Forging My Own Path with Newfound Confidence

Francine Tan (Diploma in Business Management, Class of 2026) reflects on how she stayed true to her passion in e-commerce and found new confidence in forging her own path to study the Diploma in Business Management, and in the process, making positive impact on people and businesses.

My entrepreneurial journey began when I was 11 years old, when I started selling items online. Over the years, my passion for e‑commerce grew as I continued selling small trinkets on platforms like Carousell for side income while studying. 

I took a longer route, but I had always been clear about what I wanted to pursue. After completing my Higher Nitec in Retail and Online Business, enrolling in Nanyang Polytechnic’s Diploma in Business Management felt like the right step forward. The course allowed me to deepen my business knowledge and gain practical skills that aligned closely with my interests and career aspirations. Through the opportunities I was given at NYP, I realised I was not defined by where I started, but by how I chose to show up and approach learning.

One of my most impactful experiences at NYP was the Heartland Innovation Challenge 2025. My team partnered an appliance store owner to refresh his business model, identifying fans as his strongest product line through user interviews. We refocused his offerings and produced targeted social media content to promote the concept of an all-fans showroom and its maintenance services. 

Knowing our solutions gave him renewed confidence in the future of his business was deeply meaningful, and our work was recognised when we emerged champions, winning the Branding and Social Media award.

I was also honoured to represent NYP as a Student Ambassador in Business China’s Inter‑Poly Corporate Visit Programme 2025. Visits to companies such as Trip.com and Chagee gave me valuable insights into how large organisations scale their operations and expand into different markets.

Another meaningful experience was my internship with Marina Bay Sands' digital marketing and e-commerce team. Working on A/B testing, page refresh proposals, and campaign recommendations on the website showed me how my work can translate into measurable business impact, as NYP did not just teach me concepts — it trained me to apply them.

Looking back, these experiences shifted how I saw myself as a learner and strengthened my confidence in my ability to learn and excel. I will be pursuing a Bachelor in Business Management at Singapore Management University next, and I am hopeful to see where this journey takes me.