Navigating New Horizons: Frederica Lam’s Journey Through The NUS Part-Time MBA
“Life always throws curveballs at us” – Frederica Lam on her NUS MBA journey
Singapore, Part-time MBA, Class of 2024
Current role: Regional Marketing Manager, BASF East Asia Regional Headquarters Limited
For many professionals, an MBA is a step toward greater knowledge, new challenges, and career advancement. For Frederica Lam, the decision to pursue the NUS Part-time MBA came after nearly a decade in marketing. As a Regional Marketing Manager in the ingredients & chemical industry, she was excelling in her field, but she wanted to deepen her business knowledge and develop a broader strategic outlook.
The part-time NUS MBA offered the right mix of academic depth, flexibility, and real-world learning. It gave Frederica the chance to sharpen her leadership skills, take on new responsibilities, and adjust to a major career transition to Hong Kong—all while staying on track with her studies. Taking on the role of Vice President of the NUS MBA Marketing Club, she worked closely with peers from diverse backgrounds, bringing fresh perspectives to the role of marketing in different industries. Let’s find out more about her journey, the challenges she faced, and the lessons she gained along the way.
What motivated you to pursue an MBA, and how did you know it was the right time to take this step in your career?
The idea of pursuing an MBA began to take shape in the ninth year of my professional journey. I found myself at a crossroads, yearning for something more beyond my career aspirations. It was during this period of introspection that I stumbled upon a LinkedIn article about pursuing an MBA. This serendipitous discovery ignited my curiosity, leading me to delve deeper into the topic. I was fortunate to have a conversation with my former superiors, who shared their MBA journey and its profound impact on their professional and personal growth.
The true clarity came to me while crafting my admission essays. Reflecting on my experiences, I wrote, “I am the product of my past encounters, and I have learned that life always throws curveballs at us. How we respond to those challenges defines us as individuals.” This realisation solidified my decision to pursue an MBA, knowing that it was the right time to take this transformative step to embark on a new journey of unlearning and relearning, both professionally and personally.
Why did you choose the NUS part-time MBA program, and what aspects of the program stood out to you compared to others?
The greatest advantage of the NUS part-time MBA program is its curriculum’s uniformity across both full-time and part-time options. This unique setting allows students from both cohorts to come together, share their experiences in the classroom, and enhance their unique experiential learning journeys. These interactions help forge unforgettable friendships and create a vibrant learning community.
Moreover, the NUS MBA program is meticulously structured to support students with no prior business background. Through its Academic and Experiential core, it builds a strong foundation, enabling students to tailor their remaining electives based on personal and professional interests to align with their career goals.
Another standout feature of the NUS MBA is its Student Club Ecosystem. With a blend of professional and general interest clubs, this platform allows students to explore their passions outside the classroom, connect with like-minded individuals, and engage with industry veterans.
Ultimately, it was this rich experiential learning experience that made The NUS MBA the clear choice for me. The program’s ability to bring together diverse perspectives and foster a collaborative environment truly sets it apart.
The program is designed for working professionals. How did its flexibility support you in balancing work, studies, and personal commitments, especially during your transition to a new role in Hong Kong?
Balancing work, studies, and personal life was no walk in the park. The NUS MBA curriculum’s structure played a pivotal role in making it manageable. Part-time students have the flexibility to tailor their study plans to fit their schedules. For instance, I took a short break during one of the special terms in my first year due to business travel and made up for it by taking extra modules during the standard academic semester in my second year. This flexibility allowed me to stay on track with my study plan while keeping up with work commitments.
The biggest challenge came when I landed a new role in Hong Kong, just 4 credits shy of completing my MBA. Thankfully, NUS’s extensive network of participating schools for semester exchange programs came to the rescue. I completed my remaining 4 units at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) while transitioning into my new role in Hong Kong. Beyond the administrative setup, the unwavering support from loved ones and classmates was invaluable. And, of course, the NUS MBA office played a crucial supporting role too!
How has the part-time MBA impacted your career progression and competitiveness in the job market? Can you share how it has enhanced your earning potential or opened new opportunities?
The NUS MBA has profoundly impacted me both intellectually and professionally. It has provided me with a robust foundation in business principles and practices, allowing me to gain a broad perspective and a deeper understanding of how each business function operates. This comprehensive knowledge has significantly enhanced my ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in cross-functional projects at work.
The finance-related modules have been particularly beneficial for someone like me, coming from a science and marketing background. These modules have demystified corporate finance jargon and the quantitative aspects of business decision-making. This newfound knowledge has enabled me to take on strategic marketing responsibilities and drive business growth. Bridging the gap between finance and marketing has been invaluable in my role, enabling me to contribute more effectively to my organization’s success.
Overall, the NUS MBA has been instrumental in shaping my career and personal growth, preparing me for the dynamic business world. It has equipped me with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to navigate complex business challenges.
Why did you take up the position of Vice President of the Marketing Club, and can you describe how this experience shaped your leadership skills or how it has impacted you?
To be honest, it was Saloni, my running mate and the President of the Marketing Club, who persuaded me to take on the position. We first met through our involvement with the Club Fiesta event before school commenced. My initial intention was to meet like-minded individuals interested in marketing. Saloni and I hit it off, and our chemistry was dynamic due to our diverse marketing backgrounds in very different spaces (B2C and B2B). We both shared a common vision of how the Marketing Club could contribute more to the cohort in terms of marketing expertise beyond textbooks. Most importantly, we hoped to help the cohort understand the relevance of marketing in different industries, from finance to advertising. We even came up with a campaign slogan, “Make Marketing Great Again!”
One of the greatest takeaways from managing a student club was the leadership skills I acquired during my tenure. Unlike managing a team at work, running a student club requires even more empathy, as the use of authority does not work. Through this experience, I honed my communication skills with core committee members and learned how to break projects or event milestones into smaller deliverables to keep core members motivated and focused on their side projects for the club, despite the heavy workload from the curriculum. These soft skills have definitely come in handy at work, especially when leading cross-functional projects.
What would you say to professionals considering a part-time MBA but unsure if the investment of time and resources will be worth it?
Start by reflecting on your past, present, and future. Consider how your past experiences have shaped who you are today. With this in mind, imagine the potential of your future self if you begin your transformation now. The NUS MBA journey has been transformative for me, and the person I am today is a reflection of my encounters and experiences.
Stepping onto a new journey might be intimidating to many, but planning ahead and talking to people to understand their experiences helps one to have a better view of what lies ahead and manage one’s expectations. The NUS MBA family, from alumni to office staff, is happy to share and assist with any queries related to the program and experience. So if you have any doubts, why not start by talking to one of us today?
