How MSU Alumna Syahirah Farok Made the Leap from Teaching to Corporate Success

If you're a teacher considering jumping into a corporate role, it’s more than possible — and many have done it successfully. One such person is Syahirah Farok, who made the transition after a rewarding career in education. 

Born in Selangor, Syahirah completed her undergraduate studies at Management and Science University (MSU) before continuing her postgraduate studies at the University of Malaya (UM). She began her career as a teacher in the private sector, spending over five years shaping young minds. 

However, after some time, Syahirah felt ready for a new challenge and decided to shift to the corporate world. This move wasn’t easy, but her background in teaching gave her valuable skills — communication, leadership, and problem-solving — highly sought after in the corporate sector. Like many teachers, Syahirah was able to apply her strengths in areas like training, team management, and project coordination, allowing her to thrive in her new role.

For Syahirah, studying at MSU Shah Alam was truly an unforgettable experience.

Studying at MSU

Syahirah’s motivation to pursue TESL at MSU is deeply rooted in her journey and her passion for education and communication. Initially, she aimed to study Mass Communication, but when her application to a public university was unsuccessful and private universities were financially out of reach, she was at a crossroads. 

"At the time, MSU didn’t offer that course, so my mother encouraged me to pursue teaching, which is still a form of communication," she says. "Her advice has stayed with me, and it’s a decision that I will never regret."

So, why MSU? For Syahirah, it was the perfect choice at the time. The fees were affordable, the university was close to her home, and the Diploma in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) programme offered a well-rounded curriculum. It combined both theoretical knowledge and practical teaching methods, preparing future educators for the challenges they would face in the classroom. 

This holistic approach to teacher training made MSU the ideal place for her to pursue her passion for teaching and communication, setting the foundation for her successful career in education. In fact, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Education in Teaching English as a Second Language there as well, further deepening her understanding and expertise in the field.

Reflecting on her time at MSU, Syahirah recalls a vibrant learning environment. "The campus was equipped with great facilities, and the TESL programme offered the perfect balance between theory and hands-on learning." 

Syahirah appreciated the real-world experiences provided by the programme, especially the opportunities to prepare for her practicum. Her lecturers, including Madam Shabina, Madam Nirmala, Madam Jasmina, and Miss Suganthini, played a crucial role in her development. Their dedication to her success helped build her confidence and fueled her passion for teaching.

"They were always willing to guide us and provide feedback on our performance, which helped a great deal as we constantly improved along the way."

Syahirah also fondly remembers the sense of community at MSU. The university regularly hosted events and activities that brought students together. One of the standout moments was the oathtaking ceremony, a special occasion that followed orientation. New students, dressed in red attire, gathered in the hall to meet key university stakeholders. It was a moment that created a sense of pride and belonging, marking the beginning of an exciting academic journey.

Syahirah completed both her Diploma and a degree in Teaching English as a Second Language at MSU.

From Teaching to the Corporate World

After completing her studies, Syahirah began her teaching career at Sekolah Menengah Sri Acmar, a private school following the national curriculum. While it was challenging, her experience at MSU had prepared her well for this first role. She had already gained practical teaching experience through part-time tutoring, which helped her feel confident in engaging with students and managing a classroom. Her smooth transition into the teaching profession was further aided by her hands-on experiences during her MSU practicum.

After one and a half years, Syahirah went to Asia Pacific School and Sri KDU, taking the same role as a teacher but with different responsibilities and education systems. 

However, after several years in the education sector, she faced a difficult decision. The pandemic had put a strain on both teachers and students alike, and Syahirah found herself struggling with burnout. The shift to online teaching exposed significant gaps in student learning, and the demands of the job, particularly in the private education sector, were beginning to take a toll on her mental and emotional well-being.

"I had to make a painful decision by hanging my teaching cap, which led me

to explore new opportunities in a different field. I transitioned into the corporate

world to refresh and challenge myself in a new environment."

She viewed this change as a chance to reset, refresh, and reignite her professional drive.

After over five years as a teacher in the private sector, Syahirah transitioned to the corporate world for a new challenge.

A Surprising Leap into Corporate Life

The shift to a corporate role wasn’t something Syahirah had initially planned. But it happened unexpectedly. One day, while browsing LinkedIn, she came across a job posting by Sarah Nasser for a Virtual Branding executive role at Bank Simpanan Malaysia. The contract position caught her attention because it seemed a perfect fit to use her communication skills in a different setting. So, she took a leap of faith and reached out to Sarah. To her surprise, Syahirah was selected for an interview and landed the role.

“I owe a lot to my first manager, Julisa Joehari, and my section head, Aifa Amalina, for seeing potential in me,” she says. “I also want to thank my team members — Sarah Nasser, Amin Hafiz, Shahrir Arshad, Ain Idris, and Ashraf — for their incredible support.”

A few months later, she landed a permanent role as a Content Communications Executive at the same firm. Her first corporate job was both exciting and challenging. It was a significant departure from the classroom, but it allowed Syahirah to grow in ways she hadn’t anticipated. “I went through a roller coaster ride of unlearning and relearning, which was exhilarating.”

She worked with Nina Hazrin, the section head of Content Communications, who guided Syahirah so well in corporate writing for the bank. “Nina emphasised the importance of teamwork since we work in a small team of 3 with Hazwan, another colleague of mine. She gave us her full trust when it comes to writing and producing content for the bank.” 

Now that Syahirah has tasted both the educational and corporate sectors, she doesn't take either experience for granted. Instead, she reflects on her career with gratitude, acknowledging that each path has its rewards and challenges. "I enjoy both my experiences in the school and corporate sectors, and I love what I do now.”

While Syahirah values the teaching profession for its impact and the personal satisfaction it brings, she is also aware of the practical benefits of working in the corporate world. When it comes to wages and perks, corporate roles tend to offer higher salaries and more comprehensive benefits compared to the education sector. "The financial compensation and opportunities for career growth in corporate are generally more substantial, which is one of the factors that made the transition more appealing to me."

Syahirah started as a Virtual Branding Executive at BSN and later secured a permanent role as a Content Communications Executive in the Strategic Communications unit.

Her future aspirations

As impressive as Syahirah's career trajectory has been after leaving the education sector, she admits that her path has not been linear. "Over the past few years, it has been one of constant growth and learning, shaped by my experiences in education and the corporate setting," she says.

Now that she’s in communications, Syahirah finds the work exciting and full of new challenges. Every day brings something different, and she’s always looking for ways to improve and make a meaningful impact. She enjoys being in a role where she’s constantly learning and growing professionally and personally.

Even though Syahirah is thriving in her corporate role, she hasn’t ruled out going back to teaching someday. 

"It’s honestly fulfilling to watch my students grow and accomplish something great. Teaching is still an option I keep in mind as I continue to grow in my career. As I often tell people around me, once a teacher, always a teacher."