How studying an MBA helped me start a career in Mainland China

During his MBA, Yusuke had three major experiences that helped leverage his career.  

Founding a healthcare society 

In April 2018 he established a healthcare club at CUHK. The aim of this club was to learn about the local healthcare business and connect with local healthcare business professionals.  

Yusuke used the business school’s alumni network to arrange marketing workshop events with two top pharmaceutical companies.  

At this marketing workshop, the healthcare club secured a consulting contract with a European pharmaceutical company, which enabled them to conduct comprehensive research with physicians, healthcare startups, NGOs, medical tourism providers and insurance companies.  

Yusuke said: “This project was truly hands-on and a direct linkage to my current business. I have to say this experience was the strategic move for my future career.  

“Even now, I still have regular contacts with the professional networks from this project, which significantly helps my current business.” 

Doing an internship  

The club also participated in a 1,000-person international conference for health tech as a supporting member. While at this international conference, Yusuke found an internship opportunity at NexChange, a social network startup specialising in blockchain, fintech and artificial intelligence.  

During this internship, Yusuke was responsible for assessing startups and creating a priority list for the company’s network platform.  

In this role, Yusuke further built his network of connections, speaking to a variety of healthcare startups from around the globe. Yusuke revealed that he is still in contact with some of these connections today in his current role. 

MBA Exchange in the US 

Then, in August 2018, Yusuke undertook a five-month exchange programme at Emory University in the US. Yusuke chose Emory University due to its close relationship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  

This exchange programme placed an emphasis on healthcare, which allowed Yusuke to further develop his knowledge in the industry. “Learning about healthcare policy and the pharmaceutical market situation in the US was highly helpful in comparing them with China and Japan, to broaden my ideas in my current role,” said Yusuke. 

While completing his exchange programme, Yusuke met healthcare professionals and obtained a completely new network of business contacts.  

Mainland China has a rapidly growing market for pharmaceuticals which is now the second-largest in the world. It has a wealth of business possibilities and opportunities for personal development.  

After graduation, Yusuke considered his options and decided that mainland China was a good place to expand his career. He wanted to better understand Chinese business sense and the Chinese mindset to enhance his personal business profile. 

Having an international career is like an open door to a totally brand-new environment,” he said. 

In his current role, Yusuke uses the skills and connections he gained during his MBA to help him succeed in mainland China. 

Modules within the MBA, such as financial modelling and market research, helped Yusuke develop the skills he needed to be successful in business. He learnt how to create specific business proposals to C-level managements – something he now uses daily. 

Yusuke said he would recommend CUHK’s MBA to other international students who are looking to work in mainland China. 

 “There is a diversified learning environment at CUHK, with classmates and professors from all over the world. They prepared me to start my international career,” said Yusuke.