UTAR Department of Languages and Linguistics (DLL) organised a virtual forum titled “Let’s Talk English” on Microsoft Teams on 27 February and 6 March 2021.

The department invited 12 alumni who graduated from the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) English Language programme to share their working experiences and give advice to current students of UTAR. The first session featured alumni who graduated as early as six years ago while the second session featured alumni who graduated in March 2021. Both dates included a dialogue with UTAR lecturers and a dialogue with students.

English Language graduate Naomi Selvamalar Ravendran, currently a communications and marketing executive, gave the students some advice on how their mindset should be when they enter the working world. “Be proactive, be flexible and be resourceful; that’s how you stand out to your employer,” she said.

Postgraduate student Alex Chang Li Xin, currently pursuing a PhD in Linguistics, said, “You should only do your PhD if you are genuinely interested or you wish to enter lecturing or research work. Don’t do it because you just want a doctorate, it’s not worth it.”

All of the alumni agreed that the EL degree is not meant to improve one’s English proficiency. “This course isn’t something you take to improve your English. It’s a course for those of us who want to study the science of language,” they stated.

The first session involved graduates Ron Jeyathurai Backus (lecturer at Monash University), Isabelle Pinto (past content writer), Amanda Lim Yoke Yin (marketing executive at Hunters International), Kyle Tan Guang Pin (corporate and educator coach), Piravina Ragunathan (digital content producer at Astro radio) and Alex Chang Li Xin (PhD in Linguistics at Universiti Sains Malaysia).

The second session involved graduates Christina Chong Siew Lai (senior marketing executive), Kok Wei Yip (website developer), Lily Yeoh Lee Chen (digital content strategist), Naomi Selvamalar Ravendran (communications and marketing executive), Lim Shu Ni (content writer at Redokun), and Farah binti Ammar (MA in International Relations at University of Nottingham (Malaysia Campus)).

Many students found the event inspiring and motivational.

“I did not regret signing myself up for both of the LTE sessions. I enjoyed listening to the alumni and their experiences during their studies, their internship and their work,” said Lydia Anna Philip, an EL undergraduate in year two.

 “I like how the questions were actually helpful for all of us, especially when they had a talk about preparing ourselves for the future,” added G. Sai Shangkari, another Year Two EL undergraduate.

The forum had a lasting impression on soon to be graduates.

“They gave me advice on whether I should continue my master’s degree or not, and whether to do it part-time or full time. The main take-home message that I got is that grades are not as important when you are working, and most importantly, do what you like,” said Veronica Chong Xin Yeen, a final year EL student.

A handful of students from different courses and faculties also participated in the event.

“I think it was a really good chance to hear some advice and insights from fellow alumni about the future job prospects out there for English majors and how internship affects the path that we want to choose. It was a really fruitful and fun session,” said Lelia Myriam Bong Siu Mien, an English Education undergraduate.

“It was very insightful to learn about the future career paths of EL students. I always thought that they would end up as teachers or perhaps poets. It's fascinating that so many of them are so passionate and enthusiastic about their careers and the English Language,” stated Computer Science undergraduate Hoe Jin Xin.

The department intends to host the event in the following years to encourage students to join the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) English Language programme and to assist current undergraduates who will soon enter the working world.