KUCHING – Besides paper qualification, intangible factors such as a positive attitude, self-confidence, resilience and the will to succeed hold the key to a successful career.
This was the message 150 Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus students took home after attending the recent CPA Australia Undergraduate Business Conference, themed “Dare to live without limits”, organised by the university’s CPA Australia Student Charter.
The conference included interactive activities and talks by guest speakers from the industry. The speakers were CPA Australia Regional Manager (Education – International) Geetha Kanny, and Relationship Manager (Education) Edwin Wong.
Also on the panel were Alex Ooi, Partner (Audit) of accounting firm BDO, and its Director for Talent Acquisition Thong Siew Fong.
Having the right attitude to succeed was emphasised by Geetha Kanny. Apart from having self-confidence and the courage to take on challenges, she also advised the students to be tough but respect others, resilient and manage situations well.
“Nothing comes easy, so work hard,” Alex Ooi told the audience, after sharing how he rose to become a partner in BDO, the fifth largest accounting firm in the world.
Ooi encouraged them to network and to have an open mind, adding that having a mentor and upholding integrity cannot be emphasised enough.
A professional qualification, said Edwin Wong, helps one to “be heard and recognised”. He urged the students to sit the CPA professional exams in order to become a professionally qualified accountant.
Thong Siew Fong who held quizzes, games and icebreaker activities, advised the audience to believe in themselves, persistent and patient in striving for their goals.
The students, who included those from non-business courses, found the conference helpful.
“I learned that if you have a chance to go for a professional qualification such as CPA after you’re done with your degree, just go for it. With proper time management, we can do it,” said Dalton Yeo Yuen Shuen a foundation in IT/Multimedia student.
“I’ve also learned that it’s always best to pursue your career first then later enjoy when everything is stable.”
“It’s important to have the right mentality. That way, success is a bit easier to achieve,” said civil engineering student Wan Faris Ali Ibrahim, adding that the interaction with the speakers made the conference enjoyable.