Patrick Tan, 26, faced doubts when told that pursuing an MBA at his age wasn’t necessary. Yet, the former entrepreneur has always believed in staying ahead of the curve.

Like many Singaporeans, Patrick experienced the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected his car and cleaning businesses. Demonstrating resilience and a drive to grow professionally, he successfully transitioned to a role as a relationship manager at a local bank. “I wanted to connect with more people and help them better manage their wealth in Singapore’s competitive environment,” he shared.

Realising that an MBA would deepen his understanding of business fundamentals and prepare him for leadership, Patrick enrolled in a global MBA programme through upGrad, a fast-growing online education platform delivering quality higher education affordably and flexibly.

He chose the MBA (Global) from Deakin Business School, a top-ranked Australian business school recognised globally. Patrick appreciated the structured curriculum and the one-on-one mentorship from experienced industry professionals provided by upGrad, which supports learners every step of the way.

upGrad’s digital platform caters perfectly to busy professionals like Patrick. He often dedicates weekends to studying and values the convenience of watching tutorials during his commute via upGrad’s user-friendly learning app. “The app is intuitive and makes learning seamless,” he said.

Beyond videos, Patrick enjoys practical learning experiences such as simulations powered by Harvard Business Publishing Education and competitive projects that test knowledge in real-world scenarios. Nearly 75% of the courses are taught by industry experts, featuring case studies, live sessions, interactive quizzes, and games to keep learners engaged.

Patrick is keen to explore business and leadership challenges, particularly in finance and technology, and appreciates how the MBA curriculum explores historical solutions alongside emerging trends. “It’s fascinating to see how new problems arise and how people collaborate to find better answers,” he said.

upGrad also offers a wide range of other programmes including short courses, professional certificates, diplomas, masters, and doctorates in high-demand fields such as data science, machine learning, software development, business analytics, and marketing.

One reason for upGrad’s high 87% course completion rate is the personalised support from career coaches. These experts provide one-on-one counselling, helping learners identify job opportunities, refine their value propositions, and create clear career pathways — keeping students motivated and on track.

Another unique benefit of upGrad is its global learning community. Patrick’s study group connects learners from Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, and beyond through WhatsApp, allowing them to share insights and discuss different work cultures. This interaction has broadened Patrick’s perspective and prepared him for cross-border assignments.

For those passionate about continuous learning and self-growth, Patrick highly recommends pursuing an MBA. “You’ll be surrounded by driven individuals who push themselves to succeed. I aim to take on management roles in finance or tech soon, and I believe upskilling through programmes like upGrad is key to making that happen.”

With flexible, globally recognised online learning options like upGrad, busy professionals can now elevate their careers anytime, anywhere — turning challenges into opportunities for success.