Arjun Jetley recognised the importance of data and how it drove business growth and innovation when he was part of Grant Thornton India’s consulting practice.
“Businesses realised that being customer-centric is the only way to acquire new clients and develop innovative solutions,” said Arjun, who worked with companies spanning industries such as finance, manufacturing, F&B and the public sector.
Impressed by the vital role data plays in business today, Arjun decided to delve deeper by joining the NUS MSc Marketing Analytics and Insights programme in 2019.
Going back to school
The MSc in Marketing Analytics and Insights programme grooms graduates to leverage data to understand consumer preferences and behavioural patterns, make pricing and promotions decisions, as well as formulate distribution networks.
“This programme helps students get an in-depth understanding of how to make sense of customer data and derive meaningful solutions,” said Arjun.
The programme trains students to be fluent in analytics software such as SQL, R and Tableau.
Arjun also had an enriching student experience beyond the classroom. “It’s the little moments like working overnight on business group projects in the library, sharing life experiences with classmates from all over the globe, and exploring Singapore and beyond,” he said.
Putting theory into practice
Arjun had the opportunity to apply what he had learnt during his internships with start-ups GrabFood and Appboxo. He used his data analytics skills to help acquire new users and improve the overall user experience.
He had joined GrabFood’s strategy and special projects team for his internship at the end of 2019, where he worked on new app features and scaling up revenue models in Singapore’s food delivery market.
Arjun said his internship opportunities came from networking in LinkedIn and participating in the School’s networking events. “I was very proactive in looking out for opportunities from day one. I believe having NUS in your resume gives you an edge when you are applying for roles or reaching out to others to network.”
He then joined technology start-up Appboxo, which specialises in integration software that launches mini-apps within larger apps, in mid-2020.
Arjun was part of a team that looked after business development, client management and operations. The unit monitored data that helped companies optimise the complete marketing funnel to monetise their audiences. “We also deep-dived into the conversion statistics to recommend new features or pinpoint design flaws in the platform that would help improve the overall customer experience,” he said.
The internship experiences were what Arjun was looking for — the chance to join up-and-coming technology firms. “NUS Business School gave me a platform to showcase my skills and tackle business challenges using innovative tools,” he said.
Silver lining in a pandemic
The pandemic took a toll on Arjun’s job hunt, with offers being withdrawn during his final semester in the first half of 2020. Fortunately, he could secure the Appboxo internship for the latter half of the year to continue his personal development.
The silver lining for Arjun was that the Grab and Appboxo internships opened his eyes to the exciting world of consumer platforms and how they operate and grow.
Ultimately, Arjun graduated from NUS in December 2020 and started working as a Strategic Initiatives Manager at foodpanda in early 2021. He works on projects related to growing new verticals at foodpanda across 14 countries in Asia Pacific.
He believes his internship experiences with GrabFood and Appboxo helped him secure his current role and continue to help him excel at his new job. “With these varied experiences and skills, I am bringing my best self to work,” said Arjun.