Aayush Rai had grown restless working as a banking analyst in India. He wanted a more dynamic, front-office role; to have a hand in strategy and lead business operations.
He opted for an MBA at CUHK Business School and, since graduating, he’s reshaped his career and started a new job at fintech firm Dealogic in Hong Kong.
Now working in a client facing and strategy role for the financial markets analysis platform, Aayush feels an MBA in Hong Kong—with a buzzing fintech startup scene, international student-friendly visas and an East meets West culture—prepared him perfectly for his career transition.
How did your MBA help you start a new career fintech?
During my MBA, I worked part-time with a leading fintech company in the region. Being an international student, this gave me an experience of the working culture in Hong Kong and gave me an opportunity to showcase my skills.
Before this I had never worked on private equity fundraising and business development, but with this internship I was able to be part of both the aspects. This helped me develop more professionally and helped me dive into things that I needed to improve.
At CUHK Business School, I was also involved as an external consultant on a live project for Citibank, focusing on fintech firms in Hong Kong. Working on this project really helped me to understand the industry in depth and led me to find a part-time opportunity.
All these factors helped me to enhance my skills, which eventually helped me crack the recruitment process for Dealogic.
Why is Hong Kong a good destination for MBAs?
Hong Kong is a good mix of both East and West and, being a leading financial capital, it offers lot of different opportunities that an MBA student can explore.
The fintech industry is leading the race at the moment with a lot of startups being set up in Hong Kong. It has become a good destination for MBA students to showcase their management and strategy skills and be part of the changing industry.
In contrast to other leading financial capitals, the immigration and visa laws in Hong Kong benefit international students. They give you ample time to explore the opportunities and find a role that you like.
Why did you decide to pursue an MBA at CUHK?
The program structure at CUHK was very appealing. Being a one-year course, I could save on tuition compared to most Indian and American schools, that have two-year programs. It also gave me enough flexibility to plan my studies and take part in extra-curricular activities at the same time.
During my research on MBA schools, the feedback I received from alumni made it a much easier decision for me to opt for CUHK Business School over other b-schools in the region. It’s a decision that has been very fruitful.
What advice do you have for anyone considering an MBA?
Going for an MBA requires a good deal of thinking about what one wants to achieve or do right after their studies. An MBA is a big investment, both financially as well as mentally, and you need to know why you want to go for one.
You should research business schools and the city or country where the school is located. At the end, you have to adjust with the environment in order to have a good experience. An MBA is a global course, so focus on interacting with international peers as it’s the best way to learn from their experiences and about their culture.
[“Source-businessbecause”]
