How Sunway University Helped Shape Anissa Amanda’s Career in Communications

For Anissa Amanda, life has always been a fusion of cultures and passions. Born in Jakarta and raised in Kuala Lumpur, she grew up surrounded by diversity, which became a big part of who she is.

A lifelong lover of film and television, Anissa dreamed of filmmaking from an early age. "However, at the time of choosing a degree, I was not entirely confident and also had the pressure of choosing one that my family would approve of." It was during this period of uncertainty that, as life often does, something unexpected happened. After all, good things have a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect them.

A brief conversation with a stranger on the LRT introduced Anissa to the field of Communications, offering her not just creative opportunities but a broad range of career possibilities ranging from corporate jobs to jobs in the media. That simple exchange set her on a new path — one that led her to Sunway University.

“I dug deeper and found that Sunway University had a Communications course. After visiting the campus and learning more about the course, its syllabus, and job prospects, it was not a hard decision for me to make.”

While studying at Sunway University, Anissa had the opportunity to visit surrounding campuses such as Monash and INTI.

Pursuing Bachelor of Arts in Communications at Sunway University

Sunway University, one of Malaysia’s leading private institutions, recently earned a spot among the top three universities in Malaysia, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025. For Anissa, the decision to enrol at Sunway came after visiting the campus and learning more about the Communications programme, including its syllabus and career prospects. 

However, when she began her degree in 2020, the timing was unexpectedly challenging. The onset of the global pandemic meant that her first two years were spent entirely online due to travel restrictions. Despite the limitations, Anissa found Sunway University was well-prepared to support students during this period. With tools like the elearn website and ‘Blackboard’— a streamlined platform for organising coursework, grades and class discussions — she could access her studies and stay connected to her lecturers, who went the extra mile by accommodating time differences for international students studying remotely.

Once she managed to return to Malaysia and be on campus, her experience expanded in ways that online learning couldn’t capture. Sunway’s vibrant environment came alive with daily events such as live performances, mini concerts and talent shows that showcased students’ talents across many disciplines.

The campus facilities offered a wealth of resources, from a fully equipped library to a media room for watching films. As an art student, she had access to specialised spaces like the photo and shooting studios. These facilities became especially valuable during her Event Management elective, where she and her classmates transformed an empty performance hall with a full stage setup, sound system and display screens for a fundraising event they planned and ran. “It was so fascinating to see an empty hall come to life for the sake of an event created and run by students,” she says.

Anissa ended her final semester on a positive note with a well-presented final-year research project

Influential Educators and Lasting Lessons

Anissa’s experience at Sunway University was not only enriched by the campus environment but also by the remarkable educators who left a lasting impact on her. “Ms. Vijaya Sooria is definitely one of them,” she says. Ms. Vijaya taught Anissa her favourite subject, Basic Narrative Analysis, bringing not only passion to the class but also personal touches like notes of encouragement to her students. She was also the one to approve Anissa’s topic for her final year project, a significant milestone in her studies.

Another influential educator was Anissa’s supervisor, Professor Bradley Freeman, who guided Anissa through her final year project and taught the engaging Laws and Ethics in Media course. His enthusiasm and expertise made complex topics accessible and memorable. She also recalls Mr. Woody, who taught Advertising and Design with contagious energy, and Ms. Priyadharshini Ahrumugam, whose thought-provoking approach to Media, Culture and Society encouraged deeper reflection and understanding.

From these educators, Anissa absorbed valuable lessons that went beyond academics. The most powerful piece of advice she received was a reminder of the universal importance of communication. “No matter what, our knowledge of communication will always be needed in all careers,” she recalls being told. These words, coupled with frequent reminders to act ethically and responsibly, became guiding principles for Anissa as she pursued her studies and prepared for a career beyond university.

Anissa spent a memorable three months interning with AirAsia, where she undertook the role of a copywriter.

Developing Skills Beyond the Classroom

As part of the Communications programme at Sunway, Anissa completed a dedicated internship semester, which she found to be an invaluable bridge between her studies and real-world experience. Sunway University offered extensive support in preparing students for internships, including career fairs right on campus, where companies set up booths for on-the-spot resume drops and interviews. There was also the added benefit of career services webinars that guided students on how to use the university’s job site, connecting Sunway students and alumni to job opportunities.

With her resume reviewed at Sunway’s Career Hub and a placement ultimately secured through LinkedIn, Anissa landed an internship with AirAsia as a copywriter. There, she brought her studies to life, working on diverse campaigns and writing copy for key visuals, push notifications, and emails across the airline and its digital platform, AirAsia MOVE. “I utilised a lot of the copywriting, marketing and branding knowledge I learned from my degree,” she says, crediting her coursework with helping her handle the demands of a fast-paced, multi-faceted role.

Anissa found that some of the most impactful skills she developed at Sunway came from group projects and active participation in clubs and societies — particularly teamwork and people management. “Teamwork and people management are often overlooked skills that are usually unteachable.” By tackling group assignments and collaborating in student organisations, she grew the confidence to work seamlessly with others and lead in professional settings, skills that have been instrumental in her career journey.

Upon completing her degree, Anissa earned dual certificates from Sunway University and Lancaster University through a dual award programme.

Advice for Aspiring Communications Students

Reflecting on her journey, Anissa has a few valuable insights for aspiring Communications students at Sunway University. “As Communications students, it’s tempting to join every club and society since each one offers roles that look great on a CV,” she says, but her advice is to choose wisely. “Experiment with roles to see what suits you best, and don’t hesitate to step back if something doesn’t feel right.”

She also encourages students to go beyond departmental boundaries by contributing to events across the School of Arts. She believes collaborating with peers from different disciplines within the faculty can open doors to future interests and potential career paths that students might not have previously considered.

What’s more, she emphasises the importance of exploring Sunway’s wide range of facilities, including specialised equipment and creative spaces. Anissa recommends using these resources for personal projects in addition to course assignments, as it is a rare opportunity to experiment and even make mistakes in a supportive environment. “Don’t be afraid to look foolish — just take the first step and try,” she says, knowing that these moments of exploration often become the most memorable parts of university life.

Currently, Anissa works as a freelance copywriter for AirAsia, leveraging the solid foundation established through her degree and internship experiences. Additionally, she freelances as an editorial writer for Crash Culture, a media collective based in Jakarta, where she covers topics related to media, culture, and events in the city. Anissa credits her time as a researcher and writer for the Sunway Gender Equality Club, as well as her coursework in Media, Culture, and Society and Basic Narrative Analysis, for honing the skills that prepared her for this role.

Her goal is to transition into positions with greater creative control, and she is even revisiting her initial passion for filmmaking. Taking matters into her own hands, Anissa is currently enrolled in a short filmmaking course to further pursue this interest.