Ju-Lyn Tan completed a BSc Economics degree at the University of Bristol in 2023. Having taken the first year of the programme at HELP University in Malaysia – her home country – she moved to Bristol for the final years through our HELP-UoB Global Transfer Programme.
We asked Ju-Lyn about her journey through university and, over the last year, into a career at PwC Malaysia.
How well did BSc Economics prepare you for your early career?
The data science courses at Bristol gave me a strong starting point in data visualisation, cleaning, and sorting. These are crucial skills for creating effective client presentations – a significant part of what I do at PwC.
The applied economics courses, such as environmental and welfare economics, demonstrated the real-world applications of economic theories and have been highly relevant in understanding complex issues at work. I have also been able to apply my knowledge of foundational economic concepts (that often felt purely theoretical while learning them) – ‘multipliers’, ‘GDP’, ‘balance of payments’ and more.
The coursework also honed my skills in brainstorming, ideation, writing and managing deadlines. The experience of refining and rewriting assignments, to meet certain standards set, has been particularly valuable. It mirrors the iterative process required in both short- and long-term work projects.
“This learning process was made easier with the guidance and feedback from my lecturers and peers both at HELP and in Bristol.”
Did you always plan to return to Malaysia to begin your career?
My first plan was to secure a job in the UK – to experience working overseas before, most likely, returning home in the long-term. However, after a few job applications, virtual interviews, and psychometric tests, I quickly learnt that the job market for consultants was extremely competitive. I decided to go to GRADUAN, a Malaysian career fair in London, just to see what my options were. There I had an interview with PwC Malaysia. The rest is history.
PwC Malaysia offered me the role of an Economics & Policy Associate, a prospect that excited me as I had not anticipated securing a role so well-aligned with my degree and ambitions. The uncertainty of landing a job in the UK that aligned with my passions as well as the one I was offered, was also one of the key factors in deciding to take up the offer to come home. On top of that, my love of economics began with a desire to ‘nation-build’, and so the role with PwC Malaysia was a clear and fitting next step.
Yet, I do believe there’s no such a thing as a completely closed door and, who knows, I may find myself in the UK or elsewhere in the world someday.
Can you tell us more about what your role at PwC Malaysia involves?
In the Economics & Policy (E&P) deals advisory team our work is project-based, with mainly the government or government-linked entities as our clients. Day-to-day, my role as Associate involves research, data analysis, writing, deck-making, client liaison, and presentations.
While our projects also include masterplan and roadmap development, policy review, and formulation of economic development strategies, my focus has been on economic impact analysis (EIA) and cost-benefit analysis (CBA) projects. These involve assessing initiatives on metrics such as job creation and GDP generation, as well as the costs and benefits of specific options.
Recently, I have also had the privilege of being involved in strategising for a major economic development project, which has been a steep learning curve, but the most exciting project yet!
What are the best parts of your job?
One of the most rewarding aspects is that, despite my relatively junior role, the nature of the projects often allows me to see the macro impact of my work on national development. At times, I get to read about it in the news!
I also enjoy the variation. The diversity of projects is such that no two are the same – constantly offering new learning experiences and opportunities to venture into new fields, all within the same job.
Finally, I count myself blessed to be surrounded by colleagues who are understanding and hardworking yet know when and how to have fun. They give me something to look forward to, even on days when work feels a bit more laborious.
Looking back, what attracted you to splitting your degree study between Malaysia and the UK?
Following completion of my A-levels, heading overseas to study was the “logical” next course of action. However, I teetered between the excitement and fear of leaving home and moving to a new country. Then Covid-19 hit, adding more uncertainty to the equation.
I researched alternatives that balanced the opportunity to study abroad with something less daunting at the time. The Global Transfer Programme turned out to be the perfect solution. It allowed me an extra year to adjust to university life and mentally prepare to leave, while still offering the chance to study at one of the top universities in the world.
“The experience was eye-opening – exposing me to new perspectives and viewpoints, but also lots of great fun. I would recommend it without hesitation.”
Can you tell us about extracurricular activities you undertook at Bristol?
The skills and experiences I gained from completing a Bristol PLUS Award – a scheme that rewards students for extracurricular work – have been instrumental in my personal growth and career development.
One highlight of the Award was completing the Bristol Futures course on Global Citizenship. The four-week long course allowed me to ruminate over important topics and issues I had never thought deeply about. We explored intriguing themes, such as “diversity versus difference” and “is there a limit to freedom of speech?”, and I enjoyed participating in the online discussions.
Being Secretary of the Malaysian Cultural Society was another rich learning experience. With my dedicated committee, we worked hard towards a shared vision for the society. The fruits of our labour were seen when we achieved a 260% membership increase and received the ‘Society of the Month’ award in February 2023. The work was not without its struggles, but through these I learnt to embrace different work styles, to be more adaptable, and to dream bigger. The opportunity for cultural exchange through my role with the society was also extremely rewarding.
In another role, as a ‘Sports Activator’ with the University, I had the opportunity to develop fundamental first-aid skills, facilitate free sports and exercise sessions, and promote healthier lifestyles among students. This sharpened my problem-solving skills as I often had to make quick decisions in unexpected situations, such as handling equipment failures or last-minute instructor absences.
How would you sum up your experience at Bristol?
My time at Bristol was a pivotal period in my life – life-changing. The rich plethora of experiences taught me independence, confidence, and courage – strengthening my sense of identity and self.
The best thing I gained were the friendships forged with students from all around the world. I would not have had that experience if I hadn’t studied at Bristol, and boy was it rewarding. Through these friendships I learnt the most valuable lesson of all, one of open-mindedness and understanding.
“Studying and living in Bristol was indeed a priceless experience.”
To be fair, it helped that Bristol is a lovely, vibrant city, and besides the steep hills, is otherwise perfect!
Where could a degree in economics take you? Find out more about studying an undergraduate degree in economics at Bristol.
Find out more about the Bristol Global Transfer Programme and how to apply.
Explore our Careers and Employability support in the School of Economics.