For former TIS student Mariana Sa, life couldn’t be more hectic, or fulfilling. After earning a degree in Political and International Relations from the University of Bath in the UK last spring, she is now dividing her time between two busy careers – publishing and modelling.
Mariana is the Managing Editor at MacauLink, a local media company that publishes the popular Macao magazine and a number of news websites. “I enjoy working at MacauLink because everyday is different, “ she says, “Everyday presents a new challenge and project.”
Mariana juggles her full time job at MacauLink with a flourishing modelling career. She has worked steadily in the industry for the past four years after signing on with top modelling agency, Elite Model Management, at age 17. Mariana has been the face of several major campaigns in Asia and Europe, including Nivea in Thailand and China, Darlie Toothpaste in Malaysia and Cartier in Switzerland. She just finished shooting two television commercials for Henderson Land Properties and Watson’s in Hong Kong, and will be travelling to Xiamen for two Herbalife events (she’s the spokesperson for Herbalife in China).
Although modelling can seem like a glamorous career, Mariana says that the job can be quite difficult at times,”Modelling is not easy, you need to have a smile on your face from 5 am to 1 am sometimes. The focus is all on you for 24 hours, you have to be at your very best even if you have personal matters or work matters bogging you down.”
When she does find some spare time in her busy schedule, Mariana loves to travel. In addition to the places she’s been on modelling assignments, Mariana has visited India, Brazil, South Africa, Cambodia and New Zealand. She also spent three weeks in Ghana with an NGO called Thrive Africa and worked in small villages helping to rebuild libraries for local communities.
What’s next for Mariana? “What I really want to do is work hard, and try to be successful in my current job. Opportunities come every week, and I try to make the most out of them.”
