SMa School of Management

GUNNING for a career change wasn't easy.

But he took the plunge nevertheless.

Hafizuddin Rasid, 22, had worked as a nurse in Singapore for the past three years. But he soon found out that it wasn't his cup of tea.

So Hafizuddin decided to head into a different sector altogether - the media industry.

He enrolled himself in the SMa School of Management, where he first took up a diploma in Mass Communications, then a degree in the same discipline with a double major in journalism and public relations.

Both courses are offered in collaboration with the Singapore Media Academy.

On his decision to swap industries, he said: "I had always been interested in public relations especially in the area of crisis management."

Currently, he is on a five-month internship at MediaCorp, where he is attached to the marketing research department.

Parents were supportive and paid for his diploma. Nevertheless, his decision wasn't completely worry-free.

Said Hafizuddin: "I was anxious in the beginning about the switch, but the lecturers were helpful and reassuring, so that helped. "I've got absolutely no regrets," he said.

He will be embarking on his degree course, in mass communications on a part-time basis at the school.

Another SMa student, who took the daring leap is Colin Ng, 29, an army regular. He decided to take on the mass communications degree by Murdoch University offered at the school in April last year.

He picked the school above others as the part-time course duration of 11/2 years was shorter than most universities, which typically take three years. He said: "I wanted to make my career switch as fast as possible."

A third SMa student is Cheryl Ou, 24, owner of Polished Divas Nail Lounge, a nail business in Bugis. She had a diploma in mass communications from Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

This month, she will be a step closer to her dream of getting a degree, when she starts her Murdoch University degree programme in mass communications.

SMa along with Murdoch University, opened the Murdoch International Study Centre at its existing campus along North Bridge Road this month. It will offer double degrees in 15 disciplines.

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