Navigating Business Economics and Entrepreneurship: Internal Networking Session RECAP 2024

Amidst the ever-evolving and fiercely competitive realm of business, the fields of business economics and entrepreneurship emerge as vital pillars of opportunity and innovation. Offering a gateway of career paths, ranging from consultancy and project management to marketing, and analysis, these disciplines embody the essence of versatility and dynamism in the business landscape. To further understand the intricacies of the business economics and entrepreneurship industry, the Business Career Development Committee (BizCare) organized an Internal Networking session and invited Year 3 and 4 NUS students, Joshua Foong, Riddhi Bhasker, and Joshua Ng all of whom have extensive internship experiences in the field. This marks BizCare's first podcast-style event, where viewers can engage with the discussions and gain insights, by visiting the podcast at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S_PuzEPdE73TSx_laHBKNvcv-0zcPt6G/view?usp=sharing for deeper understanding.

Joshua Foong commenced the session, by sharing insightful reflections on his academic journey and internship experiences. He detailed his internship at Active Global Specialised Caregivers, a start-up in Hong Kong, where he worked for six months. Within this healthcare startup, Joshua wore multiple hats, tackling responsibilities in finance, marketing, and event management, emphasizing that entrepreneurship offers various career prospects beyond just starting one's own company. Transitioning to his role at GovTech in Singapore as a delivery manager, Joshua delved into product management. Working as part of a cross-functional team, he planned the development of a customer relationship management system, collaborating with software engineers, UI/UX designers, and quality engineers. Aside from internships, Joshua explained the allure of the entrepreneurship specialization in school, citing its unique coursework and opportunities to pitch business ideas to real investors. He underscored the tight-knit community within the entrepreneurship specialization, highlighting the camaraderie and shared experiences among peers. Joshua concluded with valuable advice for students, emphasizing the importance of early career exploration, finding their interests in majors early by exploring outside of school, and active participation in relevant clubs and organizations for networking opportunities.

Riddhi Bhasker, a business economics major, recounted her unconventional journey from an engineering background to her current role as a product manager at Lai Games managing software and hardware aspects. Initially enrolled in mechanical engineering, Riddhi's pivot to business school stemmed from a newfound interest in economics, discovering the versatility of the field, which encompassed understanding business operations, economies of different countries, and strategic aspects. Joining NUS Overseas College (NOC), Riddhi gained internship experience at Silverstein Properties in New York, where she worked as a product manager intern for a year. This experience proved transformative, shifting her career trajectory towards product management from her interest in consulting initially. Riddhi advised students to network early, both within their school and with industry professionals, to gain practical insights and secure internships. She also encouraged students to embrace uncertainty and take chances, emphasizing that career paths can evolve and change over time. 

Joshua Ng landed an internship at Housing Development Board (HDB) as part of the housing management team, which provided invaluable insights into product management and user experience design, particularly in streamlining document generation platforms and redesigning internal customer management systems. He shared the transferable skills acquired during his internship, such as project management, stakeholder communication, and problem-solving, which proved instrumental in professional development. As a Double Degree Programme (DDP) student in economics and business administration, Joshua navigated the challenges of fulfilling requirements for both degrees and the need to properly plan modules.  Moreover, as the President of the NUS Comics and Animation Society, he highlighted the importance of incorporating hobbies into university life, emphasizing the soft skills gained through recreational clubs and the significance of making friends outside of Business school. Joshua also offered candid reflections on working in the public sector, sharing the importance of considering factors beyond financial compensation when evaluating job opportunities, such as work-life balance, cultural fit, and overall welfare benefits.

All three speakers unanimously underscored the importance of proactive networking and strategic career planning, echoing the sentiment that success often hinges on a combination of academic excellence, practical experience, and effective networking. They touched upon the relevance of academic performance, particularly in securing internships and entry-level positions. While acknowledging the importance of grades, they cautioned against overly fixating on them to the detriment of other crucial aspects of career development. By actively participating in networking activities, leveraging professional platforms like LinkedIn, and attending career-related events, individuals can position themselves for success by expanding their opportunities in career prospects and gaining valuable insights into various industries. 

To learn more about the session, do catch the event podcast at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S_PuzEPdE73TSx_laHBKNvcv-0zcPt6G/view?usp=sharing