Graduate Studies Blog
MSC BUSINESS ANALYTICS
MSc Business Analytics Student and ASEAN Development Scholar: “Adapting to the future of work is imperative for professional success.”
In 2022, Nanyang Business School (NBS), part of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU), launched the ASEAN Development Scholarship to nurture outstanding talents from the members of the ASEAN states to pursue a specialised masters with a generous partial scholarship.
Lee Jiun Kai, a Malaysian, is part of the inaugural batch of scholarship recipients. He certainly leaves an impression with his deep conviction that reskilling is a must to evolve with the times – he had switched from pharmaceuticals to business analytics.
He says,
“Enrolling in the NBS MSc Business Analytics (MSBA) programme is a way to equip myself with programming skills and remain competitive in today’s highly data-driven marketplace.”
Let’s hear more from Jiun Kai on how he intends to make the best of the programme and scholarship.
Q: Jiun Kai, your undergraduate studies and work experiences have been in the pharmaceutical field. What made you decide to pursue the MSBA?
Jiun Kai: I genuinely believe that adapting to the future of work is imperative for professional and personal success. Today, technology has taken centrestage. In due time, it will replace what I used to do as a pharmacist. It’s time to push myself in new directions and acquire new skills.
I’ve also come to appreciate the significance of alternative data when I was enrolled in the Charter Financial Analyst programme. I’ve since been using data as one of my decision-making tools in investing.
Because of these reasons, it became a natural step for me to embark on the MSBA programme.
Q: Business analytics is a new field for you. How did you prepare yourself to take on an entirely fresh challenge in the form of the MSBA programme?
Jiun Kai: I expected the MSBA programme to be coding intensive, so I enrolled in a few Python courses provided by online education platforms. I also spent time with textbooks on data science and machine learning. These efforts paid off. Before starting the programme, I gained a good grasp of programming concepts, facilitating my understanding of the MSBA study materials.
I have to add that the MSBA programme also embraces students like me who want to change career paths while having little programming knowledge.
Q: You’re currently about three months into the MSBA programme. What do you wish to gain at the end of the journey?
Jiun Kai: “The programme has much to offer, but I particularly look forward to sharpening my skills in using different programming languages in machine learning. The insights provided by machine learning form the core of analytics in almost every industry. Some industries that rely heavily on predictive insights include finance, healthcare, FMCG, and logistics. The applications of machine learning are vast.”
I’m also excited about career opportunities in Singapore, which has emerged as one of the most competitive countries in embracing technological advances and providing a nurturing environment for data graduates.
Q: We want to congratulate you on receiving the ASEAN Development Scholarship. How do you plan use this “gift” to the fullest?
Jiun Kai: The ASEAN Development Scholarship is a priceless gift because it offers me time and space to focus on my studies, and smoothening my career transition from pharmaceutical to business analytics. Without the scholarship, I would have to work part-time to cover my tuition fees and living costs.
I’ll be making use this gift to the fullest in two ways. First, I hope to add to the diversity of the MSBA programme with unique perspectives that combine my healthcare experiences with my business analytics learnings. Second, I hope to bring this combination to the workplace to offer innovative solutions and valuable insights.
Q: Do you have three tips to share with prospective applicants to the MSBA programme?
Jiun Kai: “The MSBA programme is looking for candidates with a strong passion for analytics. Prior experience in programming is secondary. You must, first and foremost, demonstrate a strong interest in analytics.”
Next, make the necessary preparations before the programme begins. Enroll in courses, read up as much as possible, and try to gain fundamental knowledge in at least one programming language. For example, I recommend obtaining the PCEP certification from the Python Institute.
Last but not least, be aware and fully utilise the resources provided by NTU. Studying should not be the only focus. NTU provides high-touch career consultation services and ample workshops to prepare us for future challenges in the workplace. So, look for these and other extracurricular activities to make your student life more holistic.
