In a time when young professionals often look beyond borders for growth, 27-year-old Nur Aisha Izlyn is choosing a different path — one rooted in purpose, community, and a belief in Sarawak’s rising digital future.
Growing with Sarawak
Learning and upskilling are not limited by location — sometimes opportunities arise from your own roots, not just from greener pastures. Born and raised in Kuching, Sarawak, CelcomDigi’s Sales Performance Specialist, Nur Aisha Izlyn, believes that she could gain similar experiences and career opportunities in her own backyard. Majoring in Data Science, Aisha joined the Telco company in 2024, helping the team analyse, monitor, and determine the region’s statistics.
Although she could have had better career opportunities in West Malaysia or overseas — where horizons could be unlimited — Aisha chose to stay home because she foresees the potential growth and fast developments in her own state.
“I also wanted to give back to my community that shaped me, and in this way, I am also able to be close to my family. The daily cost of living isn’t high either, compared to when I stayed in Kuala Lumpur,” said the 27-year-old.
Despite the differences in demographics, Aisha shared that what’s important is the skill sets at the end of the day. With CelcomDigi, the company ensures adequate training and workshops for sustainable growth among its employees. For the Data Analyst role, the company provides a platform for employees to upskill and upscale.
But this isn’t limited to just the telco company. With Sarawak pushing forward on its digitalisation journey under Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, the technology industry is seeing growing opportunities and a rising demand for talent across different fields.
Experience built for this is important. Adding to this, Aisha opined that we must always equip ourselves with the necessary skill sets for the future.
“And that’s why, going back to what we are doing in the region right now, with many cross-collaboration activities with different individuals and organisations, we are always working with each other and learning different expertise from other teams. So that’s how we grow.”
More career opportunities
With Sarawak moving steadily into the digitalisation era, the workforce must be willing to take a leap of faith and continue advancing their skills.
“I always tell others, you have to change that mindset. Our state is growing, and we are constantly building bridges everywhere and in everything. There is no full stop in learning.”
Careers today are no longer confined to a handful of familiar professions. As the digital and technology sectors expand in tandem with Sarawak’s push towards a digital economy, new roles are emerging across industries, opening doors to a wider range of opportunities.
“Sometimes, you don’t always have to leave your hometown to succeed. At times, the greatest impact comes from growing where your roots are,” said Aisha.
As we grow with our state, Aisha shared that it is important to stay curious and be open to learning because it’s not about finding the perfect role, but using it to build skills, gain exposure, and learn about the people around us.
“For now, with stronger digital connectivity and organisations like CelcomDigi, we are constantly creating platforms for growth. There are more possibilities than ever before. You don’t always have to leave home for a fulfilling career,” she added.
A Gen Z female at work
Though she has been with the telco company for just over a year, Aisha’s contributions have already made their mark. Often the youngest at the table, the Gen Z professional brings a different energy to the workplace, offering a fresh perspective alongside colleagues from older generations.
While it is widely acknowledged that each generation approaches work differently, Aisha believes work should not be taken too seriously. Instead, she advocates maintaining a relaxed mindset, noting that a supportive environment enables employees to perform better and approach their responsibilities more effectively.
Despite her young age, she remains committed to her profession and embraces every challenge as part of her growth. For her, being young in the industry is not a limitation, but an opportunity to learn, adapt, and gain experience alongside those who came before her.
As Sarawak continues its path towards a digital future, she hopes more young people will realise that meaningful careers can be built right at home.
“In the end, it’s about growing together with the place that raised you. If we continue learning and supporting each other, there’s no limit to what we can achieve here,” said the data analyst.
