Meet Sally, our alumna from the Bachelor of Science (Majoring in Data Science). Studying at JCU helped her build a strong foundation for her career while developing communication, leadership, and teamwork skills through diverse cultural experiences and active involvement in student clubs and leadership roles. Read more below.

1. What are you up to right now? 

I’m currently working as a Business System Analyst in a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company that produces and sells personal care, home care, and lighting products. The company manages well-known brands such as Bio-Essence, along with other consumer care products.

2. Can you tell us more about your current role and why you decided to take on this role?

In my current role as a Business System Analyst, I work closely with different departments to understand their processes and translate their needs into technical solutions. I analyse business data, develop reports and dashboards, and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency. I decided to take on this path because I enjoy solving problems that combine both business understanding and technical skills. I find it fulfilling to turn complex data into actionable insights and to create solutions that help teams work more efficiently.

3. If you could highlight one memorable experience in your career journey/experience so far, what would that be?

One memorable experience in my journey so far has been working on projects where I get to handle both the backend systems and interact directly with users. I really enjoy understanding the technical side of things and then translating it into layman's terms that users can easily understand. It’s rewarding to see a solution that I helped design not only meet their expectations, but also make their day-to-day work easier and more efficient

4. What are some of the lessons learned or challenges faced?

One of the key lessons I’ve learned is the importance of adjusting expectations while understanding real-world problems. Each project often involves multiple stakeholders, and their perspectives can differ. The challenge is to understand, balance these different views, and propose solutions that are practical and effective. This experience has taught me how to communicate to manage expectations, and find ideas that work in a business context.

5. How do you feel studying at the Singapore campus of James Cook University has helped you in your career?

Studying at JCU helped lay a strong foundation for my career. It gave me the opportunity to interact with students from different countries and learn about diverse cultures, which strengthened my communication and collaboration skills. Being involved in various clubs and taking on roles such as student leader, as well as responsibilities in PR and HR, allowed me to develop practical experience in teamwork, leadership, and event management. These experiences not only contributed to my personal growth but also prepared me to adapt and thrive in a professional environment.

6. What would be your advice for current students?

My advice for current students would be to make the most of your time at university. Join different clubs and events, meet new people to gain diverse perspectives, and seek guidance from professors whenever you can – these interactions can really be a bonus. Most importantly, enjoy the experience while you have the time, because it’s a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and explore both personally and professionally.

7. Lastly, JCU's strategic intent is ‘Creating a brighter future for life in the Tropics and beyond, through education and research that makes a difference locally, and globally’. How do you think you have made (or are making) a difference?

I believe I’ve been making a difference by applying what I learned at JCU to real-world challenges. In my career, I’ve worked on projects that improve processes, create practical solutions, and make day-to-day work easier for teams – helping people operate more efficiently. Beyond that, studying at JCU gave me the chance to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds, which broadened my perspective and allowed me to contribute ideas that consider both local and global contexts. In this way, I’m translating the knowledge and skills I gained into tangible outcomes that align with JCU’s goal of making a positive impact locally and globally.