How one joking LinkedIn post led to 2 life-changing internships in Malaysia

Many students between the ages of 13 and 17 are uncertain about what to do after high school, a UCAS — the UK’s premier Universities and Colleges Admissions Service — study reveals. 

Jasmine Tan was one of them, until her internships in Malaysia pointed her in the right direction. 

Born and raised in Malaysia, Tan knew that whatever it was she chose to pursue, she’d do it abroad.

At her parents’ suggestion, she chose to enroll into the University of London’s Singapore branch campus to pursue an Interational Foundation Certification in Business.

A year into her studies, Tan felt that it wasn’t the right place for her.

“The country is too similar to Malaysia, and it wasn’t challenging enough for my personal growth,” she says. 

Determined to find the right environment for herself, Tan joined a work and travel programme in the US for six months, followed by a move to France to pursue a Diploma in French Language Studies at Langue Onze Toulouse.

Her time abroad, and the experiences she gained, helped offer a sense of direction.

In the end, it came down to choosing between business and linguistics — and business won out in the end. 

“I enjoy creative things, and business allows me to express my ideas,” explains Tan. “Linguistics felt more straightforward, with little room for creativity.”

With China’s booming e-commerce at the time, Tan felt that pursuing business administration at China’s Shanghai University was her calling.

The first of Tan’s internships in Malaysia was at Shopee, though she later realised that the role of a business development intern didn’t align with her career goals. Source: Jasmine Tan

Landing her first internship at 22 in a booming industry

The first half of Tan’s university was affected by COVID-19. This resulted in her spending her first two years of university online.

During that time she seized the chance and began applying for internships in Malaysia — most of which would end up with frustrating rejections.

This prompted what Tan calls a “life-changing” post on LinkedIn during her 22nd birthday.

“I wrote it as a joke because I was feeling frustrated just as all first-year students applying for an internship probably would feel. It was my birthday, and I thought, ‘Oh, it would be funny to post that,’” Tan recalls.

Unexpectedly, that post led to a headhunter reaching out to her. From there, Tan secured herself her first internship at Shopee — a leading online shopping site — as a business development intern.

It was an ideal role in an ideal company – after all, e-commerce was the driving force that made her pursue a degree in China.

During the peak of lockdowns in 2021, 75% of Malaysians visited e-commerce platforms, with 45% making a purchase, according to Ipsos Malaysia. That year, Malaysia’s e-commerce revenue surpassed US$226 trillion for the first time, marking a nearly 22% increase from the previous year.

Although growth has slowed, annual revenue reached US$246 trillion by the end of 2022, reflecting a 6% year-on-year rise.

Shopee saw its monthly web visits in Malaysia soared from US$10.4 million in the first quarter of 2021 to US$13.02 million by the third quarter of the same year, as reported by iPrice Insights, solidifying its position as the country’s leading e-commerce platform.

E-commerce, it seemed, was the place to be.

The second of Tan’s internships in Malaysia brought her to Coty, an American multinational beauty company, and it was here Tan found an interest in luxury management. Source: Jasmine Tan

The internships in Malaysia that helped her figure out her future

While interning at Shopee, Tan realised that the work wasn’t what she expected and wanted. This led her to seek other opportunities in hopes of finding something she enjoyed.

Enter Coty, an American multinational beauty company and home of over 50 iconic cosmetic, skincare, and fragrance brands. 

“I was dealing with imposter syndrome and felt like I wasn’t good enough to be in some of the companies I applied to,” says Tan. “But a way to thrive in your 20s is to have friends around you – mine encouraged me to pursue bigger and more challenging things. They pushed me to be a better version of myself.”

And in the wise words of Wayne Gretzky, a Canadian former ice hockey player: “You miss 100 of the shots you don’t take.”

Coty called Tan back just hours after she submitted her application. During that call, Tan brought up her interest in luxury goods, not realising that it was one of the two segments offered in Coty alongside consumer goods.

In the end, Tan was offered a luxury marketing intern position.

Like the booming e-commerce industry, the global luxury market isn’t pulling the brakes on their growth too. Statista reports that the industry is expected to grow from US$354.8 billion in 2023 to US$418.9 billion by 2028.

As online luxury sales continue to rise, the importance of physical stores is also increasing —  companies are employing various strategies to enhance their retail experiences in the digital age. 

Interestingly, luxury brands that started their ventures online were opening physical stores and hosting events to drive traffic to their e-commerce sites, build brand credibility, provide the tactile experience missing from online shopping, and foster stronger connections with local communities. 

Coty was the perfect opportunity for Tan to dive into a more hands-on work environment.

After her two internships in Malaysia, Tan participated in an exchange programme to learn about luxury management in France. Source: Jasmine Tan

While at Coty, Tan managed on-site campaigns for various brands, became involved in brand public relations, and worked on social media management handling various brands’ Instagram accounts. Tan was also involved in Gucci’s first make-up bar in Southeast Asia.

Four months after her internship at Coty, Tan grew eager to deepen her knowledge in luxury management and participated in an exchange programme at INSEEC Grande Ecole, a prestigious French institution in Paris specialising in management.

There, she enrolled in a luxury management course, even when she couldn’t transfer the credits earned into her business administration programme back at Shanghai University.

“The luxury management course differed from my programme at Shanghai, but they allowed me to proceed with the exchange programme because I had already cleared most of my credits,” says Tan. 

Despite that, Tan didn’t mind the inability to transfer her credits. “I love learning, and I knew this experience would add significant value to my education and knowledge.”

At INSEEC, Tan learned more about luxury goods — wine, diamonds, and luxury fashion — areas of expertise that are rarely covered in Asian curricula. The programme helped refine her envisioned future career path in luxury management – a path that Tan realised she wanted to pursue further.

“My time in Paris gave me the space to reflect a lot. It was all those decisions I made years ago that led me here,” she says. “I didn’t learn French a couple of years ago thinking I would be back in Paris learning something I love.”

But Tan has always believed that learning is never a waste and that the past would somehow connect with the future. Experiences like interning at Coty and attending INSEEC proved as much.

“Working and learning about luxury doesn’t feel like a chore to me, rather, it excites me,” she says. “This is when I knew that this is what I want to do for the next few decades of my life.”

Her return to Shangai after the exchange programme brought about an opportunity to work at Shangai Fashion Week as an intern. 

There, she applied the things she learnt about Western luxury to the East.

“Luxury is similar across both continents, yet they’re contrasting. I had to infer what I’ve learnt from the ‘capital of luxury’ and learn how to apply it to an Asian setting, as the consumers’ habits and the way luxury businesses operate there are different,” Tan shares.

Tan (second from left) is one of the few who has taken the unconventional route in the luxury management industry and is looking forward to working in the industry full-time. Source: Jasmine Tan

Taking a different route than those in the luxury management industry

For students aspiring to enter the luxury industry, the traditional path often involves pursuing specialised degrees in management. 

Universities worldwide, such as the Swiss School of Higher Education and Susquehanna University, offer programmes that delve into the intricacies of luxury branding, marketing, and operations. These programmes provide students with a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to succeed in this exclusive sector.

Tan’s route might have been unconventional, but it will make her stand out. 

Her background in business administration equips her with a solid foundation in general business principles, which is highly valuable for future employers. Her internship at Coty further enhances her profile by providing her with direct experience and insight into the luxury industry, making her a well-rounded candidate.

What truly sets Tan apart, however, is her linguistic proficiency and cultural experiences.

Living in Malaysia, Singapore, the US, France, and Shanghai has helped her develop a deep cultural awareness and global understanding.

The diverse cultural background allows her to bring unique perspectives to the table, making her an asset in the global luxury market, where understanding and navigating different cultures is crucial.

Now a recent graduate from Shanghai University, Tan is ready to continue her journey in the luxury industry abroad.

A tip she has for those seeking to make themselves stand out? Participate in as many exchange programmes as you can, be open-minded about them, and give internships your all. 

“Going abroad gives you an opportunity to figure out what you want to do, and being open-minded will enhance your experience more than you think,” says Tan.

With internships, it’s about making yourself different from others. “There are plenty of people with good grades, but what will make you stand out is your passion towards what you do,” explains Tan, who shares that she started participating in competitions and even founded a startup for her school in hopes of standing out among her peers.

“Explore all the possibilities out there and be willing to try out new things, even if you might fail. What matters most is your ability to learn from your mistakes and conclude your lesson.”

Now, Tan is helping her aunt who is also in the fashion industry to develop and incorporate sustainable European fashion brands into Asian markets. Beyond that, she hopes to land a full-time job in a fashion conglomerate.