A Global Mindset in Motion: Khushboo Singh’s Career Pivot
A Global Mindset in Motion: An Interview with UCLA-NUS EMBA Alumna, Khushboo Singh
With a foundation in engineering and experience across India, Europe, and Asia, Khushboo Singh built a career that spans technology, product leadership, and financial consulting. In this interview, she shares what led her to the UCLA-NUS Executive MBA, the global mindset she gained, and why international exposure is essential for modern leaders.
Tell us about your background.
I began as an electrical and electronics engineer and worked at Robert Bosch before moving to Vienna to join an autonomous driving software company. Over time, I shifted into product leadership and later into a family startup focused on electronic lighting. That transition made me realize I needed broader business skills, not just technical expertise.
Why pursue an Executive MBA instead of shorter programs?
I wanted more than frameworks. I wanted to experience how global leaders think and make decisions. When I moved from Europe back to India to support our startup, I needed a program that reflected the realities of global business and the multicultural nature of supply chains and customers.
The UCLA-NUS EMBA offered exposure to two major economic regions, the United States and Asia, along with classmates from many industries and countries. That combination of academic strength and real-world diversity was exactly what I needed.
What drew you specifically to the UCLA-NUS program?
I had already worked with European teams and Chinese customers, but I lacked professional exposure to the United States. I wanted to understand that market as well.
I was also drawn to UCLA’s innovative spirit and NUS’s strong growth mindset. The program blended both. In the classroom, ideas were openly challenged, and discussions were shaped by contrasting cultural perspectives. It felt like a place to live global learning, not just study it.
What was your experience in the program like?
The most meaningful part was learning how differently people from various cultures approach problems. In our class we had professionals from Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States, Singapore, and many other places. Over time, people grew more confident, more adaptable, and more open.
We studied intensely, but we also spent time exploring cities and enjoying each other’s company. Those friendships continue today. Our cohort stays connected through WhatsApp, celebrates birthdays together, and meets whenever someone travels to a new country.
The larger alumni network, both UCLA and NUS, has also been incredibly supportive. You can ask a question and receive sincere, thoughtful replies from people around the world. It feels like a genuine community.
How did the program support your career pivot?
The EMBA gave me confidence to move from technology to business leadership and then into financial consulting. While studying, I was also building our startup, so I applied lessons immediately. The program strengthened my decision making, negotiation skills, and cross cultural communication.
One memorable lesson came from an economics class, where we learned the importance of recognizing when a product will never become economical. That mindset helped my team later when post-pandemic costs made our product unviable. We paused the project instead of forcing it forward, saving significant time and resources.
Overall, the program made me more adaptable and better prepared to operate in a global environment.
What advice would you give to prospective students?
If you want to scale your leadership globally, the UCLA-NUS Executive MBA gives you the exposure, confidence, and experience to do it. You do not just learn international business. You live it.
You sit with classmates from many countries, face real multicultural challenges, and grow in ways that are both personal and professional. In today’s world, adaptability is essential, and this program helps you build exactly that.
Connect with the admissions team today!
Click here to learn more about the UCLA-NUS EMBA program and why it is the program designed for global leaders.
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