Wondering where demand for talent will come from in 2021? LinkedIn’s latest Singapore Jobs on the Rise report sheds light on key industries that have been propelled by Covid-19 and the resulting structural shifts. Below we highlight four key sectors that have been bolstered by the acceleration of digital transformation or retained their relevance for the future economy.
Those wishing to gain relevant skills in these sectors can achieve a competitive edge via the renowned Global MBA and Master programs offered by ESSEC Business School.
Trend #1: The acceleration of digital transformation
Singapore’s reputation as a global tech hub is well established: by 2018, 80 out of the world’s top 100 technology firms had a presence here and, despite the pandemic, startups in Singapore were able to raise US$$3.7 billion in fresh funding last year. The acceleration of digitization since COVID-19 has only helped Singapore retain its tech crown.
Equipping students with the talents and skills needed in today’s fast-changing digital landscape is ESSEC’s Global MBA, Strategy & Digital Leadership track. The major builds on a strong MBA foundation — ranked 9th best MBA worldwide for international course experience by the FT in 2021 — adding modules and hands-on experiences that prepare graduates to lead businesses in the face of digital transformation. Over half of graduates (53.8%) surveyed from the 2018 cohort were able to achieve a job promotion or salary increase following the program. Over 60% were able to change their function or industry and over half now live in a different country.
Particular sectors that have been provided a boost by the digital transformation trend include logistics and supply chain, social media/digital marketing, engineering and data science. We dive deeper into these below.
Logistics & Supply Chain
According to the report, the e-commerce sector recorded 87% growth in 2020. As people stayed home, new online consumers grew by 30%. Consequently, employers are seeking skills such as supply chain management, logistics management and inventory management. With demand for logistics and supply chain experts on the rise, ESSEC’s popular Master in Management (MIM) prepare graduates for a successful career in this sector.
Ranked #3 worldwide by the Financial Times in 2020, the program offers a flexible curriculum with 47 specialization tracks at campuses in Paris, Singapore, and Morocco. One of these tracks offered at the Singapore campus is Operations Management which focuses on supply chain management. The program’s strong reputation is evident from its latest graduate career survey. 70% of surveyed graduates secured employment before graduation and 37% work outside their country of origin, and in sectors such as consulting, strategy, operations management, business development and risk management. As an MIM graduate, expect to join an alumni network that includes executives from Amazon, Bain & Company, Ernst & Young, BNP Paribas and more.
Social Media/Digital Marketing
A second sector highlighted by the report is social media/digital marketing. As people stayed home in 2020, businesses turned to social media to engage with their customers. Digital marketing and content development skills have become key for popular roles such as social media strategist and SEO specialist.
Relevant ESSEC courses include the MSc in Marketing Management and Digital (MMD). With its dual emphasis on digital marketing and luxury brand management, the program provides students with a hands-on learning experience via its robust curriculum, a one-week business trip, design thinking boot camp, and real-world projects commissioned by corporate clients such as L’Oréal, Richemont and Decathlon. 100% of its cohorts secured employment within 6 months after graduation in roles such as digital marketing, international brand management, market analyst, e-commerce, and consulting.
Specialized Engineering and Data Science
Singapore’s longstanding status as a global tech hub and its growing start-up scene is pushing up demand for engineering talent. According to the LinkedIn report, Singapore’s video game sector will grow by 7.9% by 2025.
Relevant ESSEC courses include the prestigious Master in Data Sciences & Business Analytics (DSBA), a unique program combining the faculty resources of two of the most prestigious business and engineering schools in Europe – ESSEC and CentraleSupélec. Expect to gain a global understanding of the challenges underlying the digital era with this program, which is ranked #3 worldwide and #1 in Europe by QS. Accredited by French government, it also gives graduates privileged access to working visas in Europe.
Of graduates surveyed, 100% found their job within 6 months of graduation (93% did so within 4 months) and the average starting salary is US$71K. Typical sectors and roles that graduates are in include data scientist (36%), consulting (21%) and data analyst (12%), and top hirers include Accenture, Google and Amazon.
Trend #2: Traditional jobs remain relevant in the future economy
Amidst the rapid transformation witnessed globally last year, certain key sectors and roles have proven then indispensability.
Finance
Finance remains imperative to Singapore’s economy and demand for talent in this area is bolstered by the region’s rapid growth over the last few years, says the report. Top skills in this sector include investor relations, wealth management, and taxation laws.
ESSEC’s highly selective and intensive Master in Finance (MIF) is not only ranked 4th best MIF in the world by the Financial Times; it is career-oriented and internationally focused, and customizable to meet individual needs.
100% of graduates surveyed found a job within 3 months of graduation, and 93% did so within 1 month. 90% say their job has an international dimension. Top sectors and roles for these graduates are banking (43%), consulting (18%), brokerage/trading (11%), asset management (11%) and investment/hedge funds (10%). Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, JP Morgan Chase, Barclays and UBS are just some of the prestigious financial institutions that welcomed the surveyed cohort.