Changing Careers with a PMBA: A Law Enforcement Officer Turned Fintech and Banking Exec Says it All

Changing Careers with a PMBA: A Law Enforcement Officer Turned Fintech and Banking Exec Says it All

by | May 2, 2023 | Nanyang Professional MBA

Graduate Studies Blog

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NANYANG PROFESSIONAL MBA

Changing Careers with a PMBA: A Law Enforcement Officer Turned Fintech and Banking Exec Says it All

Not every day you see a former law enforcement officer switch to the private sector, much less join a fintech start-up. But Derrick Ong, a former member of the Singapore Police, blazed this unique path – and discovered new strengths within himself along the way.

“There’s a saying in Mandarin: Don’t be the frog at the bottom of a well,” Derrick, still in his mid-30s, says. In 2020, he already had close to a decade’s experience pursuing high-profile cases as a fraud investigator. As he took stock of his career, Derrick saw a Professional MBA (PMBA) programme offered by Nanyang Business School (NBS) as the next logical step.

The Nanyang PMBA gave him far more than leverage in his police career. After finishing the programme, Derrick was hired as a risk management professional at a local digital bank – a development that even Derrick hadn’t foreseen. It was not long before CIMB Bank Singapore headhunted him in 2023. Today, as the Fraud Management Head for CIMB’s Consumer Banking division, he oversees fraud prevention, detection and investigations.

“I didn’t think so much whether the MBA would be a stepping stone for me to enter the private sector,” Derrick recalls. “It was more about the learning I would gain and the exposure to other perspectives that attracted me.”

 

A surprising stepping stone to the private sector

Even when he was already doing well as an investigative police officer, Derrick didn’t want to rest on his laurels. He imagined using the PMBA experience as a catalyst for a long career in law enforcement.

At the same time, Derrick harboured no illusions about the PMBA, recognising the need to put in hard work and sacrifices to ensure success. “I took some time to decide, because an MBA is, as we know, not exactly very cheap,” he said. Unlike other public sector MBA students, Derrick chose to pay his way through the course.

As Derrick’s career needed him to be hyper-focused on his day job, he appreciated the PMBA’s unique, flexible alternate-weekend programme, which allowed him to deal with work and family commitments. “Our PMBA classes predominantly happen on weekends, which was very helpful,” he recalls. “We get to focus on our studies on Saturdays and Sundays. Then on weekdays, we can focus on work.”

“I imagine it would have been taxing if we studied on weekdays, right after work,” Derrick says. “That would be too taxing for me.”

 

Building on a solid foundation of leadership

The time and focus Derrick committed to his PMBA paid off immensely. The experience enhanced his skill sets as a fraud prevention expert, providing him with the technical and analytical skills that eventually helped him pivot to the private sector.

Modules covering technology, e-business, and digital transformation allowed PMBA participants like Derrick to dive deeply into the telecommunications and mobile communications market transformations. Data analytics was one of the subjects covered in the PMBA’s digital transformation class, which equipped Derrick with the skills he needed to succeed in his role today. As a risk management officer in CIMB Bank Singapore, he looks for deception patterns in the bank’s financial operations.

“In the police, my job was to catch crooks, the bad guys, and protect the public,” Derrick says. “Now, my job at CIMB Bank Singapore is to protect the bank and our customers. In a way, it’s also protecting the interests of the public.”

His police experience had already provided Derrick with a solid foundation in people management; the PMBA training “instilled in me a better capability to lead people from all walks of life, from different age groups,” he says.

“While I did that before in my time with the Police, leading a team in the tech and banking sector can have different demands,” he explains. “Our leadership, management, and cultural intelligence classes helped me interact with different stakeholders.”

 

The benefits of the PMBA: well worth the effort

The former law enforcement turned risk management officer only has good words about the PMBA programme. While it was certainly demanding, the Nanyang PMBA was ultimately a fulfilling and life-changing experience for him.

“My advice to potential candidates: you get to learn so many things, you’ll get to make so many close friends that you thought you would never experience after your school days with the MBA programme,” he says. And while he understands the apprehensions of those who fear the heavy load the MBA may bring, Derrick says the lessons and friends you gain in the programme are worth all the effort.

“There was this guy who asked me: ‘Was it very difficult to juggle between work and studies? How many sacrifices did you make?’ And I said: There are far, far greater things ahead. If you put it in that perspective, then the sacrifices you would have to make in the short term—juggling work and studies—would be worth it,” he says.

 

The Nanyang Professional MBA (PMBA) at Nanyang Business School is uniquely designed for mid-career professionals with domain expertise who want to elevate their skills and knowledge to become “T-shaped leaders”.

The curriculum aims to transform skilled specialists into learned leaders, providing opportunities for collaborative learning between highly talented individuals from diverse backgrounds who share common growth ambitions. Learn more today.

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Drive Digitalisation In The Public Sector

Drive Digitalisation In The Public Sector

by | Apr 25, 2023 | Nanyang Fellows MBA

Graduate Studies Blog

Drive digitalisation in the public sector

NANYANG FELLOWS MBA

Drive Digitalisation In The Public Sector

Empowering Public Servants for a Digital Future: A Close-Up on the Nanyang Fellows MBA Programme

The post-War era has seen remarkable global development, integration, and relative peace. However, the transition to high-income, high-growth economies has been challenging, with many economies unable to escape the middle-income trap, while some may end up getting old before they get rich. Achieving sustainable growth is a complex process that involves the inheritance of a nation’s history, including its economic and public policy, as well as centuries of institution building.

In this context, public sector officials face a dual challenge. Firstly, they must have a deep understanding of their country’s history, the broader region, and the global economy. Secondly, they must develop effective governance that can nurture the improved welfare of their citizens.

Elleney Merynda Wasli, a current participant of the NTU’s Nanyang Fellows MBA programme, recognises the importance of gaining knowledge and skills that can her work in the public sector. She explains,

“By actively engaging in discussions with top professors and fellow classmates, I feel enlightened and have gained valuable insights into the wisdom behind various policies, both past and present, from around the world.”

 

Elleney’s career journey

Elleney embarked on her career as a civil servant in Malaysia during a time when the public service was undergoing a significant policy shift. In 2006, the Malaysian government was looking for candidates from a various fields to join the Administrative and Diplomatic Service scheme, and Elleney was hired as a junior officer in the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU).

MAMPU was adopting Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to modernise public service institutions, and Elleney’s background in Computer Science and experience as a programmer in the private sector proved invaluable in this role. “Starting from MAMPU, I was groomed to learn and work on policy formulation and development,” she shared. Elleney acted as a mediator between the organisation’s IT experts and officers and management from more traditional backgrounds, helping to create a common understanding between the different groups.

 

What’s needed in public policy now: “Broad” specialists

While working at MAMPU, Elleney discovered her passion for developing policies and creating a shared understanding between various stakeholders. She joined the Digital Economy Division in January 2019, where she was responsible for digital economy policy development and monitoring in trade, investment, and industry development. Elleney was also the secretariat to the Economy Cluster of the National Council on the Digital Economy, and played a key role in implementing the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint, known as MyDIGITAL.“It was a huge undertaking,” she said. It took tremendous effort to attain buy-ins, rally cooperation, and promote shared understanding among different ministries and agencies of government.

“Beyond policy formulation and development, policy coordination and implementation between stakeholders was most critical to ensure positive outcomes for the Malaysian economy and people.”

One example of the coordination needed in policy-making is QRIS technology, which is used not only in Malaysia but in neighbouring ASEAN countries like Singapore and Indonesia. Public sector workers must understand how the technology works, regulate it accordingly and document changes over time to improve policies as needed.

 

The Nanyang Fellows MBA is a public sector programme for a digital future

 

The Nanyang Fellows MBA is a public sector programme for a digital future

Despite her extensive work experience, Elleney wanted to gain more knowledge and exposure to regional policy-making as early as in 2018. While searching for prospective higher education institutions, she found that many programmes were focused on predetermined areas such as entrepreneurship, international trade, and law. She shared,

“Others were interesting, but more suitable for executives looking for better positions in private tech companies. They were not a match in terms of what I was looking for in my career aspirations.”

In 2022, Elleney discovered the Nanyang Fellows MBA programme at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, which was geared towards her career aspirations in the public sector. “Finally, there is a Master’s programme that is unique, tailored, and of direct significance to the line of work that I am doing in the Government.”

The programme offers unique perspectives from the East and West through exchanges with Tsinghua and UC Berkeley, and a SPAN project that allows students to gain insights from the private sector in the context of public policy-making.

 

Convergence of people, technology, and culture

 

Convergence of people, technology, and culture

There is plenty that Elleney loves about the Nanyang Fellows MBA. But what she values most are the intellectual exchanges and lifelong connections she has made with her classmates, professors, and staff at Nanyang Business School. “Learning from the experiences of our professors and guest speakers who come from various professional backgrounds, from international organisations to multinational companies, gives us a fresh perspective that is very often awe-inspiring.”

Through what she has learnt from the Nanyang Fellows MBA, she hopes to facilitate cooperation between the public sector, industry players, and academia, and promote sustainable growth and interconnectivity in the region. Ultimately, her goal is to better the lives of the people.

 

Visit our website and find out how you can make an impact with the Nanyang Fellows MBA.

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Finance, Maths, Programming: A day in the life of a Quantitative Analyst

Finance, Maths, Programming: A day in the life of a Quantitative Analyst

by | Apr 14, 2023 | MSc Financial Engineering

Graduate Studies Blog

MSC FINANCIAL ENGINEERING

Finance, Maths, Programming: A day in the life of a Quantitative Analyst

The increasing computerisation of trading systems has put a new breed of finance professional in the spotlight: quantitative analysts, or “quants”.

The role of quantitative analysts, or “quants,” has become increasingly important in the finance industry due to the computerisation of trading systems. Dubbed the “rocket scientists of Wall Street”, quants use their expertise in financial theory, mathematics, and computer science to develop new trading strategies and manage risk.

With demand for quants on the rise, Wang Jiancheng shares a glimpse into his life as a quantitative research analyst at Qube Research & Technologies (QRT) after graduating from the MSc Financial Engineering programme at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore.

 

The rocket scientists of Wall Street

Most investors dream of beating the market, and Jiancheng’s job involves building strategies to help them achieve just that. As a quantitative research analyst at Qube Research & Technologies (QRT), he and his team develop models to generate alpha – that is, returns on an investment that outperforms the market benchmark.

“I research alpha strategies for macro futures across a range of asset classes – commodities, bonds, equity indexes, FX, and crypto,” he explains. “I also manage the portfolios of those strategies.”

On a typical day, you’re likely to find Jiancheng stationed at his computer, performing data mining and testing quantitative models. But he also carves out time for teamwork and sharing ideas, especially in a collaborative environment like QRT.

“I’d say 80% of my day revolves around researching and testing potential ideas through programming,” he says. “Around 10% goes toward portfolio management, and another 10% is spent in discussions with my teammates, data vendors, and market specialists.”

Undoubtedly, the work of a quant is intellectually demanding as it calls for a strong grasp of statistics, data analysis, finance, and even disruptive technologies like machine learning. The rigour of the role is precisely what appeals to Jiancheng.

“I enjoy critical thinking, and I like that my job brings together finance, maths, and programming,” he shares. “It’s also fascinating to keep an eye on market changes and speculate how global changes – from inflation to war to government policies – can shape market trends.”

 

Building an interdisciplinary skillset

Thanks to his major in Financial Technology for his bachelor’s degree, Jiancheng secured a solid grounding in programming and financial innovations like cryptocurrency. This background spurred him to secure internships in quantitative research, including a stint at a Shanghai-based private fund group.

But he came to realise that there were gaps in his knowledge. “If I wanted to get a quant job, it would be crucial for me to have expertise in areas like statistical modelling and asset pricing,” he explains. To build the interdisciplinary skillset he needed to succeed, he embarked on a Specialised Master’s in Financial Engineering (MFE) from NTU’s Nanyang Business School (NBS). During his undergraduate days in Hong Kong, Jiancheng had gone on an exchange programme at NTU and thoroughly enjoyed his three months there. Going back to NTU for his master’s felt like a no-brainer to him.

“I think Singapore is a good environment to live in,” he says. “The MFE programme by NBS is also offered in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University, which means we get to study at CMU for one term and gain overseas exposure.”

Most importantly, the MFE programme offered the multi-disciplinary curriculum he needed to solve complex financial problems. “I had a lot of memorable lessons in modules like portfolio management and risk management. These are quantitative skills use daily in my current role.”

Finally, what set NBS apart was the strong career resources provided by the Graduate Studies Career Development Office (GSCDO). “The career coaches are fantastic,” Jiancheng says. Not only did he receive guidance on career planning and job hunting from a dedicated MFE career counsellor, but he also took full advantage of career workshops such as resume writing and interview preparation – preparing him well to snag his current position at QRT.

 

Gaining an edge in the finance world

For anyone keen on joining the dynamic world of finance, Jiancheng believes that an MSc in Financial Engineering is a valuable investment.

“The MFE programme has helped to open doors in my career, not only in quant knowledge, but also through career support and strong industry networks,” he sums up. “Whether or not you plan to be a quant, the diverse curriculum means you get opportunities and insights into different parts of the financial industry.”

Dreaming of being a “rocket scientist on Wall Street”? NBS’s MSc Financial Engineering is a vibrant interdisciplinary programme that equips you with the skills to excel in today’s high-technology finance environment. Gain an edge with competencies in finance, computer science, and mathematics, enriched with global opportunities and career resources.

Head to our website to find out more about the MSc Financial Engineering programme.

 

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Change Makers Of MBA

Change Makers Of MBA

by | Apr 14, 2023 | Nanyang MBA

Graduate Studies Blog

Changemarkers of MBA

NANYANG MBA

Change Makers of MBA

Transforming Communities with Quality Education and Technology

Formerly a technology consultant at Deloitte in India, Ashlin Paul Sherry greatly advocate quality education.

“I consider myself deeply fortunate to be able to pursue an MBA programme. What some might consider simply a ‘next step’ is still a distant dream for many. During my time as a volunteer teacher for the under-privileged and working with local NGOs over the years, I realised that the quality of education most primary and secondary school students in government schools were exposed to was inadequate. Due to this, most kids struggled with basic functional numeracy and literacy. It became clear that the problem wasn’t that these kids weren’t smart – they did not have the same access to the resources and tools that the rest did.

I believe education is the bedrock on which countries can build a sustainable future. Although governments have increased accessibility to schools, access to quality education is still considered a privilege. South Asia, unfortunately, is known to have the lowest levels of public investment in education.

The problem, for sure, is large and complex that it is tempting to shrug it off. However, I believe that with the progress we’ve made with technology – this problem is solvable. I aim to use my MBA as a stepping stone to continue to develop myself as a leader who can drive innovation in this sector. Technology and effective management have the power to transform communities. I believe that with every new iteration and innovation, we’re that much closer to solving some of the biggest and most pressing problems across the world.”

Empowering Global Collaboration for a Better Future: The Vision of Young Entrepreneur

A young entrepreneur from Bullay, Germany, Johannes Schaedler values the benefits of collaboration and how it can help humanity achieve great success.

“In today’s world, tasks have not just become more complex but also more global than ever before. Only cooperation across borders, cultures, sectors, and industries will enable mankind to overcome its most pressing challenges. The Paris Climate Agreement is a prime example that solving the world’s biggest challenge – climate change – can only be solved through collaboration.

The Nanyang MBA programme provides me with the global view, knowledge, skills, and network required to make an impact. The diverse cohort and faculty enable me to learn about different perspectives daily. I look forward to leveraging these experiences and bringing people together to solve pressing problems!”

Passion for Blockchain Technology

Previously a business development manager hailing from Anhui, China – Zhang Ling is extremely enthusiastic about decentralisation.

“Technological advancements have always fascinated me. When I got the chance to join the blockchain industry four years ago, I knew I had to do it.

In the classic Web 2.0 world, user data is owned by underlying platforms and can be monetised to generate revenue. Web 3.0 would give users more ownership of their data and assets via blockchain technology. It will redefine revenue distribution, remove identity disparities between platforms and allow users an equal say in its governance.

I see Web 3.0 as a conjunction of technology, governing rules and economics; and the MBA programme at Nanyang Business School will equip me with the right skillset I need to grow in this domain, providing me with valuable knowledge about areas like management, finance, leadership, and more. I cannot wait to apply these skills to help construct a truly decentralised world!”

Prioritising Mental Well-being and Work-Life Balance

Meta Yunita Pramasetio, an auditor in PWC Indonesia is a huge advocate for mental well-being and a healthy work-life balance.

“I believe that physical and mental health, is not only a primary necessity for every human being, but also everyone’s right. Everyone has the equal right to have a healthy life and well-being. Yet more and more people are normalising the sacrifice of wellbeing and health for the sake of professional career and education.

 

I strongly believe that professional career and wellbeing can go in parallel as long as the environment supports us. I am excited to see how the Nanyang MBA programme can transform me to grow as a better leader for my team, addressing issues starting from my work circle and eventually towards a much larger environment.”

Help build a world towards true Gender Equality

Based out of Mumbai, India and working as Operations Analyst team lead in JP Morgan Commercial and Investment Banking, Aishwarya Pillai strives to build a more equitable world for women.

“Gender equality is extremely important for a prosperous and sustainable future. Post-pandemic has been a regressive effect on gender equality. There is a lot of pressure on women to choose between their career and their family. I have seen first-hand, talented women with bright futures leaving their careers midway due to family pressures and lack of support from their organizations. It is disheartening because we will never know what they could have possibly achieved or created. It is a massive loss of talent and potential.

Personally, the MBA is a stepping stone to move ahead to have a greater impact and effect. Being in a position of power and influence would enable me to take direct and tangible action. The MBA has enabled me to learn from other perspectives – gender, regions, industries. It has been a really unique experience and has helped me to form my opinions and plan of action even more firmly.”

Nanyang MBA

The Nanyang MBA is a flexible 12-month or 18-month programme designed to fuel your growth into a future-ready leader equipped with the skills needed to excel in a global, digital environment. The programme aims to develop impactful, culturally adept leaders who embrace the connection between business, technology, and innovation to excel in global environments and adapt to each new wave of digital change.

 

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Transforming Careers: NTU’s MSc Business Analytics Empowers Former Flight Attendant to Excel in Business Analytics

Transforming Careers: NTU’s MSc Business Analytics Empowers Former Flight Attendant to Excel in Business Analytics

by | Mar 22, 2023 | MSc Business Analytics

Graduate Studies Blog

MSC BUSINESS ANALYTICS

Transforming Careers: NTU’s MSc Business Analytics Empowers Former Flight Attendant to Excel in Business Analytics

Even as the pandemic grounded Fenny Tsai’s high-flying role as a flight attendant at Singapore Airlines, it marked the start of a new journey – into business analytics.

“When I joined Singapore Airlines in 2017, I knew it wasn’t a long-term career option for me,” Fenny recalls. “But it wasn’t until the COVID-19 outbreak that I seriously reflected on my prospects and started considering my next steps in future pandemics.”

The pandemic has sparked a wave of career change, as workers who suffered disruptions were compelled to re-evaluate their goals.

Determined to future-proof her career, Fenny felt that a data and business analytics career would be an excellent fit.

“Possessing technical skill sets such as data analysis, programming, and SQL would make me an invaluable asset in any organisation,” she explains.

Business analytics wasn’t entirely new for Fenny. Having majored in Management Information Systems as an undergraduate, she already had a strong foundation in working with data. Meanwhile, her stint as cabin crew had equipped her with excellent communication and problem-solving experience – skills which any good business analyst needs to bridge the gap between IT and business stakeholders.

A master’s degree in business analytics, she decided, would help her to harness these skill sets and open the door to a career change. She took a leap of faith and signed up for a Specialised Master’s in Business Analytics from Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore.

 

Taking flight: From flight attendant to full-time student

After more than five years of building a career, returning to school as a full-time student can be daunting. However, Fenny was determined not to let fear hold her back.

“Stepping out of my comfort zone was challenging. But it’s important to trust your instincts,” she emphasises. “While there may be people who discourage you from your plans, you need to have confidence in your decision and stay focused on your goals.”

For Fenny, choosing the right programme was crucial. It had to have a strong reputation for technological innovation, while ideally providing industry experience that would ease her career shift. The MSc Business Analytics (MSBA) programme offered by NTU’s Nanyang Business School (NBS) ticked both these boxes.

“NTU is the first institution that comes to my mind when discussing technology,” says Fenny. “It’s one of Asia’s top universities, and the Nanyang Business School is renowned in technology and business.”

What sealed her choice of NBS’s MSBA programme was its inclusion of a practicum – a three-month internship arranged for students in their third trimester. “Many students pursue the MSBA programme to change their career path,” she explains. “The practicum provides a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience and get on track towards our desired career.”

 

An enriching learning environment

Given their role in drawing out data insights to advise business operations, business analysts must master various technical skills: statistics, programming, data visualisation, and more. It’s no surprise that six months into the MSBA programme, Fenny describes her experience as “intense” but “incredibly enriching”.

“Not only have I refreshed my existing knowledge in data management, but I’ve also acquired new skills in many areas – from programming to machine learning,” she shares. “The programme offers a flexible schedule, allowing me to plan my study time and continually learn new things.”

Beyond hard skills, Fenny also appreciates how the programme provides rich opportunities to hone her soft skills. To be successful, business analysts don’t just need to crunch data – they must also engage with business leaders and articulate clear, compelling solutions to business problems. Her time in the MSBA programme, Fenny says, has sharpened her communication and collaboration skills. 

“We’ve had many group projects throughout the course, and this trained us to communicate and work effectively as a team,” she recalls. “It’s also allowed me to learn from students of diverse backgrounds, including India, China, and Singapore. Gaining different perspectives on problems has allowed me to develop more creative solutions.”

Opportunities for collaborative learning abound even during class time. Some of Fenny’s most memorable experiences have come from the basic and advanced programming modules, thanks to their refreshing emphasis on active class participation. 

“Mr Koh Choon Chye encouraged students to share their ideas to help boost others’ understanding,” she says. “I believe that after I graduate, I’ll truly miss this school experience!”

 

Gaining real-world experience in the industry

Having reached her third trimester in the programme, Fenny eagerly awaits her data analytics practicum. This work placement prepares students to apply their skills from classroom to workplace, enabling them to gain an edge for a career in business analytics.

“The practicum is invaluable for students like me who are looking to transition into a new industry,” she explains. “The hands-on experience and real-world exposure will provide a foundation for my future career and help me adapt smoothly to a new role.” 

Fenny will be a data analyst with CapitaLand Group for the next three months. She secured this coveted role with much practice and preparation under the guidance of NBS’ Graduate Studies Career Development Office (GSCDO).

“GSCDO was instrumental in helping me prepare for my job search,” she recalls. “They supported revising my resume and cover letter to help me make a strong impact as a candidate.”

Practice was key to acing her interview as well. “With the help of GSCDO, I honed my interview skills and learnt how to answer expected questions with confidence,” she shares. “This experience has given me a better understanding of what to expect in the interview process and has built my confidence for my future career.” 

Achieving career change with the MSc Business Analytics degree

Career pivots can seem risky, but Fenny believes her daring journey has been well worth the uncertainty. “It’s never too late to learn and expand your knowledge,” she advises. “To anyone contemplating a career switch, I’d like to say: ‘Don’t be afraid, just go for it!’ Take that leap of faith, and embrace the challenges and opportunities that come your way.”

She also advises potential MSBA students to ask for the help they need. “If you have questions or uncertainties, don’t hesitate to ask for help. By seeking guidance, you can gain the support and resources you need to succeed in your new journey.”

The MSBA programme has provided her with robust support throughout her journey, and she foresees that it will continue to propel her career post-graduation. “Having an MSBA degree from NBS will enhance my chances of securing job opportunities, both locally and globally,” she says. “NBS’s strong alumni network and industry connections can also be valuable in helping me achieve my career aspirations.”

Blaze new paths in your career with a Specialised Master’s in Business Analytics. This interdisciplinary programme equips students with hands-on experience in the dynamic world of data analytics, preparing them to be future-ready in modern organisation.

Download MSc Business Analytics Brochure

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Women in Focus: The Nanyang MBA Experience

Women in Focus: The Nanyang MBA Experience

by | Mar 15, 2023 | Nanyang MBA

Graduate Studies Blog

NANYANG MBA

Women in Focus: The Nanyang MBA Experience

As we celebrate International Women’s Month, we put the spotlight on three outstanding female MBA participants making a mark in their chosen fields. While they may walk different paths, they share the same tenacity to take the leap and pursue a world-class MBA programme in Singapore with Nanyang Business School.

Jessica Han: APEC Scholar, growth strategist, entrepreneur

As a former Growth Strategy Manager for ByteDance, the company behind social media juggernaut TikTok, Jessica Han is no stranger to the fast-paced world of tech companies in Southeast Asia. From offices in Beijing and Singapore, Jessica worked closely with manufacturers, brands, and content creators to effectively launch products on the platform and make them go viral.

However, after three years in ByteDance, Jessica felt she had a solid enough foundation in digital marketing and growth strategies to help launch the next phase of her career. “I’ve always planned to start my own business,” she shares. “Getting an MBA is a good way to quickly develop the skills I need to set my plans into motion.”

Given her Biomedical Engineering background, Jessica felt she needed a firmer footing in accounting and finance. She applied to different business schools and was even accepted into a leading school in the United States. However, Jessica set her sights on Singapore: specifically, the Nanyang Business School MBA programme, as its curriculum and core courses appealed to the no-nonsense aspiring entrepreneur. “The curriculum was unlike a traditional finance or business school,” she explains.

Aside from accounting and finance, Nanyang MBA’s curriculum covers all aspects critical to managing a company, such as governance, talent management, and supply chain management. “The core courses gave me a systematic way of thinking, which helped me a lot in starting my own business,” she adds.

Nanyang MBA students also benefit from Nanyang Technological University (NTU)’s rich heritage in technology and innovation, which is embedded into the Nanyang MBA curriculum. Core courses provide MBA participants with the necessary foundation in information technology (IT) to become effective leaders in the new digital economy.

Jessica made an indelible mark on her cohort by becoming the APEC Scholar for the Class of 2023. The APEC Scholarship is open to nationals from APEC member economies—covering the entire cost of the one-year full-time Nanyang MBA programme. Awarded to only one MBA candidate annually, this highly exclusive scholarship is a life-changing opportunity.

As her cohort’s APEC Scholar, Jessica gained the financial freedom to start her business while completing her Nanyang MBA. “It gave me an extra sum of money, which helped speed up starting my own business,” she says.

Thanks to the APEC Scholarship, Jessica can now funnel all her income and savings into growing her business. Parlaying her knowledge of digital marketing and growth strategies, Jessica continues to work with manufacturers in China and content creators all over the world to market up-and-coming products on various social media platforms.

Balancing MBA studies and entrepreneurship can be a formidable challenge, given the Nanyang MBA programme’s academic rigour. Assignments and discussions with classmates keep Jessica busy, as well as internships and networking opportunities. However, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Audrey Yip: Social innovator, sustainability leader

Starting her career in public relations, Audrey Yip later found her true calling in sustainable design and social innovation. Today, she uses design thinking and cross-disciplinary methods to develop innovative solutions for pressing social issues. “I like working with organisations that do good things for society,” she says.

After years of working in the public sector in Hong Kong, Audrey started her own company, The Urbanist Limited, in 2018. The consultancy firm focuses on inclusive and universal design, allowing Audrey to take on public design, stakeholder engagement, and community development projects with the Hong Kong government.

One of the firm’s more impactful projects is designing and defining the user requirements for sustainable waste management, prompting municipalities in Hong Kong to replace their waste collection bins and implement a solid waste charging scheme. While working on these public design projects, Audrey realised she wanted to learn more about sustainability.

A simple Google search led Audrey to Nanyang MBA’s sustainability track. Nanyang Business School is one of the first business schools in Asia to launch a Sustainability and Innovation track in its MBA programme, and Audrey is one of its pioneer MBA participants.

Even after eight years working in the sustainability business, Audrey admits she still has a long way to go. “The more I learn about sustainability in Singapore, the less I think I know about sustainability,” she says.

The courses under Nanyang MBA’s sustainability track aren’t just informative, they are also practical and actionable—approaches Audrey can immediately apply to her business operations. While she’s internalising new frameworks and tools for designing sustainable products, Audrey is also learning about sustainability reporting, energy systems, sustainable finance, and responsible marketing.

The programme offers enough flexibility that Audrey can complete her Nanyang MBA while running her design consultancy firm, overseeing operations from a distance with the help of her business partner and other colleagues.

In the near future, Audrey wants to parlay the knowledge she gained from Nanyang MBA’s sustainability track into expanding her business, introducing her brand of inclusive and universal design to Singapore and the rest of Southeast Asia.

Meta Yunita Pramasetio: Assurance professional, mental health advocate

At 25 years old, Meta Yunita Pramasetio is one of the youngest candidates in the Nanyang MBA programme, specialising in Banking and Finance. She wanted to pursue an MBA education immediately after graduation; however, a college professor advised her to gain work experience before jumping headlong into more studies.

Meta worked as a Senior Assurance Associate for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Indonesia, leading a team auditing a healthcare services provider. After three years of working, Meta felt it was time to return to school.

“Singapore was one of my dream places for education—it’s a more international place, so I find it interesting to study here,” she says. Her determination landed her in the 12-month Nanyang MBA programme, which appealed to the young professional as it would allow her to “get back to work as soon as possible.”

With students from different nationalities and professional backgrounds, Nanyang MBA opens the floor for unique insights and diverse perspectives. Adjusting her working style to suit her colleagues from all walks of life was a challenge at first, “but I think that’s when the real learning begins,” she adds.

After experiencing the high-pressure world of finance first-hand, Meta now advocates for healthy work-life balance and mental wellness—an advocacy that will accompany her through the Nanyang MBA programme and any future leadership roles. “People tend to sacrifice their health and well-being for education and career advancement,” she says.

Meta’s advocacy reflects her own approach to her MBA studies and career development. “If I want to influence people, then change must start with me—not necessarily to set a standard, but to show people that it is achievable,” shares Meta. As part of her daily practice, she proactively carves time for creative breaks, remains mindful of working long hours, and strives to maintain a pleasant working environment with her fellow MBA participants.

Since starting the Nanyang MBA, Meta has explored possibilities outside the accounting and assurance world. Currently, Meta is taking her internship at Sustainao, a sustainability consultancy firm in Singapore. “I don’t have a fixed career path—I’m still exploring and open to opportunities,” she says.

Whether or not Meta continues a career in banking and finance, one thing is certain: the Nanyang MBA has given her fundamental business management skills, competencies, and global perspectives to make bold career choices in Asia and beyond. This practicality and flexibility help Nanyang MBA graduates stand out from the rest.

Nanyang MBA

The Nanyang MBA is a flexible 12-month or 18-month programme designed to fuel your growth into a future-ready leader equipped with the skills needed to excel in a global, digital environment. The programme aims to develop impactful, culturally adept leaders who embrace the connection between business, technology, and innovation to excel in global environments and adapt to each new wave of digital change.

 

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What is the difference between data analytics and business analytics?

What is the difference between data analytics and business analytics?

by | Mar 15, 2023 | MSc Business Analytics

Graduate Studies Blog

MSC BUSINESS ANALYTICS

What is the difference between data analytics and business analytics?

Tremendous changes to the world of work have prompted managers and employers to rethink what they are looking for in the ideal candidate. In a “state of skills” report released Dec. 1 by Wiley, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, social media, and product management were named as top skills on employer and manager “wish lists”. Elsewhere, skills such as blockchain, scientific computing, and business analysis have topped lists (like those released by LinkedIn) for years.

Though there is debate about which skills are most sought-out, most agree: in the future, top employees are those that know how to interact with data in meaningful ways to solve real-life problems.

Individuals looking to re-skill, up-skill, or simply update their knowledge are well-served by the variety of programmes available today. Many educational institutions offer short courses and micro-certifications to prepare individuals for fresh new challenges in their chosen industries. One choice that has emerged as a top selection among students in Singapore is the Master of Science in Business Analytics at Nanyang Technological University.

The first cohort of the programme saw 97% of participants employed full-time within 3 months of graduation. Dr Teoh Teik Toe, Senior Lecturer & Academic Director, Nanyang Business School, shares his insights about the future of work, the explosion of data, and how the Masters programme helps to prepare future employees.

 

Three much-needed skills taught at the MSc

As an experienced researcher with nearly twenty years of experience in big data, AI, machine learning, and quantitative analysis, Dr. Teoh has witnessed how the world has been changed by technology. “The world has always been full of problems that need to be solved,” he says. “The only difference is that in our modern era, technology has made it easier to solve problems quickly, accurately, and efficiently.”

Commenting on the difference between data analytics and business analytics, the professor mentions that the latter tends to be broader, involving numerous types of information — not necessarily just data.

Additionally, business analysts are always in service of a primary goal: making better business decisions. In comparison, data analytics is focused on the more specific analysis of datasets to uncover patterns, trends, and insights.

Because of the complex nature of the field, students pursuing the MSc of Business Analytics will be taught much more than data visualisation or process modelling. At Nanyang Technological University, they’ll be equipped with three much-needed soft skills that will help them succeed no matter which industry they choose to enter.

Three much-needed skills at the MSc Business Analytics

Domain knowledge of the problem being solved
Dr. Teoh mentions that, even upon intake, many of his students in the programme are already strong coders, programmers, and mathematicians.

However, technical prowess alone does not make a business analyst. “It’s not about solving problems the fastest or having the most elegant code, though that’s certainly important to a degree,” he says. His challenge to students, says Dr. Teoh, is whether they can ensure that they’re operating with the correct context when applying statistical analysis to their datasets.

Before increasing their budget for a certain ad campaign, for example, a marketer must know whether the leads they’ll collect are actually useful for the sales department. A programmer at a research facility or hospital may create a powerful illness diagnostic tool, but if the healthcare data is inherently flawed or biased, then the tool will not work correctly.

Ability to prioritise problems

Business analysts must be able to identify strategic opportunities from the patterns in data. On many days, they will serve as the “interpreter”, identifying problems that their business or organisation must solve which the data has revealed. 

Cost-benefit analysis is a much-needed skill among analysts, says Dr. Teoh. “Students are sometimes surprised when I say that solving a problem isn’t always good news”. But if a business analyst spends one million dollars on a problem that only costs the business half a million over its lifetime, then they’ve wasted valuable time and money.

Strong decision-making prowess
It is important to refrain from treating analytics as the be-all-end-all solution, says Dr. Teoh. The analyst needs to remember that analytics are tools. Tools can break or work inefficiently. Sometimes, they need to be replaced.

No matter how much new technology is released into the world, humanity is not yet at a point where analytics can replace humans. At best, they can only supplement human decision-making.

Without domain knowledge, good prioritisation skills, and strategic decision-making abilities to inform their problem-solving, business analysts may inadvertently contribute to the creation of new problems. 

Who is the MSc Business Analytics for?

NTU’s Master of Science in Business Analytics is intended to be a primer for fledgling business analysts — anyone who seeks a solid foundation to be able to solve many kinds of problems. 

Over the course of the programme, students will learn about analytics tools, statistics, AI and automation and combine what they learn to solve many of hundreds of use cases and challenges. In one recent project, students provided assistance to an MNC to facilitate the exchange of paperless documents from Rotterdam to Singapore on a private blockchain network.

Language recognition and live translation is another area that students can explore. Data analytics can be used to bring lost languages back to life, improve the fluidity of smart chatbots, or help people communicate in foreign countries — even if they’re speaking slang.

Contrary to popular belief, data analytics can also be used in the arts and humanities. Incremental improvements in data storage and image analysis have expanded open-source libraries from several hundred-thousand to millions across thousands of categories. In the fields of AI photography and art, creators are now leveraging AI to create brand-new imagery. Image analysis is also behind smart digital assistants, AI photo generators, and even product recognition on online shopping platforms.

The field of business analytics is massive and highly impactful. Organisations of all sizes are moving critical functions and information to the cloud, which means that software and applications are highly-prone to attack. Security is one aspect of business analytics that many analysts ignore until an actual attack happens. Aside from the three skills already mentioned by Dr. Teoh, NTU faculty also take care to instill an appreciation for cybersecurity in their students.

Future of the industry
Machines can see faster than humans, detect patterns faster than humans, and “think” faster than humans. Though some pundits interpret this as a sign of humanity’s impending obsolescence, Dr. Teoh prefers to believe that this is a chance for humanity to showcase creativity and other uniquely human traits.

“As a leading educational institution in Asia and beyond, NTU seeks to nurture responsible analysts who can ethically solve problems,”  

says Dr. Teoh. They’ll act with awareness, sensitivity, and wisdom, taking their place as leaders of a better world.

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The complete guide: Financial engineering vs. financial technology

The complete guide: Financial engineering vs. financial technology

by | Mar 10, 2023 | MSc Financial Engineering

Graduate Studies Blog

MSC FINANCIAL ENGINEERING

The Complete Guide: Financial Engineering vs. Financial Technology

The financial industry is experiencing enormous changes as a result of mathematics. Advances in computing technology and low-cost cloud storage services have allowed individuals to build sophisticated investment strategies from the comfort of their homes. On a larger scale, banks, software companies, and even governments are refining the mathematical models used in financial markets to create more robust policies and valuable strategies.

It’s an exciting time to enter the world of finance, particularly as technology continues to transform the industry. However, in the face of such rapid changes, one question inevitably arises: how can one break into the field and stay relevant?

 

Financial Engineering vs Financial Technology

Dr. Charlie Charoenwong is an associate professor at the Nanyang Business School (NBS), Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU), and is among the experts who believe the world is becoming increasingly quantified and numerical. He asserts, “Take a look around you. Mathematics is ubiquitous.”

Indeed, advanced mathematics has revolutionised the world in just a few years. Recently, ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence (AI) based on deep learning that understands and generate human-like responses to text-based queries has propelled to meteoric success across all professional groups. At Changi Airport, facial recognition tools based on mathematical principles streamline security and immigration processes. And through mathematics online shopping deliveries arrive at consumers’ doorsteps in days, if not hours, regardless of the season.

The financial industry is also experiencing enormous changes as a result of mathematics. Advances in computing technology and low-cost cloud storage services have allowed individuals to build sophisticated investment strategies from the comfort of their homes. On a larger scale, banks, software companies, and even governments are refining the mathematical models used in financial markets to create more robust policies and valuable strategies.

It’s an exciting time to enter the world of finance, particularly as technology continues to transform the industry. However, in the face of such rapid changes, one question inevitably arises: how can one break into the field and stay relevant?

 

Engineering, Finance, Technology, and Everything in between

Many students today face a dilemma when deciding which skills to pursue at the intersection of finance and technology. They are unsure which programming language to learn first, whether an IT degree is still relevant, or the differences between data analysis, financial engineering, and fintech.

According to Dr. Charlie, “broad fintech” roles, such as those in contactless credit cards, eWallets, and money transfer apps, do not necessarily require advanced mathematics. While entrepreneurs in fintech startups may come from diverse industries, such as marketing or human resources, what they need is a “good” idea. As for code writing, AI can do most of it, if not all.

In contrast, financial engineering demands a strong understanding of math, programming, and finance theory. Pricing complex financial products or designing risk models in banking or investments require data interpretation and applying a rich knowledge of capital markets, statistics, and stochastic calculus to develop executable programs.

“Despite the huge amount of financial data available, Dr. Charlie notes that the future of markets remains uncertain. Mathematical models and statistical analysis can help financial engineers extract market opinions about the future and take advantage of pricing discrepancies in financial markets.”

The curriculum of the Specialised Master’s Degree in Financial Engineering (MFE) at the NBS prepares graduates to use tools to solve real-world financial problems, leveraging finance theory and experience to manage risk and optimise investment portfolios.

 

What does a future in financial engineering look like?

NBS launched the MFE programme in 1999, with technical support from the Tepper School of Business and the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Charlie, who played a key role in designing and managing the programme, notes that even before the MFE was introduced, there was already a growing emphasis on mathematics and computing worldwide.

In more than two decades since its inception, mathematical skills have contributed to various advancements, such as developing life-saving vaccines, constructing artificial islands, and cultural exchange between nations. Many global leaders, including Elon Musk and Xi Jinping, also hold engineering degrees. Dr. Charlie explains that the quantitative and analytical skills taught in the MFE programme will remain relevant, even for graduates who transition to other industries or become top executives in the future.

NBS MFE programme’s emphasis on teamwork and communication, current financial theory and computational methods, and holistic thinking have consistently produced graduating classes that secure full-time employment or internships within three months of graduation. These skill sets apply to anyone seeking a strong foothold in the financial services industry.

Accounting and Auditing
We had students who joined the MFE programme with accounting degrees, and upon completing the study, they may choose to return to roles in auditing and accounting. Large corporations often have extensive portfolios with various financial products and assets. To manage the fluctuations in the value of these products, businesses need a reliable risk model that can estimate the required capital to support them.

According to Dr Charlie, “A guarantee or MOU can be a potential financial liability even if no product has changed hands. Many similar products may not be recorded in the traditional financial system.” A financial engineer can utilise historical data to estimate the value of various financial products or contracts that a company holds positions on, including informal ones, and prepare accordingly.

Financial Software and Financial Data Provider
Some of our MFE graduates go on to join risk management software companies or financial data providers. Employees at such businesses are often asked to customise financial tools, applications, and terminals to solve client-specific problems.

Quant Trading
Quantitative trading firms use historical data to generate buying and selling signals. Successful quant traders must have strong foundational programming skills, a solid understanding of mathematics, and knowledge of financial concepts and issues.

According to Dr Charlie, fixing a programme that has a syntax error is relatively easy and can be done by AI. However, if a programme appears to work but contains conceptual errors, incorrect assumptions, or inaccurate data, the resulting conclusions could lead the company astray. This can result in financial risk or unnecessarily high costs for the company. To avoid such risks, quant traders properly trained in financial engineering is needed for this task.

What lies ahead?
In the modern digital age, everything is recorded in a code-able format. Those with strong mathematical and programming skills are better equipped to make sense of these numbers and spot trends faster than the average person.

The applications of mathematics go beyond just finance. Artistic concepts can also be somewhat quantified, as evidenced by the recent rise of AI-supported art, music, and writing. Despite common assumptions that math and programming are tedious, the MFE programme opens up new career paths prioritising innovation and strategy. Graduates must apply their interdisciplinary knowledge to solve new problems creatively.

With the potential for high earnings and the ability to transfer skills across industries, a Specialised Master’s Degree in Financial Engineering from NBS is a valuable asset for any forward-thinking individual.

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Beyond Advertising: Why This Advertising Leader Invested in the Nanyang Professional MBA

Beyond Advertising: Why This Advertising Leader Invested in the Nanyang Professional MBA

by | Mar 2, 2023 | Nanyang Professional MBA

Graduate Studies Blog

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NANYANG PROFESSIONAL MBA

Beyond Advertising: Why This Advertising Leader Invested in the Nanyang Professional MBA

High-performing managers know that self-development is the key to success; Nanyang Professional MBA (PMBA) alumnus Warren Wilson has drawn significant dividends from that lesson.

Warren is a Senior Sales Manager at Amazon, driving their advertising business in Southeast Asia. Over the past decade, he has cultivated an exceptional career in sales, growing the advertising business for Google, Facebook, LinkedIn and Apple. Today, he builds relationships with marketing managers and agencies to help them successfully leverage Amazon ads to scale their business.

Even with such an eventful career behind him, Warren felt the need to broaden his business management skills and expand his professional network further. “I wanted to expand my learning outside of advertising and felt an MBA would be the perfect value-add to increase my understanding of business disciplines,” he explained.

Warren found the Nanyang PMBA programme to be a perfect fit for his plans. Choosing a reputable school with a world-class faculty and talented students was a key consideration, as Warren believes that “any MBA is only as good as its cohort.”

The PMBA is also the only MBA programme in Singapore with an alternate weekend schedule – allowing Warren to juggle his school assignments with his full-time job. This flexibility was non-negotiable for Warren, as the opportunity cost of trading away his career for a full-time MBA programme would have been too high.

 

Sharpening leadership skills

As he got deeper into his PMBA, Warren found that the classes and discussions imparted a deeper understanding of the technological innovations disrupting industries.

For mid-career professionals like himself, “it is important to be agile and adapt to new ways of working, as the world is innovating and evolving faster than ever before,” Warren explains. “Brands need to adapt to stay relevant in this day and age. Given the rapid advancement in this space, every company today needs to be a tech-first company.”

During the PMBA, students explore the journeys of companies like Toyota and Apple, analysing how they operate and innovate. In these deep-dives, Warren learned “If [companies] do the same thing over and over again, those companies are not going to survive.”

PMBA students are also assigned mentors based on their areas of interest. Warren had the privilege of learning from Mr. Ramkumar Nedungadi, the former Managing Director of Kellogg’s Southeast Asia and a veteran in the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) segment.

“He was very generous with his time, and went the extra mile to check in with me through the programme,” Warren recalls. “I deeply appreciate his time and certainly took a lot of learnings from this session.”

where the rubber meets the road

The Strategy Projects At Nanyang (SPAN) programme was a formative part of Warren’s PMBA experience. For three months, Nanyang PMBA students team up to solve real business issues for companies.

Warren’s team worked on a change management project for a US-based software consultancy. They were expected to help the company transform their operations; as third-party consultants with an unbiased point of view, they conducted in-depth interviews with employees across all departments and levels to understand why certain products weren’t being adopted.

The project forced the team members to work outside their comfort zones, providing deep insights into the workings of a different corporate domain. The adjustment was eased with the help of an assigned mentor, who acted as the team’s sounding board and guide.

The plan they eventually created was presented to the company’s C-level executives. It was well-received, particularly the aspects that could be implemented immediately. “The fact that you can influence a company in three months […] puts you on the spot to make sure you deliver a presentation at a very high bar,” Warren says.

 

Benefiting from a broader perspective

Looking back, Warren credits the PMBA with helping broaden his business knowledge and deepen his critical thinking skills, which he now leverages in his day-to-day job to much success. “I can see myself being more curious and asking better questions, both at work and with my clients, to understand their business better,” Warren explains

The cohort’s diversity allowed Warren to work with people from different nationalities and professional backgrounds. He learned to be more agile in working with others, especially when faced with differing opinions.

“The PMBA really pushes you to adapt to how people are, and I would say that makes me more confident,” Warren tells us. “As I climb up the corporate ladder, I see myself managing a larger team, requiring a greater understanding of context.

“A lot of times when you’re working with people from different backgrounds, you’re blindsided by your own experience,” Warren says. “But the PMBA really broadens your horizons.”

 

Invaluable dividends for mid-career professionals

While it’s common to join an MBA for financial reasons, Warren places a greater emphasis on the other skills you receive during  the programme – dividends you just can’t put a dollar sign on.

“Think of an MBA as a life investment,” Warren explains. “You get to meet people smarter than you, work on real business problems, engage with business leaders and distinguished alumni of the school, interact with professors that have a wealth of knowledge to share and are invested in your growth, and above all, have fun while experiencing the programme.

“The clarity in thought process, improved critical thinking skills, and lifelong curiosity of learning were my key takeaways from this programme,” Warren concludes.

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Humans of MBA

Humans of MBA

by | Feb 16, 2023 | Nanyang MBA

Graduate Studies Blog

NANYANG MBA

Humans of MBA

Pradnya Sabale – Woman in Engineering: From India to Global Career stage
Kickstarting the week with one of our youngest candidates in MBA. At the age of 24, Pradnya Sabale gained the experience of working in Japan as an expat. Her mature demeanour has inspired many of her peers to take a leap of faith in pursuing higher learning.

Why did you choose to do MBA?
Being passionate about engineering and technology, I loved my job at Ebara. The more I worked and took on new projects, the more responsibilities I got. I learned that as an engineer, I have always been on the side of delivering ‘change’. I was desperately curious about the big picture, and I would like to look at the business world as an engineer and a woman in management. Engineering interests me, but MBA excites me. Hence, I chose MBA at NTU Singapore, Nanyang Business School. For me, MBA is a steppingstone to initiating and driving change for the betterment of communities. After 12 months, I feel MBA will change me and I also look forward to that change within me.

Kazuto Sato’s Story – Pivoting to New Possibilities Beyond Japan
You are never too late to learn something new and that is what Kazuto Sato endeavours to achieve by doing an MBA. It establishes a solid business foundation and acts as a steppingstone to new opportunities.

Why did you choose to do MBA?
I chose to do MBA to switch my career to corporate strategic planning in the tech industry in the future. It might not be easy considering my background. However, I still wanted to pursue an MBA to equip myself with business knowledge and learn how new technologies can be adopted into business in this rapidly changing world. And in that sense, I thought NTU would be a great place to learn because of its strengths in tech education.

I chose Singapore for two reasons. Firstly, I have never lived in other Asian countries. Secondly, Singapore is the gateway to Asia and the perfect mixture of Western and Eastern culture.

Jessie Liang’s Story – When One Door Closes, Another Opens
Every cloud has a silver lining, and she can attest to it when she was rejected for her application to doing MSc Business Analytics in Nanyang Business School. Everything happens for a reason, and Jessie eventually found herself pursuing an MBA in her same dream school. A redirection in life opens the door for you to explore more opportunities in the future.

Why you chose to do MBA?
I was rejected by Nanyang Business School’s Business Analysis Masters program after waiting for two months. I was so disappointed as Nanyang Business School was my dream school. The MBA admission team subsequently reached out to me about the Nanyang MBA programme. After our conversation, I found that the Nanyang MBA is much more suitable for me.

This allowed me to explore more career options and develop my interests. Sometimes a rejection is not rejection but redirection. This change of plan has caused me to truly understand and reflect on myself instead of just going with the flow.

Brian Dahlems’ Story: A call to return for progression
Brian enjoys every moment spent in the Nanyang MBA. He has fulfilled his dream of returning to Singapore to complete his masters and changing his career path.

Why you chose to do MBA?
Ever since I have completed my bachelor’s degree in engineering, I wanted to do a masters degree after gaining a few years of work experience. Having lived in Germany, I also realised I wanted to move back to Singapore, a place I called home for seven years prior to university.

Earlier this year I decided the time was right. I have researched various master’s programmes. In 2020, I took a course in Innovation management and decided to become a manager of engineers. As I like to call it, someone with administrative and leadership skills but with the understanding of an engineer. It became clear that I had to do an MBA.

Finally, when I was accepted into NTU Singapore, Nanyang MBA, I was given the chance to do all three: Complete my master’s degree, change my career path, and come back to Singapore. The cohort’s multicultural and diverse background brings a rich learning experience, both inside and outside the classroom. I thoroughly enjoy every minute of it!

About the Nanyang MBA

The Nanyang MBA is a flexible 12-month or 18-month programme designed to fuel your growth into a future-ready leader with the skills needed to excel in a global, digital environment. The programme’s unique interdisciplinary curriculum leverages the university’s technology and innovation strengths, expertise from world-class research centres, and strong industry connections to nurture future-ready leaders equipped to embrace change and accelerate transformation.

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