Alumni Stories
Business Manager at a State Owned Enterprise
Transitioning fields, managing a side business, and raising a family across borders is a balancing act few would take on simultaneously. But for Rosie, a CityUHK MBA graduate, stepping out of her comfort zone was exactly what she needed to elevate her career.
With a first degree in languages and eight years of experience in marketing, Rosie felt a growing desire to pivot into a broader business management role and eventually build her own enterprise. However, she knew she first needed a comprehensive foundational knowledge to confidently run a business from the ground up.
Where Theory Met Practice
Coming from a non-traditional background, Rosie found the curriculum structured to help everyone thrive. While Digital Marketing systematically upgraded her industry knowledge, Business Analytics and Decision Modelling proved to be a rewarding surprise.
"I was worried about the quantitative concepts," Rosie admits. "But Professor Zhankun Sun used practical case studies to make complex ideas accessible without a heavy mathematical background."
The Balancing Act: Managing Study, Family, and Life
Rosie survived the intense MBA workload while simultaneously running a side business and caring for her family. Her secret to managing the pressure was absolute focus. "Prioritising day by day was the key," Rosie reflects. "You have to decide what is most important in the moment. It’s about maintaining a fluid balance between work, life, and study by being fully present in whatever you are doing."Header
Beyond the Classroom: Friendships That Last a Lifetime
Her dedication paid off, not just academically, but socially. The bonds formed during those intense periods created a network that spans continents.
"The friendships I built at CityUHK are irreplaceable," Rosie says warmly. "We worked hard on projects and presentations until midnight, and those are the people who become your true friends. Even though we have graduated and live in different cities or countries now, we talk every single day in our group chats, share updates about our lives, and arrange meetups whenever possible. They are my ultimate support system."
The Outcome: A Career Transformed
The transformation Rosie sought when she first applied has already become a reality. Armed with a holistic understanding of global business operations and an extensive network of industry experts, mentors, and alumni, she successfully made her career pivot.
Today, Rosie has transitioned from a pure marketing function to become a Business Manager at a state-owned enterprise, where she manages operations and collaborates with overseas corporations. She attributes this milestone directly to the breadth of knowledge, executive grooming, and confidence she gained through the programme, perfectly positioning her for her future entrepreneurial ambitions.
Rosie’s Advice to Prospective Students
Looking back at her transformative experience, Rosie believes an MBA is an invaluable investment for anyone looking to reinvent themselves.
"An MBA is an absolute MUST, it is so much more than just a degree or a credential," she emphasises. "The networking opportunities, the lifelong friendships, the professional etiquette, the resilience you build working under tight deadlines, and the experience of building a business model from scratch—everything together upgrades you to the next level."
1. The "Before" & The Decision
· What specific challenge or career goal made you decide, "Now is the right time to get my MBA"?
Her first degree is in language, and she has been working 7-8 years in the marketing industry. Shes looking into transition into another business field and maybe to start her own business. This mba programme gives her the knowledge she needs to build from general business e.g. corporate finance, marketing, operation management, managerial decision making… learn to run a business which she does know have much knowledge in
· With so many options out there, what was the deciding factor that made you choose CityUHK?
Nice ranking in the university and mba programmes e.g. in the QS international trade ranking 2026, #1 in Hong Kong SAR! CityUHK MBA is officially the top-ranked MBA programme in the city and 37th globally, according to the newly released QS 2026 International Trade Rankings. But our excellence doesn't stop there. Our global impact shines even brighter: 🏆 Ranked #1 in the WORLD for Innovative Teaching 🏆 Ranked #1 in ASIA and #1 in Hong Kong SAR for Graduate Outcomes
Also, a nice selection of electives which is of the latest business trend in support of the core course curriculum. Also the global learning trips is a highlight for the study experience.
2. The Experience & "Aha!" Moments
· Looking back, was there a specific elective, professor, or masterclass that completely changed how you view business?
There were many networking events from mentorship pairings, industry forums and alumni and student gatherings. Able to connect with experts from the industry and alumni.
· Can you share a memorable moment you had during a group project, residential trip, or case study?
2 of the course are outstanding for me. The first one is digital marketing, as I come from a marketing background, this course elevate my knowledge on updating my work to a more systematic. Another course is business analytics and decision modelling. Coming from an art background, I was so worried of this course , if I’m able to understand and grasp the ideas. Out of my expectation, it is better than I thought. Professor Sun of this course uses case studies to elaborate different ideas which make it much easier for student without calculation background like me to understand.
· How did you balance the intense workload of an MBA with your professional and personal life? What was your secret to surviving it?
To be honest, it is very difficult. Although I quit my job and study full time, I am still running some side business and I have a family with kids back in my hometown. For me focusing is key, decide what is most important for you, if study is most urgent for a specific day, I will focus in studying on that day. If family or my kids need me, I will spend my whole day with them. So focus on what is important for you each day and focus on it. And maintaining a good balance between work, personal life and studies.
3. The Community & Network
· How has the CityUHK alumni network or your cohort helped you since graduation? (e.g., career moves, business partnerships, mentorship).
The MVA programme has helped me a lot, I have now move to a different role, from the marketing field to a business manager in a trading company.
· If you could describe the vibe and culture of your MBA cohort?
The friendlship I built during the programme is irreplaceable. I had very nice cohorts, we worked hard on our project and presentation till mid night, these are the true friends. Everyone is very willing to share they experienc .Even we have graduated, we keep very close contact. Although we are now in different cities or counties, we still keep contact eeveryday, so have groups where we share about life and we arrange meet ups from time to time. They are my good support and I reallt treasure the friendships that I have built at CityUHK. e and knowldges and we cooprtated very well. I enjoed my study time in HK a lot. I love the trip to UC Berkerly, me and my groupmates create a new business plan where we designed a app for traveling with AI technology, everyday after class, we will have meals and gather together to regroup what was taught and how step by step it guide us to build our venture plan.
4. Advice for the Next Generation
· What is one piece of advice you wish someone had given you on Day 1 of your MBA journey?
The MBA is a MUST, it is not just a degree, not just a chance, you will gain way more than just the business knowledge you gained in class. The networking opportunities, the friendlship, the way you work with your peers under tight time line, the time you spemd with her cohort overseas, the business model that you build from scratch. Everything together will update you to a next level.