Vivian Tan

INSEAD

“Globetrotter and diver from a tiny country, passionate about meeting people above and below water.”

Hometown: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

Fun Fact About Yourself: The sea has been my home in my professional life (living on oil rigs in the middle of the sea for weeks at a time) and in personal life (as I love to scuba dive). Yet, I still can’t swim properly!

Undergraduate School and Major: Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Drilling Supervisor at Brunei Shell Petroleum

INSEAD is one of the most culturally and professionally diverse MBA programs in the world. How do you see these global perspectives enhancing the value of your business education over the next year? Getting into INSEAD is not just about getting into a top business school. It is about becoming part of a powerful network of highly motivated, accomplished individuals who challenge and expand each other’s perspectives. My own journey, moving three times across the world, reflects my drive to grow both professionally and personally.

I am especially excited about learning from my peers, pushing my own boundaries, and being exposed to new ideas I may never have encountered on my own. This kind of growth does not come from textbooks, but rather from real conversations, open-mindedness, and the willingness to step into unfamiliar territory. I believe INSEAD’s cultural and professional diversity will encourage exactly such transformation that will shape not just the next year, but the rest of my career – and I’m all in.

Why did you choose a one-year program over a two-year program? How do you see an INSEAD MBA giving you an advantage in the marketplace? At this stage, I am eager to re-enter the workforce quickly and accelerate my professional development. The one-year MBA program aligns perfectly with my goal, allowing me to gain the business acumen, skills, network, and exposure I am looking for, while minimizing time away from the job market. The program’s structure allows me to reflect on my next steps without losing professional momentum. Moreover, this intensive program consistently shows strong post-MBA employment outcomes and not only allows me to fast-track my career pivot, but also offers a significantly stronger return on investment in terms of both time and financial commitment.

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of INSEAD’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? One key aspect that drew me to INSEAD was its truly global footprint with campuses in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, and a powerful alumni network spread across the world. This global reach is especially important to me, as my post-MBA goal is to work and live in either Europe or the Middle East. What made this even more compelling was the early and proactive career support. Over a month before the program officially began, I had my first call with my personal career coach at INSEAD. We discussed my long-term goals and potential directions, and she began pulling relevant resources to help explore options. This level of personalized support, combined with INSEAD’s international scope, made it clear that I was choosing a school uniquely positioned to help me reach my goals.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at INSEAD? Beyond academics, I am especially excited to engage with the Women in Business Club. Whether through mentoring opportunities, panel discussions, or skill-building workshops, I see this as a platform to both learn from and contribute to a diverse, empowering community. Having worked on offshore oil rigs in Brunei and the UK, a highly male-dominated environment, I bring a unique lens through which I hope to contribute to the club’s mission.

Additionally, I am keen to explore Dancead, INSEAD’s official dance club, to refine my dance skills and explore new genres with my classmates. We already have a WhatsApp group for those wanting to explore dance classes together, and I look forward to turning that early enthusiasm into shared moments, creativity, and connection across the cohort.

What has been your first impression of the INSEAD MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far. Tell us your best INSEAD story so far. One of the first things that struck me about INSEAD alumni is how generous and approachable they are. I reached out to several, some of whom are founders, others partners, and not once was I turned away. Despite their demanding schedules, every one of them made time to share their experiences and offer thoughtful advice.

For example, last month I had no other choice but to fly from Germany to Singapore, just to process my French student visa. During my stay in Singapore, I met a fellow 26J over Korean fried chicken and cold noodles. It was really cool to connect before the studies and talk about everything from life at INSEAD to personal milestones. She really took time from her busy schedule as she was getting married the week after! Her willingness to make time for me reflected the warmth and openness I consistently encountered.

Throughout my application process, I also connected with alumni from various MBA programs. What stood out about INSEAD alumni was their consistency, not just in praising the quality of the program, but in how often they described the best times they had during the program. Their enthusiasm was genuine. contagious, and it gave me a real sense of the tight-knit, high-energy, and supportive community I am soon to be a part of!

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: In 2023, I was called into my General Manager’s office and congratulated for being selected for a short-term international offshore assignment in the UK. I was elated and surprised by the offer as I was still early in my career, and such opportunities never came up. Without hesitation, I accepted the offer and packed my belongings.

I began the assignment as a Drilling Engineer, responsible for ensuring offshore regulatory compliance. Mid-assignment, I was promoted to Drilling Supervisor, becoming the first Bruneian and the only female Shell Drilling Supervisor in the North Sea at the time. In this role, I managed high-risk, non-standard operations valued at over USD 110+ million, leading teams of up to 120 crew members offshore.

The journey was far from easy. In the male-dominated oil and gas industry, I was often the only woman in the room. Working on offshore rigs, surrounded by towering waves and seasoned professionals with decades of experience, I felt the weight of representation, even though often times self-imposed. But over time, I found my voice, proving my capabilities and balancing technical knowledge with leadership.

Each time I packed my offshore gear, I felt a mix of reluctance and resolve. Yet, once back on the rig, I found my rhythm again, surrounded by my offshore family. I felt alive during high-stakes operations, especially when successfully overcoming technical challenges without harm to people, asset, and the environment.

What do you hope to do after graduation (at this point)? At this stage, I am exploring a few different career paths and look forward to using INSEAD’s wide range of electives to test and refine my interests. I am also still determining which industry best fits me in the long term. What I do know is that I am aiming for the triple switch, which is a key reason why I chose INSEAD. The program offers global exposure, flexible curriculum, and career support that will make that successful transition. On top of that, I will continue what I have been doing the last couple of years outside of work, exploring our beautiful planet we call home, above and below water. The first stop after graduation: A safari in Africa to see the Big 5!

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into INSEAD’s MBA program? Admittedly, I initially shied away from applying to INSEAD. I felt intimidated, knowing I would be competing against MBB consultants, entrepreneurs, and professionals from top VC and PE firms. However, along the way, I realized that being different is exactly what makes you stand out from everyone else. The best advice I can give is to be authentic in your application. Do not try to craft a “perfect” essay if it does not truly reflect who you are. INSEAD values diversity in backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Lean into your uniqueness and let your genuine story come through.

Additionally, get in touch with INSEAD’s alumni, current students and staff. They really are the nicest, most supportive people you can imagine, always willing to help. Don’t shy away from reaching out and asking all the questions that you might have about the application, the program, life in France, and the post-graduation opportunities (even the ones you feel uncomfortable asking). I was initially skeptical about reaching out, but looking back I’m so glad I did. Those conversations really helped me understand what INSEAD is about and what they are looking for. So, to any of you considering applying: We are all only one message away. Reach out and get in touch!

DON’T MISS: MEET INSEAD’S MBA CLASS OF 2026

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