Education and experience: Why Amna chose the Master of Marketing Communications
After starting a business to sell her handmade lamps, Amna Karim discovered a passion for marketing. Then she found the perfect degree program to complement both her commerce skills and her creative side.
“I spent a few years working in my family's mining company after my bachelors degree, but I soon realised it was not something I wanted to do long-term,” says Amna. “So I started my own business, where I make handmade lamps from household waste like CDs, newspapers and cotton.”
After she started selling her lamps online, Amna became exposed to digital marketing and content creation. She knew she’d found her niche.
Wanting a new environment and an international perspective, Amna decided to pursue further studies in Australia. At the University of Melbourne, she found a graduate program that spoke to both her business acumen and her creativity.
“The Master of Marketing Communications program combines the Business and Arts faculties, which for me was a win-win situation,” she says. “Alongside core business subjects, I was also able to take arts electives, such as audio-visual communications.”
It was the perfect blend for Amna: “I absolutely cherished every step of this course, as every day was a new learning experience.”
Amna also appreciated the practical experience she was getting. “One semester, as part of our marketing class, we had a real-world industry client,” she explains. “That helped me put theories into practice by giving me first-hand experience with soft skills and technical strategies.”
Outside the classroom, too, Amna made the most of her time at university. “I was the Social Media Officer at Melbourne Business School Student Association (MBSSA), as well as a Student Ambassador for the Faculty of Business and Economics,” she says. “I was also a member of various student clubs, including the Melbourne University Dancesport Club (MUDC), the Egypt Club, the Japanese Club, and the Marketing Intelligence Club (MINT).”
Her deep involvement in the University community allowed her to connect with fellow students and keep busy. “I loved the welcoming atmosphere at the University of Melbourne,” she says. “With gatherings and events happening almost every day, there was never a dull moment, and it was wonderful to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures.”
Amna concludes with a word of advice for future students. “Education comes not just from books, but also from experiences,” she says, “and Melbourne offers the ideal combination.”