We love to learn from our alumni and this Global Alumni Engagement blog features Penn State’s remarkable global alumni on a weekly basis. This week we interview Wan AzDan ’18 for our weekly Global Alumni Spotlight column.
Wan AzDan was born and raised in Kelantan, the northernmost state in Malaysia. He flew to the United States in January 2015 and graduated from Pennsylvania State University in December 2018. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Communication Arts and Sciences (Hons), he received the Academic Excellence Award from the College of Liberal Arts for outstanding academic performance and contribution.
Mr. AzDan is currently working as the Regional Marketing Communications Associate at Axiata Digital & Analytics (ADA), part of Axiata Group Berhad, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In this role, he is mainly responsible for leading and managing the overall content development and marketing communications in the Regional Marketing team. Additionally, Mr. AzDan is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of his own company, ShadowType, a consumer electronics start-up specializing in bespoke custom mechanical keyboards, parts, accessories, and designs.
Mr. AzDan enjoys playing video games, listening to music, playing the electric guitar, reading, and practicing martial arts during his spare time.
What made Penn State stand out as the place you wanted to pursue your graduate
degree?
Penn State stood out for me mainly because of three reasons: student life, inclusive culture, and academic performance.
The student life at Penn State has always been incredibly fascinating and inspiring. The top-notch facilities and academic empowerment provided by the faculties and esteemed professors amplified the overall educational environment, which supercharges my motivation to contribute and excel in my studies. Students at Penn State have always been highly determined, fiercely competitive, and naturally open-minded. This attracted me a lot when I first applied to universities in the US. Student life has always been empowering and inspiring during my time as an undergraduate student at Penn State, and it is conducive for the academic mind to foster growth and excellence.
The inclusive culture of Penn State is an extension of its incredible student life. The culture of Penn State promotes unity, harmony, fairness, excellence, open-mindedness, and equality. Regardless of your nationality, religion, race, or aspirations in life, students at Penn State are always warmly welcomed into this inclusive culture that screams, “We Are Penn State” at every turn. It feels like one massive family who constantly supported one another towards success and brilliance. And, of course, the academic performance of Penn State. Penn State is one of the star performers for communications, public relations, and liberal arts for my major. I have always wanted to pursue my studies in communications, so it was indeed a crystal-clear choice for me back then. Now I am a proud member of the Penn State Alumni Network!
What is your current job? What has Penn State’s education (education and student leadership experiences) supported your capabilities toward your current career?
I am currently working as the Regional Marketing Communications Associate at Axiata Digital & Analytics (ADA), part of Axiata Group Berhad, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I am primarily responsible for leading and managing the overall content development and marketing communications in the Regional Marketing team.
As my current role focuses heavily on strategic communications, content development, and marketing communications, the academic knowledge, know-how, and wisdom I have learned and gained at Penn State has immensely supported my career, growth, and excellence at ADA. My leadership experience as the Director of Communications & Research for Lambda Pi Eta – Zeta Rho has also contributed immensely to my career at ADA. It enables me to connect with my colleagues rapidly and foster powerful teamwork to manage and plan, delegate, and execute tasks effectively and efficiently.
Tell us about a couple of Penn State moments that carry with you now.
o First-time arrival during a blizzard at Penn State Harrisburg
o Serving as Global Ambassadors under the celebrated leadership of the
esteemed Dr. Anna Marshall
o Performing (singing and playing the electric guitar) at the Lunar Year Festival
o The epic football matches on weekends supporting Penn State Nittany Lions
o The transcendent study sessions at Pattee and Paterno Libraries.
o The spectacularly memorable lunch sessions at the HUB-Robeson Center
o Attending the Penn State Movin’ On Concert at IM fields
o The majestic snowfall on campus
o My everlasting bond and loving friendship with Justinian Yi, Francesca Travagli,
Giovanna Marino, and Nurul Izyan
o Attending my graduation ceremony with my parents, Justinian Yi, Francesca
Travagli, and Giovanna Marino
o My incredible experience attending lectures with esteemed and revered
professors from the College of Liberal Arts
o Special thanks to the following CAS professors: Jeremy David Engels, Denise
Haunani Solomon, Jon F. Nussbaum, Michele Kennerly, Erina MacGeorge, Peter
N. Miraldi, Lijiang (L.J.) Shen, Mary E. Stuckey, James Andreyo, Jamie
McClintock Brenner, David Dzikowski, and Samantha LeVan
o The honor of being a Penn State alumnus
What’s one thing that Penn State alumni can do to support today’s students?
o Mentorship programs to connect current students with Penn State alumni
o Professional career services for current students to explore job opportunities
o Knowledge sharing sessions with Penn State alumni for current students
Tell us a bit of your current life, such as your family, hobbies and/or community
engagement.
I am currently working to grow my career and expand my skill set with my current role at ADA. Despite the challenges and difficulties posed by COVID-19 and the restrictions that come with it, I am still steadfast in my pursuit of excellence. My family members are all doing well. My father and mother are both in great health, and my brother recently joined Schneider Electric as the Head of Customer Experience (CX). As for hobbies, I have been playing video games with my friends online, listening to a broader range of music genres, learning new electric guitar techniques, reading new books, and practicing new martial art techniques.
For community engagement, I have been actively engaging with Keyboard Clackers Malaysia, a local community of custom mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
What skills or traits should our students develop to help them succeed in a global
job market?
Communication skills, critical thinking, content development, leadership skills, and networking. These are the crucial skillset required to succeed in a global job market. Suppose you are a skilled communicator with a high level of critical thinking, adept in content development, qualified as a leader, and have a diverse array of professional networks. In that case, you will be incredibly valuable in the job market.
Most importantly, always strive to refine your existing skills and develop new ones over time.
What are your two pieces of advice for our international students to become a global-minded citizen?
The best opportunity to become a global-minded citizen is to study abroad in a renowned international university with empowering student life and inclusive culture! Take this brilliant opportunity with Penn State to engage with a global community and learn about other cultures, religions, countries, and values. Build personal and professional connections by networking collectively so that you can remain connected on a global scale with other Penn State alumni.
Most importantly, participate in more activities, do more every day, learn extensively over time, and aim high to excel and succeed! You are what you believe!
Do you plan to visit Penn State after the pandemic is over? If so, what would you like to do after you arrive on campus?
Yes, most definitely! I plan to visit both Penn State’s University Park campus and Penn State’s Harrisburg campus. I will be visiting with my parents and my brother for sure!
I would like to meet up with my friends and professors to see how they have been doing for the past four years. Afterward, I would like to visit some of my favorite places on campus, which includes:
o Momotaro -> my favorite cafe in town
o Penn State Berkey Creamery -> the legendary ice cream of Penn State
o Sauly Boy’s -> my favorite lunch spot with incredible burgers, fries, and gelato
o Tadashi Sushi -> my favorite sushi in town
o Music Mart -> my favorite music store in town
o The Koop (formerly known as Wakker Chicken) -> amazing Korean fried chicken
o The Field -> the best restaurant in town