Differentiate for Career Success: Students Gain Insights on Building Networks and Career Readiness

More than 300 students from Sunway Diploma Studies gathered at JC Hall 3, Sunway University, for Differentiate for Career Success, an SDS initiative led by Mr. Goh Wai Meng, Director of Sunway Diploma Studies, aimed at encouraging students to think beyond academic qualifications and prepare for their future careers.

Bringing together students from the Diploma in Information Technology, Diploma in Computer Science, Diploma in Artificial Intelligence, Diploma in Accounting, Diploma in Finance, Diploma in Communication, Diploma in Interactive New Media, Diploma in Digital Creative Content, Certificates in Digital Creative Content, Diploma in Digital Entrepreneurship and Certificates in Business Studies, the session offered students an opportunity to hear directly from two speakers from the United States and gain perspectives from their experiences across education, business, technology and entrepreneurship.

The session featured Dr. Dave Harris, J.D., M.M., Certified Professional Coach, CEO of Guardian Light and an experienced higher education leader with more than 30 years in academia, alongside Dr. Bradden J. Blair, Ph.D., MBA, MHA, Founder and CEO of Open Technology Incubator and Managing Director and Partner at Quansight Initiate.

Drawing on extensive experience across higher education, international business, entrepreneurship, technology and venture investment, both speakers shared insights from their professional journeys and offered students perspectives on building meaningful connections and preparing for career success.

With JC Hall 3 filled with students, the session took on a casual and engaging format, allowing the speakers to share their experiences while encouraging students to think about how they can differentiate themselves as they prepare to enter the workforce.

One of the key messages throughout the session was the importance of networking. Students were encouraged to recognise that career development extends beyond academic achievements and that the relationships they build can open doors to opportunities, knowledge and professional growth.

The speakers also shared experiences from their own career journeys, giving students a broader view of how professional paths can develop across different industries and disciplines. Their varied backgrounds provided students with an opportunity to see how education, experience, relationships and continuous learning can intersect throughout a career.

The discussion continued with a lively question-and-answer session, where students raised a wide range of questions directly with the speakers. The strong student participation continued until the end of the programme, with students taking the opportunity to approach the speakers personally to ask further questions and continue the conversation.

The high level of engagement reflected the students’ interest in gaining practical perspectives beyond the classroom and understanding how they can begin preparing themselves for their own career journeys.

Through Differentiate for Career Success, SDS once again provided students with an opportunity to connect with experienced professionals, broaden their perspectives and recognise the value of building professional networks early.

The session served as a timely reminder that career success is shaped not only by what students learn, but also by the connections they make, the experiences they pursue and how they continue to differentiate themselves along the way.

This article is written by SDS lecturer, Mieza Shafieza Mohd Fuad.