ALUMNI > Rosie Chong

One of my proudest moments was being shortlisted for The Future is Female award at AdWeek in 2023 – a huge honour and a real pinch-me moment. But beyond awards, the true highlights have been much more personal.

Finding my voice and building a personal brand has been a big journey. I’ve worked hard to inspire others to be their authentic selves, while still navigating the demands of a 9-to-5.

More recently, I co-hosted a podcast called Branding Personal with my colleague Ebony. Creating this space where we could have real conversations about personal branding and career identity has been one of the most fulfilling experiences so far.

Transitioning from uni to full-time work was honestly a massive shock to the system. I still remember how lost and overwhelmed I felt in those first few weeks.

But what I came to realise is that growth doesn’t come from comfort. That messy, uncertain start was actually proof I was on the right track. And it helped shape the confidence I now carry into everything I do.

My biggest piece of advice is to remember you aren’t defined by one bad grade, one job title or one version of success. It’s so easy to feel like you need to have your whole life mapped out at 18 – but the truth is, no one really does.

Give yourself the grace to figure it out as you go. And know that it’s never too late to shift directions, explore something new or rewrite your story. Your path is yours to shape.