From EDHEC to Van Cleef & Arpels Singapore: How She Built Her Own International Career Path

Adalay Kurbanjiang joined EDHEC’s Master in Management – Business Management Track in 2024. During her professional immersion year, she moved to Singapore on a Work Holiday Pass and secured an internship at Van Cleef & Arpels’ Singapore office, where she supports retail operations across several Southeast Asian markets. From the classroom of a French Business School to regional operations within a leading luxury maison, her experience reflects a less conventional but very practical international career path. An EDHEC education can open doors not only in Europe, but also in key Asian markets and within the operational structure of top global luxury brands. In this interview, she shares how she found this internship, what it is really like to work in Singapore, and how her experience at EDHEC has helped her in cross-cultural communication and workplace collaboration.
 

Could you tell us about your current internship?

I am currently working as a Retail Operations Intern at Van Cleef & Arpels’ Singapore office.
My main responsibilities involve supporting the operations of nine Van Cleef & Arpels boutiques across Southeast Asia, including stores in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. This includes day-to-day retail operations support, handling operational and technical matters, coordinating across departments, and liaising with vendors.
 

Why did you choose EDHEC?

There were several reasons behind my decision.
First, because I was already considering a future career in the luxury industry, I was very clear that I wanted to study in France. Among French Business Schools, EDHEC stood out to me not only for its strong ranking and reputation, but also for its supportive and people-oriented campus atmosphere.
Most importantly, the school gave me the impression of being a place that is willing to keep improving and innovating. Recently, I also noticed EDHEC’s new logo and the broader evolution of its brand values, which in a way confirmed the impression I had from the beginning.

How did you find your current internship? Could you explain the process in more detail?

I first learned through people around me that students studying in France can apply for the Singapore Work Holiday Pass, which allows us to live and work in Singapore for six months. After that, I started paying close attention to internship opportunities there.

In late May 2025, I came across this role on LinkedIn. It was with a brand I had always dreamed of working for, and the position matched my career direction perfectly, so I immediately submitted my CV and cover letter.
The interview process consisted of two rounds: one with HR from the Richemont Group, and another with the brand’s direct manager. I received the offer in early June, then began applying for the Work Holiday Pass. I obtained the visa about a month later and arrived in Singapore in mid-July to begin the internship.

Has EDHEC helped you in performing well in this role?

Definitely.

First, my experience of living in France has been a natural advantage for working in the luxury industry, because my role requires frequent communication with French colleagues and French suppliers. Having a better understanding of the culture makes communication much smoother.

Second, EDHEC places strong emphasis on presentations and group work. In my current role, I often need to coordinate across departments, speak in front of others, or take part in internal training sessions. The training I received at school has made me much more confident in these situations.

Of course, real workplace collaboration is more complex than group work at school, but the familiarity and soft skills I developed at EDHEC have clearly helped.

What abilities or personal qualities do you think are especially important for standing out in the workplace?

I would say the most important thing is mindset. Because international competition is intense, the application and interview process can bring a lot of pressure. When I was applying, I also received many rejections, and that naturally made me question my own abilities. But what matters most is being able to keep adjusting your application materials based on each role, continue applying to new opportunities, and stay persistent until you find the internship or job that truly suits you. I do not think your mindset needs to be stable all the time, but the ability to regulate yourself and keep going is extremely important.

Does your current role match the career plan you had while at school?

In terms of both the industry and the nature of the role, yes, it fits very well. Singapore, however, was an unexpected opportunity.
After coming here, I have become very grateful that I made this choice. Being able to make use of the advantages of studying at a French Business School while also spending six months living and working in Singapore has been a rare opportunity and a very valuable experience.

What do you see as the main differences between looking for a job in France or other international markets and looking for one in China?

My strongest impression is that international job markets place more importance on the vertical consistency of one’s experience.

From conversations with people around me, I found that candidates who usually receive responses after applying are often those who already have experience in the same industry or a very similar role.
In Singapore, I also asked more experienced professionals what someone could do if they wanted to change industry or function in the future. The advice I received was very practical: sometimes it makes sense to take one step back first — for example, by joining a smaller company in the same industry — in order to build relevant experience before moving toward a bigger long-term goal.

How do you view the role of networking in career development? Has the EDHEC alumni network been helpful to you?

I believe that building and developing professional relationships is a very long-term process. If you put in enough effort and sincerity in your work, opportunities and connections often come naturally over time. Managers are also more willing to entrust you with more challenging responsibilities.

I have realised that networking is not always something built through deliberate effort alone. Sometimes it grows naturally through consistent investment in your work, and I think that kind of relationship-building is especially meaningful. It can also lead to unexpected opportunities in the future.

Since my internship is in the luxury industry, I have noticed that quite a few Richemont interns also come from EDHEC. This has helped me connect with colleagues more easily and even build friendships. At the same time, it also shows the school’s visibility within the industry, which makes EDHEC a very good starting point for students who want to enter or further develop in this field.