How NTU FlexiMasters in Business and Financial Analytics Transformed an Engineer into a Strategic Thinker

In today’s rapidly evolving job market, upskilling is essential. For Anmol Mathur, Robotics Engineer at ST Engineering, enrolling in the FlexiMasters in Business and Financial Analytics at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore was a turning point. The programme helped him connect his technical expertise with critical business and management skills.

Bridging Technical Expertise with Business Strategy

Anmol, an NTU alumnus with a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, began his career focusing heavily on technical tasks involving coding and systems engineering. After three years immersed in robotics and unmanned air systems, Anmol felt the urge to understand the broader business strategies and management practices guiding his organisation. "My role was very niche and technical," Anmol explains. "I realised I needed to broaden my understanding beyond engineering to progress towards management roles.

And the FlexiMasters programme offered him the perfect platform to develop these insights. The programme’s structured approach to business analytics has allowed Anmol to explore the business and management aspects, while still tapping into his technical background.

Applying Knowledge to Real-World Challenges

One of the features Anmol appreciates during the programme is the practical applicability of the curriculum. "The professors didn't just teach theoretical concepts; they ensured everything we learned was directly relevant to real-world scenarios," Anmol says. “As far as possible, they use real-world case studies to try to supplement what they're teaching.”

"In particular, learning data visualisation has benefited my day-to-day work," Anmol notes. "When presenting to upper management, my visual representations are now clearer and more impactful. I pay attention to nuances like colour selection, sizing, and emphasis—details I had overlooked before."

Collaborative Learning Across Industries

For Anmol, another enriching aspect of the programme was the interaction with peers from diverse professional backgrounds. Working collaboratively on projects with classmates from various industries, including finance, startups, and blockchain, Anmol was able to gain many new perspectives and insights.

He recalls a particular instance of a team discussion with a blockchain expert. “He gave a lot of new insightful perspectives that sometimes the professor didn't cover,” Anmol shared. His real-world knowledge profoundly enriched the group's understanding, bridging theory and practice seamlessly. Their conversations have even spurred each other to read up on the subject matter.

Mastering the Art of Balance

Taking on a rigorous part-time academic programme such as the FlexiMasters alongside full-time work posed its own challenges. Still, Anmol managed this by optimising weekends and leveraging face-to-face interactions. “You have to be very smart about how you use your time,” he advised.

While it’s challenging to find empty pockets of time among his team, the programme has instilled in Anmol valuable soft skills in time management and prioritisation.

Anmol and his team made the effort to stay back after the course ended on Saturday. “Physically, we are all there, so it’s the best time to get everyone to work together,” he added,

“And completing the assignments immediately after class, while concepts were fresh, proved highly effective.”

An empowering experience with FlexiMasters

Looking forward, Anmol feels greater empowerment and confidence in his career trajectory, aiming to transition towards a managerial role. "The FlexiMasters has given me a comprehensive foundation in business analytics and strategic thinking, equipping me to engage in meaningful discussions with senior management," he says.

He is now also considering further postgraduate studies in business administration, confident that his FlexiMasters experience has prepared him well for future academic pursuits. “The FlexiMasters not only enhanced my professional competencies but also provided a realistic preview of what part-time graduate studies entail," Anmol concludes.

"For anyone looking to bridge technical expertise with strategic business understanding, the FlexiMasters could be your stepping stone forward."

FlexiMasters in Business and Financial Analytics

You will be able to gain insights on how to excel in the domain of business analytics and analytics used in the financial services industry and acquire skills to guide businesses through today’s environment of digital disruption and transformation.