On July 8, 2024, students at the School of Quantitative Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, were treated to an insightful industrial talk by Nadia Edmaz Abdul Hadi, Head of the Corporate Services Department at Pelaburan Hartanah Berhad. The event, titled "Beyond the Classroom: Transforming Your Knowledge to Professional Success – The Relevance of Mathematical and Statistical Theories in the Financial Industry" resonated deeply with the quantitative students of class SQQM2034 Calculus 2, many of whom are in their second semester.
Nadia, drawing from her extensive background with undergraduate and master's degrees in quantitative fields, emphasized the strategic positioning of students within the corporate sector early in their careers. She underscored the value of quantitative skills in solving industry challenges and highlighted the increasing importance of data-driven decision-making in today's complex business environment.
During her engaging two-hour talk, Nadia encouraged students to embrace technological advancements, stressing that quantitative skills make it easier to adapt to new technologies—an advantage over those who may struggle with numerical and data-oriented tasks. She also pointed out numerous career growth opportunities, including additional training through organizations like Yayasan Peneraju and certifications such as CFA, crucial for advancing in the field.
In a candid moment, Nadia shared her personal journey, acknowledging early challenges such as overcoming her introverted nature. Despite marketing not being her forte or a primary aspect of her role, she highlighted its transformative impact. She emphasized how stepping out of her comfort zone allowed her to develop into a professional capable of articulating and simplifying complex technical concepts for audiences without a quantitative background. Her experience underscored the importance of broadening one's skill set beyond technical prowess to achieve holistic professional success.
The session concluded with a strong recommendation for students to seek mentorship from individuals who embody their future aspirations, rather than just their current positions. This advice emphasized the pivotal role mentors play in strategizing on career progress as students transition into their early careers in the corporate sector. Mentors provide invaluable support in navigating office dynamics, managing challenges such as office politics, and seeking advice on handling interpersonal issues with peers or in potentially toxic environments.
The event left attendees inspired and motivated, equipped with practical insights to leverage their quantitative knowledge effectively in the corporate world. As Universiti Utara Malaysia continues to foster such industry-academic dialogues, students are poised to transform theoretical learning into tangible career achievements, embodying the spirit of innovation and readiness for future challenges.
This industrial talk not only enriched students' academic experience but also instilled a sense of purpose and direction as they embark on their professional journeys in the quantitative sciences.