Thanh’s MBA inspired her to leap into a whole new career

Thanh Bui had always lived in her native Vietnam and Japan, where she worked in marketing and media advertising. But a visit to Belgium opened her eyes to a new way of living and doing business. It inspired her to move to Brussels and join the Full-Time MBA at Vlerick.

And the programme opened the door to a whole new career in sustainability. Thanh is currently Sustainability Data and Reporting Specialist at global malting company, Boortmalt.

“When I took my first trip to Europe – to Belgium – I saw such a diverse group of people living and working together. It was really new for me,” she says. “I decided I wanted to see more of that world. So I started looking at studying in Europe.

“I knew an MBA would be a great opportunity for me to find a new job in a new job market – and that I could experience a totally different culture.”

Finding the right fit

Thanh had already fallen in love with Belgium. So naturally, her MBA search started here.

She says: “When I saw Vlerick, I knew it was a good fit for me. The MBA cohort is small and very diverse, the school is in the heart of Europe – and it has a great reputation in Belgium.

“If you want to immerse yourself in a new place and new culture, you need more than a visit. So my aim was to get my MBA and then find a job in Belgium, so I could really integrate into the country and culture. This meant that for me, the networking opportunities Vlerick offers were critical. You get exposure to different professionals and companies – this can really help you find a job in Belgium.”

Thanh’s degree in international management meant she was already familiar with the fundamentals of business. What she was less familiar with was the European way of doing business.

“I was most interested in getting to know a new business scene and understanding the culture. In Vietnam and Japan, people are more reserved and don’t always communicate directly. So I was nervous about whether I would fit in with a new way of living and working and whether I would adapt to the environment.”

Fresh perspectives and experiences

But Thanh soon found that everything was more straightforward than she could have hoped for. Everyone was welcoming and friendly. And her diverse MBA class introduced her to new perspectives.

“My class was very diverse – people came from many different industries and countries,” she says. “We had a lot of fun together. I really enjoyed hearing new opinions and perspectives on the topics we covered in class. I came to Vlerick to learn – and really, I learned from everyone. When they shared their experiences and ideas, I saw new ways to approach situations.”

Thanh had also wondered how easy it would be to interact with faculty.

“Coming from Vietnam, I can be shy. So it was nice to be able to interact with the faculty and staff. They are really supportive and very open. When I think about teachers from my culture, they are very much authority figures and can be difficult to approach. But this isn’t the case in Vlerick. The faculty create an open environment where you can interact and learn.

“I also really liked the coffee corner in the Brussels campus. It’s for everyone – faculty, staff and students – so you can get a coffee and have open, informal conversations.”

Discovering a new career path

“Before I came to Vlerick, sustainability wasn’t a word I associated with business. But the MBA showed me how central it is in European business. I found this so interesting – and I really enjoyed the courses on sustainability and sustainable finance. As my interest in the field grew, I realised I wanted to pursue a career in sustainability after graduation.”

When it came to choosing a topic for her consultancy project, Thanh therefore gravitated towards sustainability.

“My project at global malting company, Boortmalt, focused on reducing the company’s carbon footprint. We had to evaluate the market for low carbon malt and build a business case for it. It was my first time working directly in a European business environment. Everyone was friendly and supportive. And it gave me the confidence to think, I really can work in Belgium.

“That’s one of the things that’s so useful about this type of project. For people like me, who are from a totally different culture, it gives you that first-hand experience of a new way of working.”

And securing a rewarding position

Thanh enjoyed her consultancy project so much that when she graduated, she approached Boortmalt about joining the team – and they were delighted to welcome her.

“Before starting the MBA, I felt anxious about whether I would find a job in Belgium. But the consultancy project really opened the door for me,” she says.

“I’m in charge of sustainability reporting. I work on reporting ratings, sustainability reports and decarbonisation projects. We have ambitious targets – and I enjoy working in this type of environment.

“I really use my knowledge of sustainability financing. In my role, you need to be able to link what you’re doing to the wider business context to drive the most impactful projects forwards. I also use the skills I learned on the statistics course, such as modelling.”

Thanh says her experience at Vlerick presented an opportunity to completely change her career.

She says: “It’s the knowledge I gained, it’s the confidence I built to look for a job in a new industry and new country. And of course, it’s the direct impact it had on my career through my company project.”

Want a change? Take the leap

Thanh has some great advice for potential MBA candidates.

“I would tell them, it’s one year. It goes quickly. So prepare yourself,” she says. “The world is changing fast, and you may feel confused and anxious about what is going on. But if you take the leap, the MBA is a great way to kick start changes in your career – or in life in general.

“I’m still connected with my MBA classmates, we message each other and meet up at alumni events. And there are Vlerick alumni at my company.  Sometimes it’s like I never left the school – I’m surrounded by Vlerick people!”