Guliyana Yeerjiang

Tell us about yourself and your background.

I’m Kazakh from China and grew up in Xinjiang, the far west of the country. I spoke Kazakh at home, Chinese in school, and Uyghur with my friends. Later, I moved to Shanghai to study International Economics and Trade at Fudan University. During my undergraduate studies, I also spent time abroad, spending a semester in Frankfurt and another at UC Berkeley before returning to Shanghai to complete my degree.

Alongside my studies, I took on four internships in very different industries. At the time, I didn’t yet know what I wanted to do, so I believed the best way to figure it out was to try things, work in different roles, and see what resonated. Those experiences were some of the most formative I’ve had and played a big role in why I’m here at INSEAD today.

Could you share a bit about your internship experiences?

My first internship was at Nike in 2022, where I joined the Digital Commerce team as an Assortment Planning intern. It was the first time I used Excel and data analysis in a real business setting. It was a tough adjustment moving from student to intern, but it gave me my first real taste of how data drives decisions.

Next, I joined Coty as a Consumer Market Insight intern after returning from Berkeley. Here I had to broaden my perspective: not just looking at our brands but also at competitors, consumer data, and market trends to inform pricing and campaign strategies.

After that, I moved to Porsche China as a Sales Operations intern. That was much more structured and focused on reporting, planning, and helping build dashboards to improve dealer transparency.

Finally, I joined LVMH in their Digital Innovation team, which was completely different. Instead of just analysing sell-through data and forecasting, my job was to act as a bridge between luxury Maisons and AI startups. Each Maison had specific commercial needs, and I translated those into technical requirements for startups. Then I explained the technical solutions back to the Maisons. It was both challenging and fun because it required me to quickly pick up knowledge of AI, machine learning, and communication skills that you can’t just learn from textbooks. That experience convinced me I needed a Master’s to strengthen both my technical and leadership skills.

Why did you choose the INSEAD MIM?

Honestly, it happened almost by chance. During my internship at Porsche, I was writing down potential schools when a teammate asked if I had considered INSEAD. I hadn’t. Then my line manager walked past and said, “Oh, INSEAD — that’s a smart choice.” That made me curious, so I researched it.

What stood out was the combination of hard and soft skill training. You don’t just take data analysis and machine learning; you also have leadership, negotiation, and communication courses. On top of that,  the global exposure, moving across campuses and learning alongside classmates from dozens of nationalities, was unique compared to other programmes I’d looked at.  

What made INSEAD stand out versus other schools?

I spoke to alumni, and their enthusiasm was contagious. They told me about their experiences, how much they grew, and the community they became part of. That personal connection convinced me more than rankings or brochures ever could.

What kind of career paths are you considering after the MIM?

I’m very open, but my main interest is in digital innovation and consulting. It doesn’t have to be in one sector;  I see myself working at the intersection of business strategy and new technologies, helping companies solve problems and bridge technical solutions with business needs.

How do you think the MIM is preparing you for that path?

First, the professors and the CDC keep us updated on industry trends and tools, so we’re never out of touch with what’s happening in the real world. I’ve already attended several consulting-related events and mock interviews, and that kind of preparation is invaluable.

INSEAD’s strength in consulting connections is clear, and I’ve benefited from both the career fairs and alumni interactions. It gives me confidence that I’ll be ready to step into those roles after graduation.

How has your first month at INSEAD been?

Exhausting at first! Meeting so many new people every day drained my social energy. But once I settled, I found my group of friends, and my home group has been incredible. We work on all assignments together; we debate, challenge each other, and grow together. That back-and-forth has already helped me develop faster.

The campus itself is beautiful. Fontainebleau may be small, but it’s safe and calm, and I enjoy walking home listening to music. On campus, I love spending time in the library or gym, and honestly, lunch at the Canteen is the highlight of my day.

Any memorable classroom moments so far?

Yes! In Marketing, the professor asks a student to start each class by introducing themselves, sharing a takeaway from the previous session, and giving a fun fact. It’s such a simple format, but it helps us both review and bond as a class.

In Data Analysis, we often present our group assignments. It makes what could be a dry subject more interactive and even fun. These little touches make the learning experience stick.

What skills do you hope to build during the MIM?

I want to broaden my knowledge across industries and build stronger communication and leadership skills. 

My future career will rely on being able to explain technical solutions clearly and persuasively to different audiences.

I also want to become more confident in presenting myself in professional contexts. INSEAD is already pushing me to do that, and I feel it will make me a stronger leader in the future.

How has the CDC supported you so far?

I’ve met my career coach twice already: once in a group CV review and once one-on-one. She told me my CV was already in strong shape, but she still helped refine it and asked about my goals.

She’s also connecting me with someone at L’Oréal, which is amazing because it’s one of the companies I’d be interested in. Beyond that, the CDC provides access to alumni and referrals, but also that extra push to stay open-minded and seek feedback. It’s been a really helpful resource.

Do you have any advice for applicants?

Don’t be too anxious. I stressed myself out with GMAT, TOEFL, and endless CV revisions. Looking back, I realise INSEAD isn’t only about scores or perfect CVs. They genuinely care about who you are, what you want, and what you can bring. Be honest about your story and show your true self.

Are you a scholarship recipient?

Yes, I received the Diversity Scholarship. At first, I wasn’t awarded it, but I appealed because of my background as a minority in China and the financial burden of studying abroad. The admissions team listened, discussed with the financial team, and eventually awarded it. I’m really grateful. It’s one of the main reasons I was able to come.

A message to your future self?

I’d say: Be happy and satisfied with where you are, whatever the outcome. Even if you don’t know exactly what’s coming, trust the process and enjoy the journey.