Shows
What Will I Be When I Grow Up?From Sunshine to Showers: MARA Scholar Izz Irfan on Settling In and Studying in the UKWhat’s it really like to swap Malaysia’s sunshine for the UK’s famously unpredictable weather? MARA scholar Izz Irfan shares his honest take on adjusting to life at the University of Birmingham - from the cold and halal food hunts to making campus feel like home.2025-06-1613 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?No Map, No Problem: Malaysian Scholars Share Their Unconventional JourneysWhat happens when you ditch the "safe path"? Meet three Malaysian scholars at the University of Birmingham who took the leap. From science to philosophy to activism, they share candid stories of forging their own way without a clear map. As it turns out, getting a little lost might just lead you exactly where you need to be.2025-05-3058 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Turning the Tables: When the Host Becomes the GuestThis is no joke — from cold-calling blood donors to becoming a surprisingly talented water filter salesperson, Devina's unconventional career path takes center stage in this April Fool's special. Join us as MABECS' Executive Director switches chairs and reveals how her quirky journey through odd jobs watered (pun intended) the seeds of leadership in education and publishing. Who knew selling water filters could lead you so far? ;) 2025-04-0142 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Serendipitous Detours: Brad MacKay’s Path to Global RelevanceWhat if the biggest breakthroughs in your career came from the paths you never planned?Professor Brad MacKay of the University of St Andrews didn’t set out to become a global voice in academia, but a research detour into Scottish independence changed everything. In this episode, he shares how embracing uncertainty and following unexpected turns can lead to lasting impact—and why your next career move might not be a straight line.2025-03-2841 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Breaking the Global Financial Crisis Cycle: Lessons in Financial InnovationJourney through financial history with University College Dublin's Don Bredin as he unravels how economic crises shape our world. Drawing from his firsthand experiences as an Irishman navigating Ireland's tumultuous 1980s to today's dynamic global markets, he reveals how a deep understanding of historical financial trends can inspire innovative solutions, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable financial future.2025-02-2734 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?From Courtroom to Classroom: Crafting Your Own Legal JourneyFrom solicitor to professor, Paul McConnell shares invaluable insights on navigating legal careers globally. Join us as we explore how work experiences shape career decisions, debunk legal profession myths, and discover why your international background might be your greatest asset in the legal world.2025-01-2225 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Mapping the Mind: Neural Navigation and the Future of Brain ScienceFrom studying Alzheimer’s to decoding how our brain's "GPS" works, Exeter’s Dr Jon Brown’s research is on its journey to shape the future of neuroscience. Discover how his research seeks to improve these neuronal connections, potentially alleviating early symptoms of Alzheimer’s such as disorientation.2024-12-1824 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?The Psychology of Solitude: Exeter’s Dr Jennifer Lay discusses being alone in a hyperconnected worldIs there a loneliest time in a person’s life? Can you be in solitude in a crowd? Dr Jennifer Lay from the University of Exeter discusses her niche research on solitude and loneliness, where she uncovers the intersection of solitude and loneliness in our hyperconnected world.2024-11-2934 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?History, the best degree: Oxford grad and Queen Mary lecturer Dr Rowena Abdul Razak on using the past to understand our present“History is not just about facts, figures and people - it’s about learning where we came from,” says Queen Mary lecturer in Cold War History, Dr Rowena Abdul Razak. Dr Rowena posits that history gives you that edge and ability to see forward because you know what happened before. Tune in to learn more about why history so fascinated Dr Rowena from young and why corporate companies are now recruiting history graduates.2024-10-3046 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Modern times call for modern degrees: Leeds' geology and environmental expert Dr Phil Murphy on how the climate crisis will create a demand for 'green' jobsThe climate crisis is real, and it is already affecting our future, including the jobs it is creating and will create. The key to looking for a successful, sustainable career is asking questions that are environmentally related - as Dr Phil Murphy elaborates fascinatingly in this episode.2024-09-2733 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?From Reading to Leading: How a desire for new languages and culture led Dr. Eoin Jordan to his career path
“I started off with no real clear direction,” Dr Eoin Jordan confessed about his career journey. But as we listen, his non-linear career journey is anything but unclear. What if clarity is really a process rather than a destination? That’s what we’ve learnt as we listen to Dr Jordan’s illustrious work journey across his travels in the UK, Canada, Japan and China.2024-08-2143 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Sounds good: Warwick’s Professor Duncan Billson’s story from radio ‘tinkerer’ to sound innovatorIf you’re an audiophile, you might have heard of Warwick Acoustics, which its director, Professor Duncan Billson claims to make the “world’s best headphones by a long way”. Duncan, a Professor at the University of Warwick, takes us through the highs and lows of his career, advising students to “always do something a little scary in life”.2024-07-2433 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Going global while celebrating local: International designer Sacha Leong’s journey of delivering exceptional interiors all over the worldSacha Leong is no stranger to the global interior design scene, having designed global projects such as the Ace Hotel in London, Odette, a fine-dining restaurant housed in the National Gallery of Singapore, as well as Claudine, a fresh restaurant housed in an old chapel. But just how exactly does one get to this point? The answer, unsurprisingly, starts with a relentless curiosity and a sense of wonder from growing up in his 1980’s hometown Singapore that was so very different from what it is today. 2024-06-2137 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Wok this Way: Inner Mongolian Chinese Chef Bo Li’s journey from architecture to culinary arts“He’s abandoning his bright future to cook food for someone else,” Bo Li’s father said in dismay when Bo Li decided to drop out of his Master’s degree in Architecture at Deakin University. Discover how and why Bo Li embarked on a completely different career trajectory, even winning 2023’s best ramen in Victoria.
2024-05-0326 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Headlines to Heartstrings: Teacher, journalist and owner of Makchic, Laych Koh’s journey of writing from journalism, teaching to motherhoodAs young as nine years old, Laych experienced firsthand a lesson of humiliation and also kindness from an unpleasant classroom experience in Malaysia which she believed had shaped her view of empathy and compassion. From there, Laych went on to be a ‘rockstar’ journalist (in Devina’s words) for many years before retraining as a teacher in London while being owner and publisher of popular Malaysian parenting site Makchic. This is her story.2024-04-1643 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Feasting on Fun: Ili Sulaiman’s journey from serving the British Royal Wedding to becoming Malaysia’s much loved celebrity chefIf you’ve watched Ili on screen, she’s always bursting with so much joy and laughter. The joy is real and permeates everything she does from her studies, to every career move, which includes serving at Will and Kate’s wedding (!). You don’t want to miss this episode!
2024-03-0852 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Runways and ruins: Two senior academicians from Southampton University take us through their journey in luxury fashion and archaeology
Does fashion matter, or is it just frivolous? Also, what does a museum and archaeology expert do when she gets more confused from visiting Nepal’s Narayanhiti Palace Museum? Dig deep into all these and more as we chat with Professor Bryony Whitmarsh, Professor of Heritage and Museum Studies; as well as Amanda Bragg-Mollison, Deputy Head of School (Education) at the University of Southampton.2024-01-1943 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?An award-winning writer at dawn and reservoir engineer by day: Wole Talabi on the joy of figuring out numbers and narrativesWole Talabi’s curiosity has taken him places. At nine, he read his parents’ entire collection of encyclopedias because he enjoyed the process of finding things. Later, as a chemical engineer, he went to Imperial College to pursue a Master’s degree in Reservoir Engineering because he was so frustrated at the uncertain numbers given to him to design facilities for the oil and gas company. When given negative feedback on his writing as a new writer, he took it as a challenge. He continued to write and studied how he could improve as a writer over many years before...2023-11-0847 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?From engineering, literature to digital humanities: Leeds’ Dr Dibyadyuti Roy’s intricately woven journey across three continentsThe word ‘text’ originates from ‘textile’ - which means woven together. To Dr Dibyadyuti Roy, this was the single most accurate way of describing his journey from literature into digital humanities. To him, his foray into media studies digital humanities was about looking at texts in the largest possible dimension. Listen to discover how digital humanities and media studies will be a core partner to help students retain skills necessary for jobs in the next ten years.2023-10-1145 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Proving the naysayers wrong: How Malaysia’s first blowdry bar, Cocodry broke even in six months during Covid-19“It won’t work,” people told Kim when she first bounced the idea of a blowdry bar. “You’re going to get eaten alive by the big fish.” Kim, the perennial lover of challenges, set out to prove everyone wrong. Here’s her story of starting Malaysia’s first blowdry bar to mind-blowing success.2023-09-2032 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Climate crisis: You can make an impact right where you are, says ecopedagogy specialist, Dr Ria DunkleyStraight from the heart, Dr Ria Dunkley revealed that she didn’t know what she wanted to do at university. Her tutor encouraged her to study tourism. She thrived at university and became a lecturer in tourism - then dedicated her life to ecopedagogy after she worked for the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK. Learn about her struggles with imposter syndrome, working part-time jobs while pursuing her doctorate, and how you too can play a part in the climate crisis right where you are.2023-07-1237 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Reconciling real life with art: How Tragikomedi founder Shari Jaffri grew her writing and illustrating skills from a childhood of ‘daydreaming’Shari’s teacher would complain to her parents, “Shari’s just a daydreamer, she should really focus more in class.” But being a daydreamer had grown her observation and reflection skills, which in turn, she put to writing and illustrating. Today, Shari is a sought-after multi disciplinary creative who has worked for local and international brands, from Monki, Uniqlo, to local brands such as U Mobile.2023-05-2227 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?A marketeer from childhood: Southampton University’s Assistant Professor in Marketing, Dr Tugra Akarsu on the invaluable impact of her entrepreneur parents on her career“There was always an action at the workplace,” Southampton University’s Assistant Professor of Marketing, Dr Tugra Akarsu shares. She confesses that growing up with her working parents had sown the seeds of sales and marketing in her from her early years. Discover how her food engineer parents’ influence had made her emotionally mature, resilient and took her to the heights of her career today.2023-04-2834 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?No money, no network, no experience: How two Portsmouth College students built the award-winning media agency Hewitt Matthews all by themselves“I’ll just sell my car - that will do our salaries for a while, and we can just walk to meetings,” thought Carl Hewitt when his co-founder Reece Matthews and him first started their little-known media agency. Discover how these 18-year-old’s rose against all odds and gave their all to build an award-winning digital marketing agency.2023-03-2137 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Entrepreneur from young: How ZUS Coffee COO Venon Tian’s online business funded his university life and grew his career“We won’t be able to send you to university anymore, we couldn’t afford it. You got to think for yourself,” Venon Tian’s mother told him as he finished high school. Amazingly, Venon (who is now COO at ZUS Coffee) went ahead with university and even funded his own law degree in the UK. Tune in to find out how Venon overcame his financial challenges, secured a job in the UK and went on to preach and breathe operational excellence at work.2023-02-2038 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Super curricular and extra curricular: how Oxford International College CEO Yasmin Sarwar helps students track their career for lifeAs the founder and leader of the UK’s two highest-performing A-level colleges for twelve consecutive years, Yasmin started her career “purely by chance” in her kitchen-turned-to-lab when she was waiting for her research grant in Cardiff. Tune in to find out how this Malaysian education entrepreneur rose to the top of A-level education in the UK while continuing to help students rise the ranks in their career as well.2022-12-1342 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Break a leg: How a rugby mishap became a self-fulfilling prophecy for actor and MPW’s Director of Admissions James BartonWhen James Barton broke his leg as a teenager, his dreams of being a professional rugby player had to take a dramatic shift. Looking back, the mishap literally ushered him into a new ‘stage’ of his life: acting and Indiana Jones (yes) were part of that stage. Tune in to discover how it all came together for James who is now a renowned ambassador of UK education and a successful public speaker and actor.2022-11-1549 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Dime and time: Patreon’s Former Editor Julian Brimmers’ journey of giving his all in writing about music, pop culture and moreJulian Brimmers grew up in unassuming Straelen, Germany where he “yearned for the exciting stuff”. He went on to be a journalist, filmmaker and podcaster whose works have been published by the BBC, the Paris Review, and many more. For Julian, the path that led him there was all about “going through the stories”. Tune in to find out more.2022-10-1138 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?History ‘Manuel’: Leeds’ Professor of Global History Manuel Barcia’s makes his own history from a working class family in Cuba to international recognitionProf. Manuel Barcia’s first day of work at a museum archive changed his life forever. “This is what I want to do for the rest of my life,” he thought to himself. Tune in to find out what’s in the museum archives and how he journeyed from Cuban history to global history at Leeds. 2022-09-0635 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Still getting starstruck: Record label 4AD Head of Press & Communications, Annette Lee chats about how going for gigs turned into a career for herAnnette Lee started off as a receptionist before rising the ranks to be the Head of Press & Communications at 4AD, one of the world’s most respected indie record labels. Learn how Annette’s self-starting aptitude helped her to make the most out of the receptionist role as the only person of colour at the UK office, armed with her degree in Music Industry Management and Marketing.2022-08-0849 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Museum Musings: Corinna Gardner on her unique journey as a museum curator at the V&A, the world’s leading museum of art and designYou’ve probably visited museums, but have you ever wondered what it’s like to work in a museum? More specifically, being a museum curator? In this episode, Corinna Gardner shares her unique journey as a museum curator and how it’s like working at the V&A in London, the world’s leading museum of art and design.2022-07-1837 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Find your beat: How award-winning international broadcaster and social psychologist Aleks Krotoski found her own voice in her career and encourages you to do the sameBorn in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, Emmy and BAFTA award-winning international broadcaster Dr Aleks Krotoski takes us through her journey of reinventing her own story. Shuffle with Dr Krotoski between the US and the UK — from being born to scientist parents, to her decision of studying “philosophical sciences” i.e. Psychology while pursuing her love for broadcasting.2022-06-1355 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Let it be a journey: Accenture’s SEA Energy Lead Cheah Wai Seng bares all about his most important influences and principles that led to his successMost of Cheah Wai Seng’s childhood memories revolved around what he did outside of school. Discover how these puzzles of life fit into his journey from childhood to his successful career in one of the world’s top management consulting firms today.Cheah Wai Seng is the Southeast Asia Energy Lead for Accenture. He studied for a degree in Computer Systems Engineering at UMIST (now the University of Manchester). Since graduating, he has worked at Accenture in multiple roles in Malaysia and globally for more than 20 years. This includes a diverse range of industries, inclu...2022-03-2940 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Courting destiny: Kelantan-born Vinita Templeton's journey from child rights specialist to immigration lawyerVinita Templeton disliked studying law and thought it was the most dreary thing ever. “I’d sooner pick up a novel than read a law book,” thought Vinita when she was studying her LLB in the UK. Little did she know that she would be Director of Immigration and Public Law at Duncan Lewis Cardiff office today. Vinita’s journey has been nothing short of serendipitous: tune in to this episode as we discover Vinita’s rich Kelantanese and Thai upbringing, her adventures in Camp America, Thailand, Nepal before settling in Swansea, Wales doing what she thought she had dre...2022-02-1843 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Yalpanam author Shivani Sivagurunathan on creativity, the creative process, teaching creative writing and finding her creative voiceCreativity—as author Shivani Sivagurunathan discovered for herself—was birthed out of the lack of activities and events in her quiet hometown in Port Dickson. Because she kept to herself mostly, she often invented creative activities of her own while burying herself in books. Tune in to discover how this successful Malaysian author and lecturer found her own writing voice from the age of eight.Shivani Sivagurunathan’s first collection of short stories, Wildlife on Coal Island, was published by UPM Press in 2011 and republished by HarperCollins India in 2012. The Indian writer Tabish Khair, described the book as ‘R...2022-01-0346 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Business unusual: How Professor Peter Rodgers’ interest in Soviet Union politics paved the way to his role as MBA Director at Southampton Business SchoolEver wondered what it is like to study at one of the most sought-after MBA programmes in the world at the University of Southampton? Listen in as Southampton MBA Director Professor Peter Rodgers shares about the programme and his journey from political science into the world of business.Professor Peter Rodgers is a Professor of Strategy and International Management and MBA Director within Southampton Business School, University of Southampton. He gained a BA (Hons) degree in Social and Political Sciences from Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge and an MA and PhD from the Centre for Russian and...2021-12-2032 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Paradise found: Dr Bryan Brazeau on the immeasurable value of an interdisciplinary liberal arts degree and how it has transformed his lifeWhat really is the value of a liberal arts degree? Associate Professor (Liberal Arts) at the University of Warwick, Dr Bryan Brazeau, has answers and questions for those of you considering a liberal arts degree. Discover how the world can be your oyster with this degree and how it’s made Dr Bryan cross oceans and transformed his life.Dr Bryan Brazeau is Associate Professor (Liberal Arts) at the University of Warwick, UK. Before joining the Warwick’s School for Cross-faculty Studies in 2017, Bryan was a Research Fellow in Italian Studies at Warwick on the proj...2021-12-0153 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Fashion educator Karen Heard on growing up as a country girl, her Devil Wears Prada years and unending discovery with students at UALFashion educator Karen Heard grew up in the West Country, England where the seeds of curiosity and exploration were first sown. Later, when faced with “what will I be when I grow up” at secondary school, she was advised by her teacher to work in a bank, despite her obvious interests in creative work. Karen was not going to let that happen. Tune in to unfold the story of how Karen ‘stubbornly’ got into art school, the world of couture, backpacking around the world and now a fashion educator at University of the Arts London.About Kar...2021-11-1856 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Connecting people and culture: How Dewakan restaurant founder and head chef creates meaningful connections through every ingredientIn 2016, Dewakan was named the Best Restaurant in Malaysia on the prestigious Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant list. Join us as we talk to Dewakan’s head chef, Darren Teoh about his journey from childhood to being a world renowned chef. 2021-11-1030 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?I couldn’t have planned any of this: Dr Lata from Leeds on her identity, her career journey so far and how everything worked out fortuitously for herAs first generation child of Indian migrants to Canada in the 70’s, Dr Lata Narayanaswamy, Associate Professor at the University of Leeds traces her interest in global development back to her identity as an immigrant in Canada. Learn how Dr Lata grapples with the big questions on belonging, identity, and “following her heart” in her career so far.About Dr Lata Narayanaswamy:Since 2001, Dr Lata Narayanaswamy has worked as a research practitioner, consultant and lecturer in gender and development. Her research problematises how knowledge is actualised as a driver of development in both discourse and practi...2021-10-2144 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Art-iculating through life: Multidisciplinary artist Nini Marini’s colourful journey through art school, work and beyondNini Marini is a full-time multidisciplinary artist and maker who explores art through various mediums such as ceramic, textile, metal and even artificial intelligence. This year, Nini was listed on Tatler Asia’s Most Influential: The Culture List 2021 that identifies leaders making indelible impacts in their respective fields. In this episode, Nini bares all about her journey in art school, the hardest thing to reckon in art school, and her wisdom for those who want to pursue a career in art.Nini pursued Bachelor of Arts (BA), Visual Communications, Time-Based Media at Birmingham City University and Foundation St...2021-09-2747 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Writing in his genes: How an English Literature and Genetics degree massively benefited Dr David Kent’s science careerEver wondered what it’s like to study English Literature and Genetics together? These two fields may seem worlds apart, but Dr David Kent, Deputy Head of University of York’s Department of Biology, begs to differ. Listen in to find out how and why he combined those two fields in his undergraduate degree! Dr. David Kent is the Deputy Head of Department of Biology at University of York.2021-08-1334 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?A journey of letting go: From film-making dreams to historian in the NetherlandsA historian of colonial Malaya, Dr Sandra Khor Manickam didn’t start her university life with studying history. She wanted to study filmmaking, but found that it wasn’t what she expected. Studying history, she discovered, helped her to tap into her curiosity of the world. Listen to Sandra as she shares her exciting journey from Malaysia to the US, then to Singapore, UK, Australia and now at the Netherlands.Dr Sandra graduated with a PhD in History (2011) from Australia National University, MA in History (2005) from National University of Singapore and BA in History and Economics (2000) from Univ...2021-07-2628 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?No shortcuts: From Imperial College to world-recognised Water EngineerWhat was it like studying at Imperial College, London as a young man from Petaling Jaya under the tutelage of professors who are leaders in their own fields? Dr James Lau shares his experience as an undergraduate and postgraduate student at Imperial and growing his career in the UK for over a decade. Dr Lau is an Associate Director at Dr Nik & Associates and an Honorary Lecturer, Imperial College London. He graduated with a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Imperial College London and MEng in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London.2021-06-2839 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?From helplessness to helping others: Know what you stand forA Chevening scholar and formerly a journalist in a Malaysian daily, Natasha Joibi attributed her current vocation at an environmental services NGO to her childhood days. Discover how Natasha is breaking out from the patriarchal, socialistic exposure in her childhood to carve out a future of her own. Natasha is currently a Communication Specialist for an environmental NGO. She was also a 2019/20 Chevening Scholar. She pursued Master of Science in Equality and Human Rights at University of Glasgow and Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Simon Fraser University, Canada.2021-06-2225 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Soil-mates for life: How environmental science can be so fulfillingDr. Ian Oliver grew up in Adelaide, Australia where he enjoyed the great outdoors, animals, plants, math and the sciences. Discover how a degree and career in Environmental Science helped Ian to combine these interests together, along with why earthworms are such a fascinating study. Dr. Ian Oliver is Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science at Keele University. He obtained a Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry. 2004. School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide, Australia. Thesis: Copper Bioavailability in Biosolids; Honours Degree (Research) in Environmental Management (first class). 1999. Department of Soil & Water, University of Adelaide, Australia. Thesis: Potential phosphorus release...2021-05-1725 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Life as an international aid worker: Doing things that matterWhen Michelle Gunaselan saw villagers and their children being evicted from their homes due to Malaysia’s zero squatter policy, she decided that news reporting is not enough. She wants to be a part of things that matter. Listen in as Michelle shares about what it’s like to be an international aid worker and how she got there. Michelle holds a BSc degree in Journalism from Taylor’s College & University Sains Malaysia and a MSc degree in Human Rights from London School of Economics.2021-04-2342 minWhat Will I Be When I Grow Up?Introduction to What Will I Be When I Grow Up?What if there are careers out there that you didn’t even know existed? What if being a teacher isn’t what you expected it to be? Listen in to find out why we started this podcast.2021-04-2302 min