An Interview with Ms. Dachaini Karuppiah

 



Ms. Dachaini has been serving the Extra Curricular Activities (ECA) department of Taylor’s College Sri Hartamas (TCSH) since December 2009. After over 4 years of dedicated work at TCSH, she has decided to resign and pursue different aspects in her life. In light of this news, the Editorial Board managed to arrange for an interview with her before her departure, during which she graciously gave us her time and valuable advice.  








What is one of your most memorable moment in TCSH?
Well for me, in Taylors College Sri Hartamas, the most memorable moment would have to be Jog For Hope because it’s my baby. The whole process, when you go through it with the students, is so intense; and at the same time you become so close to them. That would definitely be the greatest moment. And if at all there was a greater moment, it would be when the cheque is presented on stage - because we usually do not reveal the amount until the cheque goes up on stage - and then we tear off the paper and everyone gets to see the amount we are finally able to donate. And that, usually, is the moment of pride.
 
What’s your biggest motivation?
My biggest motivation has always been students; the different batches of students. People graduate, people come in, people leave and so on. But students - they just keep me going and doing what I love doing although it’s a repetition; how vulnerable they are when they come to you and say “Could you help me progress?” That’s motivation for me. And when they achieve and they leave how they leave, how that transformation takes over them - that satisfaction is my motivation in the end.

How do you feel about leaving after so many years working here?
To be very honest, it’s mixed feelings because I’ve always been very comfortable with running the department, so the decision to leave is a big one because I’m putting myself in a position where I don’t know what’s ahead of me. But I’m excited because learning has always been my biggest interest even as a student last time, and so I am eager to learn. However, leaving the place – especially the students - behind is huge, because I’m very passionate about students. There are all these different packets of feelings that I do not know how to sum up, to be able to say, “This is how I feel.” But the road ahead is going to be an interesting one. So I’m excited for that.
 
What’s next after this?
It will be a twist to what I’m currently used to because I will be joining the International Medical University (IMU) at Bukit Jalil. I’m going in under the branding and marketing department. It’s a position that’s designed for me, so I don’t know what to expect because no one else has done it before. But what I’ll be doing is using students and alumni to create a branding for IMU.

Is there any advice you would like to give to the students of TCSH?
I always tell them that their biggest enemy is actually themselves. I have to say that our students at this college come in really talented and have so much ability to do things. But a lot of times, for some strange reason, they don’t think they are able to achieve anything that is outside their comfort zone. Hence, my advice is: don’t be afraid to make mistakes and learn because if you are not going to start now, then when? You have to put yourself out there even though it’s scary. It is a guarantee that you can never fall and the worse will not be as bad as where you start from. So no matter how bad a situation is, you will only move forward. To understand that is to understand the worst-case scenario allows a person to keep moving forward. So with me leaving, I still want the students to believe that and for no one to tell them that they are not capable and they are not able to do it – because that’s not true. And life is short, so be adventurous about it. You don’t get to be 17 years old twice, right?

Indeed, Ms. Dachaini - we should value our youth, but part of what makes our youth so wonderful are the teachers who change our lives forever. All TCSH staff and students would like to thank Ms. Dachaini for her contributions, and for being part of that wonderful change in our lives. Ms Dachanini, we wish you all the best in your career!

Interview conducted by Christine Kuan
South Australian Matriculation Program,
Editorial Board Writing Department.