Beyond the MBA Classroom: Jade Khuong on Growth, Community, and a New Chapter at Meta
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Jade Khuong
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When Jade Khuong began her MBA, she believed her learning would be limited to the classroom. What surprised her most was how much of her growth occurred outside of class. “I didn’t anticipate how much the programme would shape me as a person,” she says. The intensity of balancing academics, leadership roles, internships, and global experiences required a different kind of development: adaptability, resilience, and comfort with ambiguity. “Those were the moments that taught me the most. How to lead with humility, listen with empathy, and embrace ambiguity rather than resist it.”
Working with peers from different industries and cultures also taught her that no complex problem has just one answer. “Even with previous exposure to multiple markets via my Singapore-based work, the NUS MBA is where I get to deepen and practise synthesising diverse inputs into clear, actionable decisions,” she reflects. With such insightful reflections, we spoke to her to find out more about her MBA experience.
Leading the India Global Immersion Program
The NUS MBA program profoundly impacted Jade, who juggled multiple roles. She served as President of the MBA Technology Club and also co-led the Global Immersion Program (GIP) to India. Planning the GIP proved the most defining. A casual idea evolved into a full-scale initiative in just eight weeks, encompassing corporate visits, cultural experiences, and the end-to-end logistics required to move a cohort across cities. It meant negotiating costs, cultivating company relationships, and even working with the Indian Embassy in Singapore.
“What made it meaningful wasn’t the scale,” she says. “It was watching classmates immerse themselves in India’s entrepreneurial energy – asking leaders on the ground tough questions and seeing dynamics firsthand.”
That impact reframed her leadership: “It’s not about personal achievement; it’s about creating opportunities for others to learn, grow, and be inspired.”
The experience also toughened her operating muscles. She learnt to manage uncertainty, handling last-minute changes, and staying calm under pressure. “When everyone feels invested in a shared vision, collaboration becomes powerful,” she adds. “We weren’t just delivering an itinerary; we were curating an experience our peers would remember for years.”
Furthermore, she reshaped her leadership style: “It wasn’t about having the loudest voice in the room. It was about knowing when to step back and empower others.” In the end, Jade says, the MBA grounded her. “Leadership isn’t defined by authority but by perspective, humility, and the ability to bring people along with you.”
Group photo of Jade and her peers during the first night in India (GIP)
A Semester in New York
It’s not only in Singapore that she has fond memories. During her semester exchange at Columbia Business School, one memory keeps returning: a fall road trip to Vermont. “By the time we arrived, most leaves had fallen, but we still caught glimmers of gold along the road,” she says. Evenings brought bonfires, homemade pizzas, games and deep conversations. “We talked about values and how each of us approached growth. It was simple, but deeply meaningful.”
A close second was exploring New York City during Christmas week with Columbia’s International Students and Scholars Office. “The city’s festive energy made me feel part of something bigger,” she says. “My time on exchange, for me, is Vermont’s crisp air, a fireside warmth, and bonds that continue to shape my journey.”
Balancing classes, overseas immersions, a full-time summer internship, and leadership commitments sounds demanding. We wondered how Jade managed to stay grounded.
“A friend and MBA classmate, Sejeong, surprised me with a gift card while I was moving apartments during a hectic week. It was so simple, but it lifted me more than she knew,” she recalls. “ To her, it’s all about perspective. With warm memories of new experiences surrounded by peers, Jade shared that these kept her motivated.
Resilience isn’t just individual grit – it’s drawing strength from the people around you.” Late-night check-ins, shared meals, and pep talks before big presentations turned pressure into collective momentum. “Those small acts reminded me I wasn’t doing this alone.” She also set constant reminders for her long-term goals rather than letting short-term stress cloud her thinking.
NYC excursion during Christmas with Columbia students
Recognition and Responsibility
Jade was honoured with The NUS MBA Alumni Leadership Award, an acknowledgement she calls “deeply humbling.” To her, the award symbolised the trust and generosity of a community she admires. “Classmates, mentors, and faculty shaped every milestone,” she says. “Leadership isn’t a title; it’s the impact you have on others and the culture you help create.”
Whether through the Technology Club, immersion programs, or informal mentoring, she focused on enabling others. “The award isn’t a conclusion. It’s a reminder of responsibility: to carry forward collaboration, service, and inclusivity. The real legacy of the MBA lies in the relationships we build and how we show up for one another.”
Group photo of Jade and her peers at a Tech Club event
Carrying It Forward at Meta
Now in Singapore as Sales Strategic Planning & Operations Lead at Meta, Jade draws on the MBA’s lessons daily. “I’m still new and in a learning phase, but the mindset to approach ambiguity with curiosity has been invaluable,” she says. Working across cultures during her MBA training taught her to listen first, adapt quickly, and value different perspectives.
These skills now shape how she builds relationships and navigates a fast-paced global environment. “The friendships and mentors from NUS continue to keep me grounded,” she adds. “This role isn’t just about applying what I learned; it’s about building on it, step by step, with humility and openness.”
If, like Jade, you are curious about how The NUS MBA can support your personal growth, it’s time to speak with our admissions team today. Visit our website today!
