Dr. Niki Cheong’s journey from a curious teenager in Kuala Lumpur to a senior academic in the United Kingdom underscores the lasting impact of early opportunities in journalism. Now a senior lecturer in digital culture and society at King’s College London, Cheong credits his formative experiences as a participant and later facilitator in The Star’s BRATs Young Journalist Programme for shaping his career and personal resilience.

Cheong first encountered the BRATs programme as a teenager when he noticed an advertisement while reading a newspaper at home. At 16, after securing his parents' approval and funds, he joined the workshop, which exposed him not only to reporting but also to diverse regions and communities across Malaysia. He recalled explorations such as rafting on Sungai Perak in Perak and immersing himself in the wilderness of Danum Valley in Sabah, experiences that broadened his worldview beyond his immediate environment.

One memorable aspect of Cheong’s early involvement was the access BRATs granted to him at the time—the ability to enter The Star’s newsroom in Petaling Jaya and file stories from the computers there. That direct engagement with professional journalism fueled his ambition. Over several years, he evolved from participant to senior BRAT and mentor, and eventually to facilitator in his mid-20s. During this period, he contributed extensively to The Star, authoring “The Bangsar Boy,” a sociocultural column, and assumed editorial roles overseeing youth-focused segments such as Youth2 and R.AGE.

Cheong regards a key lesson imparted by Tan Ju-Eng, the founder of the BRATs programme, as foundational: “No one is indispensable.” Though challenging to accept as a young adult, this advice has influenced Cheong’s approach to both his professional responsibilities and self-care.

While Cheong initially pursued journalism for nearly a decade, he made a significant career shift over ten years ago, relocating to London to become an academic. He describes this transition as a continuation of the mindset cultivated during his time with BRATs — embracing opportunities and adapting to new challenges. In academia, he finds parallels with the fast-paced and demanding nature of journalism, where persistence and multi-tasking remain essential.

Now, Cheong’s research focuses largely on digital culture, including a recent project interviewing older internet users to better understand their online behaviors and needs. He positions his academic work as an extension of his journalistic drive to impact lives, albeit with a much slower cycle of publication.

In advising young Malaysians today, Cheong emphasizes the importance of overcoming perfectionism and seeking support when needed. Drawing on his own experience guiding emerging journalists, he encourages aspiring professionals to prioritize completing their work and valuing self-kindness over unattainable standards.

Cheong’s story exemplifies how early exposure to journalistic practice can cultivate skills and values applicable across diverse career paths. His ongoing engagement with media research and education continues to influence both scholarly discourse and the next generation of communicators.