Nanyang MBA

Global dreams out of China: the Nanyang MBA’s role in our alumni’s success

The impulse for change can come from many directions. This was true for Chinese executives Zeya Bao, Xueyuan Cui, Elaine Shih, and Zhao Zhe, who all felt different pressures that drove them to the same conclusion.

For Zeya, the COVID-induced business slowdown for Beijing’s Universal Studios (where she worked in operations strategy) showed her that she needed to change industries and countries. Elaine, for her part, was inspired by a three-year expat stint in Vietnam; “I had the inspiration to challenge myself more in my career,” she recalled.

Zhao Zhe felt that the defense industry was “too narrow for a life-long career”, so he knew he had to change tracks and upskill. Xueyuan similarly felt that growth in China’s venture capital industry was slowing even as he took on a new role at a VC firm; “it was increasingly important to diversify investments into industries beyond the internet sector and China,” he explained.

All four of them decided to undertake a Nanyang MBA at the Nanyang Business School to make that necessary career shift.

Globally competitive learning in a supportive environment

As soon as they arrived, our Chinese Nanyang MBA participants found elements of the programme that complemented their experiences and addressed any gaps.

Xueyuan felt that the Nanyang MBA provided the latest management knowledge and a global perspective. “Prior to the Nanyang MBA, I didn’t fully appreciate the global tech industry’s developments,” he explained. “But afterwards, I started engaging in investments in AI and semiconductor industries, achieving the ‘global vision’ I had intended.”

Zhao Zhe, who already had a masters degree from ESSEC Business School in France, says that the Nanyang MBA complemented his learnings from ESSEC. “At ESSEC, the focus was mainly on the European Union,” he told us. “We didn’t learn how Asian companies operate or the challenges they face.”

He added the Nanyang MBA filled this gap – “50-60% of the discussions were based on Asian case studies,” he said.

All this learning took place in a supportive environment. For example, later in her MBA stint, the Nanyang MBA career office matched Elaine with a coach who helped her figure out her post-MBA career path. “I was able to think carefully about my goals (long-term) and targets (short-term),” she told us. “I became better at making big decisions.”

The Nanyang MBA experience extends beyond the classroom

During their time at Nanyang Business School, our Chinese alumni were able to actively engage in extracurricular activities that enriched their MBA experience.

Zeya served as president of the student executive committee; Elaine was Club Chair of Wine Appreciation Club; while Zhao Zhe was vice president of business clubs like the consulting club, finance and data analysis club, and more.

Zeya also took on an internship at ADI, with a focus on technology, especially the nascent field of Generative AI.

“ADI taught me the importance of quickly grasping complex topics and translating them into simple, accessible language,” she recalled. “I applied frameworks and strategic ways of thinking from my MBA coursework at NBS.”

Meanwhile, the Strategic Project at Nanyang (SPAN) capstone module, where MBA teams worked with real clients, helped them apply their classroom knowledge to real-world business challenges.

Zhao Zhe’s SPAN experience with an AI company helped him anticipate future trends, develop contingency plans, and mitigate risks while capturing potential returns, all on top of providing essential industry exposure.

“I had to look forward with more imagination and creativity,” he added. “It was definitely mind-expanding.”

Similarly, Zeya’s MBA experience drove home the importance of choosing the right teammates:

“Each contributed a unique skill set to significantly enhance the project’s success,” he explained.

Elaine, NBS’ 2022-2023 brand ambassador, felt particularly drawn to the LinkedIn workshop she attended with other brand ambassadors. “It helped me think from the job recruiter’s perspective and fine-tune my profile in job applications,” she says.

Springboard to further success

Each of our Nanyang MBA alumni experienced a significant boost to their professional standing after re-entering their respective fields.

The Nanyang MBA enhanced Xueyuan’s profile in China’s venture capital industry. He mentioned that in his new role as a fund partner, “having an MBA from a prestigious school adds credibility,” citing his MBA as a contributing factor for being selected for Forbes China’s 2023 “Elite Returnees” list.

For Zeya, “the Nanyang MBA helped me pivot into a new industry and take on a role I never imagined I could achieve,” she explained. She is now an investment and portfolio manager in a leading real estate company in Singapore.

Elaine’s experience in the Nanyang-Waseda Double MBA prepared her for her present leadership role in an automotive company in Tokyo, Japan. “[The Nanyang MBA] not only covered management knowledge but also made me understand Japan’s culture and modern history,” she recalled. “What also helped was we did many mock interviews with the Waseda career office.”

The Nanyang MBA forms relationships that help long afterward

The relationships our Chinese alumni built during their stint at NBS continued to help long after graduation.

Zhao Zhe received valuable career advice from professors, professionals, and alumni, especially when he was job hunting. “These are insights you cannot easily get from websites or Glassdoor,” he stresses.

Xueyuan has found fruitful collaborative work with fellow alumni. “Many have achieved significant success in their fields, and we continue to communicate and collaborate, driving personal and corporate progress together,” he says.

On a related note, Zeya says: “I think people often underestimate the importance of networking during an MBA, especially the value of meaningful connections, which have played a crucial role in advancing my career.” 

These relationships benefited our alumni personally, as well. “These long-term relationships also contribute to my mental well-being and happiness,” Cui revealed; Zhao Zhe concurs, saying “You gain life-long friends in the Nanyang MBA.”

About the Nanyang MBA

These Chinese executives found their careers significantly transformed by the Nanyang MBA experience: a highly ranked, globally competitive programme with a relevant and forward-thinking curriculum.

The programme develops culturally aware, impactful leaders who grasp the synergy between business, technology, and innovation, and empowers them to thrive in international environments.

Learn more about the Nanyang MBA programme here.