Nexus International School - IB Diploma Scholarships 2026/2027Discover the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme at Malaysia&rsquo;s top-ranking IBDP school, Nexus International School Malaysia.If you are looking for a world-class pre-university experience after SPM, IGCSE or equivalent, Nexus offers a rigorous academic programme with strong personal growth and leadership development.Join us to unlock endless opportunities:<ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Scholarships worth up to RM 300,000 &ndash; Full, Partial, and Boarding scholarships available (Boarding is optional)</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Strong leadership and personal development &ndash; Developed through opportunities through Creative, Action, Service (CAS)&nbsp; and learner-led activities.&nbsp;</li><li>Award-winning Boarding School &ndash; Optional boarding facilities for an immersive experience </li></ul>🔔 Application Deadline: 7th January 2026 Apply now: <a href="http://bit.ly/nexusibdpscholarship2025">bit.ly/nexusibdpscholarship2025</a> <img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/693bc1fac361a_1765523962.png" alt="" width="633" height="100%" />For more information, contact the Nexus Admissions team at <a href="mailto:admissions@nexus.edu.my">admissions@nexus.edu.my</a> or&nbsp;via WhatsApp at <a href="https://api.whatsapp.com/send/?phone=60176066255&amp;text&amp;type=phone_number&amp;app_absent=0">+6017 606 6255</a>. Terms and Conditions apply. <a href="https://www.nexus.edu.my/admissions/scholarships/?utm_source=After+School+&amp;utm_medium=Article&amp;utm_campaign=IBDP+Scholarship+2025"><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/693bc44caa479_1765524556.png" alt="" width="633" height="100%" /></a> Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nexus.edu.my/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.nexus.edu.my/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1765848970796000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Kro-O7Pd2KlNzyfXWQapx">www.nexus.edu.my</a>&nbsp;for more details

Nexus International School - IB Diploma Scholarships 2026/2027

<h2>Where Civil Engineers Build the Future</h2>Before civil engineers stand under the sun or sign off on a structure, they all start somewhere much simpler: sitting in a classroom, figuring things out one lesson at a time.<img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6937dc2f4e5c9_1765268527.gif" alt="" width="480" height="268" />But once they step into a real project, those lessons suddenly take on weight and meaning.That&rsquo;s where classroom basics turn into real-world impact, and where the stories of Professor Yuen and civil engineer Nur Fatin Alia intertwine.&nbsp;Together, their journeys reveal how civil engineering begins in a lecture hall, but is ultimately perfected in the real world.&nbsp;<h2>The Professor: Preparing Students for a Reality They Cannot Yet See</h2>For Associate Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr Yuen Choon Wah, teaching wasn&rsquo;t exactly the path he actively sought, but inevitably became the one he grew to love and commit to.After graduating with a Civil Engineering degree, he had two paths to choose from: enter the industry or pursue his postgraduate studies.&nbsp;As luck would have it, a timely tutor position at his university presented itself, allowing him to earn income while continuing his education. Eventually, he earned a Master&rsquo;s and a PhD from the University of Malaya.&ldquo;My professors were wise people who tirelessly guided me, and they are my role models. Today, I gladly share the knowledge they gave me with young engineers, hoping to nurture more people who will serve the nation,&rdquo; he shared.<figure class="image"><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6937d6a94e09e_1765267113.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" /><figcaption>Ir. Ts. Dr Yuen Choon Wah, Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Malaya, Registered Professional Engineer (BEM) and Professional Technologist (MBOT), specialising in traffic engineering, traffic safety and sustainable transport.</figcaption></figure>But teaching civil engineering isn&rsquo;t just about equations and concrete. It&rsquo;s about preparing students for the outside world.He constantly reminds his students that engineering life isn&rsquo;t easy; it&rsquo;s challenging and demanding.&ldquo;Civil engineers work under the hot sun, rush during peak project periods and deal with pressures from superiors, clients and authorities,&rdquo; he added.Civil engineering education has also transformed drastically over the last few decades.Once reliant on manual calculations, drawing boards, pens and paper, engineering students today use advanced modelling, design and BIM software.&nbsp;What&rsquo;s more, AI has also become a powerful tool for research and design, but according to Professor Yuen, it&rsquo;s also a double-edged sword.&ldquo;Technology makes engineering education more efficient, but at the same time, students may over-rely or misuse it. We now design assessments that require them to engage with real-world data.&nbsp;&ldquo;As a traffic engineer myself, I give actual traffic problems and ask students to collect real traffic data on site.&rdquo;Technology has, without a doubt, elevated learning, but discipline ensures mastery.&nbsp;<h2>The Engineer: Turning Classroom Lessons into Structures That Serve a Nation</h2>On the other side of the classroom, surrounded by construction sites and rising buildings, civil engineering was a career that began shaping long before Nur Fatin Alia, a civil engineer at Gadang Engineering (M) Sdn Bhd, even realised it.What seemed like an ordinary backdrop in her childhood became the foundation of her life&rsquo;s passion: to pursue a path that doesn&rsquo;t just benefit her, but others around her, too.&ldquo;As I grew older, I began to notice how much engineers improve the world around us. New roads, bridges, buildings, and public spaces all make life easier and more connected,&rdquo; she shared.&ldquo;That&rsquo;s when I realised how powerful this field is, how it brings people together, creates safer places and improves everyday life. I, too, wanted to be part of that; the people who build, solve problems and make things better for the next generation.&rdquo;That spark became her calling.<figure class="image"><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6937d7d34fc5d_1765267411.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" /><figcaption>Nur Fatin Alia binti Pangat, Civil Engineer at Gadang Engineering (M) Sdn Bhd.</figcaption></figure>But her real training truly began when she stepped into her first project, the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link Project, the same project she still works on today.Everything was different from classroom learning.&ldquo;The pace was fast. The coordination was challenging. I had to ask many questions and adapt quickly. It wasn&rsquo;t always easy, but the challenges helped me grow, become more confident, and understand my role better,&rdquo; she reflected.Today, she wears many hats as a site engineer: managing stressing, concreting, structural works, architectural coordination, shop drawings, factory visits, NCRs, WIRs, and technical meetings, all while supporting the project manager through complex project milestones.Civil engineering isn&rsquo;t just about &ldquo;building things&rdquo;, she stresses.&nbsp;&ldquo;It involves planning, problem-solving, coordination, calculations, approvals, safety and quality control. Every detail matters because people depend on the final structure. It&rsquo;s a huge responsibility.&rdquo;<img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6937d92a50960_1765267754.png" alt="" width="633" height="100%" />&ldquo;I&rsquo;m proud to work on this project because I can see the impact it will have on the community. Reducing travel time, improving safety and connecting people, being part of something that directly benefits so many people makes me feel that my work truly matters.&rdquo;Her success, she insists, comes not just from her own efforts but from the team around her. &ldquo;I couldn&rsquo;t do it without the dedication of my colleagues. Teamwork is everything.&rdquo;&nbsp;<h2>Where their stories meet: the bridge between classroom and construction</h2>Though their paths differ, both Professor Yuen and Fatin emphasise the same foundations that turn students into engineers: the habits and experiences that begin in a classroom and are tested on real sites.<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>1. Discipline 🫡</h3>&ldquo;The more they work, the more they learn.&rdquo;Professor Yeun believes that discipline is what helps students focus on their goals and motivates them to work hard to achieve them.For Fatin, she echoes this through her daily practice on site. Every day, she adapts to fast-moving changes, unexpected issues and high-stakes decisions. Her discipline shows up in her willingness to ask questions, learn on the job and grow from every challenge thrown her way.&ldquo;Knowing that the final result will benefit so many people and improve daily life makes all the challenges and long timelines worthwhile,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;<h3>2. Communication 🗣️</h3>Beyond technical skills, Professor Yuen believes communication sets great engineers apart.&ldquo;A great civil engineer must communicate clearly with everyone, including authorities and the public, and work well with different groups,&rdquo; he said.Clear communication prevents problems, builds trust and keeps large teams moving in the same direction.On-site, Fatin practices this skill in real time.She coordinates with subcontractors, liaises with authorities and collaborates across multiple teams.&nbsp;&ldquo;Projects involve many people and every role matters.&rdquo;To her, communication isn&rsquo;t just a &ldquo;soft skill&rdquo;; it&rsquo;s what keeps the project running smoothly from day to day.&nbsp;<h3>3. Real-world exposure 🌎</h3>Professor Yuen works hard to ensure students don't just learn theory but also experience the industry before entering it.Through guest speakers, industry-sharing sessions, and site visits, he shows them what engineering really looks like: the pace, the pressure, and the responsibility.Fatin stands on the other end of that experience.She brings everything she learned in university into real-world application, navigating on-ground challenges and applying what she once learned in theory.&nbsp;<h2>A Message to Malaysia&rsquo;s Future Nation-Builders</h2>For Professor Yuen, he hopes his students stay focused on their goals, work hard and maintain the hunger to keep learning, whether through self-study or guidance from seniors.&nbsp;A good attitude, he says, will carry them further than they realise.Fatin&rsquo;s message mirrors the same spirit, but from the heart of the construction site itself.&ldquo;Never ever stop learning. Be disciplined. Civil engineering is challenging, but incredibly rewarding. Everything you build contributes to a better-connected, safer, and stronger future for everyone.&rdquo;And her final reminder for the next generation of engineers?&ldquo;Construct your dream, design your legacy.&rdquo; ✨<a href="https://wa.me/60177737817?text=Can%20I%20know%20more%20about%20KL%20being%20one%20of%20the%20best%20student%20cities%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fafterschool.my%2Farticles%2Fwhy-kl-is-winning-hearts-and-applications-worldwide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Got questions?&nbsp;Click here to chat with one of our counsellors on WhatsApp and get tailored advice!</a>

Whiteboards, Hard Hats and Everything in Between: A Civil Engineering Story

For years, the UK, US, Canada and Australia have been the &ldquo;Big Four&rdquo; that every international student looked to for their studies.&nbsp;But today, the game is changing. With tighter visa rules, higher living costs and a whole lot of global competition, these traditional faves are now surprisingly seeing a drop in interest.So, where are the students looking now? According to new data from Studyportals and the British Council, the spotlight is shifting to Asia and the Middle East.&nbsp;Japan, China, India and Malaysia are seeing a surge in interest as students hunt for study destinations that are stable, affordable and still offer great opportunities.NAFSA CEO Fanta Aw sums it up perfectly: It&rsquo;s no longer just the 'Big Four&rsquo;. It&rsquo;s really about the &lsquo;Big Ten&rsquo; now.&nbsp;<h2>KL Makes Its Mark: Ranked 12th Best Student City in the World (QS 2026)</h2>Kuala Lumpur isn&rsquo;t just the capital city of Malaysia; it&rsquo;s now officially one of the best cities in the world to study in, securing 12th place in the <a href="https://www.topuniversities.com/city-rankings">QS Best Student Cities 2026</a>.<img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6937d278089c3_1765266040.png" alt="" width="633" height="100%" />Known for its magnificent skyscrapers, street food and vibrant life, it's easy to see why KL has become one of Asia&rsquo;s rising educational destinations.Visa approval rates are also strong at around 90%, with applications rising steadily as Malaysia aims to welcome 250,000 international students by 2025.&nbsp;<h2>So What Does This Ranking Really Mean?</h2><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6937d2c820453_1765266120.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" />The QS ranking evaluates cities based on factors such as:<ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">University quality</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Affordability</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Student mix &amp; diversity</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Employer activity</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Desirability and safety</li></ul>Malaysia&rsquo;s 2026 scores reflect KL&rsquo;s strong appeal:<ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Overall: 90.3</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Student view: 70.8</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Student mix: 77.5</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Employer activity: 86.8</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Desirability: 61.6</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Affordability: 73</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Rankings: 74.2</li></ul>But numbers only paint part of the picture.To understand what makes KL a true student city, you need to hear it from the students themselves!<h2>Growing Up and Choosing KL: &ldquo;A city that always felt familiar, yet full of possibilities.&rdquo;</h2><h3>Roha Ali (Pakistan)</h3><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Bachelor of Computer Science (Data Science), Multimedia University (MMU)</li></ul><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6937d2ea98993_1765266154.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" />&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve lived in Malaysia since my school years, so choosing KL felt natural,&rdquo; shared Roha.&ldquo;Kuala Lumpur is a vibrant cultural hub where different communities intersect. It has this blend of modern city life and the natural beauty of the hills that have always inspired me.&rdquo;<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Cristian Dimitrie Barbulescu (Romania)</h3><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">4th-year Economics student, Universiti Malaya (UM)</li></ul><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6937d31a0d60d_1765266202.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" />&ldquo;I came because my mother works here, but KL offered much more than I expected. Living in such a diverse city exposed me to cultures, festivals and religions I never encountered back home. It expanded my worldview in ways I didn&rsquo;t imagine.&rdquo;Language barriers? Not an issue.&ldquo;The high level of English proficiency makes daily life and travelling around KL so easy!&rdquo; <h2>Living in KL: Diversity, Culture and Belonging</h2>Diversity isn&rsquo;t just a buzzword in Malaysia. It's a daily reality.&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve met people from every culture, religion, and background, which definitely makes you more empathetic and open-minded,&rdquo; shared Roha.Adapting to the lifestyle was easy, she says, partly due to years spent in Malaysia, but mostly, it was due to the people:&ldquo;People are always willing to explain their customs, invite you to participate in cultural activities, and share their traditions with newcomers. What truly stands out is the strong sense of tolerance, understanding, and unity among the diverse communities here.&ldquo;Whether it&rsquo;s everyday interactions, festivals, or communal activities, there&rsquo;s a genuine effort to respect differences while fostering harmony,&rdquo; Roha shared.Cristian echoes a similar sentiment:&ldquo;Every year, I celebrate Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali with my friends, something I never experienced before in my home country. These experiences taught me empathy and made me appreciate Malaysia&rsquo;s multicultural identity.&rdquo;This aligns closely with KL&rsquo;s student mix and desirability scores in QS; a key strength that continues to attract students globally. <h2>Getting Around: Safe, Connected, and Convenient</h2><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6937d39bcdff5_1765266331.png" alt="" width="633" height="100%" />Public transport is one of KL&rsquo;s biggest wins for students.&ldquo;I rarely drive,&rdquo; said Roha. The MRT is fast, convenient and affordable. As a woman, the ladies-only coach adds a sense of safety that I really appreciate. I&rsquo;ve always felt comfortable getting around the city, whether on foot or by transport.&rdquo;Cristian adds:&ldquo;If you live near an LRT or MRT station, you can get anywhere. And the student concession card makes transport even cheaper.&rdquo;Safety and mobility are major contributors to KL&rsquo;s high desirability score and are clearly noticeable in everyday student life. <h2>What Students Love Most About KL</h2>When asked about what they love most about living in KL, Roha and Cristian both shared their love for the local food and people.<h3>Roha:</h3>&ldquo;Malaysia offers an extraordinary range of flavours&mdash;authentic local dishes, creative modern interpretations, and a wide variety of international cuisines. And the people are warm, helpful, and genuinely welcoming. It&rsquo;s easy to build friendships because there is a natural openness and sincerity in how people interact.&rdquo;<h3>Cristian:</h3>&ldquo;Wherever I go, KL, Perak, or Kedah, locals are friendly, helpful, and always ready to joke around. And the food? I could eat Maggi Goreng Ayam and Teh O Ais Limau every day. Malaysia is a food paradise, and I love it!&rdquo; <h2>KL&rsquo;s University Ecosystem</h2>Beyond its skyline and street food, Kuala Lumpur is also home to some of Asia&rsquo;s most respected universities; institutions that attract both local and international students seeking quality education and real-world experience.These include Monash, Nottingham, Heriot-Watt, Taylor&rsquo;s, Sunway, etc.With a mix of public, private, and foreign universities, Kuala Lumpur offers pathways for every kind of learner. Many of these institutions maintain strong ties with global partners, opening doors to study abroad, credit transfer or dual-degree options.<h3>Roha&rsquo;s experience at MMU</h3>&ldquo;My lecturers were incredibly supportive. I met them weekly for guidance. And campus life? One of the best in the KL region. It helped me grow through sports, cultural events, official programmes and student societies. It shaped who I am today.&rdquo;She also highlighted a unique fact about studying in KL:&ldquo;I was surprised by how connected universities are to national leaders. I attended events with YAB Dato&rsquo; Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah, Her Majesty Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, and ambassadors. I never expected that level of closeness.&rdquo;<h3>Cristian&rsquo;s experience at UM</h3>&ldquo;My lecturers have industry experience and strong networks, and they encourage students to think beyond grades. My classmates inspire me; many come from humble backgrounds, yet they are driven, politically aware, and determined to move Malaysia forward.&ldquo;UM&rsquo;s campus life is also incredibly active, with weekly cultural, career, and research events. Students who get involved receive more opportunities and often grow into well-rounded leaders by their final years.&rdquo;&nbsp;<h2>Work Opportunities: A City Full of Possibilities</h2>KL is the economic hub of Malaysia, home to multinational companies, tech startups, creative agencies, and financial institutions.&nbsp;The city&rsquo;s diverse economy means students can explore internships, industry collaborations, and networking opportunities across industries&mdash;from technology and finance to creative arts and hospitality..KL&rsquo;s dynamic job market also contributed to its strong employer activity score in the QS ranking, reflecting how well-connected students are to real-world industries.&nbsp;<h3>Internships</h3><h3>Roha:</h3><h3>&ldquo;I interned at both an MNC and an SME. MMU supported us with mentorships, career fairs and programmes like iCadet.&rdquo;</h3><h3>Cristian:</h3>&ldquo;I interned at RSM Malaysia and EUROCHAM. International students can find opportunities if they build a strong portfolio and take initiative.&rdquo;International students can also work up to 20 hours per week during semester breaks or holidays.The opportunities don&rsquo;t end when the degree does. Graduates can stay for longer under the Graduate Pass, which allows them to remain in Malaysia for up to 12 months to work in approved sectors without needing employer sponsorship.For students like Roha and Cristian, their future looks promising:&ldquo;I would be very happy to stay and work in Malaysia. The tech landscape is dynamic, and the country is positioning itself as a leader in the region,&rdquo; shared Roha.&ldquo;It would be an honour to stay in Malaysia, especially in KL. It's the perfect place to start a corporate career, with developed industries in oil and gas, tourism, green tech, and more. You gain a holistic view of a rapidly developing economy on its way to becoming a high-income nation,&rdquo; added Cristian.It&rsquo;s a valuable bridge between study and career, giving graduates the chance to apply what they&rsquo;ve learned in a real-world setting.&nbsp;<h2>Affordability: KL&rsquo;s Biggest Advantage</h2><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6937d40a217ac_1765266442.gif" alt="" width="460" height="259" />Kuala Lumpur may not have the same global fame as London or Tokyo, but when it comes to student experience, it holds its own in all the right ways.The city&rsquo;s biggest edge? Affordability.The QS ranking considers tuition fees, day-to-day living expenses, and how much value students feel they&rsquo;re getting overall, which is where KL truly shines.Here, students can pursue globally recognised degrees at a fraction of the cost of studying in places like Singapore, Sydney, or London without compromising on quality.&nbsp;Roha shares: &ldquo;Groceries are affordable, cooking at home is easy, and the MRT concession makes transport very cheap. Compared with other countries in the region, KL is very student-friendly.&rdquo;Cristian breaks it down clearly: &ldquo;A reasonable accommodation is around RM1,000 (USD 250). Food is also around RM1,000. So for under USD 500, students can cover basic monthly expenses, which is incredible for a developed city.&rdquo;&nbsp;<h2>A City That Truly Feels Like Home</h2>Between its cultural warmth, modern city life and global opportunities, the city strikes that rare balance between ambition and belonging. It&rsquo;s a place where you can chase big dreams and still feel at home.Beyond just rankings, students choose KL because it feels right.Roha summarises KL as: Vibrant. Beautiful. Transformative.Cristian describes KL as: Global. Fast. Spicy.And honestly? Those three words say everything.&nbsp;<h2>Advice to Future Students</h2><h3>Roha:</h3>&ldquo;Come with an open heart. Let go of your prejudices and immerse yourself in the beauty of Malaysia.&rdquo;<h3>Cristian:</h3>&ldquo;Learn Malay, make local friends, get involved on campus, and plan your internships early.&rdquo;&nbsp;<h2>Why KL Truly Deserves Its Spot in the QS Top 12</h2>Between its cultural warmth, affordability, global exposure, strong universities, safety, and opportunities, KL has evolved into a city where students can build a future and feel at home.It&rsquo;s no surprise that international students are choosing to study here.&nbsp;KL isn&rsquo;t just a great city to study in, it&rsquo;s one of the BEST in the world.<a href="https://wa.me/60177737817?text=Can%20I%20know%20more%20about%20KL%20being%20one%20of%20the%20best%20student%20cities%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fafterschool.my%2Farticles%2Fwhy-kl-is-winning-hearts-and-applications-worldwide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Got questions? Click here to chat with one of our counsellors on WhatsApp and get tailored advice!</a>

Why KL Is Winning Hearts (and Applications) Worldwide!

7 Surprising Degrees That Blend Maths With Arts

The University of Southampton Malaysia (UoSM) has long been a place where students from around the world come together to learn, grow, and create lasting memories.More than just a campus, it is a hub of innovation and collaboration. Students benefit from world-class teaching delivered by highly qualified academics, cutting-edge research, strong industry links and a vibrant student life.Being a place where ambition meets opportunity, students not only leave with a world-class degree but also the confidence needed to shape their future.To understand what makes the UoSM experience unique, we spoke with four recent graduates. Their stories reveal the blend of academic rigour, supportive communities and vibrant student life that defines UoSM as the number one UK university in Malaysia.&nbsp;<h2>Lau Yi Kiat: Turning a Practical Choice into a Passion for Computer Science</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6937a7bcd0d8c_1765255100.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" /><figcaption>Lau Yi Kiat, a BSc in Computer Science graduate.</figcaption></figure>For Lau Yi Kiat, a BSc in Computer Science graduate and a proud Johor resident, choosing UoSM was a practical yet meaningful decision. &ldquo;With home close to campus and lower living costs, it felt like the right fit,&rdquo; she said.What began as a convenient choice soon grew into an experience that shaped her future. Her final-year project on facial emotional recognition in computer vision remains the highlight of her studies.&nbsp;&ldquo;This project allowed me to dive deep into research and work closely with my lecturers. Their guidance gave me the confidence I needed in conducting research and finding solutions.&rdquo;Beyond academics, Yi Kiat valued the personal support from both friends and lecturers.&ldquo;Studying on a campus with fewer students meant we had closer interactions with our professors, who could give more focused attention to students. At the same time, my friends were always there to help each other along the way.&rdquo;&nbsp;Student life, she added, was just as enriching. With the campus conveniently located near food, entertainment and cultural spots, UoSM offered not only academic growth but also a vibrant, well-rounded experience.Outside the classroom, Yi Kiat enjoyed exploring Johor. She recommended the Johor Zoo, the historic Tan Cheng Lok Street for its famous herbal tea and Sutera Mall for affordable meals and shopping.Looking back, Yi Kiat vividly recalls her first impression of UoSM: a modern, welcoming campus that felt personal and approachable. &ldquo;The lecturers were caring and supportive. That&rsquo;s something I&rsquo;ll always value about UoSM.&rdquo;&nbsp;<h2>Abdul Qavi Syed Ahmed: Discovering His Passion Through Data</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6937a8125a974_1765255186.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" /><figcaption>Abdul Qavi Syed Ahmed, a BSc in Business Analytics graduate.</figcaption></figure>Coming to Malaysia from India to study a BSc in Business Analytics at UoSM was a journey filled with discovery and growth for Abdul Qavi Syed Ahmed.He still remembers the exact moment he realised he had chosen the right path: his first introduction to machine learning.&nbsp;&ldquo;When I found out the endless possibilities that machine learning offers, I realised this is what I&rsquo;m meant to do,&rdquo; he recalled.One of the most inspiring classes for him was his very first data analytics project. Having little prior experience, he was awestruck by the power of data storytelling.&nbsp;&ldquo;It was eye-opening learning that numbers and patterns could influence people&rsquo;s decisions and communicate insights. This experience became the foundation for my entire academic and career journey.&rdquo;What surprised him most during his time at UoSM was how approachable and supportive his lecturers were.&nbsp;&ldquo;They created an environment where we felt comfortable asking questions and seeking help, which made the learning experience more encouraging.&rdquo;Outside the classroom, he found UoSM&rsquo;s location convenient and student-friendly, with food, clinics and grocery stores close by. His favourite spot was a student-favourite eatery near EcoWorld called Chow Chow.&ldquo;The convenience, safety and sense of community made it the perfect place to focus on my studies,&rdquo; he remarked.&nbsp;<h2>Arun Prakash: A Journey of Growth and Resilience</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6937a86587ad5_1765255269.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" /><figcaption>Arun Prakash, a BSc in Computer Science graduate.</figcaption></figure>Arun Prakash recently graduated with a BSc in Computer Science and believes UoSM represented both a risk and a reward.Joining during the pandemic, when the campus was still new and relatively unknown, he admitted, &ldquo;It was a big chance, but UoSM exceeded my expectations. The experiences, friendships and community here are something I don&rsquo;t think I would have found anywhere else,&rdquo; he said.His journey, however, was not without challenges. In his second year, Arun&rsquo;s father passed away just before his exams, forcing him to balance family responsibilities, frequent travel between Kuala Lumpur and Johor, and his studies.With the unwavering support of his family, friends and lecturers, especially Dr Sagaya Amalathas (former head of Computer Science), he persevered and graduated with first-class honours.&ldquo;With their encouragement and guidance, I was able to push forward. I couldn&rsquo;t have done it without them.&rdquo;What stood out to Arun throughout his studies was the level of personal attention and care he received from UoSM&rsquo;s faculty.&nbsp;&ldquo;Even as I juggled the long-distance travel, my lecturers made sure I had the materials, notes, and supervision I needed to stay on track. This constant communication and understanding made all the difference.&rdquo;Beyond academics, Arun cherished his time in UoSM&rsquo;s music room. What began with a simple keyboard grew into a collection of instruments, maintained by students who chipped in for repairs.&ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t just about the music,&rdquo; he reflected. &ldquo;It was about the community we built through it.&rdquo;Looking back, Arun&rsquo;s time at UoSM was marked by resilience, growth, and belonging. Despite the challenges, he leaves with both achievements and memories that will stay with him forever.&nbsp;<h2>Lian Chao Hooi: Exploring New Sights in the UK and Beyond</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6937a89516476_1765255317.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" /><figcaption>Lian Chao Hooi, a MEng in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (2+2) graduate.</figcaption></figure>Chao Hooi pursued the MEng in Electrical and Electronics Engineering (2+2) programme at UoSM, completing his foundation and first two years in Malaysia before transferring to the UK campus for his final years, where he graduated in 2024.Guided by his Yayasan Tenaga Nasional (YTN) scholarship, he feels grateful for the path it set him on.&nbsp;&ldquo;I never regretted the decision as UoSM provided me with experiences and growth that I wouldn&rsquo;t trade for anything,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Although his first year was challenging, it laid the foundation for him to excel later. What he valued most at UoSM was the close-knit community.&ldquo;We weren&rsquo;t just peers in the classroom, but also friends after class. Even the lecturers often joined us outside lessons, which made the learning experience warm and supportive.&rdquo; This gave him confidence as he progressed in his studies.When it came time to move to the UK campus, Chao Hooi&rsquo;s transition was seamless. &ldquo;It didn&rsquo;t feel as tough as our entire batch moved together. We had each other&rsquo;s backs,&rdquo; he recalled.While he noted that the UK campus felt slightly different, the academic resources and facilities were equally comprehensive and supportive as those on the Malaysian campus.Above all, he credits his lecturers for their support: &ldquo;They were approachable, professional and willing to go the extra mile to help us succeed.&rdquo;For future students, his advice is simple: be curious and never hesitate to ask questions. With approachable lecturers and a supportive community, he believes UoSM is the ideal place for both academic and personal growth.&nbsp;<h2>At UoSM, Ambition Grows, Confidence Thrives, and Futures are Shaped.</h2>The stories of Yi Kiat, Abdul Qavi, Arun and Chao Hooi reflect the heart of UoSM: resilience, curiosity and community.Through academic rigour, the guidance of dedicated lecturers and a vibrant student life, each of them gained far more than a degree. They discovered the confidence, support and opportunities to shape their future.As they step into the world, they carry not only academic excellence but also the values and experiences that make UoSM a place where ambition truly meets opportunity.

University of Southampton Malaysia (UoSM) is a branch campus of the prestigious University of Southampton, UK, ranked among the top 100 universities in the world (QS World University Rankings). Established in 2012, UoSM is located in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, offering students a world-class education with a focus on engineering, computer science, and business programmes. UoSM is renowned for its Master&rsquo;s programmes in Mechanical, and Electrical &amp; Electronic Engineering, both mirroring the curriculum taught at its UK campus. Students benefit from the opportunity to study in Malaysia for up to two years before transferring to the main campus in the UK to complete their degree. This pathway is an excellent opportunity to gain global exposure at a lower cost. UoSM is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including modern laboratories, engineering workshops, and collaborative learning spaces designed to enhance practical learning. The university&rsquo;s strong focus on research and innovation compels students to engage in real-world problem-solving, particularly in areas like aerospace, sustainable energy, and artificial intelligence. UoSM graduates are also highly sought after by top global employers like Intel, Deloitte, and Dyson. The university&rsquo;s commitment to academic excellence, combined with its affordable study model in Malaysia, makes the University of Southampton Malaysia the ideal choice for students seeking a world-class education with a global outlook.&nbsp;

Explore University of Southampton Malaysia on Afterschool.my – A top UK engineering and computing university offering world-class degrees with 2 years in Malaysia and 2 years in the UK for a truly global education experience.

University of Southampton Malaysia | Courses, Fees, Intake 2025

University of Southampton Malaysia (UoSM)

UoSM is a branch campus of the prestigious University of Southampton, UK that offers students a world-class education with a focus on engineering, computer science, and business programmes.

A Campus, Community, and Catalyst: What Makes UoSM Home for Students Around the World

Sometimes, life has a funny way of presenting you with moments that change everything. For Suraya MA Shakir, one of those moments happened when she was sitting next to a stranger at her university interview, about to decide her future. A random question about the stranger's aspirations led to an unexpected conversation that would ultimately push Suraya to change her course of study, deciding to pursue a career in fashion design despite her father&rsquo;s initial plans for her future.&nbsp;This is the story of how Suraya&rsquo;s passion, determination, and resilience helped her convince her parents to support her dreams, even when they initially thought it was a path that would lead nowhere.One Fateful Encounter&nbsp;The day Suraya attended her interview for her arts and design diploma at UITM, she had no idea that fate would guide her in a new direction. "Honestly, I didn&rsquo;t know what Industrial Design was,&rdquo; Suraya recalled, reflecting on the advice her father had given her before the interview. &ldquo;He told me, &lsquo;If they ask, tell them you want to take Industrial Design.&rsquo;" She had a fleeting sense of what the course entailed: something technical and something far from her passion for fashion. But when Suraya sat down next to a fellow applicant and struck up a conversation, everything changed.She asked the girl sitting beside her what branch of arts and design she had planned to pursue. When she replied that it was fashion design, Suraya suddenly had a lightbulb moment. It was as if a veil had lifted, and she thought, "Why hadn&rsquo;t I thought of that before?" The idea struck her with such clarity, like an epiphany. It felt right, instinctively, like she had found her true calling in a fleeting, serendipitous conversation.Suraya had always been passionate about the arts; the handmade bag she had sewn and brought along during the interview was proof itself. She showed her bag to the girl, sharing their love for arts and design, and the girl said, &ldquo;You&rsquo;re really good at sewing! You should consider Fashion Design too!&rdquo;"In that moment, I didn&rsquo;t think twice,&rdquo; Suraya recalled. &ldquo;It was like fate. I just decided, 'Fashion design it is.'"Looking back, Suraya could see how that conversation marked a pivotal turning point. It wasn&rsquo;t just a matter of deciding what she wanted to study, but it was a defining moment of self-awareness. She hadn&rsquo;t consciously chosen fashion until that point, but once the idea clicked, it felt right. For Suraya, that moment was a wake-up call to listen to her true passion, something she had known deep down all along but had been too unsure to embrace fully.The Initial Struggles of Doubts and ResistanceSuraya's decision was met with immediate pushback from her father, who had envisioned a more traditional, stable future for her. "Fashion?!" he had exclaimed when Suraya revealed her choice. "What will you do with that? Can you really build a career from fashion?"Her father&rsquo;s concerns weren&rsquo;t unique; many parents, particularly those from more conservative backgrounds, see creative fields like fashion as impractical or fleeting. For Suraya, her father&rsquo;s reaction was not just about worry, but was also rooted in his desire to protect her. &ldquo;He was thinking about my future, but it was hard for him to understand that my passion for fashion wasn&rsquo;t just a hobby,&rdquo; Suraya reflected.&nbsp;At this point, Suraya&rsquo;s parents were still uncertain about her decision. They felt she was deviating from a safe, predictable path, one that had been expected of her since she was young. The fact that she had come from MRSM, a school with an emphasis on science, maths, and engineering, made it even harder for them to accept her career shift. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know how to convince them at first,&rdquo; Suraya said. &ldquo;But I knew deep down this was what I was meant to do.&rdquo;Despite the initial resistance, Suraya pressed on, driven by her belief that she wasn&rsquo;t just choosing a career in fashion but a life filled with passion. She reflected, &ldquo;I wasn&rsquo;t going to let anyone tell me that I couldn&rsquo;t pursue this dream. I knew this was the right path for me.&rdquo;A Resilience and Determination Out of the OrdinaryOver the course of her diploma, Suraya was determined to prove to herself and her parents that fashion wasn&rsquo;t just something she loved, it was something she excelled in. &ldquo;It wasn&rsquo;t easy at all,&rdquo; she admitted. &ldquo;I had to juggle part-time work doing alterations, and I struggled with the costs. I was rationing food, doing everything I could just to stay afloat.&rdquo;But this adversity only made her more focused. Suraya&rsquo;s commitment to her dream was evident in her results. She not only excelled in her courses but also received the Anugerah Naib Cancelor (Vice Chancellor&rsquo;s) award during her final semester. &ldquo;When I received the award, I felt like I was finally showing them that this wasn&rsquo;t just a phase. I had proven to myself that I could do it, and I was determined to prove it to my parents as well.&rdquo;<figure class="image"><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6936735528e86_1765176149.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" /><figcaption>Suraya MA Shakir on her graduation day.</figcaption></figure>Suraya&rsquo;s achievements were a powerful testament to her resilience. While her father remained uncertain for much of her diploma years, he couldn&rsquo;t ignore her hard work and success. "When I saw her dedication, it was hard to deny it," her father admitted. "She was always committed, always striving for excellence. Over time, I began to see that this wasn&rsquo;t just a hobby, but something she was truly passionate about."It was Suraya&rsquo;s perseverance that turned the tide. &ldquo;Once they saw that I was committed, that I was doing well, they started to understand. It wasn&rsquo;t easy, but with every step, I proved that I was capable of making this work,&rdquo; she shared.Building Her Own Brand: The Entrepreneurial SpiritBy the time Suraya had finished her diploma, she had already begun laying the groundwork for her future business. At 18, she started her own tailoring service, offering alterations and custom designs under her brand, bysryashakir. This was her first step towards becoming an entrepreneur, and it was something she took very seriously.&ldquo;Starting my business wasn&rsquo;t easy, but it was necessary. I needed to show my parents that I wasn&rsquo;t just a dreamer, and that I was building something real,&rdquo; she explained. "Even when the business was small, it was mine, and I knew it was the beginning of something bigger."Suraya&rsquo;s entrepreneurial journey wasn&rsquo;t without its challenges. Balancing her studies and side business took a toll, but she kept pushing forward. &ldquo;I had to learn how to juggle multiple responsibilities. But I knew I couldn&rsquo;t give up,&rdquo; she said, her voice filled with determination. &ldquo;Every client, every piece of clothing I altered, was another step closer to my dream.&rdquo;Through sheer determination and hard work, Suraya grew her business, attracting more clients and gaining recognition for her skills. Her parents, who had once been sceptical, began to see that her passion was a profound commitment to something she knew in her heart could shape her future, no matter how uncertain it seemed at the start.Tips for Convincing Parents to Let You Study What You WantSuraya&rsquo;s story is not just about following your passion; it&rsquo;s about how to convince those who matter most to support you in that pursuit. If you&rsquo;re in a situation where you feel your parents are hesitant to let you study something unconventional, here are some lessons from Suraya&rsquo;s journey:<ol><li>Have a Clear Plan and Vision Suraya didn&rsquo;t just follow her passion blindly. Instead, she created a clear plan. Whether it was her studies in fashion or later deciding to study Business Marketing, she knew what she wanted and why. If you want your parents to support you, show them you&rsquo;ve thought about your future. Lay out your goals, both short-term and long-term, and show them how your chosen field fits into that plan.</li><li>Show Your Commitment Through Actions It&rsquo;s not enough to just say you&rsquo;re passionate about something, because you need to show it too. Suraya proved her commitment by excelling academically, even when times were tough. She worked part-time, managed her finances, and continued to give her all. Demonstrating your commitment through actions will make it harder for anyone to question your dedication.</li><li>Open, Honest Communication Throughout her journey, Suraya maintained open communication with her parents. Even when they didn&rsquo;t fully understand her choices, she explained her reasoning. She didn&rsquo;t hide her struggles but shared them with her parents, helping them understand why she was making the choices she did. Be honest with your parents about your dreams and the obstacles you face. They will appreciate your transparency.</li><li>Be Patient and Persistent Convincing your parents won&rsquo;t happen overnight, and there will be moments of doubt. But just like Suraya, stay persistent. It took time for her parents to fully come around, but they eventually did. Keep proving that you&rsquo;re serious, and they&rsquo;ll begin to see your potential.</li><li>Show Practical Evidence of Your Passion Suraya didn&rsquo;t just talk about fashion design&ndash;she lived it. She worked part-time, built a business, and excelled in her studies. Her internships, side projects, and freelance work all showed her parents that her passion can translate into something tangible and successful.&nbsp;</li></ol>The Power of Following Your PassionSuraya&rsquo;s journey is a powerful reminder that pursuing your dreams, even in the face of doubt and opposition, can lead to incredible success. By staying true to herself, Suraya not only transformed her own life but also changed her parents' perception of what was possible.Her story is a testament to the fact that with hard work, patience, and a clear vision, you can overcome any obstacle. So, if you find yourself at a crossroads, uncertain about whether to follow your passion or take the &lsquo;safe&rsquo; route, remember Suraya&rsquo;s words: &ldquo;If you have the potential, anything is possible.&rdquo;<a href="https://wa.me/60177737817?text=Can%20i%20know%20more%20about%20my%20study%20options%20https%3A%2F%2Fafterschool.my%2Farticles%2Fhow-suraya-convinced-her-parents-to-pursue-a-path-beyond-their-expectations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Got questions?&nbsp;Click here to chat with one of our counsellors on WhatsApp and get tailored advice!</a>&nbsp;

How Suraya Convinced Her Parents to Pursue A Path Beyond Their Expectations

"Maybe mermaids exist. Or maybe they don&rsquo;t?"This whimsical notion may have danced through our minds, but for marine biologists like Alvin Chelliah and Muhammad Danial Hakim, the real wonders of the ocean are far more fascinating.While mermaids remain mythical, the mysteries of the sea, its ecosystems, creatures and environmental challenges are anything but.<figure class="image"><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/693673615edd1_1765176161.png" alt="" width="633" height="100%" /><figcaption>Mermaids are fantasy, but the sea and its challenges are real image is for illustration purposes only).</figcaption></figure>The ocean covers over 70% of our planet, yet more than 90% of it remains unexplored, leaving marine biologists on the frontlines of a vast, uncharted world. As these explorers dive deep into their research, they uncover the secrets of the underwater world and fight to preserve its delicate balance.&nbsp;But what exactly do they do, and what&rsquo;s it like to live and work in this field? Let&rsquo;s dive in.<h3>What Marine Biologists Really Do</h3>Imagine waking up to a day filled with saltwater air, the promise of discovery, and the responsibility of ensuring that one of the Earth&rsquo;s most precious resources, its oceans, remains healthy for generations to come.&nbsp;The life of a marine biologist is not about frolicking with dolphins (though there&rsquo;s certainly a bit of that, too) but involves a deep dive into molecular genetics, ocean ecology and marine technology.Alvin Chelliah, Chief Programme Officer at Reef Check Malaysia, explains that his work focuses on conserving and sustainably managing marine ecosystems. "The goal is simple: to make sure marine resources continue to benefit both marine life and the people who depend on them," he says.While most people think marine biology involves endless diving trips, the reality is a delicate balance of fieldwork, lab research and data analysis. Whether studying plankton to understand oxygen production, monitoring coral reef health, or measuring the effects of ocean acidification, marine biologists juggle many tasks.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s about understanding how each small part of the ocean's ecosystem plays a role in maintaining the health of the entire system.<h3>From Reefs to Research Labs: A Day in the Life</h3>For marine biologists like Alvin and Danial, a typical week can feel like a mix of adventure and desk work. "On dry days, I&rsquo;m usually teaching local communities about sustainable practices, conducting surveys, and analysing data," says Alvin. "On wet days, it's diving deep to collect information and working hands-on with coral health."Danial&rsquo;s job, as Junior Environmental Officer at The Taaras Beach &amp; Spa Resort, takes him to the frontlines of marine conservation. He is responsible for maintaining the resort&rsquo;s coral nursery and overseeing conservation projects like sea turtle protection and coral restoration.&nbsp;&ldquo;I spend my days on the beach, ensuring that our conservation programs are effective,&rdquo; says Danial, his eyes lighting up when he talks about the sea turtles he&rsquo;s helped save. "There's nothing quite like seeing a baby turtle released back into the ocean after months of conservation efforts."<h3>Technology Beneath the Surface</h3>While marine biology has always been about observation, technology is now changing the game. Alvin shares, "With advancements in AI, drones, and data mapping, we're able to monitor reef health more efficiently and accurately."&nbsp;At Reef Check Malaysia, drones and AI help track coral bleaching and assess reef health quickly, allowing scientists to respond to changes faster than ever before. These technologies also play a significant role in monitoring whales, combating illegal fishing, and analysing ocean currents.Danial, too, is no stranger to the power of technology. "We use GPS and mapping software to monitor coral growth and out-plant new fragments," he explains. "The integration of technology is a game-changer for conservation work."<h3>The Challenges Behind the Beauty</h3>Despite the allure of the ocean, marine biology is not always as dreamy as it may sound. "It's easy to think that marine biologists spend all their time on tropical beaches," Danial admits, chuckling. "But the reality involves long hours, challenging fieldwork, and a constant battle with the elements."Alvin recalls a particularly harrowing experience while conducting reef surveys in Brunei. "The currents were incredibly strong, and our boat broke down far from shore.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/693671f77ebf2_1765175799.png" alt="" width="633" height="100%" /><figcaption>A marine biologist surveying the reef as part of routine monitoring (image is for illustration purposes only).</figcaption></figure>We were adrift until we finally got a signal to call for help," he says, remembering how the weather and tides often dictate the success of their work.<h3>Why Marine Biology Matters Now More Than Ever</h3>The oceans do more than provide a playground for marine biologists; they regulate our climate, produce oxygen, and absorb carbon dioxide. As Alvin explains, "Marine ecosystems play a crucial role in food security and protecting our coastlines from erosion. If the oceans are in trouble, so are we." With threats like climate change, overfishing, and plastic pollution, marine biologists' research is more urgent than ever. They are the stewards of the seas, guiding conservation efforts to protect the health of our planet.Danial echoes this sentiment, highlighting how ocean health directly affects communities like those on Redang Island, where the resort is located. "A healthy ocean means more fish for local fishermen, more tourists enjoying the beauty of the reefs, and better livelihoods for those who rely on marine resources," he says. "When we preserve the ocean, we preserve life."<h3>Advice for Aspiring Marine Biologists</h3>For students passionate about the ocean but unsure where to start, both Alvin and Danial offer practical advice. "Get involved. Volunteer with marine conservation groups or local initiatives," says Alvin. "Hands-on experience will give you a feel for the work and help you decide if this is the right career for you."Danial, a graduate of University Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), recommends pursuing a degree in marine biology from a university that offers fieldwork opportunities. "UMT was crucial for my career," he shares. "Their focus on marine research and practical experience gave me the foundation I needed to get into this field."Marine biology is a dynamic, rewarding and vital career path that connects science with sustainability. As Alvin and Danial&rsquo;s stories illustrate, marine biologists don&rsquo;t just study the ocean; they work tirelessly to protect it for future generations.&nbsp;For those who are passionate about the environment and ready to dive into a meaningful career, marine biology offers an exciting and essential opportunity to make a real-world impact.<a href="https://wa.me/60177737817?text=Can%20i%20know%20more%20about%20my%20study%20options%20for%20Marine%20Biology%20https%3A%2F%2Fafterschool.my%2Farticles%2Fexplorers-of-the-sea-the-marine-biologists" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Got questions?&nbsp;Click here to chat with one of our counsellors on WhatsApp and get tailored advice!</a>

explorers-of-the-sea-the-marine-biologists

Explorers of the Sea: The Marine Biologists

If you grew up building tiny houses, crazy spaceships, entire cities out of colourful bricks, or just simply playing LEGO, this is good news for YOU!&nbsp;Bet some of us didn&rsquo;t realise that LEGO is not just a fun hobby. According to Pam, a LEGO&reg; Therapist at a <a href="https://www.childrenswellnesscentre.co.uk/10-incredible-benefits-of-playing-with-lego-2/">UK children&rsquo;s wellness centre</a>, LEGO is where kids become mini&ndash;story creators.In her Brick Buddies club, she lets them freestyle with the bricks and &ldquo;experimenting, testing ideas and being adventurous&rdquo;. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s creativity with no rules,&rdquo; she says.&nbsp;Creativity, problem-solving, patience, and teamwork all start with those little plastic bricks scattered on your bedroom floor. And guess what? All these traits can be applied to careers in today&rsquo;s working field.So if you are still obsessed with building sets or you proudly display your LEGO masterpieces, here are ten careers that might just fit you. <h1>1. Designer</h1>Some people grow up drawing. Some grow up crafting. And some, like Marcus Chin, grew up building.&nbsp; &ldquo;LEGO was my first 'design software&rsquo;. Just without the software part,&rdquo; says the Junior Graphic Designer at NagaDDB Tribal.He jokingly calls himself an &lsquo;accidental designer&rsquo; because he chose the field while hunting for an internship. But when he looked back, the signs were always there. &ldquo;I was the kid who loved arts and crafts, the kid who liked making things with his hands, the kid who kept rebuilding LEGO models until they looked right.&rdquo;Every time you build, you&rsquo;re experimenting with shapes, colours and proportions. You learn what looks good together, what doesn&rsquo;t work and how to fix things when your build looks&hellip; questionable.&nbsp;Marcus says, &ldquo;That&rsquo;s basically a normal designer&rsquo;s design process.&rdquo; When he gets stuck on a project, he goes back to the same habits he had as a kid: exploring, researching, tweaking and rebuilding.In design, attention to detail is everything. Clients will ask, &ldquo;Why is this here? What does this colour mean? What&rsquo;s the purpose of this shape?&rdquo; For Marcus, LEGO prepares him for that. If a piece is missing or your model looks off, you feel it instantly.&nbsp;Marcus laughs about the times he overlooked details in his work. &ldquo;Sometimes I miss the titles, numbers.&rdquo;&nbsp; He admits that design is really about slowing down, noticing the small parts and understanding how everything fits together.&ldquo;And that&rsquo;s exactly what LEGO teaches you: every brick, every line, every colour matters. Just like designing,&rdquo; he adds.If you love building LEGO, that may be your first step into the world of designing. <h1>2. Architect</h1>If you were that kid (or student) who built a LEGO house and then said, &ldquo;Wait, I can make it better,&rdquo; congrats&mdash;you are already thinking like an architect.&nbsp;Other than stacking bricks, you&rsquo;re planning layouts, testing what&rsquo;s stable, fixing the walls that collapse, and figuring out how to make everything look nice together.&nbsp;Without realising, you&rsquo;re learning how space works, how structures stand and how tiny changes can totally transform a design.&nbsp;That is what architects do every day, except their bricks are heavier and the stakes are higher. LEGO is basically your starter kit for designing the buildings of the future, just in colourful plastic form. <h1>3. Engineer</h1>LEGO teaches you how things fit, how pieces work together and how one wrong brick can ruin everything. That&rsquo;s basically engineering 101.For engineer Muhammad Aiman bin Ahmad Niza, LEGO wasn&rsquo;t just a toy. It was his gateway into the engineering world. He grew up building animals, vehicles and buildings out of bricks. &ldquo;And yes, I even swallowed one as a toddler,&rdquo; he says. The dedication was real.<figure class="image"><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/693647c188362_1765164993.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" /><figcaption>Muhammad Aiman bin Ahmad Niza, an engineer loves playing LEGO during his free time.</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;What he loved most was the satisfaction of building something from scratch. LEGO taught him the basics without him realising it: start with a strong base, build your components, then bring everything together.&nbsp; &ldquo;Now, as a real engineer working on actual structures instead of tiny plastic ones, I still use the same mindset,&rdquo; he adds.&nbsp;He once had a structure that kept bending more than it should. The obvious fix didn&rsquo;t work because there wasn&rsquo;t enough space. So he did what every LEGO kid would do &mdash; tried a different piece.&nbsp;&ldquo;I added a horizontal member at the top to connect it to another vertical one. Problem solved,&rdquo; he says. Just like LEGO, except the consequences are slightly scarier. A real building could have collapsed and endangered people, right?&nbsp;Aiman&rsquo;s biggest advice? "Be curious. Look at buildings, bridges, even ships, and ask, &ldquo;How did they make this?&rdquo; It&rsquo;s not as simple as stacking bricks, but it might spark your engineer brain. And if you love LEGO, that spark might already be there.<figure class="image"><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/6936481ad3a02_1765165082.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" /><figcaption>Some of Aiman's LEGO collection.&nbsp;</figcaption></figure><h1> 4. Teacher</h1>Some people might just realise they want to be a teacher when they&rsquo;re building LEGO and suddenly become the unofficial &ldquo;instruction manual&rdquo; for everyone around them. LEGO has this sneaky way of making you break things down step by step, even when you&rsquo;re not trying.If you&rsquo;ve ever paused mid-build and said, &ldquo;Okay, let&rsquo;s do this together,&rdquo; that&rsquo;s teacher energy. LEGO trains you to explain ideas clearly, solve problems calmly and keep things engaging. These traits are exactly what great teachers do. <h1>5. LEGO Model Designer</h1>Yes, this obviously exists, and yes, it&rsquo;s as cool as it sounds. Imagine getting paid to build LEGO all day. LEGO Model Designers create the sets you see in stores.&nbsp;They mix storytelling, engineering, colour theory and pure imagination. One wrong brick and the whole model looks weird, so every piece matters. My favourite would be the Harry Potter version. What can I say, I&rsquo;m a Potterhead at heart.If you&rsquo;ve ever built something from scratch and thought, &ldquo;This could be an actual set,&rdquo; you&rsquo;re already thinking like them. Basically, it&rsquo;s your childhood dream turned into a career. <h1>6. 3D Artist</h1>If LEGO lets you build worlds with your hands, 3D art lets you build worlds with your mouse. Video games, movies, animations&mdash;3D artists create everything from dragons to spaceships to futuristic cities.LEGO already trains your brain for this. You learn how shapes work, how objects fit together and how to make something look &ldquo;right.&rdquo;&nbsp;The only difference is that digital bricks don&rsquo;t hurt when you step on them. The thought of stepping on the bricks already makes me wince.&nbsp; <h1>7. Architectural Visualiser</h1>Ever built a LEGO city and then sat there like a proud mayor thinking, &ldquo;People could totally live here&rdquo;? That&rsquo;s basically what architectural visualisers do, just with more expensive software.They take building ideas and turn them into realistic images or walkthroughs so people can imagine how the space will feel.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s storytelling + design + vibes. If you love arranging LEGO streets, homes and buildings to create a tiny world, visualising real places might be your future superpower. <h1>8. Content Reviewer</h1>If you think content reviewing is just &ldquo;watching videos all day&rdquo;, Nursyahirah would like to politely disagree. Her day starts with a twenty-minute &ldquo;morning huddle&rdquo; where the team catches up on urgent updates and whatever wild video is trending that week. After that, it&rsquo;s five straight hours of reviewing live content.&nbsp;So where does LEGO fit into all this?For Syahirah, it started with LEGO flower sets. She loves them because they look peaceful, but actually building them requires Olympic-level patience. &ldquo;When you play LEGO, you follow instructions, right? And sometimes it gets confusing. But after a while, you learn how the pieces fit together,&rdquo; she says.&nbsp;She used to experiment with parts, fix mistakes and figure out what goes where, even when something felt off. That tiny habit of analysing pieces became the exact skill she now uses when reviewing difficult videos.She calls LEGO her &ldquo;escapism&rdquo;. When work gets overwhelming, building a small section of her set gives her a little hit of dopamine. &ldquo;Finishing a LEGO build feels like hitting my KPI,&rdquo; she jokes.Her organisational style also sounds suspiciously like LEGO logic. To avoid being crushed under the weight of hundreds of videos, she breaks the workload into bite-sized chunks. &ldquo;I set small targets, like 10 to 15 videos an hour, so I don&rsquo;t get overwhelmed,&rdquo; she explains. Just like breaking LEGO instructions into tiny steps so you don&rsquo;t throw the manual across the room.The job isn&rsquo;t always easy. Some days, she deals with harsh or vulgar content that can really dampen her mood. Her wellness therapist once reminded her that it&rsquo;s normal because humans aren&rsquo;t built to look at violent content all day.&nbsp;That&rsquo;s when her LEGO mindset kicks in again. When it gets too much, she pauses, takes a coffee break or chats with a colleague. Then she comes back with a clearer head. &ldquo;With LEGO, sometimes the steps get confusing, and you feel like rushing to finish. But you have to slow down and break the process into small chunks. Same thing with work.&rdquo;Whether she&rsquo;s defending a policy in a team debate or watching the twentieth questionable video of the day, one thing is clear: LEGO didn&rsquo;t just entertain her, it trained her to stay organised, logical and calm under pressure.Which, honestly, might be the real superpower behind every good content reviewer. <h1>9. Urban Planner</h1>If you were the kid who turned your LEGO table into a full-blown mini city with roads, a police station, one random castle, and a house that was definitely not fire-safe, you might want to explore the pathways of becoming an Urban Planner.&nbsp;I mean, you were already doing urban planning without even knowing it. Urban planners basically do the same thing, just with real humans, actual traffic, and fewer dragons.LEGO trains your brain to think, &ldquo;Hmm, maybe I shouldn&rsquo;t put the school next to the volcano,&rdquo; which is exactly the kind of logic cities need. It teaches you how spaces connect, how people move and how everything needs to work together without collapsing like that one fragile tower you pretended was stable. <h1>10. Exhibit or Set Designer</h1>Or, if you&rsquo;ve ever built a LEGO scene and gone &ldquo;wait, what if I add a tiny tree here to make it look cute&rdquo;, you already get the vibe of set design.&nbsp;Exhibit and set designers are the people behind museum displays, theatre stages and theme park worlds. They decide what people see, how they feel and how they move through a space.Your LEGO dioramas were basically your first portfolio pieces, ok. You were already experimenting with lighting (aka placing it near the window), spacing (so it doesn&rsquo;t fall off the table) and storytelling (because obviously the minifig is running away from the dinosaur).&nbsp;Turn that same energy into real-world set design and boom, career unlocked. <h1>LEGO is More Than a Toy</h1>Playing LEGO teaches creativity, focus, teamwork, patience and problem-solving. These skills power some of the most exciting careers today, from engineering to design to content reviewing.If you love LEGO, let it guide you. Look at what you enjoy building. Look at how you think when something breaks or does not fit. Those tiny habits might be pointing you toward a career where your creativity and skills truly shine.Your LEGO journey could be the start of a future career you never expected. Go explore, go build and see where your passion takes you.<a href="https://wa.me/60177737817?text=Can%20i%20know%20more%20about%20the%20study%20options%20for%20the%20suitable%20career%20if%20I%20like%20playing%20LEGO%20https%3A%2F%2Fafterschool.my%2Farticles%2F10-careers-perfect-for-lego-lovers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Got questions?&nbsp;Click here to chat with one of our counsellors on WhatsApp and get tailored advice!</a>

10-careers-perfect-for-lego-lovers

10 Careers Perfect for LEGO Lovers

Chemical engineering often sounds like a mysterious world for SPM leavers. People imagine complicated formulas, huge factories, and engineers staring at screens filled with numbers. But the truth is much more exciting. Chemical engineering is a field where you get to explore every single thing around you. It&rsquo;s where everyday products like clean water, shampoo, food packaging, batteries, medicine, and even fuel, come from a long chain of careful decisions made by real people.To understand what this journey looks like in real life, we followed Malaysian Chemical Engineering students from the moment they first felt curious to the moment they stepped into their first professional roles. One of them is Ainur Farissa, a Chemical Engineering graduate of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) who is now an Environment Engineer. Her story shows how chemical engineering can shape the way you think, study, work, and contribute to the world.<figure class="image"><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/69364bd63506f_1765166038.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" /><figcaption>Ainur Farissa, an Environment Engineer who graduated from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP).</figcaption></figure>Behind the Scenes of Innovation and ImpactFor many chemical engineering students, the story did not start with equations. It started with simple questions. Why does a plastic bottle look the way it does? How do factories make safe food? What happens inside a water treatment plant? That spark of wanting to know more is often the real beginning.Ainur remembers that spark clearly.&ldquo;I realised I was always curious about how things around us are made. I liked the idea of understanding what happens behind the scenes,&rdquo; she said. That curiosity is powerful because chemical engineering sits at the centre of so many industries. Students quickly discover that it connects chemistry, physics, maths, and creative problem-solving into one big playground.Ainur saw this versatility very early. She explained, &ldquo;Chemical engineering isn&rsquo;t limited to one industry or type of problem. It covers energy, environment, materials, healthcare, manufacturing, and much more.&rdquo;Chemical engineering is like a passport to a wide range of industries, offering a way to make fundamental, lasting changes across different fields. Whether it's developing eco-friendly materials, designing more efficient water treatment processes, or innovating in energy solutions, the work you do has the potential to touch lives on a global scale. What makes it so appealing is its ability to stay fresh and dynamic, constantly shifting with new challenges and innovations. If you&rsquo;re drawn to solving complex problems and exploring new frontiers&mdash;whether it&rsquo;s in health, manufacturing, or sustainability&mdash;chemical engineering provides the tools and mindset to make a lasting impact. In chemical engineering, the learning never stops, and each breakthrough becomes a step toward a better, more sustainable world.The First Year Reality CheckThe first semester of chemical engineering feels like a whirlwind, a buffet of new subjects coming at you from every direction. You'll dive into physical chemistry, tackle the intricacies of calculus, wrestle with material balances, juggle lab work, and perfect your technical drawing skills. At first, it&rsquo;s a lot to handle, and the feeling of being overwhelmed is almost unavoidable. But this is the point where everything starts to come together, the moment you begin to think like an engineer.This early stage teaches more than just theories and formulas. It&rsquo;s a crash course in mastering time management, taking precise and effective notes, writing concise and clear lab reports, and understanding the critical importance of safety at every step. Above all, you&rsquo;ll learn how to stay calm and collected when things don&rsquo;t immediately make sense, because they won&rsquo;t. But that&rsquo;s part of the process.Ainur shared how the course resonated with her mindset. &ldquo;It aligned perfectly with the way I think,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I love analysing systems, solving complex problems, and finding practical solutions that can be scaled up. The challenges are real, but so is the satisfaction when you crack the code.&rdquo;Chemical engineering isn&rsquo;t for those who shy away from difficulty. It&rsquo;s a field that rewards curiosity, persistence, and an analytical mindset. It&rsquo;s about uncovering patterns in chaos, learning from every mistake, and pushing forward when things get tough. Embrace the challenge, and you&rsquo;ll find that the rewards&mdash;both personal and professional&mdash;are more than worth it.When Things Get HardEvery chemical engineering student hits a breaking point. The pressure can feel unbearable, with its complex assignments, never-ending quizzes, lab reports, and lengthy tutorials all due at the same time. On top of that, there's the emotional weight of feeling like everyone else has a better grasp of things.For Ainur, the toughest challenge came during the pandemic. &ldquo;Studying chemical engineering is hard enough, but doing it all online made everything feel ten times worse,&rdquo; she recalled. The usual support system, casual chats after class, group study sessions, and friends to share long nights with, vanished. The isolation was intense, and the weight of it all was heavy.&ldquo;There were days I woke up feeling completely drained, with no motivation to keep going,&rdquo; she admitted.But through the challenging times, she held onto one promise she made to herself: this hardship was temporary, but her goals were lasting. Ainur found small moments of joy in the chaos, adapted to the new reality, and slowly developed a routine that helped her regain her momentum.Looking back on that challenging period, she shared a lesson that every student needs to hear: &ldquo;It taught me resilience in a way no textbook ever could.&rdquo;Chemical engineering will test your limits, but it&rsquo;s these very struggles that shape you into someone capable of tackling real-world challenges. The road might be tough, but the lessons you learn along the way will last a lifetime.The Project That Changes EverythingEvery chemical engineering student has that one project that flips a switch in how they view the world. For many, it&rsquo;s the Plant Design Project: the legendary final year assignment where you design a whole chemical plant from scratch.For Ainur, it was a game-changer. "It was the first time we had to design an entire process plant from the ground up," she said, remembering the moment when everything she&rsquo;d learned so far suddenly came together.This project is like the ultimate test, pushing students to pull together every concept they&rsquo;ve studied, like reaction pathways, heat exchangers, safety systems, equipment sizing, environmental controls, and even costing. It&rsquo;s like weaving chemistry and engineering into a single, living, breathing entity.What surprised Ainur the most was how much goes into making even the most everyday products. "I never realised that something as simple as the detergent we use comes from a maze of decisions, from choosing the right chemicals to determining the perfect mixing process, everything has a purpose," she said. It made her appreciate just how much thought and precision go into creating products we often take for granted.This is the moment when students realise that chemical engineering isn&rsquo;t just about solving equations or crunching numbers. It&rsquo;s about taking responsibility; a plant must never pollute, it can&rsquo;t explode, and it has to protect the environment and the people around it.Ainur couldn&rsquo;t help but laugh as she recalled a running joke in her team: "It&rsquo;s about designing a plant that won&rsquo;t explode on the first day of operation."That perfect mix of fear, excitement, and pride is exactly what makes chemical engineering so thrilling.&nbsp;Failure That Leads to GrowthEvery engineer faces that one subject that almost breaks them. Thermodynamics was the subject for Ainur."Learning thermodynamics felt like being thrown into a whole new world," she said. "It was like trying to decode a foreign language." After scoring just 15 out of 100 on a test, it felt like a personal disaster. Staring at the paper, doubts crept in; maybe this wasn't the right path after all.But instead of giving up, she decided to double down. "Before, I was giving 100%, but after that test, I knew I had to give 500%."Her approach to studying shifted completely. No longer was she relying on rote memorisation, but understanding the material became the priority. She broke down problems into smaller, manageable steps, asked questions, joined study groups, and watched endless tutorials. Over time, the complex concepts began to make sense.This experience taught her an invaluable lesson: failure isn't a sign of being incapable, but a signal that your method needs adjustment. Once she fine-tuned her approach, the results changed.As she puts it: "Failure isn&rsquo;t the end. It&rsquo;s just feedback, showing you where you can improve."Tools That Carry You Through the Heavy WorkloadChemical engineering students rely heavily on industry software, with Aspen HYSYS among the most commonly used tools. Ainur recalled how the software was crucial during her plant design project: "Without it, there wouldn&rsquo;t even be a project." While students learn the basics in class, true mastery often comes from exploring online tutorials and practising independently. This habit not only helps them ace exams but also prepares them for a workforce increasingly reliant on digital tools.However, managing academic pressure can be a challenge. Labs, assignments, and reports often stretch late into the night. But good engineers know how to balance their workload with life outside the classroom. Ainur, who initially struggled to juggle everything, eventually realised the importance of prioritisation. "I felt like I was juggling too many things at once," she said. Her breakthrough came when she learned to focus on what mattered at the moment and leaned on her support system. "Balance doesn&rsquo;t always mean giving equal attention to everything. It means understanding what is important right now." With this mindset, she managed to survive even the busiest weeks without burning out.Internships, Networking, and Finding Your PlaceInternships are more than just a requirement; they shape your entire career. While many students rush to accept the first offer they get, Ainur encourages a more strategic approach. "Accepting the earliest offer isn&rsquo;t always the best choice," she explained. Researching companies, understanding the department, and asking about the role and what you&rsquo;ll learn are key. Equally important is networking. Despite being an introvert, Ainur recognised that the people you meet during your career become mentors, references, and even future colleagues. "Don&rsquo;t underestimate the value of building these relationships."The Moment Everything Feels Worth ItFor every student, graduation day is a moment of triumph, but for Ainur, it was particularly special. "Graduating with a first-class degree made all of my efforts feel worth it," she said. It reminded her that even when the path feels impossible, persistence pays off. Her success became a foundation for future challenges in her career, showing that taking small steps forward can lead to big achievements.Ainur now works as an Environmental Engineer, with a mission to make industrial processes cleaner and more efficient. "I hope to design processes that reduce waste and emissions," she said. Many young engineers share this vision, as chemical engineering plays a critical role in sustainability. Whether it&rsquo;s clean water, renewable energy, greener plastics, or waste reduction, chemical engineers are key players in shaping a more sustainable future.Why Chemical Engineering Might Be Right for YouIf you&rsquo;re an SPM leaver considering chemical engineering, ask yourself if these traits resonate with you:<ul><li>A curiosity about how things work.</li><li>A passion for breaking down complex problems.</li><li>A desire for a flexible career with many opportunities.</li><li>A commitment to using technology to benefit people and the planet.</li><li>A preference for hands-on learning that connects science to real-world industry.</li></ul>Ainur&rsquo;s journey shows that you don&rsquo;t need to be perfect to succeed. Curiosity, resilience, strong friendships, adaptability, and the courage to keep going when times are tough are the keys to success. Chemical engineering is not just a degree; it&rsquo;s a mindset. It teaches you to understand systems, ask the right questions, make informed decisions, and solve problems that impact the world.One day, you could be the engineer designing a plant to treat your community&rsquo;s water, reduce carbon emissions, or improve renewable energy efficiency. Your journey can start with a spark of curiosity. The rest is learning, growing, and finding your place in the world, one problem at a time.<a href="https://wa.me/60177737817?text=Can%20I%20know%20more%20about%20studying%20Chemical%20Engineering%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fafterschool.my%2Farticles%2Fexploring-the-world-around-us-a-chemical-engineering-story" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Got questions?&nbsp;Click here to chat with one of our counsellors on WhatsApp and get tailored advice!</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Exploring the World Around Us: A Chemical Engineering Story

If you suddenly draw a blank when people ask, &ldquo;What are you going to study after SPM or STPM?&rdquo;, you&rsquo;re not the only one.&nbsp;The working world is changing so fast that even many adults feel lost. New job titles pop up every year, technology is everywhere, and some of the &lsquo;stable&rsquo; jobs your parents always mention are not as safe as they once were.What has really changed is how work gets done. Automation, artificial intelligence (AI), remote work, and digital platforms are now part of almost every industry. Exam results still matter, but they are no longer the whole story. What really counts are your skills. Companies want people who can think critically, learn fast, adapt to change, and work confidently with technology.By 2026, the job market will look even more different. Some careers will proliferate, while others will slowly fade away. So it helps to know what kind of working world you are about to enter. When you understand which jobs are likely to stay in demand, it becomes easier to choose your subjects, your degree, and even the side skills you want to build.In this article, we will look at four jobs that are expected to be in high demand in 2026. These are data scientists or data analysts, cybersecurity specialists, digital marketing specialists, and healthcare professionals in telemedicine. Think of this as your &lsquo;sneak peek&rsquo; into the future of work, so you can start matching your interests, strengths, and study choices to where the world is heading.<h2>Data Scientist or Data Analyst</h2><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/69364850d9824_1765165136.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" />You hear the word &lsquo;data&rsquo; all the time, but what does it actually mean as a job? Every time you watch a video, click an ad, buy something online, or scan a QR code, you create data. Companies collect this information in huge amounts. On its own, it&rsquo;s just a mountain of numbers. But data scientists and data analysts turn that mountain into useful answers.They collect and clean data, use tools such as Excel, Power BI, Python, or other analytics software, and look for patterns. They help companies understand questions like which products are selling well, where money is being wasted, or which customers are likely to leave (and why they do). Their work helps managers make decisions based on facts, not guesswork.This role is in demand because almost every industry now relies on data. Banking, retail, logistics, tech, manufacturing, universities&ndash;you name it. If a company wants to move faster and smarter, it needs people who can turn raw data into clear insights.Izzati Safar, a Content Enablement Analyst (Procurement), describes the impact of technology on her work as the precursor to efficient work: &ldquo;Automation and AI make a big difference. They help cut down manual work, reduce mistakes, and speed things up. For example, things like data checks or report generation can now be automated using tools like Excel Macros or Power Automate. That means less time on repetitive stuff and more time for projects that really matter.&rdquo;What she experiences in her role is exactly what happens in many data-driven jobs. Routine checks and reporting can be handled by tools, so people can now focus on deeper analysis, problem-solving, and planning the next steps for the business. This makes their work more impactful and also shows why companies are willing to invest in people with strong data skills.According to SalaryExpert, in Malaysia, the average data scientist earns about RM163,447 per year, with an average bonus of around RM7,796. The exact amount depends on the company and the role, but these numbers show that the field has strong earning potential.If you enjoy Mathematics, like patterns and problem-solving, and do not mind spending time with spreadsheets or coding, this could be a strong option for you.<h2>Cybersecurity Specialist​</h2><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/69364878120f3_1765165176.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" />As more of life moves online, there is a growing problem: cybercrime.&nbsp;Banks, hospitals, schools, online shops, and even small businesses store important information on servers and in the cloud. If hackers break in, the damage can be severe.Cybersecurity specialists work to prevent this. They secure networks and systems, monitor for suspicious activity, address weaknesses, and respond quickly to cyberattacks. They also help create rules and processes to prevent staff from accidentally opening the door to attackers.The demand for cybersecurity skills is rising as cyberattacks become more frequent and advanced. A single data breach can cost millions of ringgit and damage a company&rsquo;s reputation for years. On the surface, losing one piece of data may seem small, but for businesses and corporations, every bit of information can be sensitive and confidential.In Malaysia, the average cybersecurity specialist earns about RM157,434 a year, with an average bonus of around RM6,722. This range can change depending on your experience, certifications, and the industry in which you work, but it reflects how valuable and high-responsibility this role is. Companies are willing to pay well for people who can protect their systems and prevent costly security failures.Nurul S. Ridzuan, an Assistant Manager for Technology Risk Management, works in cybersecurity and sees how technology has changed financial services. &ldquo;My role is to ensure the implementation of these new technologies, such as cloud storage and AI engines, is adopted in a way that does not affect the delivery of these services,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;This includes ensuring the availability of the service, the integrity of the data being stored and processed, as well as the confidentiality of the customers.&rdquo;Nurul also understands how fragile systems can become when everything runs on technology. She has seen that many recent service outages in the financial industry come from technology failures rather than human error. Because of this, financial institutions now run regular stress tests on their systems, build backups and redundancies, and regularly review their technology vendors to ensure the services they provide remain reliable and secure.AI is becoming part of cybersecurity work, too. Still, Nurul gives an important reminder: &ldquo;The use of AI in cybersecurity analysis allows for clarity in the threat hunting process: a clear SWOT analysis, a holistic threat map, and a risk assessment with an explainable thought process.On the flip side, you should be careful not to outsource your critical thinking skills. At the end of the day, you cannot blame your calculator for an imperfect score in your mathematics exam. The same goes for your job; if you choose to utilise a tool, you should be sure to review the outcome for accuracy.&rdquo;If you like puzzles, enjoy tech, and like the idea of protecting people and systems, this field has strong potential.<h2>Digital Marketing Specialist</h2><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/69364893d805d_1765165203.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" />Think about the last time a brand caught your attention online. Maybe it was a funny TikTok, a powerful story on Instagram, or a clever ad before a YouTube video.&nbsp;That is digital marketing in action.Digital marketing specialists help brands stand out on digital platforms. They plan campaigns, manage social media pages, write posts and ads, work with influencers, and analyse results to see what works. They need to understand both creativity and data, because a pretty poster alone is simply not enough.This role is in demand because most people now discover products and services online. If a business has no digital presence, it is almost invisible. Companies need people who understand how platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Google, and others actually work. Digital marketers in Malaysia typically earn between RM60,000 and RM120,000 per year, depending on experience, industry, and responsibility. Those who can handle both strategy and execution are often more in demand.Nur Lidiya Binti Zahidin, a Digital Marketing Specialist, keeps a close eye on what creators, brands, and celebrities are doing, because trends can change overnight. She needs to know which names or topics are safe to work with and which might bring risk to a brand. This awareness helps her weigh the benefits and potential backlash before any collaboration.Leadership and impact also matter to her. She believes the main goal of digital marketing is simple: make the brand look good, but the way you do it can leave a lasting mark. A campaign might be huge, or it might be just one video that changes a local hawker&rsquo;s life, yet both still count.At the same time, she is very aware that AI can cut both ways. She has seen small stalls use AI to design banners and logos because it&rsquo;s cheap or free. This makes AI accessible, but it also shows why people must learn how to use it properly and not rely on it blindly. &ldquo;Since AI is largely known and used now, it can be like a double-edged sword,&rdquo; she says. For Lidiya, AI is a strong tool, not a stand-in for human judgment. In digital marketing, it can flag issues, highlight why a post underperformed, or suggest ways to improve. But a human still needs to decide what fits the brand and what feels right for the audience.If you enjoy social media, creative content, and understanding why people click, share, or buy, digital marketing could be a strong fit.<h2>Healthcare Professionals in Telemedicine&nbsp;</h2><img src="https://img.afterschool.my/storage/uploads/images/693648c84d92c_1765165256.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="100%" />When someone mentions doctors, you would ordinarily imagine people in white coats holding scalpels and forceps. On the other side of the coin, there is telemedicine, where medical consultations are conducted online. This saves time, reduces crowding, and helps people in remote areas get medical advice, prescriptions, and medicine delivered straight to their homes.Healthcare professionals in telemedicine need both scientific knowledge and confidence with digital platforms. They review digital prescriptions, check drug safety, and make sure every step, from consultation to delivery, is accurate and safe. Nurul Iman, a pharmacist who works in telemedicine, says, &ldquo;There&rsquo;s always constant progress to the way we do things, to make them more efficient, less costly, and more accessible.&rdquo; She explains that digital prescriptions reduce confusion from handwriting and free up healthcare staff to focus on more urgent cases. With platforms such as Doc2US, patients can see a doctor online, receive a digital prescription, and have the nearest pharmacy prepare and deliver the medication to their doorstep.To stay up to date, Iman keeps up with ongoing education requirements, attends forums and conferences, and uses online resources such as MIMS to keep track of new drugs and treatment guidelines. She believes pharmacists in telemedicine must be &ldquo;technologically adept, always open to learning new things quickly, and, as always, detail driven.&rdquo; Even with digital tools and automation, a trained human eye is still needed to catch errors and protect patients.As telemedicine grows, questions about legal responsibility and data protection become more serious. Iman points out that medical records kept in apps must be properly protected and advises patients to use trusted telemedicine platforms like Doc2US instead of general video call apps for medical consultations.&nbsp;On automation and AI, she feels it&rsquo;s helpful because tasks like labelling and dose calculation can be automated, reducing human error and giving pharmacists more time for patient counselling and monitoring treatment.In Malaysia, healthcare professionals working in telemedicine, such as telepharmacists and doctors providing online consultations, can earn between RM70,000 and RM150,000 a year, depending on their role, qualifications, and experience. This reflects both the responsibility involved and the rising demand for digital healthcare services.&nbsp;If you enjoy Biology and Chemistry, like helping people, and feel excited about using technology to improve access to healthcare, telemedicine is a path worth considering.<h2>Finding Your Place in This Future</h2>By now, you have seen how roles in data, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and telemedicine are growing in importance. These jobs exist because businesses, governments, and communities need people who can work with technology in smart and responsible ways in 2026 and beyond.At the same time, they are not the only careers in demand. New roles are emerging in areas such as sustainability and climate action, like sustainability officers, renewable energy engineers, and climate risk analysts. There is also a rising demand for people who can improve how we use technology, such as UX designers, AI specialists, and people who work on digital ethics and online safety. The job market is widening, and many of these roles did not even exist a generation ago.When you understand this landscape early, you can plan better. You can choose school subjects that match where the world is heading, pick up digital skills, and build human strengths like communication, problem-solving, and empathy. Technology will keep changing how we work, but if you stay curious and pay attention to what the world needs, you will be better prepared not just to find a job, but to build a career that feels meaningful to you.<a href="https://wa.me/60177737817?text=Can%20I%20know%20more%20about%20the%20highest%20demand%20jobs%3F%20https%3A%2F%2Fafterschool.my%2Farticles%2Fthe-highest-demand-jobs-in-2026-not-in-order" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Got questions?&nbsp;Click here to chat with one of our counsellors on WhatsApp and get tailored advice!</a>

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