(Far left) Julia Rita and her husband, Mohd Izwan, with their six children on graduation day in May. Julia Rita in a study group with her husband, Mohd Izwan (second from left). Photo: JULIA RITA NORDIN
The day Julia Rita Nordin walked across the stage to receive her Master’s degree in Construction Management was more than just a graduation ceremony.
That momentous occasion at Dewan Agung Tuanku Canselor, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam in May marked the pinnacle of her 40 years of life in so many ways.
Not only did she share the stage with her husband, Mohd Izwan Hamzah, 42, with both of them awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s Award, but their six children, aged four to 14, were also there to witness their parents’ achievement.
For the family from Puncak Alam, Selangor, it was more than just academic milestone. It was the culmination of a year-long journey of sacrifice – balancing professional responsibilities, raising a family and burning the midnight oil to study.
“We wanted our children to see that with determination, challenges can become meaningful achievements,” says the project director of a consultancy company, which she co-founded with her husband 12 years ago.
“Graduating together was a powerful reminder of what teamwork, resilience and faith can achieve.”
That same spirit of perseverance and balance in managing multiple roles is echoed in the story of 39-year-old Jerard Gopakumar K, who is now counting the days to his graduation in November.
While Julia Rita juggles family life with her husband and children, Jerard’s path is shaped by his duty as the eldest of three brothers. Single, yet no less responsible, he remains devoted to supporting his parents.
“It’s not easy, but my brothers and I have learned to talk things through, be open and give support where it’s needed,” says Jerard, who lives with his sexagenarian parents in Kuala Lumpur.
“Sometimes that means one of us sacrifices time with family or work to help the other, but we balance it out. At the end of the day, it’s about knowing which one needs priority at that moment.”
The senior executive in the Student Enrolment Centre at a private university has just completed his Professional Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), and is already preparing to embark on a Professional Master’s degree in February next year.
For Jerard, the decision to return to education was a strategic move to future-proof his career.
“While I enjoy the fast-paced environment, I wanted to develop a professional skill that would be useful in any industry,” says the Mass Communication graduate. “The moment I realised I wanted to grow beyond my current path, I decided, ‘I’m going to do this’.”
Braving the challenges
Both Julia Rita and Jerard admit their journeys began with fear and doubt.
For Julia Rita and her husband, deciding to take on a full-time programme was strategic – to motivate each other, share the sacrifices and celebrate the achievements.
Still, the couple worries about the strain it would place on their family and business. “We asked ourselves whether it was better to push through an intensive schedule to complete faster, or take a longer path that might prolong the struggle,” she recalls. “And how this would affect our children and our company.”
In the end, they decided the long-term benefits outweighed the risks.
For Jerard, the biggest fear was time management.
“With a demanding full-time job, working weekends and family commitments, I doubted whether I could keep up with assignments, exams and late-night revisions,” he says.
He also worried whether he would have the motivation to push through when things became overwhelming.
His weekdays were packed with meetings, agent follow-ups and campus visits, with evenings reserved for family before switching into study mode – reading, preparing assignments or attending online discussions late into the night.
Weekends were a mix of rest, family and study. “At times, I had no rest,” he admits.
His single worst day, he said, was when a major work event coincided with an assignment submission deadline and a family health emergency.
“I remember feeling completely drained and questioning whether I had taken on too much,” Jerard recalls.
They day reminded him how fragile balance was, but it also showed him that perseverance would see him through.
By contrast, Julia Rita’s days were more fluid, shaped by the changing needs of six children at different stages of development.
Being a full-time student added another layer of complexity to a family structure that had already made her roles as a professional and a mother challenging.
“There is no fixed typical day for us,” she explains. “Each one brings different priorities from our studies, work and family.”
Julia Rita in a study group with her husband, Mohd Izwan (second from left). Photo: JULIA RITA NORDIN
Since Julia Rita could manage her role remotely while her husband was primarily office-based, they complemented each other.
With classes often held in the evenings, they adjusted their schedules accordingly.
“This arrangement enabled us to maintain a healthy balance between study commitments, professional duties and family life,” says the Civil Engineering graduate from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
Julia Rita adds there were moments when urgent family matters coincided with academic deadlines or work commitments.
“It requires careful planning, strong communication with my husband, and the ability to remain flexible and adaptable for me to navigate these overlapping responsibilities,” she continues.
Coping and finding balance
While family was one of the areas both Julia Rita and Jerard had to juggle during their academic journey, it was also family that became their unwavering source of support.
Jerard credits his parents, who constantly reminded him of the reason he started, and his colleagues who provided understanding and flexibility.
Jerard (centre) with his family. Photo: JERARD GOPAKUMAR K
He also found relief and respite by making space for things he enjoyed outside of work and studies, such as singing with his choir, attending church, and spending quality time with family and close friends.
“Those moments kept me refreshed and reminded me that life is more than deadlines and tasks,” he says.
Without doubt, Julia Rita’s biggest support system was her husband. Together they were a team from the start, giving her space for open communication and brief moments of self-care to prevent burnout.
Beyond him, she found strength and encouragement from her parents, siblings, and friends.
“With the support of my husband, the prayers of my parents, the encouragement of my siblings and friends, and the mentorship of my supervisors, my husband and I were able to graduate with distinction,” she adds.
But for both of them, the reward for their patience and determination goes beyond the scroll and graduation ceremony.
The proudest accomplishment for Jerard is simply not giving up. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that discipline and faith go hand-in-hand. I’ve also realised that my family is my greatest strength, and that resilience is built one step at a time,” he says.
For Julia Rita, it was sharing the journey with her husband while raising six children and setting a powerful example for them.
“The key lesson has been the power of resilience, shared commitment, and adaptability – and how clear priorities and strong support systems can help overcome even the most challenging circumstances,” she says.
