What is it like being a student leader?
The NUS MBA Student Club ecosystem is at the heart of our vibrant student community. Led and run entirely by students, the clubs play a vital role in cultivating and enriching the MBA experience for all students.
We spoke to our past student leaders on their experience and benefits they’ve gained.
Manav Narang, Class of 2021
President, The NUS MBA Student Council
Briefly describe your role.
As President of the NUS MBA Students’ Council, I oversee and manage the entire MBA ecosystem that engages 200+ MBA students in activities and initiatives organised by the executive committee, the newsletter team as well as 12 professional and development clubs on an annual budget of ~S$50,000.
I also lead events and initiatives for and on behalf on the NUS MBA with other bschools and represent the NUS MBA in collaborations with various student bodies across NUS, and in international forums. Furthermore, as head of the executive committee, I work with the various NUS MBA offices to develop strategy and refine the policies and structures of the council ecosystem to suit the needs of the incoming cohort.
As a student leader, how has your work with the student council and clubs helped you with your personal and professional development?
Leading the Students’ Council is a great simulation of how a manager would lead a team or a function in a diverse and multi-national organisation. On the personal front, I have been able to connect with so many students, not only in my cohort but also the alumni base, the incoming cohort and other bschools, not to mention the professors and office administrators across NUS. These connections and relationships will stay with me forever. Moreover, I feel proud that my efforts have positively impacted lives of my peers and I leave behind a legacy at the NUS MBA for years to come.
On a professional level, this role has helped me learn that there is no single defined way to lead or manage. You need to adapt your managerial style that is best suited to the situation and people. Also, as a leader, you can’t please everyone so you learn to pick your battles and focus on the bigger picture. Not to mention that the pandemic dismantled all the plans we had for our program in 2020. My council members and I adapted quickly and modified our approach to deliver the best in these trying times. That was a wonderful (albeit stressful) experience.
Can you share one example of student club activity or event that has helped you enhance a particular domain knowledge, or explore a career pathway?
Our Dean, Prof. Andrew Rose, conceived the idea of a collaborative initiative across all business schools across Singapore titled “The Deans’ Challenge” where every school organised and hosted one competition each and the schools competed for the Deans’ Cup and cash prize. Under the ambit of the Deans’ Challenge, the NUS MBA organised and hosted a Social Innovation Challenge focused on reducing/removing plastics from entering the world’s oceans.
I was able to secure sponsorships for the event from Circulate Capital, an impact-focused VC fund dedicated to financing innovation, companies, and infrastructure that prevent the flow of plastic waste into the world’s ocean while advancing the circular economy. Being passionate about social impact and environmental sustainability, this topic is very close to my heart and this spurred me to explore career opportunities in this space. Today, I am working with Hatcher+, a VC fund and heading the impact investing and investor relations side of things for them.
Kat Volante, Class of 2021
President, The NUS MBA Energy Club
Briefly describe your role.
I served as the first female President of the NUS MBA Energy Club. During my term, I spearheaded the organisation of several panel discussions, webinars, company visits, and a regional competition to elevate the interest of MBA students in the energy industry and influence them to explore a career in this domain.
As a student leader, how has your work with the student council and clubs helped you with your personal and professional development?
The NUS MBA Student Council was a solid training ground for leadership. Balancing academic load with your responsibilities as club leader while building your own career was a huge challenge. But it was definitely a worthwhile experience. Inasmuch as it helped me expand my professional network, improve my project and stakeholder management skills, and gain new friends, the experience also allowed me to inspire others and make an impact on their individual career journeys. I think that is the most fulfilling part.
Can you share one example of student club activity or event that has helped you enhance a particular domain knowledge, or explore a career pathway?
In 2020, the NUS MBA Energy Club launched the Singapore regional chapter of CleanTech Challenge (CTC). CTC is a global innovation and business plan competition, organised in partnership with the London Business School Energy Club, that serves as a launch pad for cleantech business ideas by undergraduate and graduate students in Singapore. Organising this competition has exposed me to many exciting business ideas in the sustainability space and made me realise the immense potential of this sector. I believe it’s a very promising career path for MBA students.
