Jack Sha

China Europe International Business School

“Self-driven healthcare newbie with a venturous spirit to maximize value creation in the Chinese healthcare industry”

Hometown: Shanghai, China

Fun Fact About Yourself: 16-year Jay Chou fan – able to sing almost all of his songs

Undergraduate School and Major: Emory University, Bachelor of Business Administration

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: MicroPort Scientific, Business Development Supervisor

What has been the biggest accomplishment in your career so far?

Stepped up to be the project manager and successfully closed a multi-million acquisition deal despite COVID lockdown in Shanghai

When you think of CEIBS, what is the first word that comes to mind? 

Spark. Regardless of how many academic courses I have already taken by professors from various backgrounds and how frequent conversations I have with a diverse cohort of batchmates, novel insights will always refresh my mind during interactions – the biggest source of my motivation for more proactive involvement in school life.

What are one or two key aspects of this program that led you to choose CEIBS, and why were they so important to you?

As for me, the biggest pro for attending CEIBS is that CEIBS exhibits a strong network in the healthcare industry. Prestigious middle to upper management executives in healthcare MNCs as well as local biotechs such as AstraZeneca and BeiGene attended CEIBS MBA/EMBA/GEMBA programs previously. The network resource provides me with an approachable platform to interact, learn and develop my professional trajectory.

What course, club, activity, or experience at CEIBS excites you the most and why?

Local and global modules provided as electives excite me the most. I took Suzhou/Wuxi module last December and really appreciated the professor organizing trips for students interested in the healthcare industry to visit healthcare MNCs, biotechs and startups – incorporating first-hand, truly diverse insight sharing beyond the traditional classroom setting of teaching theories or frameworks.

The electives specific to the pharmaceutical industry amaze me the most, as it is uncommon for typical MBA schools to provide electives specific to one industry. Through these electives, coupled with experimental learning, I will cultivate a much more comprehensive understanding of how exactly business operates within the Chinese healthcare industry.

What is one thing you have recently read, watched, or listened to that you would highly recommend to other prospective CEIBS MBAs?

Analysis behind China’s economic performance summary in 2023. While the GDP growth demonstrated is considerable (at 5.2%), it is crucial to interpret the underlying reasons behind such growth and take an independent view at its implications – critical thinking habits which will be fundamental for effective learning during MBA studies.

What are two things you have learned being at CEIBS that have surprised you so far – one academic and one non-academic?

In terms of academic courses, the extent to which theory applies in real life scenarios has been heavily demonstrated. Despite the fact that I had previous exposure to fundamental courses such as financial accounting and managerial accounting, CEIBS professors focused specifically on the application of certain concepts by spending more time talking about analyzing real-world financial statements and managerial decision-making mindset from an executive’s perspective.

In terms of non-academic aspects, the supportive culture has truly surprised me so far. Despite the fact that I am a middle management executive within a prestigious medical device MNC, my assigned mentor is very approachable and willing to share personal, useful advice to my school life and potential career trajectory.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into CEIBS MBA program?

When writing about your application essays, think carefully about what exactly you expect to obtain from your prospective CEIBS MBA journey – the self-reflection is an extremely useful process for you to consider your underlying ambitions, missions, and fit with CEIBS. Take time and let the thoughts sink in. Then, you can develop truly sincere and powerful arguments for what CEIBS has to offer and why you will be a good fit in the CEIBS MBA community.