ABOUT ME

 

 

Hi, I'm Qistina, a Marketing student at UiTM Johor with an extra shy and introverted personality.

I'm currently pursuing a degree in Marketing at one of the best universities in Malaysia, which is Universiti Teknologi Mara (UITM). Here, I have learned proper studies about business and formal communications in the corporate world.

Besides theories, I have a chance to explore

Marketing through projects, sales events, or even social media content helps me improve my marketing skills

My dream job would be in a vibrant marketing firm or brand where I could assist businesses in meaningfully engaging with their target market. I think I'm prepared to enter the working world and leave a lasting impression because I have a solid background in business, creativity, and communication.

An Praise of My Life Decisions List

Growing up, I’ve always been known as the quiet one the girl who preferred to sit at the back of the class, who rarely raised her hand, and who avoided public speaking at all costs. I was extremely shy and introverted, and that often made me feel left behind, especially when it came to joining extracurricular activities or leadership roles. While others were active in clubs and competitions, I struggled just to introduce myself in group projects. I constantly battled with self-doubt and social anxiety, which made even simple interactions feel overwhelming. Because of this, I used to question whether I could really fit into a professional world that requires confidence, teamwork, and communication.

But despite all that, I had one goal I held onto quietly to continue my studies at university. For me, enrolling in the Bachelor of Business Administration (Hons.) in Marketing at UiTM wasn’t just about education. It was a personal victory. It meant pushing past the voice in my head that told me I wasn’t good enough or brave enough. It meant giving myself a second chance to grow.

University life hasn’t magically turned me into an extrovert and that’s okay. But it has slowly helped me discover my strengths: I listen deeply, I think critically, and I express myself better in writing and creative work. I’ve learned to speak up when I need to. I’ve taken small steps like volunteering for presentations, talking to lecturers, and contributing to class discussions things that once felt impossible.

Studying marketing also opened up something new for me the realization that introverts have value in this field too. We observe trends, we understand people, and we communicate with purpose. My quiet nature has actually helped me become more thoughtful in understanding consumer behavior, which is at the heart of marketing. To some people, a university degree is just the next step but to me, it’s proof that even the most personal battles can be won. And that story is something I carry proudly into everything I do.

My First Step Out of My Comfort Zone: Becoming an MC in STPM

One day, I was unexpectedly assigned to be the emcee for a school event. At first, I felt a wave of panic I wanted to say no, to hide behind my usual quiet nature. But something in me knew that if I didn’t try now, I might never get another chance to break through my fear, and I said yes.

It wasn’t easy. I practiced my script repeatedly, stayed up late rehearsing, and even recorded myself to improve my tone and pronunciation. When the day finally came, I stood on stage with trembling hands and a racing heart but I did it. And when it was over, something shifted in me. I realized I could do more than I believed. I just had to start.

That moment became a turning point. It gave me the confidence to slowly take on more opportunities. I’m still growing, but I carry that first MC experience with me as a reminder growth begins when you choose courage over comfort.

Breaking Barriers: My MUET Journey

Earning a Band 4.0 on the Malaysian University English Test (MUET) was one of the most significant turning points in my academic career; it's more than just a score. I came from a Malay family and attended a rural school, so I wasn't entirely comfortable speaking English. Due to my innate shyness and introversion, I hardly ever used English outside of the classroom. Hearing others speak clearly made me uneasy a lot of the time, especially when it came to oral exercises or group discussions. But I was aware that I needed to push myself if I wanted to develop.

As a result, I quietly resolved to get better at English for both the test and my future. I read articles, practiced writing essays, watched English-language videos, and spoke out loud even when no one else was around for hours. I forced myself to mimic pronunciation, read the news out loud, and take vocabulary notes. Even though it was a lonely and slow process, I persisted. I felt a lot of emotion when the MUET results were made public. And I was the only Malay girl in my STPM batch to receive a Band 4.0.

The score wasn't the only factor. I wanted to show myself that I could. That even someone who had previously doubted her voice could be heard and respected with hard work, perseverance, and faith. I gained confidence from that accomplishment in addition to academic recognition. I still develop that confidence today through professional communication, presentations, and university projects. MUET was only the start.

Turning Soybeans into Skincare: 3rd Place at UiTM Innovation Tournament

One of the proudest moments in my university journey was winning 3rd place at the UiTM Innovation Tournament, where my team and I developed a natural body scrub made from soybean.Using soybean as the primary ingredient, we came up with the straightforward but important idea to make a natural, environmentally friendly body scrub. Our goal was to combine affordability, sustainability, and self-care into a single, innovative product. We spent several weeks researching the skincare benefits of soy, testing textures, experimenting with ingredients, and creating packaging that complemented the organic appeal of our product.

We faced issues, strict deadlines, and self-doubt during the process, so it wasn't easy. We succeeded, however, because of our strong teamwork, perseverance, and common passion.

Upon presenting our product to the judges, we felt both anxious and pleased. And it was a moment I will never forget when our team was declared the third place winner. It showed me that teamwork, bravery, and invention are more important for innovation than having experts.

This experience taught me how to communicate ideas, solve problems under pressure, and believe in my own development, in addition to teaching me how to develop a product.

My First Academic Milestone: Dean’s List in Semester 3

I never considered myself to be "clever" as a child. Since I wasn't the best student, I frequently felt that I needed to put in twice as much effort to stay up with the others. Some of my classmates did well on tests by nature, but I had trouble believing in myself and was always doubting my skills.

However, when I started university, something changed. I told myself that I wanted to perform better in Semester 3 not to outperform others, but to show myself that I could succeed if I really put my all into it. I began to better organize my time, study more regularly, and seek clarification when necessary. I put my all into group projects, pushed myself during presentations, and stayed up late to study for tests and quizzes.

It wasn't easy, and I considered giving up at times, but I persisted.I was completely shocked when the results came out. For the first time ever, I had made the Dean's List. I started crying at that moment. I felt for the first time that all of my hard work, uncertainty, and late nights had been worthwhile. I had changed from being the "not clever" girl to someone who put in a lot of effort, got stronger, and earned her spot. For me, being named to the Dean's List meant more than just academic recognition. It served as a reminder that being the smartest isn't always the key to success; rather, it requires dedication, the courage to try, and the willingness to learn.

I now bring that same belief with me to every semester.

What I Learned About Branding While Working as a Promoter

I never imagined that working as a promoter at Parkson would teach me so much about marketing strategy, customer behavior, and branding in a single part-time position. I waited at the product booth every day, hoping that people would pause, pay attention, and believe what I was saying. People buy stories, emotions, and familiarity, not just products, I soon discovered. In fact, how I arranged the products, spoke, and dressed influenced how people thought of the brand.

I also learned how crucial first impressions are from it. Customers would determine their level of interest in five seconds. Online, the same reasoning holds true for website design, product packaging, and social media posts.

My experience as a promoter has aided me in developing soft skills that are critical to marketing, such as self-assurance, product expertise, effective communication, and comprehension of client needs. I became more confident in my ability to emotionally connect with brands and more interested in marketing as a career.

 Contact & Social Media Section

📧 Email: qistinasofiya17@gmail.com

📱 Phone: +6011- 6370 7524

📍 Location: Johor, Malaysia