Khai Wen Chew (Kelven)
2018 Marketing and Management BSc graduate Kelven is Regional Marketing Campaign Manager (APAC) at HUAWEI CBG in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Interview
Since graduating, what have you gone to do?
After going through several rounds of assessment centre and face-to-face interviews with the Head of Departments from different divisions of Samsung Malaysia, I was fortunate to be shortlisted as one of the three Samsung Asia Elite under the Samsung Asia Elite Management Programme. As a Management Trainee, I would be rotated across three different departments, Mobile Devices Product Marketing (Tablet, Wearable, Accessories); (Galaxy A Series) and Content and Services (Samsung Pay) within a year.
I have now moved to Shopee as their Senior Associate, Business Development (Fashion).
Is the above what you planned to do before starting university?
I had always wanted to start my career in marketing and started to have strong passions towards marketing communication after completing a two months summer internship in an international creative advertising agency, Leo Burnett, during my summer break following second year.
What was your favourite thing about your course?
The favourite thing about my course was the learning experience and international exposure offered throughout the three year programme in Newcastle. This prepared myself to be a professional marketing practitioner in the real business world. As an international student, I was honoured to get guidance by my favourite lecturer, Fiona, in my final year. She was extremely supportive and helpful to me and my marketing consultancy project teammates.
Did you complete a placement year/study abroad/summer internship during your time at Newcastle?
I was a Marketing Assistant in The Great North Children’s Hospital under Newcastle NHS Foundation during my final year as I signed up for the Career Development module. Throughout the whole module I was given the opportunity to work in a team of three, under the supervision of the hospital’s Marketing Manager, to organise a charity bingo night with the aim to raise funds for the children's hospital. This was the best broad working experience I could ever have asked for as a marketing student as I got the opportunity to liaise with several brands to sponsor our charity event, such as Sainsbury's, Newcastle United, and Fenwick's. Despite going through ups and downs while preparing for the charity event, it allowed me to develop my leadership skills and interpersonal skills.
What extra-curricular activities or societies were you involved with during your time here?
I was an active committee member of the Malaysia Society in Newcastle and a marketing committee member of AIESEC Newcastle, which mainly promoted the Outgoing Volunteer Programme to the students in Newcastle.
How do you see future technologies and new ways of working (future of work) affecting your sector?
From my perspective, digital marketing has largely revolutionised the marketing sector due to cutting edge technology, especially with the micro-segmentation marketing technique. This allows brands to use data to identify the interests of specific individuals and use digital marketing channels and tactics, such as: SEO, pay-per-click, paid search advertising and targeted marketing to influence consumers' thoughts or actions.
Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
I hope I will be able to launch a global marcomms campaign, not only to be able to benefit a brand by increasing consumer perception and awareness towards a brand, but also to be able to make a positive change to society.
Keep your goal in mind, stay focused and positive. Never let any learning opportunity pass you by, make the most of your university experience and most importantly enjoy the best three years of your life.