From Almost Medicine to Mass Communication

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06 Apr 2026

6 Min Read

Mohamed Khaidir Bin Mohamed Zaraai (Alumni Writer), The Taylor's Team (Editor)
IN THIS ARTICLE

In 2008, Mohamed Khaidir had a clear plan. As a Form 4 pure science student, he was set on pursuing medicine, possibly specialising in cardiology. Biology was his strongest subject, and his fascination with the human heart made the path feel almost predetermined. Like many students at that stage, he believed he had already figured out what his future would look like.

 

That certainty began to shift during a school career fair.

 

Held in the school hall, the event brought together various universities and colleges introducing their programmes. Among them, Taylor’s University left a lasting impression. It was not just the courses on offer, but the way the institution presented itself. Even the brochures, designed with a matte finish instead of the usual glossy paper, reflected a level of thought and intention that stood out.

 

As he spent more time there, his perspective began to expand. For the first time, he was exposed to possibilities beyond medicine. Hospitality caught his attention because of his interest in working with people, but mass communication stood out for a different reason. It felt familiar, almost like an extension of what he was already doing in school.

 

Khaidir had been actively involved in public speaking competitions and contributed to his school magazine. These were not skills he had to force, but abilities that came naturally to him. A teacher’s remark reinforced this realisation. Not everyone, he was told, could speak the way he did. What had once been an interest began to take shape as a potential direction.

Choosing Between Expectation and Instinct

After completing SPM, Khaidir continued to Form 6 to pursue STPM, with the goal of entering a public university. At this stage, his plans shifted towards studying law, influenced by both practicality and family expectations. His mother had once aspired to study law, and the idea of continuing that path felt meaningful.

 

For a period, the decision seemed firm. However, as he progressed through Form 6, the realities of the path became clearer. Law required a level of endurance and long-term commitment that did not align with his strengths or interests. Structural limitations, including subject requirements, also made the pathway more challenging.

 

Gradually, the clarity returned. Mass communication was no longer a secondary option. It was the path that felt most aligned with who he was.

When his STPM results were released, he achieved a CGPA of 3.67, placing him in a strong position to enter a public university. Instead of following the expected route immediately, he applied for a Yayasan Peneraju scholarship and approached the opportunity with certainty.

 

During the interview, he made it clear that both his first and second course choices were mass communication. When asked if this was a mistake, he confirmed that it was not. There was no alternative because he had already made up his mind.

 

He was awarded the scholarship, but the outcome took an unexpected turn. Rather than being placed in a public university, he was offered the opportunity to study at Taylor’s University.

When the Right Opportunity Finds You

Years earlier, Taylor’s had been a distant aspiration, one that gradually faded as more practical decisions took priority. Now, it returned as a real and immediate opportunity, bringing his journey full circle.

 

The decision required little hesitation. What had once felt like a possibility he had left behind now became the path in front of him. Accepting the offer was not just about choosing a university. It was about reconnecting with a direction that had always felt right, even when it was temporarily set aside.

 

At Taylor’s, Khaidir pursued a major in Public Relations and a minor in Journalism. Today, his career has taken him into project management, a field that may not seem directly related at first glance.

 

However, the relevance of his degree remains clear. The programme developed a set of transferable skills that continue to shape his professional approach. Communication plays a central role in managing stakeholders and coordinating teams. Writing skills are essential for documentation and reporting. Research competencies support structured decision-making, while lessons in crisis management provide a framework for handling risks and unexpected challenges.

 

The degree did not define a single career path. It shaped how he thinks, communicates, and approaches his work.

A Degree That Grows With You

Graduation did not mark the end of his relationship with Taylor’s. Through alumni engagement, events, and platforms, Khaidir continues to stay connected with the university community. These connections extend beyond social interaction, creating opportunities for collaboration, exposure, and professional growth.

 

Interactions with fellow alumni, current students, and lecturers often open doors to new possibilities. Over time, these networks become an extension of the learning experience itself.

 

Reflecting on his journey, Khaidir emphasises the importance of choosing a path that aligns with one’s interests and strengths. Mass communication offers multiple directions, including Public Relations, Digital Media Production, Journalism, and Advertising, as well as opportunities to pursue double majors. However, the structure of the programme is only one part of the decision. What matters more is whether the choice reflects who you are.

 

His journey did not follow a straight line. It moved from medicine to law, and eventually to mass communication. What might seem like detours were part of a process of discovery.

 

In the end, the decision that felt most natural proved to be the right one. Mass communication did not limit his career options. Instead, it equipped him with the ability to adapt, communicate, and think critically across different roles.

 

In a world where careers are increasingly fluid, that may be the most valuable outcome of all.

Like Mohamed Khaidir, your path may evolve along the way. What matters is choosing a degree that grows with you. Talk to our education counsellors and discover where mass communication can take you.
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