Nadya Heryanto

Class of 2026, BBA (Accountancy)

Why NUS Business School?

I transferred from quantitative finance to accountancy after year one. While I was relatively good at math and computer science, something in me cared more about the “stories” behind the numbers. At that time, I also gained a deeper appreciation and interest in reading financial statements from my internship. Naturally, joining NUS Business School became the perfect choice for me.  

What made Accountancy so appealing to you?

Frankly, something as simple as fully understanding the jargon in the notes of financial statements gives me a great sense of accomplishment.

On a serious note, accounting is often undervalued, especially by those who see it merely as bookkeeping. Being a good accountant requires us to understand the details of each item (e.g. the nature of financial instruments) in order to provide accurate statements and a comprehensive analysis. This depth of understanding gives us insights into financial statements that others, even those who study finance, may overlook. Where others may see just a collection of numbers, trained accountants are able to uncover the entire ‘life story’ of a company—decoding its successes, challenges, and future potential. I really appreciate this side of accountancy, and I hope others will as well.

Nicholas Cheng

Class of 2025, BBA (Applied Business Analytics)

Why NUS Business School?

Before entering NUS, I interned at a video company, where I was deeply inspired by my boss’s approach to project management, client relationships, branding, and marketing. Business school felt like the perfect choice, as I had already set my sights on entrepreneurship. While many may see business as a “general degree,” I firmly believe it equips students to become strategic thinkers—well-versed in every aspect of business like a Swiss Army knife: versatile and effective.

What drew me in was the breadth and depth of the NUS Business School curriculum and network, which nurtured my transition from a freelancer’s mindset to viewing myself as a business owner. Freelancers often remain stuck in a “self-employed” mentality, but the confidence, go-getter attitude, and supportive environment at NUS Business School encouraged me to think and act like an entrepreneur. The flexibility of the NUS Business curriculum also enabled me to collaborate with students from other faculties, where I met my technical co-founder.

Through this journey, I’ve grown not just as a professional but as a person, thanks to the comprehensive and empowering experience that NUS Business School offers. I hope my story provides a glimpse of the opportunities in NUS Business School!

How did a major in Applied Business Analytics prepare you for success?

Choosing Applied Business Analytics as a major was completely unexpected for me, given my marketing background and natural inclination toward creative fields. However, it turned out to be the best decision I made. My experience with Nus Overseas College (NOC) played a significant role in this shift. Spending a year working for a tech company in Toronto ignited my passion for technology and innovation, ultimately inspiring Tracework.ai, which has earned accolades like the NUS Venture Initiation Programme ($10,000) and the National Youth Entrepreneurship Award ($5,000). This experience motivated me to pursue something more technical. Business analytics has equipped me with core programming knowledge that allows me to communicate effectively with my co-founder, our CTO, and our software engineering team.

I cannot stress enough how instrumental the classes and practical experiences I gained during my four years at NUS Business School have been in shaping my success. While pursuing my degree, I co-founded a media agency managing two brands—VideoPulse and Nifty Media. Together, these ventures have achieved approximately $450,000 in sales, with a client portfolio consisting of industry leaders such as HP, Samsung, Keppel, SBS Transit, Carro, and DocuSign.

Overall, while I didn’t start with a clear roadmap for my entrepreneurial journey, I genuinely believe that NUS Business School provided the perfect sandbox environment for me to explore, experiment, and grow.

Julian Ng

Class of 2025, BBA (Business Economics and Marketing)

Why NUS Business School?

I chose NUS Business originally for its flexibility in specialisations. However, as I settled into the curriculum in my later years, I found it very meaningful to take higher-level courses I was interested in. NUS Business School’s curriculum helps me freely explore what I want and challenges my academic rigour, equipping me with the skills and frameworks relevant to my career.

At NUS Business School, I’ve benefited from targeted courses that bridge multiple fields, helping me apply theory to practical scenarios. This holistic approach has deepened my understanding of market dynamics and prepared me to tackle the strategic challenges of a constantly evolving global economy.

Why did you choose to pursue your specific major / specialisation?

Specialising in Business Economics and Marketing may seem unconventional at first, but I’ve found them to be remarkably complementary. Together, they provide a diverse and well-rounded perspective on today’s complex business landscape.

Business Economics is a multidisciplinary specialisation that offers flexibility by integrating courses from various disciplines. It focuses on how businesses make decisions, requiring an understanding of the factors influencing a firm’s optimal strategy. Through this specialisation, I’ve gained valuable skills in areas like consulting analytics, game theory, pricing, and the economics of strategy. These diverse courses have equipped me to analyse business strategies across multiple dimensions. Marketing, on the other hand, offers niche courses that delve into consumer behavior and culture, which are key to understanding purchasing decisions.

Together, my Business Economics and Marketing specialisations enable me to see the big picture: how firms differentiate themselves (Marketing) and the strategies required to make it work (Business Economics).

Sindhu Mohan

Class of 2025, BBA (Innovation & Entrepreneurship)

Why NUS Business School?

I chose NUS Business School because when I was 17, I started a blog which got me into the world of internet businesses. I dipped my toes in various businesses like drop shipping, affiliate marketing and so on. In the process, I self-learnt marketing and found my strength in social media marketing. I ventured into social media marketing coaching for small business owners and found immense joy in the entire process, especially when I started earning from my first client. This experience ignited my passion for business, making it a natural choice for my major. NUS stood out as the best business school in Singapore, renowned for its prestigious reputation and vibrant community. My biggest priority was immersing myself among like-minded individuals who shared my interest in business as I wanted to continue working on my projects. As such, NUS was the right environment for me to do that.

What inspired you to pursue a major in Innovation and Entrepreneurship?

I was inspired to major in Innovation and Entrepreneurship after participating in the NUS Overseas Colleges program in New York. Working at a startup there for a year plunged me into the vibrant world of startups and entrepreneurship, which reshaped my perspective on business. I realised I wanted to delve deeper into the dynamics of innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit. When I got back to Singapore, I capitalised on the knowledge gained and started a tech startup with one of my program mates. Therefore, this major felt like a perfect fit as I was learning things that I could concurrently apply to my own startup, which felt amazing and extremely fulfilling. 

Bryan Chua

Class of 2025, BBA (Finance)

Why NUS Business School?

I wanted to have a holistic education and was aiming for careers in the startup space with the NUS Overseas College in mind. The prospect of heading overseas to intern and study for 6 months to 1 year was intriguing to me. I also liked that the NUS BBA program offers flexibility to students in terms of modules selection – as someone with an interest in Ancient Indic history, I took a World Religions module under the GEC pillar in my freshman year and thoroughly enjoyed myself (and I even managed to ace it!). Being able to do internships that count towards unrestricted electives was also a plus for me. Most of all, the multitude of opportunities available and the friends you will doubtlessly meet and grow with are more than enough reasons to join NUS Business School.

How did NUS Business School cultivate your interest in Finance?

I initially aimed to specialise in entrepreneurship. However, after taking an introductory finance module, I discovered my passion for solving finance-related problems. Two credit-bearing internships in investment management and corporate finance further solidified my decision to explore the world of finance.

Still, I remained connected to the passion that first brought me here. NUS provided opportunities to sharpen my entrepreneurial skills, such as participating in inter-collegiate student associations like Protégé Ventures. Through these experiences, I gained insights into the entrepreneurship space from the perspective of finance professionals, including venture capitalists.

At NUS Business School, I made the most of every opportunity: competing in case competitions on local and international stages, interning at finance and consulting multinationals, and exploring the diverse possibilities offered by the BBA program. One experience led to another, and while I initially envisioned a path in the startup space, I am now excited to kick-start a career in finance.

Aw Kai Wen

Class of 2025, BBA (Human Capital Management & Marketing)

Why NUS Business School?

NUS Business School has been my dream university since young, and I worked hard to achieve this goal.

I chose NUS because of its highly qualified professors who make classes engaging and impactful — a fact I have experienced firsthand throughout my three and half years here. The school’s values, such as fostering distinguished thought leaders, movers, and shakers who engage in intellectual discourse, deeply resonate with me.

Moreover, NUS provides a flexible and transformative education framework that prepares students to become passionate, curious, and innovative leaders, capable of solving real-world problems and committed to lifelong learning. These aspects made NUS the ideal choice for me to pursue my aspirations in business.

What made you pursue Human Capital Management as one of your specialisations?

I was grateful that NUS allowed us in our first year to explore various specialisations and discover which suited us best. Taking Human Resources (HR) courses during this time helped me realise that HR had become a true passion of mine. HR practitioners hold a unique role in shaping employees’ experiences, from recruitment and onboarding to career development and conflict resolution. This interpersonal aspect of HR is incredibly fulfilling for me, as it allows me to make a tangible impact on people’s lives.

Today, I genuinely enjoy working in HR, particularly in Talent Acquisition and Learning & Development, as it enables me to foster a positive work environment, support employee growth, and tackle workplace challenges. Building a thriving organisational culture is incredibly fulfilling. This passion led me to not only focus on my studies at NUS but also actively pursue HR-related career opportunities.

Trinity Oh

Class of 2026, BBA (Marketing)

Why NUS Business School?

I chose NUS Business School as I believed that it was the best choice out of the local Universities in Singapore that would be able to provide me with a holistic and well-rounded education. As I was initially unsure of which major to dedicate my time to, I really appreciated how we were made to take core modules to try out different fields within business.

Furthermore, I currently own a small Instagram business (@teho.clock) that I started back in JC, selling hand sculpted polymer clay jewellery and trinkets, online and physically at various art markets around Singapore. I figured that learning practical skills and concepts could help me develop my small business and myself as an entrepreneur. I was not disappointed; with the relevant skills gained from NUS Business School, I’ve managed to grow my account into a relatively successful one and this has allowed me to alleviate the financial burden on my parents by not taking allowance from them for the last 4+ years.

Is an education in Marketing still relevant today?

Definitely! My small-business account on Instagram was one of the many to appear during the covid / post-covid boom of small businesses. Operating in a saturated market back then, I really needed a strategy to stand out, and realised marketing was the answer. From being stagnant at 200-300 followers that comprised mainly of my friends and family, a giveaway post launched me to 1,000 followers almost overnight and this truly taught me the power of marketing. It wasn’t that my items were bad, but they were just not being seen by the masses.

Marketing is intriguing and sometimes may seem unpredictable but delving deeper into formal marketing studies at NUS Business School has allowed me to systematically evaluate the strategic steps for me to take in order to reach out to the wider community in the realm of small businesses.

Tan Mei Wen

Class of 2026, BBA (Operations & Supply Chain Management)

Why NUS Business School?

I chose NUS Business School for its strong emphasis on entrepreneurship, innovation, and practical business applications. Running a small online business selling fashion accessories and books gave me invaluable insights into building strong customer relationships and fostering loyalty through quality products and services. This experience highlighted the importance of mastering business strategies and customer engagement, which were the areas I sought to explore further through NUS’s comprehensive courses. I believe NUS Business School offers the perfect environment to enhance my knowledge and skills while preparing me to make a meaningful impact in the business world.

Moreover, NUS Business School’s course structure is thoughtfully designed to provide a holistic understanding of various aspects of business. It combines theory with real-world projects, case studies, and hands-on learning. This approach enables us to explore diverse fields such as finance, marketing, operations, and entrepreneurship, allowing us to develop a well-rounded skill set. By offering this flexibility and breadth, NUS Business School encourages us to discover our strengths, refine our interests, and gain the skills needed to succeed in the business world.

Why did you choose to major in Operations & Supply Chain Management?

I chose to major in Operations & Supply Chain Management because I believe it is a critical foundation for business success. Through my experience running an online shop, I learned firsthand how important it is to efficiently connect supply with demand. From managing inventory to ensuring timely deliveries, I saw the importance of streamlined processes in meeting customer expectations.

Majoring in Operations & Supply Chain Management equips me with the skills to optimise these processes, ensuring sustainable growth and success for businesses. It’s a foundation that drives impactful results, and I’m excited to be part of a field so integral to business success.

Michelle Chen

Class of 2025, BSc (Real Estate)

Why NUS Business School?

I chose NUS because of its reputation for providing exceptional resources and opportunities, as evidenced by the alumni I knew and my own interactions with the school during my university application journey and the Open House. For me, it was a case of mutual selection—I chose NUS, but NUS Business School also chose me.

Being part of the NUS Business School community has enriched my university experience tremendously. By actively participating in the NUS Bizad Club through the Business Real Estate Network (BREN) and engaging in unique networking events, I’ve gained invaluable opportunities and connections that surpassed my expectations. The professors I’ve encountered and the lessons from my classes have demonstrated the school’s dedication to nurturing its students into experts in their respective fields. If given the chance to choose again, I would wholeheartedly pick NUS Business School without hesitation.

What cultivated your interest in Real Estate?

I’ve always straddled the line between science and arts. My science-focused academic path up till A-levels was balanced by an interest in arts-related perspectives. Friends from both streams described me as embodying aspects of the other, which prompted me to seek a major that blended both worlds.

When I discovered Real Estate at NUS, it felt like the perfect fit. My family’s influence and prior exposure to this asset class also made the field less unfamiliar. Attending the Open House solidified my decision—Real Estate struck me as a multidisciplinary and impactful field, with applications in urban planning, law, valuation, investment, and design.

Living in Singapore, where real estate plays such a fundamental role in our daily lives yet is often overlooked, I was inspired by how the field blends the science and art of creating meaningful spaces that meet people’s needs. Over the past four years, this program has reaffirmed my decision, providing me with invaluable knowledge and experiences that I deeply cherish and wouldn’t trade for anything.