Q: What were your personal and career goals when you joined NUS?
To be frank, I was not entirely sure of what I wanted for my career. I was interested in many things, but not extremely passionate about any specific area. That was one of my key motivations for enrolling in NUS Business School. I felt that the exposure across different disciplines like Marketing, Finance, Accounting and more would help me find my core interest!
Q: How has NUS guided you toward that objective?
I am still finding my path in the working world, but NUS has definitely helped me to explore my interests. This was not just within the business space, but also through the elective modules I took in life science, pharmacy, languages and the arts.
I also discovered a lot about myself and my interests from student life activities such as student exchange and learning trips. In particular, I discovered that I like meeting new people – something I did not know about myself prior!
Jolene (second from right) with her NUS peers. (Photo taken before the pandemic)
I really appreciate the career guidance NUS provides, not only through the dedicated career services office at NUS Business School, but also through my nurturing and approachable professors, who would share their own career journeys with us and offer advice on how to navigate the corporate world. This emboldened me to try different types of internships and pursue my interests.
Q: How has NUS Business School transformed your life?
Business School has definitely made me more open-minded, brave, meticulous and patient. I’ve also gained greater communication skills. We constantly put ourselves and our work in front of others, articulate our ideas, and receive objective feedback and criticism. The academic rigor of the accountancy programme has sharpened my eye for detail and accuracy. The collaborative nature of the coursework has also helped me develop a healthy way of dealing with conflict and working with people with differing working styles. This continues to serve me well in my corporate role.
Jolene (second from left) with her project group mates at NUS Business School. (Photo taken before the pandemic)
Q: What are the biggest takeaways and most memorable moments from your time here?
My biggest takeaway from NUS is the close friendships I’ve forged through shared experiences like overseas student exchange, frivolous chats after intensive six-hour long project meetings, enduring the spice of the famous Arts canteen’ mala food, feeling lost in class, listening to humorous class presentations, and all the fun we had during freshmen orientation.
Jolene (back row, third from right) with her freshmen orientation group. (Photo taken before the pandemic)
