Su Zhang – dedicated to creating better health

There were only two universities at the time that offered a Master of Business Administration - UTS and UNSW. The UTS campus was convenient for me, but above all UTS offered what I needed – a course offering that appealed and capabilities on-campus. As I was already working full-time, the flexibility and course structure offered at UTS made the decision easy. 

One key value I still maintain since my university days, is always wanting to learn and improve. Whether that is to improve the business, or my leadership capabilities, it’s a journey of continuous learning and self-development. That drive to always do better is a constant that defines who you are as a business leader.

A key defining moment was when I made the switch from being an employee, to a business owner.  Prior to owning my own business, I was working within large pharmaceutical corporations. It was a stable career, and the companies I worked for were very well resourced with large support functions. 

Becoming a business owner and employer meant jumping into the unknown and knowing you’ve got nothing to lose. The focus also shifts from receiving regular paychecks, to instead feeling responsible for your staff and ensuring they get paid.

I am dedicated to creating better health and wellbeing for people across the globe. Our customers are always front of mind and that’s what motivates me. 

As mentioned above, employing people and ensuring they are satisfied, happy and secure in their roles is also great motivation for me. We have some long-term employees at Star Combo Pharma that have been with me since the business’s inception. Seeing them grow and develop into excellent managers has been fulfilling and continues to motivate me.

A degree is the first step in your career, but the obsession to learn is a skill set that should continue for the rest of your life. Graduates should be willing to learn at every moment and be a blank canvas - continuous learning is essential for success in today’s marketplace for both employees and companies alike.

I would also stress that whilst technical skills are important, work experience gives graduates the opportunity to develop transferable skills that ensure they are well equipped for the workforce. 

Interestingly, as an employee, the moment you encounter a problem you cannot solve, you can push it to other departments. As an employer, you are the person who receives all of the issues, and you need to deal with them. Because of this, problem-solving skills in a graduate and any employee are high regarded.

What I’ve valued about UTS is the journey doesn’t end when your degree ends with UT and my affiliation with UTS continues to this day. 

Star Combo Pharma has been an industry partner of UTS Pharmacy for over 5 years, we offer UTS Master of Good Manufacturing Practice students the opportunity to work closely with us in establishing nutraceuticals-based research projects.

This research collaboration proves UTS has a strong reputation working alongside businesses to deliver innovative solutions and create impact within the wider community.