If there is one thing we can learn from our pioneer graduate Adora Chong (BBM 2004), it is how she channels her energies into opportunities for growth. Groomed to be industry-ready, find out how SMU’s transformative education molded Adora into an accomplished individual she is today in the same company that she joined 17 years ago.
It didn’t take long for Adora to decide which university to study at after receiving her A-Level results. “I was offered a place at the other 2 well-established local universities as well but SMU’s promise of a different educational experience struck a chord with me. There were doubts of this University that didn’t even had her own campus then, but still required SATs scores, an essay, as well as an interview. However, these were all signs of a different university to me. I wanted an education that wouldn’t stifle my ability to grow with boring lectures, but a learning style that truly hones me holistically and polish my capabilities to sparkle. And SMU definitely delivered on her promises in that,” recounts Adora.
To ensure SMU’s pioneer batch of students make their mark in the corporate world, “the SMU CEO Industry talk series was especially beneficial as they provided invaluable industry insights that broadened my perspective,” adds Adora. “It was also where I met Mr James Chia, then Pico Group President who only just retired last year. He became one of my mentors at work and in life.”
Rather than pursuing accountancy which she admits was her ‘favourite subject’, Adora set her sights on doing marketing instead. “My Dean told me it is a peculiar mix and suggested that I reconsider my majors," she quips.
"Accounting was my interest but I knew that Marketing was my passion that should lead my career! And this is how we do it at SMU – we dare to be different!”
In 2004, Adora graduated with a double major in marketing and accountancy from the Bachelor of Business Management programme at SMU Lee Kong Chian School of Business.
As an undergraduate, Adora certainly had her future all mapped out ahead of her. “As there were so many things I could choose to do with a marketing degree, I took on various part-time stints to find my career niche,” says Adora. In one of her stints working at a design house, she delivered posters to the exhibition stands at various trade venues. “I would look in awe at the large exhibits that were assembled like giant Lego-bricks! I immediately knew this is where I want to be, not behind a desk or computer all day long”, she gushes.
Following that experience, Adora saw an opportunity to work part-time in the exhibitions industry. Describing the conversation she had with the hiring staff from the company, “They asked me three questions. Can you do Excel? Can you work on weekends? Can you do OT (overtime)? Without a second thought, I answered I can can can!”
That response paved the way for Adora’s growth in her career at Pico Group, the same company she is with presently, one she joined as a part-timer 21 years ago. Now based in Taiwan as the Company General Manager for Pico Taiwan, Adora alludes her accomplishments to the things she learnt from SMU.
“You need to know what you want. Follow your heart and believe in your passion because that will pave the way. Be gung-ho and ask for opportunities. You won’t get anything if you never ask”.
One of the many in her cohort to receive a few job offers before she graduated, Adora joined Pico in 2004. Starting as Account Executive, she rose to be an Assistant Account Manager within two years, but boredom also started to set in. “I got bored after two years. So I started looking for opportunities in Pico. I even asked whether Pico has an internal exchange programme that I could sign up for!” says Adora, referring to SMU’s exchange programme.
That episode marked a pivotal point for Adora and changed the trajectory of her career growth in Pico. Bringing her to places like China, Hong Kong, Korea Italy, Kazakhstan, Dubai, Russia and Taiwan, her accomplishments have been nothing short of extraordinary.
“Keep an open mind, keep learning and ask the right questions. It is a humbling experience, because the more you know, the more you realise you don’t know.”
The list of mega-events that Adora has had the opportunity to be part of includes the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics, Expo 2010 Shanghai China, Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games, Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea, the Sochi Olympics 2014 Winter Games, Expo Milano 2015, the Baku 2015 1st European Games, and Expo 2017 Astana.
Despite her busy schedule, Adora attended the Emerging Leaders Programme organised by the SMU Executive Development in 2015. “When I came to know about the programme, I was so excited that I immediately told my bosses I wanted to attend this”, she quips. “There is always something available in SMU that we can do. Be it talks, networking events or leadership programmes! I even came back to SMU to do an Italian language course to hype myself up for Milan World Expo in 2015 – just to make sure I can read the menu, lah.”
While she spends most of her time outside Singapore, Adora keeps in touch with her peers using social media and chat messaging apps. “No matter where life takes you, stay connected with your friends, the alumni network. For me, I am still in touch with my batch. It has been over 20 years and thinking back, it feels just like yesterday. Every time we have our gatherings, the engagement is pure, deep and full of laughter. It is inspiring to see how far my peers have come,” says Adora, reminiscing her student days with a sense of nostalgia.
As SMU continues to evolve and stay relevant in times of unprecedented change and disruption, Adora has this piece of advice to share, “Be brave and seek out. It’s ok to be different. Indulge in the opportunities placed before you as you chart your own career path. For one day when you look back, you will be proud that you took that leap of faith.”
