Rachel McKee
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
Rachel is a Media and Journalism Graduate from Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne. After graduating, Rachel focused on built relevant experience to apply for the Jameson International Programme which she joined in 2021. Rachel is currently based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Thinking about when you first arrived in the city you are now based, what were your initial thoughts when you arrived?
As I come from a small town in Northern Ireland, moving to the huge city of Kuala Lumpur is far from the tractors and country roads I used to know! I was more than excited to begin my new role as Jameson Brand Ambassador and quickly settled into my market. Thrown into a new job and new city always comes with its challenges, but my colleagues have shown me some amazing Malaysian hospitality and made sure I was set up ready to succeed in my new role.
Thinking about when you first met your team, what was this like?
Weeks prior to leaving for Malaysia I already felt like part of the team. We have a number of calls before I travelled to market where the team made sure I was equipped with all the information I needed to make the big move to the other side of the world. When I first arrived, I soon realised my colleagues were just as excited to meet me as I was to meet them. In addition to being greeted with amazing Malaysian hospitality I was also greeted by some amazing Malaysian food!
Thinking about your first month in market, what was your biggest challenge & how did you overcome this?
My biggest challenge in market for my first month was managing my time. Between learning on the job and getting used to a new city it can be somewhat overwhelming. Being organised, getting into routine and asking for help was key to getting settled in and keeping on top of my workload at the same time. Being the newbie, I had a lot of questions, and my team were very understanding and helped me a lot in getting used to the way of working in the office and in the trade. Taking each day as it comes and facing challenges head on for me has been the best way to succeed.
Looking back now what did you learn from that first month in your new city? What has it taught you about yourself?
Time flies when you’re having fun. That’s exactly what my first month in market felt like. I have gained so much confidence and experience even in a short time in my market. Every day I was learning something new which has helped me develop both personally and professionally in a sales and marketing role.
What is your favourite highlight from the programme so far?
My highlights have to be the events and activations that you plan, organise and then get to see come to life. I have been involved in the planning and execution of our Jameson Connects events in Malaysia for St. Patricks Day. As these events were happening all over the country, I have been allowed to travel from South Malaysia in Johor, all the way to the Penang Island in North Malaysia. The opportunity to travel with the Jameson International Graduate programme is a part of the role which not many other graduate programmes can compete with and is something I enjoy thoroughly about the role as a Brand Ambassador.
Any tips for anyone applying for the role of Brand Ambassador?
A very important part of being a Brand Ambassador is building strong relationships with the people around you. It’s important to show your skills and qualities through real life experience. Maybe you have a passion for travel, run a social media page for a local business, or helped plan events in college. These are all great experiences that show your innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, which will make you stand out in your application. If you are the type of person that loves new experiences, can make friends anywhere you go and have a passion for sales and marketing, this is the job for you. Be yourself and let your personality shine through in your application, and of course have fun with it!
What are you most looking forward to in the months ahead?
Working closely with my Brand Manager we are currently planning a competition in June for a Jameson Glamping trip in Northern Malaysia. Equipped with live music, BBQ and white-water rafting. This is just an example of some of the extraordinary events you can be a part of on the programme. While also gaining valuable industry experience like working with creative agencies, brand planning and managing budget.