Anurag Balagam - India, 19 September, 2023
My journey began with pursuing an engineering degree in India, a common path for many young people. During my third year, my curiosity for the digital realm and desire for independence led me to experiment with blogging and SEO. After enjoying some initial success, I found myself increasingly drawn to digital marketing and business, culminating in the launch of my own venture in my fourth year. Intrigued by the global scope of marketing and entrepreneurship, I decided to pursue a Master in Business outside India. Among English-speaking countries with highly ranked universities and rapidly evolving digital industries, Australia topped my list. Brisbane, known for its vibrant community, pleasant weather, and cultural diversity, seemed like the ideal location at the time. A Merit Scholarship from the Queensland University of Technology was the final push I needed to enrol.
My QUT experience
QUT gave me a holistic experience I was searching for. Every day was challenging yet exciting. The lectures were unlike what I expected—they were collaborative, thoughtful, and engaging. Students from all corners of the globe brought new perspectives, enriching the discussions. The range of co-curricular activities was overwhelming, so I made it a point to attend as many workshops and events as possible. These not only supplemented my classroom learning about strategic business and marketing but also provided networking opportunities and practical experience with real-world case studies.
Volunteering opportunities further enriched my time at QUT. I worked with QUT Entrepreneurship, participated in Techstars Startup Weekend, and engaged in other startup events. These experiences revitalised my entrepreneurial spirit and even led me to secure some pre-seed funding for a mobile app in the property management sector. While the app didn't ultimately succeed, the lessons I learned were invaluable.
Graduating-the next step
After graduating in December 2020, I relocated to the Gold Coast to become a full-time Digital Marketing Manager at Global Road Technology, a company I had the privilege to work part-time for since my first semester at QUT. During my time there, I spearheaded the company's transition to a digital-first approach, utilising content marketing and demand generation to successfully launch multiple products. Additionally, I gained diverse marketing insights through consulting roles with a B2B SaaS company and a marketing agency.
I recently stepped into an exciting new role as Product Marketing Manager at Askable, a high-growth startup that's redefining how companies globally develop products and experiences. This position perfectly blends my interests in marketing, product, and research. I'm not only inspired by the exceptional team culture but also consider myself lucky to work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry.
My advice
Steve Jobs' Stanford commencement speech about 'connecting the dots backward' has deeply influenced my perspective. My one piece of advice is simple: stay curious and seize the opportunities to explore while you still can. For example, a random workshop I attended during my first semester at QUT introduced me to design thinking—a concept that not only do I apply almost daily but has also fundamentally altered the way I think. Make the most of every workshop, every event, and every networking opportunity that catches your eye. While it may seem overwhelming initially, or even trigger feelings of imposter syndrome, remember that the journey gets easier as you move forward.
