How this graduate pivoted her career by pursuing a degree while working full time
2 April 2025
Fresh out of polytechnic, 20-year-old Violet Weng was curious how university graduates secure jobs in multinational companies (MNCs). Deciding to try her luck, she applied for jobs while also applying for universities.
To her surprise, she received job offers. And that was how she ended up working at Kantar Research, one of the world’s leading research companies, instead of pursuing a degree.
Despite her young age, Violet was given much exposure.
“I worked on the company’s largest project—a global brand monitor covering 55 markets for Nokia—reporting directly to a British director based in Hong Kong,” she recalled.
Violet was then promoted to a senior executive position after 1.5 years of working.
Being promoted early in her career made her question whether a degree was essential for career growth. However, Violet soon realised that earning a degree doesn’t just expand her academic knowledge but also opens doors to broader global career opportunities.
She also wanted to make a career switch from marketing to economics and finance after being exposed to the industry through her work.
As she did not want to quit working to pursue a full-time degree, Violet began searching for a programme with a more flexible curriculum.
That was when she came across Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø-RMIT’s Bachelor of Business (Economics and Finance).
THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE MOTIVATION
“Juggling a full-time job and part-time studies was challenging,” Violet described. “I had to sacrifice my weekly rest time and weekends to focus on my studies.”
In fact, she almost gave up halfway through the course out of sheer exhaustion. But her peers kept her going.
“I clearly remember my classmates managing their daytime jobs or businesses while also planning weddings, dealing with pregnancies, family responsibilities, or starting new jobs,” Violet recalled.
“Despite these challenges, they never slacked off and always gave their best effort. Learning alongside such hardworking and driven peers was incredibly motivating.”
Through this, Violet realised that challenges are a constant and overcoming them depends on one’s attitude. Her classmates’ grit and determination inspired her to strive for excellence and progress.
“The person sitting next to you could be a role model,” she mused.
As most of her classmates were working professionals from diverse backgrounds such as traders, legal consultants, family business owners and more, spending time with them also meant exchanging business ideas and career progression insights.
This encouraged Violet to believe that there is no limit to her aspirations. “Earning a bachelor's degree is just the starting point; I gained career confidence through continuous learning and a supportive network,” she posited.
MINDSET, MENTORSHIP AND MILESTONES
Armed with a foundational understanding of the financial industry, Violet began her career transition.
While challenging, she reminded herself that mindset is key.
“At first, I questioned my decision, especially after taking a pay cut in my first year,” Violet confessed. “Rather than feeling lost or comparing myself to others, I focused on building inner strength, staying adaptable, and maintaining positivity.”
She further elaborated, “I believe career success isn’t about keeping pace with others but about carving a path that leads to broader opportunities and a higher vantage point.”
Eventually, by her second year, her strong work ethic and performance allowed her to recover and advance.
“The flexibility to work full-time while studying part-time allowed me to save time and accelerate my career growth,” Violet noted. “I was leading a regional team by the age of 30 because I had been gaining work experience continuously since I was 20. This dual-track approach gave me a competitive edge and enabled me to progress at a faster pace.”
Although she graduated from Â鶹ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø-RMIT nearly a decade ago, Violet continues to receive support from her alma mater.
“A couple of years ago, while working as a consultant in Shanghai, I reconnected with a professor,” Violet highlighted. “We discussed our perspectives on China's booming economic growth, and he encouraged me to venture beyond Singapore.”
“This advice led me to work in Shanghai and Hangzhou for six years, deepening my understanding of the China market.”
Violet also discovered that there is an active network beyond RMIT. This network guided her through “some of the most challenging times of my career” by pairing her up with a mentor.
“The school and its alumni have supported me, even after graduation,” she expressed with gratitude.
ADVICE FOR CAREER TRASITIONERS
Looking back, Violet has since achieved many of her career goals but continues to see growth as a key part of her journey.
“The ever-evolving fintech industry presents endless opportunities, and I am committed to expanding my expertise and impact in this dynamic space.”
To fellow career transitioners, Violet encourages them to “just go for it”.
“Embrace new challenges and enhance your skill set by learning from academic institutions and industry leaders,” she suggested. “Once you step out of your comfort zone, you’ll be amazed at how much you can grow and unlock your true potential.”
At the same time, she advised that it’s important to pace oneself and know one’s limits as a burnout won’t help in the long run.
“If needed, adjust your course load to make it more manageable. I personally reduced my modules from three to two per semester, extending my studies from two years to three,” she advised.
She also took well-deserved vacations during her school breaks to reward herself and maintain her emotional well-being.
“Work hard, but don’t forget to play harder—it’s all about having a balance,” she concluded.