Design Your Career

Design Your Career in 90 Minutes

Learn advanced strategies to design your career to achieve success in your work and life.

What if you could figure out what do you want to do in your career that allows you live the life you've always wanted?

Introducing Design Your Career in 90 Minutes, a new way to think, plan and design your career.

Even if... you don't know what to do with your career right now
Even if... you feel you don't have the skills, expertise and leadership
Even if... you feel overwhelmed on where to start with your career

Avoid wasting time on trying to figure out your career journey by "going with the flow." It's time for you to create the career and life you want you want.

Top 3 mistakes for career development

Mistake #1: Going with the flow -- without a plan

I've met many young professionals who tell me their career plan is to "go with the flow". While this isn't exactly a wrong approach, it's not the best one. Some follow their friends, others follow trends. Jumping from one job to another without intentionality and clarity can be very risky. You don't need to wonder why some of them reach 30 and feel lost.

Mistake #2: Sitting down to "think about it"

I've asked a young professional on his career strategy. He told me, "Yeah, this is interesting. I'm going to sit down and think about my career this weekend." Huh?! I met him again a few years later -- and he was still in the same job. The problem he isn't the only one who's told me this. Sitting down and thinking about your career won't bring you far.

Mistake #3: Relying too much on traditional career planning

Career counsellors and career development books are great. I've read many of them. In fact, "What Color Is Your Parachute?" by the late Richard Nelson Bolles is still seen as a holy grail for career development. The problem is that book is written in 1970 and much of the advice dished out on developing your career is outdated, to say the least. Things have changed -- and changed dramatically. Emerging technologies are and have disrupted all industries and if we keep acting as if nothing will change, we will be left behind.

The modules of this workshop are:

Compass: Rediscovering your moral compass and sticking to your True North
Flow: Finding the moments when you are 'in the zone' at work and in your life
Lab: Generating career ideas for your potential career paths
Blueprint: Designing your career paths
Goals: Creating Professional Development Goals to achieve the milestones set within the first year

You can live the life and career you want. I'll show you how.

I know, because I'm one of them.

Hi, I'm Zaim Mohzani.

I have 10 years of experience in government, corporate and think tank.

I've founded 3 NGOs and led another 6 organisations while working a full-time job.

I was appointed as a director and trustee for a government agency at 28 years old.

I've spoken at more than 100 events, including being a TEDx speaker.

I managed to secure prestigious fellowships in the United States and a Master's scholarship in the United Kingdom...and even won a premier award for my NGO work.

But my life wasn't always like this. In fact, far from it.

I am (middle) the youngest of three siblings and was always bullied by my brothers!

Growing up, I was shy, quiet and reclusive. I grew up in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I enjoyed being by myself and didn't had many friends. I thought I was a weird and a socially awkward kid. (It was later on that I discovered I was an introvert — after reading Susan Cain's Quiet and damn proud to be one.)

An awkward Zaim (leftmost) with some friends at the final year of high school.

At school, I struggled to fit in. I was never good at sports — even failing at a PE test. I was mediocre in my academics. I had to slog and put in the hours to attain the same grades as my much smarter peers. Somehow rather, I managed to (luckily) secure a place in college in Melbourne, Australia.

With my brother-in-arms and best friend, Taufiq (left) during college days.

During my college and university days, I struggled to fit in in any circle of friends. I found small talk excruciatingly painful. So, I didn't have many friends in university. I took up a double degree in Arts and Law. I excelled in the former but failed spectacularly in the latter. Coupled with the lack of friends and mediocre academic performance, you could say I was a loser.

With Gajan (second from left) and the Malaysian community at a forum in Melbourne, Australia.

My turning point happened when someone saw in me that I couldn't see in myself. His name is Gajan and he was the head of a Malaysian student council in Melbourne. He noticed my interest in politics and roped me in to help organise forums on Malaysian politics. I was hesitant but he encouraged me. Then, he pushed me to join the student council itself! A loser like me joining the student council! I took it as a challenge and luckily won the election during an AGM.

I (seventh from right) was the Deputy Chairperson of Victoria Chapter of the Malaysian Students' Council of Australia (MASCA Victoria) from 2011 to 2012.

I had the chance to serve as the National Deputy Chairperson of the Malaysian Students' Council of Australia (MASCA) from 2012 to 2013.

With the MASCA leaders at Sydney, Australia in 2013 as we prepared for the biggest Malaysian student event in the world!

Being a student council representative in my penultimate and final years in university changed my trajectory. I learned how to write meeting minutes (didn't even know what they were!), organised events and forged strategic partnerships. I loved coming up with news ideas to engage students and young people. I continued my journey as a student leader from the state-level to the national-level, where I had the chance to revamp the organisation including initiating the biggest Malaysian student event in the world. It was life-changing to say the least as I found my wife in the student council, too!

With my boss, Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, current Deputy Chief Minister of Sarawak I (second from left).

With The Honourable Khairy Jamaluddin, current Minister of Science Technology and Innovation (second from left).

It wasn't long before I came back to Malaysia. My first job was actually in a technology startup. I was there for a few months until I had the opportunity to join the Perdana Fellowship programme. This programme allowed to work with the Cabinet Ministers of Malaysia, specifically Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who was at the time Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities. I also had the chance to work closely with The Honourable, Khariy Jamaluddin, then-Minister of Youth and Sports. Imagine being 23 and working for a Minister! I found out the reason I got in was almost purely because of my experience as a student leader.

As the Founding President of the Perdana Fellows Alumni Association (PFAA), we presented a memonto to the 6th Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Sri Najib Razak in 2014.

Me (middle, leaning on table) at an Annual General Meeting of PFAA in 2015.

Being entrepreneurial (or intrapreneuerial), I founded the Perdana Fellows Alumni Association (PFAA) while still working as a Perdana Fellow. We had a lot of fun organising alumni programs and public programs for the youth community. Being the Founding President of PFAA allowed me to connect with the top leaders of governments from ministers to senior government officials. This was instrumental in securing my next job in a communications strategy boutique agency.

I joined Toastmasters International (global movement for public speaking) and quickly became the Bangsar Chapter's Vice President (Public Relations) from 2013 to 2014.

Within my first year of being a Toastmaster, I (top rightmost) participated in its public speaking competitions and won all the way to the Division (regional) level.

Me (middle) with the Global Shapers of the Kuala Lumpur Hub — founded by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

While working, I joined many NGOs, including Toastmasters International (public speaking movement) and Global Shapers Community (initiated by World Economic Forum) to explore how I could contribute to society. I learned a lot about the civil society but I yearned to do more, specifically for the youth community.

Nation Building School (NBS)'s second forum in 2015 in Impact Hub Kuala Lumpur. We started off small.

NBS's third forum in late 2015. And we grew really quickly.

National Youth Congress in collaboration with MyPerintis with Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (centre) as the keynote speaker with over 1,000 students in attendance.

So, I decided to start my second organisation: Nation Building School (NBS). The idea behind this NGO was to build the next generation of leaders, one youth at a time. I co-founded NBS with a brother, Marques Jeevan Menon. We started organising forums and subsequently, youth accelerator programs. It took off really fast and within two years, we had amassed a membership of over 2,000 youths.

Had the chance to meet the 26th Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd (middle) at an event in Kuala Lumpur in 2015.

With former Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop (in white) at an event in Kuala Lumpur in 2015.

Speaking alongside The Honourable Dato' Sri Nancy Shukri (second from left), current Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture at a forum in Cardiff, U.K. in 2017.

When I was leading Nation Building School, we directly impacted over 3,000 youths through our capacity-building programs. I was doing while working at a full-time job. From 9am to 5pm, I'll be at the office and from 5pm to 10pm, I'll be working on NBS. It was hectic and one hell of an experience. This opportunity allowed me to connect with everyone — youth leaders, ministers, CEOs, politicians, civil society activists.

Speaking with The Honourable Syed Saddiq (right), former Minister of Youth and Sports at a public policy roundtable in Parliament in 2016.

Chilling with Syed Saddiq after an event in 2017. Saddiq and I have been friends since our Perdana Fellows days in 2013.

With Syed Saddiq and the Board of Trustees of Impact Malaysia (government agency under Ministry of Youth and Sports) at the Impact Malaysia complex, Puchong in 2018.

It wasn't all fun and games being part of NBS. I remember hosting an event for former Minister of Youth and Sports, Syed Saddiq (before he was active in politics) as he was denied an opportunity to speak at universities. After the event, I was called by the authorities to justify my actions for hosting the event. I'd do it all over again if I had to. I didn't do NBS for myself but for the youth community that I truly care about.

Speaking on the TEDxUTP stage on the topic of "How To Unleash Youth Power" in 2017.

I was invited to speak at TEDxUTP (Universiti Teknologi Petronas) in 2017. I spoke about something extremely close to my heart: youth power. My aspiration was, is and will always be to nurture as many civic warriors just like myself so we can champion causes that will make the country better. (Check out my TEDx talk on the Welcome page of this website!)

Speaking at Astro Awani on youth issues in late 2016.

I was involved in two episodes of a TV series (on a national TV channel) to motivate young people in Malaysia. Apparently, the show is still being played until today!

I was featured in The Star, a national newspaper for a moderate Malaysia campaign in 2014.

I always had the chance to speak on national TV, be featured on a national newspaper (full spread!) and be involved in 2 episodes of a TV series on a national TV channel to motivate youths. When you pay it forward, it will comes back to you in ways you can't imagine!

Moderating the session with Crown Prince of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah (second from left) and Tengku Zafrul, current Minister of Finance (second from right) in 2017.

I had the chance to moderate a session with both of them not once but twice!

I'd say the highlight of being a part-time community builder is meeting people. People you cannot imagine like the Crown Prince of state of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah. I had the chance to moderate a session with the Crown Prince and Tengku Zafrul, current Minister of Finance not once but twice!

I (rightmost) was a Professional Fellow under the U.S. Department of State's Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), attached to the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) in spring 2018.

With Professional Fellows across Southeast Asia in Washington, D.C. I was based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and D.C. for 6 weeks in 2018!

I was given the privilege of being an inaugural ASEAN Youth Fellow in 2018. The program is endorsed by the Singaporean Government.

Based on my experience in youth development, I applied for various fellowship programs. I managed to get into the U.S. State of Department's Professional Fellows Program and inaugural ASEAN Youth Fellowship. I had the chance to spend six weeks in the U.S. and one week in Singapore (yes, there's a lot to do in SG!). By late 2017, I had changed jobs and I worked in a government agency in Cyberjaya. But I never stopped all the civic work I was doing at the side.

Awarded The Edge Young Inspiring Leaders Awards (TEIYLA) 2019 with my co-founder Marques Jeevan Menon (second from left) by CEO of The Edge Malaysia, Datuk Ho Kay Tat (leftmost) and former Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, The Honourable Dr. Ong Kian Ming (rightmost).

For all of the work in NBS, we were selected for The Edge Young Inspiring Leaders Awards (TEIYLA) 2019, a prestigious award by Malaysia's biggest business media. My co-founder Marques and I were pleasantly surprised as we only did NBS work at the side and after working hours!

With former Deputy Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (middle) at the launch of Actyvate of which I was an advisor in 2017. I'm second from the left!

The Board of Trustees of Impact Malaysia and I with Syed Saddiq at the launch of Impact Malaysia in 2019.

Giving the welcoming speech for the AIESEC in Malaysia's 50th anniversary in 2018 as the Chair of Supervisory Group.

I was selected by the Malaysian Government as a subject matter expert for youth development. The Ministry of Finance roped me to be advise them for their National Blue Ocean Strategy on youth development, specifically Actyvate (a crowdfunding and crowd-pledging platform) in 2017. The year after, I was selected by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to be a Director and Trustee of Impact Malaysia (infamously known as IM4U), which we remodelled and revamped over the past years. I was also privileged to be the Chair of Supervisory Group of AIESEC in Malaysia; AIESEC is the world's largest youth-led organisation.

With fellow Chevening Scholars (2019/2020) from Malaysia for the Chevening Orientation ceremony in London, United Kingdom in 2019.

I was selected to be one of the 10 speakers (out of over 100 applications) for the prestigious Chevening Conference 2020. It was slated to be in University of Edinburgh but due to COVID-19 pandemic, it had to be done virtually.

In late 2019, I was given the opportunity to do my Master's degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE - my dream university!) under the Chevening Scholarship by the government of the United Kingdom. I spent a year in London with my wife until of course, the pandemic swept the world. I think the reason I got the scholarship was because of my NGO/civic work, not my day job.

I founded my third organisation, Malaysian Youth Diplomacy (MyDiplomacy) in 2018. In this picture, the MyDiplomacy team met with the former Minister of Foreign Affairs Malaysia, The Honourable Dato' Saifuddin Abdullah.

With the Chevening alumni in Kuala Lumpur during the 2020 AGM of Chevening Alumni Malaysia (CAM) where I was elected as the President.

The CAM team and I having an evening tea with the British High Commissioner, H.E. Charles Hay (in biege) at his residence in Kuala Lumpur in late 2020.

Now that I'm back in Malaysia, I settled into a new role in a think tank as a director. But I never stopped the civic work. I contested to be the President of the Chevening Alumni Malaysia (CAM) and won in late 2020. I'm also working with the alumni of YSEALI to form a YSEALI Council of Malaysia (YCOM). I have milestones to achieve in the next five years in my personal and professional life and I am extremely excited.

Why am I telling you this story?

If an introverted loser like me can I do what I've done, imagine what you could do?

The good news is you don't need to take as long as I did to achieve what I have.

With Design Your Career in 90 Minutes, we are going to accelerate your career growth and allow you to achieve more, greater and bigger things than I could have.

The time is now. Join me in the latest workshop and I'll show and guide you all the way.

Don't just take my word for this. Listen to my peers who've I've worked with:

1st DYC Workshop - 27 February 2021

2nd DYC Workshop - 20 March 2021

3rd DYC Workshop - 17 April 2021

Over 100 professionals have created their Career Blueprint through this workshop. Will you be next?

Next Workshop Coming Soon!

Watch This Space!