While many students are still finding their rhythm between lectures, assignments, and campus life, one has already found hers under the spotlight, extending her talents beyond the classroom.
Izza Natasya Mohd Yusof, 26, is a student from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) who has embraced a multifaceted approach to her education, weaving together her academic pursuits by embracing various opportunities that showcase her diverse skills and passions.
What sets her apart is not merely her participation but her ability to thrive in various domains, allowing her to steadily carve her presence in the industry while balancing the demands of education and performance.
Juggling multiple roles
Despite the challenges of balancing her acting career, hosting commitments, and full-time studies, Izza has consistently managed her time effectively while remaining determined to give her best in every role.
“Currently I am studying as a full-time Strategic Communication student at the Faculty of Education, Language and Communication (FELC) in UNIMAS while also actively taking deals from my hosting career.
“However, because I have been actively hosting since 2017, I’ve learned how to prioritize my schedule and juggle my commitments,” she said.
She said that her passion for hosting aligns closely with her academic coursework, allowing her to apply communication theories and strategies beyond the classroom and onto the stage, where they are reinforced through real-world experience.
In addition to hosting, she is also pursuing an acting career, carefully arranging her filming schedule around her class timetable to ensure both commitments remain manageable.
“My parents were initially concerned about my time management in case my schedule became too packed.
“However, after seeing how passionate I am about these activities over time, they became supportive while continuing to emphasise the importance of maintaining my academic performance,” she said.
She also shared that one of the most challenging acting roles she has taken on was in Raya Emas: Salako Sacred Treasure, a fictional action-adventure film that showcases the traditional culture of the Salako community.
“It was physically and emotionally challenging because many scenes required multiple takes.
“I was also portrayed as a bullied character in several intense scenes, including one where I had to be submerged in water, which ultimately strengthened my resilience and helped me grow as an actress,” she added.
The first step
Driven by a passion for communication and connecting with people, she first stepped behind the microphone during a school programme.
“It all started when I was 17 during my high school’s Teachers’ Day celebration.
“My teachers and friends were incredibly encouraging as they pointed out that I was well-suited for emceeing and even newscasting,” she said
Thanks to the unwavering support of the people around her, she realised she was willing to dive deeper and pursue a broader path in the hosting industry,by taking on smaller events as a host after finishing her high school.
Looking back, she considers one of those opportunities to be the foundation of her hosting ability today.
“Early in my studies at UNIMAS, I was chosen to host for the International Co-curricular Conference Learning Experience (ICCLE) at the Raia Hotel in Kuching.
“That event helped a lot to build my reputation and opened the doors to many more hosting jobs both inside and outside of UNIMAS, and it is all made possible with the guidance of my lecturer Sir Azdhar, for trusting me and giving me that golden opportunity to carry out such a significant event,” she said.
Building skills through hosting
Recognising the value of hosting, she believes the experience has given her first-hand knowledge and practical skills that cannot be gained solely through textbooks.
“Hosting has sharpened my public speaking, critical thinking and understanding of audience psychology, giving me a significant advantage in my Strategic Communication degree.
“Every crowd is different, and learning to connect with diverse groups of people has made me much more empathetic, observant, and confident in my everyday life,” she said.
This is why she also encourages others to explore the field, regularly conducting hosting workshops to help individuals build resilience, adaptability, and confidence through hands-on experience.
“There are so many incredible students at UNIMAS who have immense potential in hosting, and I really want to help build and train the next generation of emcees here.
“Furthermore, I wanted to create a platform to share the behind-the-scenes realities of hosting and reveal what it truly takes to succeed on stage,” she said.
Through the workshops, she shared that there are crucial elements needed when hosting successfully.
“I focus on building absolute self-confidence and providing participants with a practical understanding of how to continuously evaluate and improve their unique hosting style,” she said.
Facing the hurdles
For many, the thought of stepping onto a stage and speaking on a microphone that echoes through a hall filled with audiences is enough to spark anxiety.
Izza was no exception, as she too had to overcome the fear of making mistakes and learn to navigate the unpredictable nature of live hosting.
“There are times when I fear making a mistake on stage or worry about stuttering.
“But I’ve learned to recover by countering the mistake with a lighthearted joke, it breaks the tension and reconnects you with the audience,” she said.
She further shared that whenever she experiences self-doubt, she looks back at photos from when she first started hosting, reminding herself of how far she has come and the progress she has made to become the person she is today.
“I am also incredibly lucky to have supportive friends who are always by my side to reassure me that everything is going to be okay,” she said.
She also said that live events can be intimidating due to unpredictable challenges such as last-minute schedule changes and technical glitches, making adaptability and the ability to read the room as essential qualities for a host to remain calm and ensure the programme runs smoothly.
“During unpredictable problems, a memorable host must think on their feet, and keep the programme flowing seamlessly without the audience ever noticing the hiccups.
“One should understand the audience’s energy, knowing when to build excitement, and genuinely connecting with people, which elevates a host from simply reading a script to creating a truly memorable experience,” she added.
Milestones and meaningful lessons
Throughout the various responsibilities Izza has undertaken over the years, she shared that being a host has become her most proud career out of them all.
With dedication and perseverance, her journey has steadily opened doors to larger platforms and opportunities, allowing her to establish herself as a professional host.
“The absolute achievement for me was having the honour to announce the Royal Keynote Address by Her Royal Highness Tengku Ampuan Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, during the Borneo International Textile Festival (BiTF) 2025,” she said.
She said the milestone remains one of the proudest moments of her journey, marking a significant step forward in her growth as a professional emcee and public speaker.
With her continuous efforts in encouraging more people to join hosting, she emphasised that experience is the best teacher and that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process.
“My biggest piece of advice is to simply start, by volunteering to host for student association meetings or small college dinners.
“Watch how other professionals handle the stage, take constructive feedback to heart, and most importantly, find your own authentic voice instead of trying to be a copy of someone else,” she said.
