As she looked for an opportunity to try her passion in a different industry, she set her mind on completing an MBA and started investigating the various programs on offer. HKUST Business School’s full-time MBA—ranked among the best in Asia by the Financial Times—stood out.
After completing her MBA in 2013, Andrea stayed in Hong Kong, working her way up the corporate ladder. Today, she’s director of marketing and events at the Lan Kwai Fong Group—a diverse company working in high-end property acquisition and development as well as film production and distribution.
While Andrea never planned on relocating after her degree, she’s excited by this latest opportunity to test her skills in a new industry.
Why did you decide to pursue an MBA at HKUST?
My career focus and my strength is in Asia and I wanted to pursue an MBA program with a global business view, but with an Asian perspective to help my future career development in Greater China. When considering the programs available, it was clear this was possible at HKUST.
Not only was the degree ranked highly in Asia by the Financial Times MBA rankings, but the school has a diversified class mix, world-class faculties and was Hong Kong-based. All of this fit my criteria and it was my number one choice!
How have you profited from your MBA experience?
The MBA program enlightened me on many aspects of life, in terms of business, professionalism, communication, and presentation skills. As a passionate marketer, I’d always wanted to try and apply my skills in a different field. I believe the fundamental marketing methodology can be transferred to different industries.
I jumped into financial services right after MBA to help an insurance brand build a digital ecosystem and establish brand recognition in Hong Kong. After a three-year award-wining record, I took my digital marketing expertise into Lan Kwai Fong Group. This was another new area to challenge myself with a more exciting role—to oversee digital marketing in Hong Kong and marketing and events in China.
The soft skills I acquired during my HKUST MBA are invaluable in the business world. The MBA helped me develop effective presentations, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to learn fast in any industry.
How do working cultures in Hong Kong and China compare?
The traditional view is that Hong Kong is more international and western, but nowadays China's economy is growing faster than all expectations. The tier-1 cities such as Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen are getting more international than many people realize.
China is a booming market eagerly looking for talents that have international experience as well as local insights. At the same time, Hong Kong, as the world's financial hub, attracts people in professional roles such as banking, investment and insurance.
What advice do you have for anyone considering an MBA?
Make sure you have clear career goals. You should know what you want after your MBA and whether an MBA is the right degree for you. While an MBA is an amazing experience, ultimately it's a tool to advance your professional aims. Ask yourself what your five-year career goal is and how you think this MBA will help you achieve it.
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