The transition from university to the professional world brings new expectations, responsibilities, and challenges for engineering graduates. What do employers expect from fresh graduates? How does the reality of engineering practice differ from what students learn in the classroom? On 21st October 2026, the UOW Malaysia Engineering Society and the IEM UOW Malaysia Student Section organised an alumni sharing session to explore these questions and provide students with a better understanding of life in the engineering industry.
The session, entitled ‘From Campus to Corporate: Alumni Insights on Industry Realities’, was held from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the University of Wollongong Malaysia, Glenmarie Campus. A total of 51 engineering students attended to hear from two alumni, Mr Ezhan Haridz from Proton Holdings Berhad and Mr Dhiren Ram from Intel Corporation.
The speakers shared their career journeys and experiences of moving from university into the workplace. Coming from the automotive and semiconductor industries, they brought different perspectives on the expectations, responsibilities, and challenges fresh engineering graduates may encounter.
The panel discussion explored the adjustments involved in starting a first job, alongside topics such as problem-solving, teamwork and career development. The discussion also highlighted the importance of skills beyond technical knowledge, as well as the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the engineering industry. Both speakers responded to the same discussion questions, giving students an opportunity to hear how their experiences and approaches differed across the two industries.
During the open question-and-answer session, students raised questions about their own career preparation. These included enquiries about Proton’s Young Talent Programme and the importance of maintaining an active LinkedIn profile when seeking internship and employment opportunities. This interactive segment allowed students to gain practical advice and consider ways to improve their readiness for future career opportunities.
The session offered students an opportunity to look beyond coursework and consider how their learning would carry into professional practice. Hearing from alumni who had made that transition helped connect university life with industry expectations while drawing attention to the value of technical competence, interpersonal skills and professional networks. The sharing also encouraged students to take a more proactive approach towards developing these skills and preparing for their professional journey before graduation.
The event was led by Choy Kah Chun, who served as the Person-in-Charge (PIC), overseeing the planning and coordination of the programme. Yeak Li Ying provided overall leadership and support throughout the organisation of the event, while Nathan Koek De Yuan served as the moderator, guiding the panel discussion and facilitating interactions between the speakers and students. Jaedon Sheng Boyle also played an important role in coordinating communication between the organising committee and the IEM Young Engineers Section (IEM YES), supporting the arrangements for the event.
The organising committees extend their sincere appreciation to Mr Ezhan Haridz and Mr Dhiren Ram for sharing their time and experiences, and to the academic staff, committee members and participants for their support in making the event a success.
