TRAINING
COSMOPOLITAN
COMMUNICATORS
In a globalising world, skilled communicators are in high
demand. Arts and social sciences graduates are masters of
cross-cultural communication, able to relay complex ideas
to diverse audiences of people and build relationships that
cross borders. These cosmopolitan professionals are able
to deftly shape and influence public opinion, thriving in the
rapidly shifting media landscape.
Monash has equipped me with various soft skills, like
communications, problem solving, critical thinking and
interpersonal skills, and especially being culturally literate
in a diverse and international setting. These are extremely
valuable on top of the technical skills that are required in
my job, as they help to foster a more productive, healthy
and collaborative working environment.”
ERNI (Indonesia)
Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences, Double Major in Communications & Global Studies (2018)
Data Processing Specialist at Nielsen
Erni works in an international, client-driven environment at Nielsen, where she specialises in
data processing, database creation, and identifying areas to improve and optimise. She credits
her time at Monash for helping her develop the cross-cultural communication she needed to
thrive on the job.
In the five years since I left Monash, I’ve worked in PR firms based
in Asia, Europe and the US and encountered diverse management
styles and business cultures. I’ve built relationships with business
and technology media sources including The Wall Street Journal,
Reuters, The Associated Press and WIRED, to name a few. The
broad and well-rounded education I received at Monash allowed
me to thrive in changing conditions.”
BATS JAFFERJI (Indonesia)
Honours Degree of Bachelor of Arts (2012)
Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Communications (2010)
Senior Associate at Lewis PR
Bats is a senior associate at a tech-focused PR firm, where she writes and manages press releases,
messaging, and media liaison for international clients. She has worked across three continents, and
credits Monash for her adaptability.
I had several internships and work experiences
throughout my time in Monash – ranging from
internships at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in
Indonesia to working in Kuala Lumpur as a
fashion and lifestyle contributor for Tongue in
Chic, an online digital platform. These
experiences were really crucial in developing
my skills in the workplace. At work, I often
[encountered] situations where I could refer to
what I had learned at Monash – which was very
useful and made me more confident in carrying
myself within the industry and in work
contexts.”
CAMELIA HARAHAP (Indonesia)
While I was doing the Sports Journalism unit at
Monash, I was very lucky to receive media
credentials for several sports events – and
in the following year, I was offered jobs by
the organising bodies behind these (IMG
and AFC). Cross-cultural communication
is something the School of Arts and
Social Sciences emphasised a lot. Studying
in a diverse environment has made me more
culturally sensitive and open-minded towards
new things. I learnt to see things from different
perspectives.”
CHONG AI RENE (Malaysia)
Masters of Communications and Media Studies (2014)
Bachelor of Arts, Double Major in Communications and Journalism (2012)
Contract Media Manager at IMG
Ai Rene is a freelance media manager who has been working with IMG since 2012,
coordinating media, PR, and social media strategy for high-profile sports events
such as the WTA Shenzhen Open and the LPGA Thailand 2018.
3
Bachelor of Communication (2009)
Program Manager at the British Council
Camelia currently manages the British Council’s Arts and Creative Industries
programs in Jakarta, Indonesia, where she focuses on establishing new
connections and nurturing relationships between artists, practitioners, and
stakeholders in the UK and Indonesian creative industries.