What happens when Fellows step beyond the classroom?
During the school holidays, our Fellows embark on externships across different industries, gaining exposure to new environments, building networks, and exploring pathways beyond the Fellowship. From policy rooms to legal practice, these experiences broaden their perspectives while strengthening the leadership skills they cultivated in the classroom.
Externship
Externship is a short-term professional experience during the school holidays that allows Fellows to broaden their perspectives on leadership, social impact, and professional pathways beyond the Fellowship. Over a few weeks, they engage with organisations across industries, build meaningful networks, and gain deeper insight into their chosen fields.
Muhammad Danial bin Mohamed Farook, Fellow, 2024 Cohort
1. Tell us about where you did your externship and your role.
I was attached to the Office of the Minister of Education as a Special Officer (Intern). My role focused on bridging the gap between high-level policy and the reality on the ground.
Key responsibilities included:
Lead Author & Project Manager for ‘Kisah Inspirasi KPM 2025’:
I led a strategic publication project which involved conducting high-level interviews with the Director-General (KPPM) and the Director of School Management (BPSH) to articulate the human impact of education reforms.
Ground Sensing & Stakeholder Engagement:
I conducted pre-arrival visits to school sites to engage with educators, parents, and community leaders. This helped identify grassroots concerns before official ministerial proceedings.
Policy Immersion:
I developed a comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem by observing strategic functions across the Ministry, including the Inspectorate, Examination Boards, and State EducationDepartments (JPN).
Parliamentary Monitoring:
I attended Pre-Parliament sittings to document and analyse concerns raised byMPs regarding the education sector.
2. Are there any specific key messages that you would like us to highlight?
I want to highlight the balance between empathy and accountability in our education system.
The Reality on the Ground:
The schedule was relentless. We often visited five different schools in a single morning, ranging from SJKCs to high-density urban schools. This allowed us to truly listen to the struggles of teachers and students.
Engagement with Parents (PAKAT):
A standout moment was the PAKATtownhall sessions regarding the Kurikulum Prasekolah 2026. Seeing parents engage directly with the Minister on the future of the curriculum showed a genuine commitment to working with the community, not just for them.
Hard Truths on Academics:
I had a profound session with the Director of BPSH. He shared a crucial reminder that even if a school wins a “World Tech Olympics,” it means little if the students cannot progress in life due to poor academic foundations. Co-curricular success is vital, but we must never neglect the academic preparation students need to survive.
The Teacher’s Spirit:
Finally, the KPPM left me with a powerful mandate:
“Hanya guru yang punya nyalarasalah yang sanggup berkorban dan mengerti tentang pendidikan itu”
Translation: Only teachers who possess that burning spirit are truly willing to sacrifice and understand the essence of education.
Adlin Noramal Binti Mohamed, Fellow, 2024 Cohort
1. Which company and department did you extern in?
I completed my externship with Mohamed A. Ali Associates, a law firm practising both civil and Syariah law. Having previously practised as a Syariah lawyer before joining Teach For Malaysia, I intentionally chose to extern in the legal field to refresh and rekindle my legal knowledge. The externship also allowed me to revisit the practical aspects of managing a legal practice, particularly as I am interested in exploring business and professional pathways in the future.
2. Can you share your activities and responsibilities during your externship?
As my externship was conducted virtually, my role mainly involved observing workflows, reviewing and preparing legal documents, and gaining exposure to how the firm manages real-life cases. Given my background as a licensed Syariah lawyer, my host also entrusted me with providing legal advice and assisting in matters related to Syariah family law, particularly in areas such as divorce and related procedures.
3. What have you learned in the Fellowship that shaped or supported you during your externship?
Although I had previously worked in the legal field, readapting to a law firm environment after almost two years of teaching was surprisingly quite a challenge for me. Interestingly, the Fellowship experience had already prepared me in unexpected ways. Teaching students in Banun, particularly those navigating significant learning challenges, cultivated a deeper sense of patience, empathy, and perspective.
Working with students who were rebuilding confidence and mastering skills many take for granted reminded me that progress often requires time, trust, and consistency. This mindset naturally carried into my externship, where I approached client-related matters with greater understanding, recognising that behaviours and demands often stem from experiences beyond what is immediately visible. I also noticed that the intentionality developed in planning lessons, like anticipating needs, structuring information clearly, and communicating with care, translated meaningfully into how I approached drafting and reviewing legal documents.
4. Do you have any words of encouragement for those who are thinking/considering to apply for the Fellowship?
If you are thinking about applying for the Fellowship, I would gently encourage you to embrace the uncertainty that comes with it. The journey may be challenging, but it is also incredibly meaningful. For me, it was a path filled with growth, perspective shifts, and unexpected lessons. I was introduced to experiences and communities I would never have encountered otherwise, and met people I will forever cherish. The Fellowship stretches you, but it also allows you to discover parts of yourself you may not have known before.
The Teach For Malaysia Fellowship is a two-year, fully-paid leadership development journey where you grow your leadership in real classrooms and real communities, while building skills that last a lifetime. Click here to learn more.
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