A gateway to good jobs and expanded horizons

For those not quite versed in binary code or the finer points of business analytics, the realms of IT and business management may appear to have plenty in common — after all, they both require a certain affinity for numbers.

But for Chen Bohong, a MSc in Management graduate from SMU, making the transition from IT grad to business maverick took more than simply banking on a love for digits. Having completed his Bachelor's degree in Information Technology at Rutgers University in 2017, he joined the Export-Import Bank of China as a rotational intern, and as luck would have it, struck gold.

“It was there that I discovered my interest in finance,” he says. “And it also helped me realise that I wanted to build my career in Asia.”

However, as excited as he was about entering the world of finance and business, he was also aware that he would face obstacles during his climb up the corporate ladder, armed with a degree in IT. Furthermore, he had his sights set upon Asia — primed to remain the world’s fastest growing region until 2030.

As such, Bohong turned down an offer from a prestigious US college to embark upon post-grad study in the gateway to Southeast Asia — Singapore.

“Singapore is the first place that came to my mind when choosing an Asian city to further my studies,” recalls Bohong, who heard about the Lion City’s status as a leading business and financial hub.

“I wanted to study in Singapore, and my extensive research, along with some friends’ recommendations, led me to Singapore Management University.”

Designed as a platform for students with no prior business experience, Bohong discovered that the SMU MSc in Management programme helps individuals transition to the world of business - and boasts a strong global-Asian curriculum to boot. He credits the university’s interactive pedagogy and prime location as key pull factors, and did not regret his decision once, despite the initial discomfort at being in a new environment.

“I was not familiar with Singapore at first and I didn’t know all the etiquette, what to expect from the weather, or even the local languages. But as soon as I started studying at SMU, I was put at ease,” explains Bohong.

Accustomed to the US style of education, Bohong easily assimilated into LKCSB, which is modelled after the Wharton School of Business in Pennsylvania. The MSc in Management experience was rigorous in terms of academics, while dispensing a deep understanding of business fundamentals that can be applied in the real and ever-changing business world.

“I found comfort in the American style of teaching it offered,” adds Bohong.

“The professors encouraged active discussions, and I benefited greatly from the seminar-style learning, rather than standard lectures.”

For instance, he was able to apply key learnings from the Marketing Management module into refining a marketing proposal he was tasked to craft, which in turn added to his personal marketability as an employee.

This emphasis on real-world applications is key to the value of this degree. “SMU has an excellent reputation in Singapore, and most HR recruiters look at SMU graduates favourably,” says Chen. “A six-month internship with reputable organisations was a part of my programme, and I managed to secure a job offer as a result of my internship. My classmates have also gotten great offers from companies such Shopee, Johnson & Johnson, and KPMG.”

Beyond hitting the books, the vibrant campus life at SMU was another source of networking and learning opportunities. During his time as an SMU student, Bohong was an active member of the Asia Private Equity Club, an interest club to learn about the private equity and venture capital industries, and the SMU Sino Alumni Group.

“It might be a small community, but everyone feels like family,” says Chen. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been assisted by SMU alumni, and many of them even become our mentors and offer invaluable advice — not just for our careers but also just for daily life.”

Indeed, Chen feels that his SMU experience has enriched his life beyond what he expected, by way of the close friendships the programme enabled him to form. By meeting people from countries such as India, the Czech Republic, and of course, Singapore, Chen was able to encounter cultures and traditions which were completely new helped him.

And it wasn’t just the students Chen was able to interact with. “Even the professors would invite us to their homes for parties,” he says. So, for prospective students, he offers this advice: “If you want to enter the business world with confidence, and a network that supports your endeavours fully, then the MSc in Management is the programme for you.”