?The secret of success is to be ready when your opportunity comes.?

-Benjamin Disraeli-

I have always believed that hard work will pay off someday.  It eventually did this time. I am now a part of the first batch of KPMG scholars.

This year, KPMG, one of the BIG4 auditing firms, offers the first ever KPMG ASEAN scholarship for first year students. The scholarship offers 150,000 baht a year for the 3 years of study, internship opportunity in both Thailand and in another ASEAN country, and also job opportunity in Thailand and ASEAN.

The applicants have to go through 4 stages of selection process. The first selection is resume screening. The second consists of verbal and numerical testing. The third, which I personally consider the most difficult, consists of group activities, case analysis and essay writing. The final selection strongly focuses on communication skill. It includes presentation and interview. In this part, BBA students clearly stand out. There were at first more than 100 applicants then the number decreases each round. Finally, only 5 of us made it through as KPMG ASEAN Scholars and 4 of which are from BBA, Thammasat University.        

List of successful applicants is as followed.

1. Mayuree                    Kiatadisorn                    BBA, Thammasat University

2. Pantawat                   Julasukhon                    BBA, Thammasat University

3. Theema                     Makkapan                     BBA, Thammasat University

4. Nathapol                   Lertmongkolrat               BBA, Thammasat University

5. Phatcharamon           Mitrphumwiboon            BBA, Chulalongkorn University

What KPMG gives us is not merely money. For me, it means much more than that. It means a great opportunity and future. After several visits to the company, I learned their confidence in all of us and also the will to help us develop and grow. I have determined that I will live up to their expectation and will contribute back to the company in return for this opportunity.

Thanks to KPMG, BBA Thammasat, and most importantly, my family which has always been supportive in every way.