Life can sometimes take you down unexpected paths and on a journey you did not anticipate. Rather than viewing this as a concern, it is an opportunity to be embraced. This is precisely what Wee Jian Ng did, grabbing the opportunity to pursue his passion for engineering after a growing entrepreneurial career in marketing and training. We sat down with Wee Jian to discover more about his path, ambitions, and life as a postgraduate aeronautical engineering student in Ireland at the University of Limerick.
Wee Jian is a testament to the power of pursuing your passion. Having begun his academic journey studying mechanical engineering at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, he moved into the entrepreneurial sphere shortly after graduating and worked there for seven years. As anyone who has done it knows, owning a business is a labour of love. You spend long hours nurturing, developing, and growing your vision. This did not stop Wee Jian, who co-founded a training and marketing company in Kuala Lumpur. His first love has always been engineering though, and he was looking for a way back into the field.
Discover your path
“It has been my passion to be in aeronautical engineering since the very beginning,” explained Wee Jian. “I didn’t have the opportunity to study aeronautical engineering in Malaysia and so studied mechanical engineering instead. I then built a business with my friends after university, but seven years on started to re-evaluate what I wanted to do and explored postgraduate study options.”
It was then that Wee Jian began to discover study destinations abroad. He received very positive testimonials from his friends and partner who studied and worked in Ireland. Notably, the University of Limerick was top of the list of recommendations. Wee Jian admits he was initially unsure and didn’t know much about Ireland, but after doing his research was sold.
“From what I had heard, Ireland was a great option for rebuilding a career and embracing a new start,” explained Wee Jian. “My experience has been that in Ireland you are supported, encouraged, helped and not judged regardless of who you are.”
Make your move
Wee Jian was open and honest about his apprehension and anxiety about starting to study again after a few years out of academia. Some of his friends and family advised him to remain in Malaysia and continue to run his business. But he was determined, despite worrying about not knowing as much as his classmates and adjusting to a new learning culture.
He underlined how at the University of Limerick, he was made to feel at home and given the space to explore himself and what he wanted from life. He pointed out that his experience has been affirming and keeps getting better. However, as a tip, he did mention that he wished he’d understood the weather before arriving, which was very different from home and required a new wardrobe. He describes the weather in Ireland as ‘emotional’.
Wee Jian was open and honest about how his expectations of Ireland were both challenged and confirmed. He was expecting greenery, space, and nature, which he admits he got in abundance. This excited him, especially coming from a big city. He describes birds chirping and swans swimming in the river as he makes his way to lectures as being very relaxing. Wee Jian was surprised by just how friendly and welcoming Ireland was, much more so than he expected. The learning environment was also different, with intellectual curiosity and exploration encouraged.
“Advisors and lectures are extremely helpful. The university provides a lot of different services. Everything from essay writing and wellbeing to career advice. I appreciate the careers services which help you understand how to secure work in Ireland. It’s important to get this advice because it’s so different from Malaysia. It’s a great foundation to build on”, said Wee Jian.
Seek new experiences and community!
While excelling in his academics, Wee Jian has also taken up the opportunity to become part of the community in Limerick, working part-time as a restaurant cashier and participating in many student activities. He was keen to highlight just how friendly and open he found people in Ireland, with spontaneous conversations happening regularly, making you feel instantly comfortable and at home. The sense of community he describes is constant. He notes how important it is for students to look out for one another. This provides a sense of safety and freedom. He’s also participated as a member of the university’s evening student patrol that helps fellow students get home safely at night.
Wee Jian has enjoyed making good friends with fellow students in his accommodation and pointed out how multicultural it is, with students from France, Singapore, America, and Ireland living with him. They get together for dinner, sharing recipes and parts of their culture. In addition, there are the trips they’ve been on to places such as Giant’s Causeway, Castleford, and the Aran Islands (which included an interesting encounter with the local wildlife). Wee Jian underlined that these interactions provide a great way to destress and find support when needed.
“Some of the best things about studying in Ireland are getting the space to discover yourself, explore your passions and improve. I also just love the natural environment here. It calms me down a lot and is so important for my mental health. Lastly, everyone is helpful and friendly. People genuinely care about you in Ireland. They want to help you succeed.”
Plan your next move
While enjoying the university experience, Wee Jian also has his eye on the future and what it holds. He’s set on staying in Ireland and building a career. He describes his degree as just ‘one chapter of a new book’ and his post-study life as the next chapter. He aims to find employment in the aircraft or aeronautical industry and is confident that given the third-level graduate programme granting up to 24 months to find work, he can do so.
“We’re given many opportunities like career fairs and virtual seminars, including from companies. You get a better idea of what you need to do to get employed and stay in Ireland. I always take my CV to careers fairs, which is great for getting advice and input. I could also catch the eye of a potential employer. I’m looking forward to staying in Ireland, to be honest.”
As a final piece of advice, Wee Jian has some words of wisdom and encouragement for international students:
Don’t stay in one place. Seek experience and enrichment. There may be challenges emotionally and even financially, but you should stay on track as it’s important to pursue what you love and grow. Don’t let your doubts and pre-judgements stop you. Don’t overthink things, just do it. You’ll be surprised by what you can achieve.
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