross-cultural experience, as well as apply the skills of the classroom to real-life situations. I value the exposure they allowed me in terms of networking, engaging with different communities, and giving back to society.
What qualities did you acquire during your studies that were beneficial to you in the working world?
Looking back, I developed research and management skills as an undergraduate that helped me transition smoothly into the working world. Learning to work under pressure, collaborate, and be detail-oriented have been assets in every job I've worked. SASS classes also involve a great deal of reading, writing and presenting, which greatly improved my communication skills. I feel the types of ideas we engaged with also helped me develop a better-informed sense of social ethics that I have carried with me since.
My time at Monash definitely helped me develop a cosmopolitan outlook, in part due to the breadth of topics and issues I was exposed to at SASS, and also because of the international exposure it accorded me in terms of travel opportunities and meeting people from different parts of the world. This was extremely useful to me when living and working abroad.
What single experience from your time at Monash stands out?
The SASS study trips hold a special place in my heart because I learned so much about the region, myself, and the people I travelled with - we're now friends for life. On the whole, I would say the personal and professional relationships I forged in university have been the most emotionally rewarding part of my time there.
Where are you headed in the future?
I'm hoping to embark on a career in market research, as I've always enjoyed exploring the nuances of consumer behaviour. I would definitely consider pursuing further study at some point, especially if it's relevant to the field I'm working in.