Featured Alumna: Selina Lin (HKUST Part-Time Weekly MBA, Class of 2020)

From Engineering PhD to Startup Investor

With an HKUST PhD and years of engineering experience under her belt, Selina Lin had already built a formidable career across R&D, manufacturing, technical marketing, and commercial leadership.

But as her scope expanded, so did her perspective. She wanted to look beyond how products and technology function and dive into how businesses actually scale, how leaders develop people, and how high-stakes decisions get made.

That push led her to the HKUST Part-Time Weekly MBA, it ‘s a move that eventually propelled her into innovation and venture capital. Of course, bridging the gap from engineering leader to venture investor was anything but a straight line. 

I had management experience on the technical side. The MBA was how I moved toward a commercial career.

After graduating from the HKUST Part-Time MBA program in 2018, Selina transitioned into innovation and venture funding at Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks (HKSTP), where she now manages investment and fund operations.

A Gradual Shift

For Selina, the shift from construction engineering to venture investment wasn't an overnight transformation. 

People expect a single turning point, but it was a gradual journey. My MBA classmates came from diverse industries and exposed me to sectors I’d never considered. That environment gave me the perspective and confidence to step into innovation and tech.

Beyond the Network

While networking is a key draw for business school applicants, Selina emphasizes that connections are only part of the equation—especially today.
 

Your network gets you a meeting with a senior executive. Your knowledge determines whether you have anything worth saying once you're there. With AI tools readily available, deep learning and critical thinking matter more than ever. You can't rely on a chatbot in the room; you have to internalize the knowledge yourself.

Combining Technical and Business Rigor

In her venture investment role, Selina relies on both sides of her academic training to evaluate startups:

• The PhD Lens: Is the technology technically sound and defensible?
• The MBA Lens: Is the business model scalable and commercially viable?
   

Her Takeaway for Future Leaders
 

Follow your passion, strengths, and interests. Opportunities will present themselves, but success comes down to continuous learning so you're ready when they do."