If you’re an avid fan of the Chinese radio station 988’s今晚最Night听 slot, you’ve probably heard PM Wang’s voice reverberating through the airwaves. Aside from being a DJ, he’s also a successful author and event host.
In this exclusive interview, PM Wang shares how his curious and adventurous personality led him to build an exciting career in both the broadcast and literature industry.
Talking his way to success
“I’d describe myself as an extremely talkative person, even when I was a kid. In fact, my teachers were so annoyed with my incessant talking that they nominated me to participate in a public speaking competition as a “punishment”!” he laughed. Unsurprisingly, he was crowned as the champion and brought home the trophy.
“Since then, I knew that being a DJ was the perfect career for me as it would provide me with a platform to express my thoughts.”
However, it wasn’t all roses and rainbows for PM Wang, who had to grind his way through the industry and only managed to land his first gig at Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) at 30-years-old – an age where most would deem him as a “late bloomer”.
“My stint at RTM didn’t last long as I had to leave that job and spent the next two years in the “wilderness” before I was offered a position at 988.
“Luckily, my hard work had finally paid off, and I’m now living the dream as a DJ as I have the opportunity to share my thoughts with my audience on-air,” he said.
“Despite the challenges that come with the job, I truly find it fulfilling and enjoyable.”
Besides initiating thought-provoking conversations with guests and listeners, PM Wang is also an accomplished writer. He has published nine books so far, with his 10th book slated to be released by the end of 2021.
“I began writing in 2012 to expand my personal brand awareness outside of my existing audience base.
“Although I had a difficult time finding a publisher at first, I managed to publish it after approaching different publications. Later into my writing career, I established a long-term collaboration with Gempak Starz Publication for future works,” he said.
While many would find writing a book to be a daunting task, PM Wang hardly turns a hair over it as he never runs out of content to write about.
“Thanks to my working experience at 988, I find it rather easy to compile the stories that I share during my radio show into a book as all I need to do is to ensure that it is readable and fluent in textual form.”
PM Wang is also a part-time MC that hosts events and talks. He also gives speeches and host sharing at public events.
PM Wang also frequently hosts discussions on the Clubhouse app as he’s a fan of its podcast-like features.
“I enjoy talking to people, and it is a gift that comes naturally. In the meantime, I also get to master the art of communicating through my career.”
Multi-career? No problem!
PM Wang believes that compared to past eras, having more than one career is possible now thanks to the Internet and is most likely to become a trend in years to come.
“Before the Internet went mainstream, everyone was specialized in the field they studied in and had little room to work outside of their profession. So, whenever you needed their services, it often came at a high cost.
“But with the Internet, anyone who wants to pick up a different skill can do so with minimal limitations. The more talents you acquire, the more valuable you are as an asset to your employer,” he said.
PM Wang said the Internet has also enabled many to sell their services and products to a wider audience and reach potential customers.
“In the past, you had to set up and manage a physical stall if you wanted to peddle your goods, which can be tiring for most people. However, the Internet has eliminated the need for brick and mortar businesses and empowered many to expand their customer base.”
However, PM Wang doesn’t encourage anyone to embark on the journey of pursuing multiple careers without giving it a serious thought.
“The first thing you have to determine is this – what is your motivation in wanting to have several jobs and what are your expectations from doing so?
“This is because there are many reasons one would have in holding multiple jobs – be it passion, money, or just to feel the thrill of it all.
“If your motives are clear, then starting a new job in addition to your existing employment would make sense. But if you realise that it has become meaningless, you can always choose to quit,” he explained.
Nuggets of Wisdom
While PM Wang is an advocate of trying new things, he says that it’s important to strike a balance as well.
“Although trying out a different career is an upcoming trend, it is more crucial to find one that you truly enjoy along with a skillset that you further develop.”
“Don’t try to learn every new skill in one sitting. Instead, learn it separately and single-mindedly. Once you’ve acquired a deeper understanding of it, move on to the next skill. Once you’ve created a skillset of your own, you can then use it more effectively in a different field,” he advised.
He also told fresh graduates who are entering the working world to not be hasty in picking a career.
“Don’t jump onto the bandwagon just because everyone else is doing it. Know your passion, purpose, and limits.
“Be sure to weigh all of your options before you consider having multiple careers.”
Sources: PM Wang
Editor: Raymond Chen
Proofreader: Sarah Yeoh
