How My Sunway Journey Shaped My Growth as a Data Scientist
Throughout my undergraduate journey, I was fortunate to be surrounded by supportive lecturers and peers who were always willing to guide me and collaborate in projects and group assignments. From these experiences, I learned that discipline and consistency were crucial not only for academic excellence but also for developing an analytical and growth mindset that continues to shape my approach to problem-solving in my work today.
Beyond academics, striking a balance between studies and participating in events, workshops, and competitions provided me with valuable exposure to industry practices. These opportunities, along with the variety of networking experiences I gained, further strengthened my ability to apply classroom knowledge to relevant real-world challenges in my current role as a Data Scientist at Ipsos Malaysia. In this role, I automate data preprocessing workflow using VBA and Python, and use SPSS to explore and analyse healthcare market research data, helping uncover key trends and insights from surveys. I also collaborate with client service teams, data engineers, and non-technical stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure the data is prepared accurately for research reports. Additionally, I design and maintain custom dashboards in Tableau and Power BI, turning complex datasets easier to understand through clear and interactive visualisations.
Above all, my time at Sunway has taught me that university is not just about preparing for a job, but about discovering purpose. To me, a degree is more than preparation for a specific career, it is about cultivating the mindset and resilience to navigate life, even when our careers take unexpected directions.
Chong Zhao Cheng
BSc (Hons) Industrial Statistics
2025
