RECOGNIZING THE RIGHT MOMENT   

For You Na Park (Full-time MBA Intake 2024), five years at EY-Parthenon consulting led to a pivotal realization about her professional growth. "I felt like I'd hit a ceiling in terms of knowledge and skills before moving up to a managerial role," she reflects. With her international background - born in Korea and having studied and lived in China – You Na saw this as the perfect timing to expand her horizons. "I saw it as the ideal opportunity to invest in myself and explore new opportunities in the broader Asian market, leveraging my cross-cultural experience and network."   

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FIT   

You Na's search for the right MBA program led her to HKUST, where multiple factors aligned with her career aspirations. "The school's location is perfect for networking in Asia, where I plan to build my career," she explains. Beyond location, the program's structure caught her attention. The 16-month curriculum includes summer internship opportunities, offering what You Na describes as "the flexibility to explore career changes and gain practical experience." This adaptability extends to the classroom experience, where "the curriculum and faculty are designed to allow customization based on individual interests" - a crucial feature for professionals considering various career paths.   

EARLY PROGRAM EXPERIENCES   

The immersion week set the tone for You Na's MBA journey. "The program immediately challenged us with intensive case competitions alongside professional development sessions," she shares. Her cohort's diversity has proven particularly valuable, with classmates from both private and public sectors offering unique perspectives. "Learning from peers who have direct experience in my target industries has been invaluable," she notes.   

BUILDING FOUNDATIONS FOR FINANCE   

Transitioning from consulting to finance requires more than theoretical knowledge - it demands hands-on expertise. During her first semester, You Na took decisive action by enrolling in a Finance bootcamp with TTS. "The practical training in financial modeling was exactly what I needed to bridge the gap between consulting and finance," she explains. "We weren't just learning theory; we were working with the same tools and techniques used by financial professionals." These skills are already proving invaluable in her advanced finance coursework and internship preparation.   

Building on her consulting background, You Na chose Hong Kong as her launching pad into finance. Hong Kong's financial ecosystem, combined with HKUST MBA's network across private and public markets, creates unique opportunities she couldn't find elsewhere. From specialized workshops to industry connections like the TTS Finance bootcamp and McKinsey office visits, each component is purposefully building that bridge between her consulting experience and finance ambitions.   

WHAT IS NEXT   

Looking ahead, You Na has mapped out clear objectives for her MBA journey. "I'm focusing on building both technical skills and industry connections," she states. Through HKUST's alumni network across China and Hong Kong, she's already identifying potential pathways into finance. "Whether I end up in investment banking or leverage my consulting background in private equity, each program component is helping me build toward those goals."