OSK Ventures International Berhad Career Talk forum for aspiring entrepreneurs

Speakers and attendees after the forum

On 24 July 2024, UTAR hosted the OSK Ventures International Berhad Career Talk forum at its Sungai Long Campus to inspire students to excel as they embark on their careers. It saw the attendance of about 110 students.

The event featured Mr Effon Khoo, founder and CEO of kakitangan.com, a leading HR solutions platform, and Mr Justin Chan, founder and CEO of Metier Food, a trailblazer in the health and nutrition sector. Both speakers recounted their career journeys and the steps they took to launch their companies, offering valuable advice and demonstrating that success requires perseverance. Their sharing gave aspiring entrepreneurs practical tips and insights into achieving their goals. Moderating the forum was Ms Serena Wee, Associate Director and Portfolio Manager for Value Creation at OSK Ventures International Berhad.

Students paying attention as the emcee introduces the speakers of the forum

The forum consisted of two sessions. The first session took place from 9am to 10am, and the second session ran from 11am to 12pm. Each session began with an introduction to OSK Ventures International Berhad, providing students with insights into the company’s operations and its portfolio of investee companies, which included Kakitangan, Metier, and other companies. The introduction was provided by the emcee, Ms Shirley Wong, OSK Group Human Resource, Head of Talent Acquisition.

From left to right: Ms Shirley Wong, Ms Serena Wee, Mr Justin Chan and Mr Effon Khoo

Following the introduction, the event proceeded to a panel discussion featuring Mr Effon Khoo and Mr Justin Chan. They shared insights from their previous professional experiences, detailing the companies they had worked for before venturing into their own businesses and the challenges they overcame in the process.

Mr Effon Khoo also emphasised the significance of mentorship programmes, highlighting that mentorship is a mutual exchange of knowledge and experiences between the mentor and the mentee. He remarked, “A mentor and a mentee may have different experiences, which is why even when the mentee cannot get anything from the mentor, the trust they have formed as they bond can still help them get new ideas as they exchange their experiences.”

Mr Effon Khoo sharing about mentorship programmes

Building on Mr Effon Khoo’s discussion about mentorship programmes, Ms Serena Wee offered her advice to the students. She noted, “Mentors may say things you may not like, but it will inspire you to do better. And at the end of the day, you must be passionate about what you do.”

Ms Serena Wee also provided practical guidance, emphasising that university is an ideal time for students to develop their skills and character. She stated, “What you learn in university can be used to build a diverse portfolio, which will help you grow as a person and prepare for the limitless opportunities you will encounter in the professional working environment.”

Ms Serena Wee giving a nifty word of advice to the students

Following Ms Serena Wee’s advice, Mr Justin Chan advised students that pursuing a job solely for financial gain is not always the best choice. Instead, he emphasised the importance of finding a career that one is truly passionate about, as it will lead to a more fulfilling life. Mr Justin Chan remarked, “Don’t work for the money. Work because you truly have a passion for what you are doing. Make sure it is something that makes you look forward to waking up every day.”

He illustrated his point by sharing his own experience of creating a brand of protein bars. His passion for fitness inspired him to develop a unique, dairy-free and lactose-free protein bar, filling a gap in the market.

Mr Justin Chan urging students to pursue their passion

The event concluded with a Q&A session, addressing students’ questions to provide them with valuable insights for their future entrepreneurial endeavours, and a souvenir presentation session.

Souvenir presentation by Faculty of Accountancy and Management Dean Dr Pok Wei Fong (far right) and Deputy Dean Mr Low Chin Kian (far left)