Student Stories

“Change is synonymous with growth.” - Piti

Could you share with us briefly about your current role as Business Development Manager at Sikhay Hydraulics.

Sikhay Hydraulics has been my family’s business for the past 20 years. Even though I lack the technical knowledge to provide support in certain aspects of the business, the knowledge and expertise I have gained through my studies and professional experiences allowed me to compensate for it by contributing to other aspects.

I started with handling tasks handed to me by my parents, which were mostly paperwork. Over time, my duties grew with my understanding of the industry and my responsibilities now include but are not limited to managing inventory, orders and most client-related tasks. I’m also in charge of sourcing – a duty I enjoy greatly as it allows me to travel when visiting suppliers and factories.

You were working in Singapore with a global leader in news and business intelligence company previously. What motivates you to leave the MNC and help out your family business in Laos? 

I chose to apply for what would become my first job because it was what I had studied, and I was simply eager to put that knowledge into use. I worked as a researcher in a renowned multinational company, which was a role that I had learnt tremendously from. I’m undoubtedly grateful for the experience gained, but I came to realise that my long-term goal wasn’t in the corporate sector.

Growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, I have always been inspired by the flexibility and the kind of personal growth and sense of fulfilment that only self-managed work could bring. I knew that ultimately, I would want to be my own boss and work on my own terms, but also continue and grow what my parents have started before me.

You made a huge switch be it industry, from media to imports and wholesale, or working environment. Could you share with us the challenges you faced and how do you overcome them?

Even though the sectors in which I have worked in and am currently working in have little in common, I have learnt greatly from both and continue to do so every day. I don’t see switching industries as a challenge, but more of an opportunity to work on myself, my adaptability and my capacity to grow in different environments.

There are values, ideas and methodologies that I have learnt from my first job, which I brought back to apply into my family business. In my eyes, change is synonymous with growth. The most important tool to prepare when switching industries is your mindset: if you see it as a challenge, it will be one. But if you take it as an opportunity, then you will be able to make the best out of it.

In what ways have your education with PSB Academy added value to your personal development and professional opportunities?

PSB Academy was the first overseas institution I have joined right after graduating from the secondary school in my home country. To date, I still see it as an important stepping stone in the path that has taken me to where I currently am. I’m sure that many of my peers would agree that PSB Academy was more than an education institution, it was a home away from home for us international students.

The teaching body, the school staff and the students were tightly knitted like one big family. In the classroom, we received support and help in our learning. Outside the classroom, we were encouraged to step up, to speak up and to take initiatives through various extra-curricular activities. All in all, those were the first stages of the building of many leadership, entrepreneurial and social skills that have stuck with me and helped me in more ways than one.

You took part in a Student Club during your student life. Could you share with us your experience and takeaways?

As students from Laos were a minority group, I felt that it would be helpful for us to gather and connect with peers  from the same country; to help each other out and to share our experiences. I’m unquestionably proud of my country, culture, and wanted a platform where we could showcase its beauty to fellow students.

That was how the “Thai-Lao Student Association” of PSB Academy was founded. We decided to combine the two countries as we felt that the similarity in our cultures, languages and geographic proximity allowed us to relate to each other deeply.

Being part of the creation and management of a dual-country student association wasn’t a simple job, but it definitely was a very rewarding one. It would take hours to effectively recount all the valuable experiences it had brought me, but in short, I can confidently say that both my fellow association members and I have built leadership, initiative, communication, collaboration, and so many more skills that would stay with us for a lifetime.

Share a personal quote or mantra you live by.

Not a quote or a mantra, but I believe in living by the principles of kindness, compassion and respect.