Hey folks!
I’m starting my MiM degree at ESSEC Singapore in August and want to know what career paths might work for me after graduation.
My background:
- 2 years as HR Operations Executive at PepsiCo (worked across North America, AMESA, and APAC)
- Sales/marketing experience from internships
- Operations knowledge from family business
- Management degree
I’m targeting Product Manager or Brand Manager positions in FMCG, luxury goods, or consulting. My goal is to get international work experience before going back to help with the family business later.
Questions for you:
- Are there good opportunities in Singapore for someone like me in these industries?
- What’s the best way to search for jobs in these sectors?
- How can I make myself more attractive to employers?
- Any tips for breaking into luxury or consulting specifically?
Would really appreciate any advice or insights you can share!
I made a similar jump from ops to product management, so your path totally makes sense. You’ll need to show strategic thinking that goes beyond your current operational skills. Singapore’s perfect for this - you’re right between Western brands pushing into Asia and Asian brands going global. Look at rotational programs with companies like Unilever or L’Oréal. They love multicultural backgrounds and have clear paths into brand management. For consulting prep, focus on Southeast Asian cases since local offices want people who get the region. Your family business experience is actually a huge plus - consultants love candidates who understand both corporate politics and startup hustle. Start building your LinkedIn presence now with posts about APAC market trends. The timing works great since most firms recruit six months out, so you’ll have plenty of time to network during your program.
You’re already in a solid spot! I made the jump to luxury post-MBA, and here’s what matters: they want people who get the premium customer mindset. It’s totally different from FMCG volume thinking. For consulting, case prep is everything, but your ops background’s actually an advantage - tons of projects focus on operational improvements. While you’re studying, try picking up freelance market research gigs. You’ll get current SEA market knowledge to discuss in interviews. And don’t overlook smaller boutique firms here - they’re way more open to career changers, and the work’s just as solid!
Honestly, timing’s perfect right now - companies are hiring post-COVID but it’s not the insane competition we saw before 2020. ESSEC’s got a killer alumni network in luxury, so hit them up directly instead of just throwing applications into the online void. And for consulting, don’t overlook mid-tier firms like Oliver Wyman or A.T. Kearney - they pay nearly the same but you’ve got way better odds getting in.
Singapore’s perfect for what you’re targeting! All the big FMCG names have regional HQs here - Unilever, Nestlé, P&G - plus luxury groups like LVMH and Richemont. Your PepsiCo background gives you instant credibility, and consulting firms like McKinsey and BCG recruit heavily from business schools here. Go hard on LinkedIn and hit up industry events - the business community’s surprisingly small and connected. I’d focus on Southeast Asian expansion roles since companies love candidates who get both Western ops and Asian markets. That multicultural PepsiCo experience you have? Huge advantage here since most roles involve coordinating across APAC.
ESSEC Singapore’s industry connections are incredible! Build relationships with professors who have corporate ties - they regularly recommend students straight to hiring managers. Your HR ops background is perfect for nailing the organizational dynamics in consulting cases!