Management Development Institute of Singapore

AT 21, most of her peers are still busy with their schoolwork.

But Denise Tan is already in the process of building a successful career as a public relations manager at the National Tourist Office of Spain.

Immediately after receiving her O-level results in 2004, Denise decided to pursue a diploma and advanced diploma in mass communications.

She enrolled in the programme offered by Oklahoma City University (OCU), through the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS).

Said Denise: "I've always been strong in English, so I decided to pursue something that would allow me to use my strength in the language."

She found out about the OCU programme through advertisements.

Some of the modules she took at MDIS included TV and radio production, and basic public relations skills.

She said: "My coursework really prepared me well for working life.

"It was fun working on group projects, learning to work the cameras and doing production work."

But it was her module on public relations skills, she said, that has helped her most in her career so far.

She said: "In that course, I learnt that the most basic things are sometimes also the most important."

For example, she said her lecturer always emphasised the importance of justifying text when writing press releases.

"It doesn't seem that important, but it really makes a huge difference," she said.

Denise added that her classmates also made school life a breeze.

She said: "I was one of the youngest in the course at the time, but my classmates were really helpful.

"I had to take an Economics module - my worst subject - but I was able to pass with the help of my classmates."

Since obtaining her advanced diploma in 2006, Denise has already had a taste of working in a few industries.

Last year in January, she did a six-month stint at Red Dawn Communications, a small public relations firm.

She said: "It was very challenging, because I had no prior working experience in the field."

Her next six months were spent at ZoCard, an advertising company.

During her stint there, Denise worked on e-newsletters and other marketing-related assignments.

She said: "It was a tough job, but I learnt a lot."

On to Spain

Then came an opportunity to work at the National Tourist Office of Spain.

To better her chances at getting the job, Denise took Spanish language lessons.

From April to June last year, she attended a course at Colegio Delibes Salamanca, a Spanish school in Barcelona.

She said: "My educational qualifications were already strong enough for the job - all I needed was a better command of the language."

Her job scope now mainly revolves around responding to queries from international media agencies, including those from India, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia.

She also helps promote Spain as a tourist destination.

While she enjoys working life, Denise hopes to eventually pursue a degree in mass communications, offered by OCU through MDIS.

She said: "Thanks to the OCU programme, I had the opportunity to pursue something I am truly passionate about."