Post by Lim Man Heen

A Year of Belonging, Building, and Growth University life felt unfamiliar to me at first. It was loud, fast, and always moving, with everything seeming within reach yet strangely out of touch. I found myself wanting to leave something meaningful behind, proof that I had been part of it. That was when I chose to apply to MUSA, the Monash University Student Association . January, I was fortunate to be appointed Merchandising Lead in the Publicity Division, and even more fortunate to have a boss who trusted and supported me, even when she was swamped with work. Over the year, I got to build something from the ground up: defining brand direction, selecting products, coordinating designs, managing quotations and orders, handling samples, running advertising shoots, pop-up activations, platform marketing, pre-orders, logistics, inventory, and order management — all while analysing data to refine the next cycle. Together, our team achieved the highest merchandise revenue in the association’s history — RM150,000, with a budget of RM85,000. The number was never the most important part. What mattered was knowing that what we built would support the student association long after our term ended. This achievement was never mine alone. I am deeply grateful to my boss, Head of Publicity Jessy Cheung , my partner Ziqian Zhang and my incredible executive teammates — Tech Lead Jordan Ng , Social Media Lead Chew Ying Min , and Visual Design Lead Ellen Vianna Limanauw. You gave me not just support, but a genuine sense that I could truly achieve something beyond academics, and inspired me to run for a higher role. Thank you for making me feel part of something bigger, for the challenges, the lessons, and the warmth this journey has brought. Onward to the next chapter: Head of MUSA Clubs & Societies Division 2026.✨