Sonya Jeyabalan

Sonya Jeyabalan likes to mix things up. The Duncraig Class of 2018 graduate spends her work life at 98Five Sonshine FM working on all things audio, marketing and promotion.

At home, she relaxes by mixing up delicious baked treats as a creative outlet – a passion she has had since she was 12 and one her family and friends regularly encourage and enjoy.

Sonya graduated from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship) in 2021 and switched university life for her first role in the industry just days after her final exams.

“Working at a radio station was very unexpected and something I had never thought of – it was great to land a job in the field that I studied,” Sonya said.

A family friend sent Sonya the radio station’s job advertisement while she was still studying, a simple gesture which started her on the path to the role she is in today.

“My role is extremely varied involving tasks such as the scheduling and allocating of airtime for sponsorship advertisements, preparation of marketing reports, sales data and collateral, coordination of on-air and online promotions, and audio production for advertisements.”

Sonya says she loves working for a Christian organisation and being part of making a difference to those in the community.

Looking back at her time at St Stephen’s School, Sonya believes her school experience helped to develop her strong work ethic and creativity.

“Being able to do subjects which I was passionate about (Food Science and Cert III in Design) helped me develop my creative strengths and guided me in knowing what I wanted to do as a career.”

She encourages current students to find their pathway to success and happiness.

“Do what you enjoy and are passionate about! Don’t just do a degree for the sake of it.”