Charting a Global Path: Alyssa’s Journey Beyond Borders with the NUS MBA
|
|
Alyssa Danielle Tan
|
How the NUS MBA Helped Alyssa Tan Build a Borderless Career
For Alyssa Danielle Tan, the dream of working across borders came about because she wanted to push herself to grow. “I’ve always known that I wanted to work outside the Philippines,” she shares. “For me, the appeal was more than just the professional challenge; it was about learning how different cultures work together and growing in environments that are unfamiliar.”
That goal, clear even before her MBA, became the compass that guided her decision to choose to do her MBA at the National University of Singapore (NUS). “Studying at NUS gave me the exposure I needed to understand global business dynamics better,” she reflects. “It taught me how to collaborate with people from different backgrounds and pushed me to be more adaptable — which I think is essential for someone who wants to work across borders.”
Today, Alyssa is part of Hilti’s Global Outperformer Program, a highly competitive rotational program that aligns perfectly with her goals. “While I’ve just started my first rotation as an account manager in the Philippines, I’m on the finance track,” she explains. “After completing this assignment, I’ll transition into finance-focused roles and projects in different countries. The role is challenging, but I’m very excited about the growth it brings.”
The sense of support she felt from Hilti’s global team also sealed her confidence. “Throughout the whole application process, one thing that stood out to me was the strong sense of support across the Hilti team,” she recalls. “That made me feel confident that this was the right place to grow.”
Learning to Lead Across Cultures
While her career direction didn’t change drastically during the MBA, Alyssa’s perspective deepened. “There wasn’t a single moment that changed the direction of my career,” she says, “but my time at NUS reinforced what I already knew: I wanted to build a career in a global environment.”
Working on countless group projects with peers from around the world challenged and shaped her. “At first, it took some adjusting. Everyone had different working styles, communication norms, and ways of approaching problems. But it quickly became clear that those differences were also the team’s biggest strength.”
Those lessons stayed with her long after graduation. “Working in this kind of environment helped me appreciate the value of listening, flexibility, and empathy — skills that I know I bring with me into my role,” she explains. “It also made me realise that the ability to work across cultures is not just a nice-to-have. It’s essential for anyone hoping to lead in a global context.”
GIP Group photo at India Gate in Delhi (Top), Travelled to Jaipur for sightseeing with her MBA friends donned in traditional Rajasthani clothes (Bottom)
Lessons That Last Beyond the Classroom
Some of the most impactful lessons came not from textbooks, but from transformative classes and bootcamps. “One of the most impactful classes I took during my MBA was Negotiation and Conflict Management with Prof. Ameek Kaur,” she shares. “It gave me a solid foundation in handling difficult conversations and taught me how to navigate both professional and personal negotiations with more awareness and structure.”
She also recalls the Launch Your Transformation bootcamp at the start of the MBA journey. “While it wasn’t a traditional academic course, it was one of the most practical and insightful programs I joined,” Alyssa says. “It helped me become more confident in public speaking and presenting myself professionally. It also challenged me to become more self-aware in how I show up, communicate, and respond to high-pressure situations.”
Together, these experiences taught her to blend confidence with empathy, qualities she uses daily in her role at Hilti. “These lessons continue to shape how I collaborate, lead, and grow both at work and in my personal life,” she adds.
Alyssa in a group discussion from Launch Your Transformation Week
Finding Balance and Building Confidence
“The key lesson for me was the importance of time management and starting early,” Alyssa admits. Balancing academics, networking, and career planning during the MBA was far from easy. “It’s easy to put things off when the semester feels long, but in reality, so many things come up — group projects, networking events, travel plans, or even just life — and suddenly there’s no time left.”
She also learned the importance of asking for help. “Whether it’s the MBA Careers Office, alumni, or classmates, there’s so much support within reach, but only if we know what’s available and take the initiative to ask,” she explains. “That was a mindset shift for me: understanding that it’s okay, even necessary, to lean on others when figuring things out.”
Beyond academics, the experience became a lesson in self-awareness. “Through it all, I’ve learned that while it’s important to be focused and goal-oriented, it’s equally important to stay curious, make space for spontaneity, and stay connected to people,” she reflects. “Those moments of unplanned conversations and shared stories often become the most valuable parts of the journey.”
Sentosa getaway with some of Alyssa’s closest friends from the cohort
A Global Experience that Goes Beyond Borders
When Alyssa looks back on her MBA journey, one of her fondest memories is of a wedding invitation from a close friend and classmate in India. “It was my first time attending an Indian wedding, and it felt incredibly special to be part of such a significant personal milestone,” she recalls. “What stood out to me wasn’t just the beauty of the celebration or the richness of the culture. It was the deeper meaning behind the invitation — that the friendships we built during the MBA went far beyond academics or career connections.”
It was a reminder that global learning happens not only in classrooms or boardrooms, but also in shared experiences that transcend cultures. “The MBA program is rigorous and career-focused, but some of the most valuable takeaways are the relationships we build along the way,” she says warmly.
Advice for Future NUS MBA Candidates
For those considering the NUS MBA, Alyssa’s advice is simple yet profound: come with an open mind. “Singapore is incredibly diverse and full of opportunities,” she says. “The MBA is a great chance to explore new perspectives, both culturally and professionally.”
She also emphasises adaptability. “Before the MBA, I had a clear plan. I thought I would easily find a job abroad right after graduation. But external factors didn’t align the way I expected — and that’s when I realised how important it is to be flexible with your goals.”
Her biggest takeaway? Growth often happens in unexpected ways. “Make space for unexpected growth,” she advises. “You’ll learn a lot, not just from classes but from working with people from different backgrounds and industries. The group projects, conversations, and challenges all teach you how to navigate differences and bring out the best in a team.”
She pauses thoughtfully before concluding: “Stay curious, be flexible, and say yes to new experiences. Not everything will go according to plan, but it’s often those detours that help you grow the most.”
Thinking of expanding your horizons like Alyssa? Discover how the NUS MBA can open doors to a truly global career — one that challenges, connects, and transforms.
Visit our NUS MBA website and explore what our program can do for you now.
