Career Journeys

Table of Contents

୧ʕ•̀ᴥ•́ʔ୨ What to do when the going gets tough... ( * ́꒳`*)੭

GENERAL

S’porean accountants share why their jobs are not just about numbers & the importance of managing interpersonal relationshipsOpen communication is key.

Logistics reimagined: More young people in Singapore are drawn to tech-related roles in the fieldSeveral global logistics firms such as DHL, ST Logistics and Schenker Singapore reported an increase in the number of young hires aged 35 and below in recent years, while smaller players have yet to benefit from the influx of new blood. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Designing smart cities, fulfilling mid-career dreams: How they found their purpose through an arts degreeWhether it is launching a tech career or rekindling a passion, these creative individuals show how an interdisciplinary arts education opens the doors to new opportunities. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Gen Z cooks: Fresh faces put a spin on traditional fare and inject new ideas into dining sceneSome Gen Z foodpreneurs are trying to prove they are no “strawberries” and have the mettle to survive the cut-throat world of F&B. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Loving architecture, but leaving it for something elseFIRST came the accountants, and now, it’s the architects’ turn. Read more at The Business Times.

Charting their path in the skiesFrom passion to flight: Students Cherie Goh and Alexey Cher fulfilled their childhood aspirations to attain their “wings”.

thrive. by The Business Times | Advice for anyone thinking of pursuing an unconventional career 🧑‍🍳🕵️‍♀️🧑‍🌾 #thriveBT #thriveBTcareer #GenZ #thriveGenZstories | Instagram

What Goes On Behind Some Of The Most High-Stakes Public Service Roles?These dedicated public officers ensure the safety and well-being of Singapore, often working behind the scenes to protect and serve the nation.

Backstage Pass: Archivist - Esplanade OffstageWhat does an archivist do at a performing arts centre?

Protecting Our Planet Through Disney Conservation | S2E9 - Life at DisneyON THIS EPISODE OF LIFE AT DISNEY PODCAST From educating guests in our theme parks and resorts to evolving The Walt Disney Company’s nature strategy, our guests for this episode…

Community Heroes: How I teach children to become resilient learners by showing them, and myself, empathyI was not always drawn to children. There was a time I disliked them and saw them as immature, entitled and unmanageable.

Community Heroes: How I bring environmental issues to life in classrooms and help students cultivate a love for natureI’m a passionate environmentalist who runs Earth School — a non-profit organisation that aims to increase environmental literacy among children and youth in Singapore.

Tips for Beginning a Disney CareerWe're sharing a few secrets of success from seven of the thousands of Disney executives and leaders who have their dream careers after starting as interns.

The interpreters using their bilingual proficiency to give others 'a voice in the courtroom'Access to justice shouldn’t depend on being able to understand legal proceedings in English. But interpretation is not about regurgitating what speakers say in another language, a common misconception debunked by interpreters from Singapore’s three courts.

Dutch scientist wins Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize for work on COVID-19 monitoring through wastewaterSINGAPORE: At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Singapore began testing wastewater to trace the spread of the disease, mirroring efforts by other countries.

Peranakan kebaya maker among 3 people honoured for promoting heritage, passing on skillsThey are recipients of NHB's Stewards of Intangible Cultural Heritage Award. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Helping restore mobility: How 3 S’pore healthcare professionals work with patients who’ve lost limbsHere’s what happens next once a limb has to be amputated.

‘Working with animals isn’t just cleaning poop’: River Wonders staff share what they wish people knew about their jobsHard work and heart work.

Meet the SAF musicians who signed on because of their secondary school band experienceDo they only play at National Day Parades? Are they trained soldiers? And does being in the army kill the creativity needed to make music? Members of the Singapore Armed Forces' Central Band shed light on life as a military musician.

Singapore’s most outstanding architecture professionals under 40Many of the architects included in this year’s list are involved in sustainable developments.

Singapore’s 30 most influential lawyers under 40Singapore Business Review recognises 30 young lawyers who have raised the bar for legal professionals across all fields.

Big top, big dreamsSingapore’s own acrobatic circus, the Circus of Altrades, thrilled spectators with perilous leaps and amazing feats at its first feature show recently. The Straits Times takes you behind the scenes to see the troupe’s hard work.

5 Singaporeans with Uncommon Jobs to be Inspired byIf you’re looking for a job beyond the conventional, perhaps the professions of these Singaporeans will broaden your perspective.

Competitive Pokemon coaching, professional princesses and other unusual servicesChances are, you haven’t heard of at least one of them. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Subtitles and captions on local TV shows: Who does them? And what's the hardest part of the job?What goes into producing captions and subtitles in dramas like Unriddle, Tanglin and Cash On Delivery, and what are the biggest challenges and satisfactions of the job? CNA Lifestyle finds out from three Singapore subtitlers.

How Singaporean Edwin Toh landed a top job in Google despite not having a degreeSINGAPORE - Singaporean Edwin Toh, 36, has an interesting story to tell about how he ended up working for one of the world’s leading technology companies. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Pablo Dorigo Sempere turns algae from Venice canals into postage stampsSpanish-Italian designer Pablo Dorigo Sempere has extracted polluting algae from the Venetian Lagoon and used it to make paper postage stamps for the Italian city.

Real-life CSI: This forensic pathologist in Singapore searches for clues in dead bodies to help solve crimesCNA Lifestyle visits the mortuary to find out what forensic pathologists like Dr Lee Chin Thye do – and is it anything like true crime TV shows.

This psychiatrist has looked into the minds of rapists and killers. Here’s what he’s seenAre we more alike than dissimilar to the offenders we condemn and lock away? A forensic psychiatrist gives his take in Heavy Duty, CNA Insider’s new podcast series featuring people who see the dark side of human nature at work.

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This S’porean left a 6-year nursing career to be an SCDF paramedicAn SCDF paramedic shares why she switched from nursing to the frontlines and recalls one of her most unforgettable moments on the job.

Inspired by her karung guni grandfather, she started Commenhers to make upcycling cool and accessibleNuryanee Anisah Mohamed Noor grew up watching her family practise sustainability before it became a buzzword. Now, she runs Commenhers, a company that makes upcycling easy by turning reusable materials into new products and providing jobs for vulnerable women.

Like a fairy godmother: The mascot maker who brings characters to lifeIn this series, people from all walks of life offer an inside – often unfiltered – take on their livelihoods and what keeps them going in their jobs. In this instalment, hear from first-generation mascot maker Noorjahan Katu on what it takes to build a costume empire, as told to The Straits Times.

Jailed at 19 and now an award-winning poet, she asks for more compassion for inmates: ‘We are all human’Trapped in domestic abuse, poverty and drug use as a teen, award-winning poet ArunDitha found healing through words. Now, through her prison poetry workshops and her performance at President’s Challenge Night on Nov 2, 2025, she’s calling for compassion and stronger community support for inmates rebuilding their li

Your S’pore Story: ‘I wanted to be a kampung doctor, with my patients as my neighbours’This geriatrician left the comfort of an established practice to start an affordable clinic for the elderly. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Meet Bianca Bustamante, the rising race car driver from the Philippines who was ‘told to dream less’No one expected her to make it this far. Manila-born Bianca Bustamante opens up about breaking barriers as the first female in the McLaren Driver Development Programme and what it means to fly the Asian flag in international motor racing.

She started a pottery brand that feeds street kids in Vietnam – all because of a hotel cup she used on holidayA beach holiday in Hoi An took an unexpected turn for this former teacher, inspiring her to start an ethical pottery brand that both supports Vietnamese women artisans and street kids who might otherwise be scavenging through rubbish bins for their next meal.

Tastemakers: How two former national softball teammates grew you tiao into a $2 million chainA shared interest in doing business led two friends to start a snack venture together in 2019. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

'I suspect he's cheating': She finds proof when spouses strayIn this new series, people from all walks of life offer an inside – often unfiltered – take on their livelihoods and what keeps them going in their job. In this instalment, hear from Ms Lim – a private investigator who cannot reveal her full name – as told to The Straits Times.

Meet the 23-year-old who grew her subscriber base to 20K in under three years23-year-old Amanda Cua started BackScoop, an online newsletter carrying the top stories on tech and business in Southeast Asia, after her plans to attend university unravelled quickly.

She used to fear insects – now she keeps buildings pest-free, one rat and cockroach at a timeNorhayati Samsudin used to be terrified of cockroaches and other insects – until she got a job as a pest control officer. She now rids entire buildings of cockroaches, ants and wasps, and even scares off monkeys. She lets CNA Women in on her work as a pest control officer – the only female in he

'Being underestimated fuels me': Meet the Singapore female race car driver with 30 races under her beltGladys Lam’s passion for cars started when she was a teen. Racing was never part of the plan but her love for driving naturally evolved into competitive motorsports. She is now Singapore’s only active female race car driver.

Helping people in pain: Meet 3 friends who took over a chiropractic business and now run 13 healthcare clinicsIn a culture where discomfort is often brushed off, three Singaporean women are pushing back. They run The Health Collective, and through their chiropractic care, osteopathy, physiotherapy and dental clinics, want to challenge the notion that pain is just a part of life.

‘We must keep innovating’: Why problem-solving doctor is bent on advancing eye treatment and researchDriven by a passion for helping patients, Duke-NUS Medical School alumna combines over a decade of clinical expertise in myopia treatment with dedicated mentorship to advance medical innovation Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

10 Singaporean millennial women tell us what it's like to lead their own companiesStarting a business is easy. Sustaining a business and ensuring that it thrives? Easier said than done. Which is why we are especially in awe when a person takes the plunge and rises up to the challenge. In light of the upcoming International's Women Day, we spotlight millennial female entrepreneurs who dared to make their dreams a reality and start...

Gunshot wounds, broken limbs: This Doctors Without Borders volunteer treated trauma and injury in conflict zonesMoved by the humanitarian work of Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), Singaporean anaesthesiologist Dr Deborah Khoo went on a three-month medical mission in Afghanistan, where she treated trauma injuries alongside other volunteers from around the world.

In this week’s edition of The FQ Newsletter: Jess Smith is President of… | Shelley ZalisIn this week’s edition of The FQ Newsletter: Jess Smith is President of the Golden State Valkyries, a Sports Business Journal Power Player in Women's Sports, and one of the most inventive minds in the world of women’s sports. Jess single-handedly revolutionized the sports industry with the “Fan Fueled Player Fund,” when she was with Angel City Football Club, where players receive 1% of net ticketing proceeds for advertising ticket sales with their names and likeness. Investors, fans, and athletes all have their eyes on women’s sports, not just because they’re entertaining, but because they’re big business. So what an honor to sit down with Jess for an honest interview about how she defines the value of a sports team, the “unstable” league that changed everything for her, and where she’s caused trouble along the way. Read this week’s edition of The FQ Newsletter for Jess’s full interview: https://lnkd.in/gAt-d3j8

Singapore sailor Cecilia Low trades medals for meetings, wins over corporate leaders with ‘can do’ attitudeCecilia Low has been sailing as a professional athlete since she was a teenager. She was looking to get her foot into the corporate world, but something else came her way to lead her back to the open sea.

‘As fast as we can’: S’pore respiratory therapist on helping patients in their sickest & most dire moments - Mothership.SG - News from Singapore, Asia and around the world

Grounded for a year due to injury, Singapore skydiver Kyra Poh aims to soar againShe broke her ankle while training and had to watch from the sidelines as her teammates competed. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Not just another sustainable brand: How Singapore womenswear label Rock Daisy stands out in a sea of basicsWith its structured silhouettes, meticulous craftsmanship, and a no-compromise approach to sustainability, Rock Daisy proves that eco-conscious fashion can be anything but boring.

From an Investment Bank Analyst to Becoming a C-130 Pilot

Soaring to save lives: The flight nurse who flies around the world responding to medical emergenciesHemma Rajendra provides “bedside-to-bedside” care and ensures that patients in an emergency evacuation get continuous medical attention. Her job at EMA Global takes her all over the world, on air ambulances, medical jets and even commercial planes.

NUS alumna shoots for the moon and lands in NASAAs a young girl fascinated by space and science, Dr Yeo Li Hsia (’13) found herself drawn to her local...

Henna hustle: How some women turn their hobby into a thriving careerST spoke with 16 henna artists, more than half of whom have left their previous jobs to do this full time. Read more at straitstimes.com.

DSO National Laboratories on LinkedIn: What's it like to work in Singapore's largest Defence R&D organisation as…What does a day in the life of a Quality Engineer at DSO look like? We follow Ying Lin around to find out how she helps DSO maintain high quality standards…

Airport worker who opened her home to stranded passengers wins annual awardShe was among 32 award winners lauded at Changi Airport’s 30th Annual Airport Celebration. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Singapore footballer and cricketer Sara Merican named one of IOC’s Young LeadersThe programme will provide candidates with expert guidance, seed funding to create grassroots sport-based initiatives. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Inspiring women in STEM: Innovators, scientists, and role models shaping the futureThe International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed globally on 11 February every year, aiming to promote full and equal access and participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields for women and girls. This year, the initiative embraces the theme “Unpacking STEM careers: Her Voice in Science”, empha...

Heroes of change: Meet the innovators using tech to transform and improve livesThese game-changers have tapped science to make a difference to this place we call home. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Shaping the Future of BPD Care: Dr. Lois Choi-Kain, Director of the Gunderson Personality Disorders Institute, Shares Her Story — Women Who Win “Working with people with BPD and their families has taught me the greatest lessons of what it means to be human.” Today’s woman dreamer is Dr. Lois Choi-Kain. She is currently the Director of the Gunderson Personality Disorders Institute (GPDI), an internationally recognized center of training for

This Singapore femtech start-up created a home saliva test for women to track hormone changes in perimenopauseWhen Prelude Health co-founder Mayra Hurtado experienced symptoms she couldn’t explain, she spent a lot of money on laboratory tests, to be told it was perimenopause. Now, her company’s saliva test, Hormony, will help women figure out their hormone fluctuations and get the support they need.

Studying for a degree while nursing and parenting full-time was no joke. But I’d do it againMs Peh Xueli had always wanted to go back to school to become a better nurse, but was worried about how to juggle being a full-time worker, mother and student as well. Here’s how she finally did it.

I shadowed a community nurse at St Luke’s Hospital and learnt why community care plays a critical role in the healthcare landscapeAn eye-opening experience.

Singaporean of the Year finalist: Marine biologist dives into work to rally people to save seasMs Sam Shu Qin, 35, co-founded a group that clears rubbish from the sea. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Her parents said music was a 'risky' career. This Singaporean defied their doubts, ending up on the world's biggest stagesOne evening while doom-scrolling social media as usual, I came across a video of American singer-songwriter Conan Gray trying an array of snacks that are popular here, as he visited Singapore on the Asian leg of his Found Heaven on Tour. After sampling a bag of Twisties and rating the corn snack seve

Adapting to new innovations is essential for lifelong learning, but educational technologist Dr Amy Ogan stresses it’s equally important to embrace that which makes us human.

'A good gang for kids': She set up Tak Takut Kids Club for at-risk children to have a safe place to goShiyun Lin founded 3Pumpkins’ Tak Takut Kids Club so that children from underprivileged and complex family backgrounds could have a safe space to thrive. It includes an art studio, a community kitchen, and a garden – all of which the kids take care of.

She may not be a citizen yet but she proudly took S'pore flag to outer spaceOn Aug 29, as the nation still basked in the glow of its 59th birthday, the Singapore flag entered outer space. The flag was proudly carried by entrepreneur Nicolina Elrick, who has been calling Singapore home since 1995. “Singapore is...

FROM NURSE TO ARMY OFFICERInspired by her four older brothers, 2LT Zakiah Huda Binte Sapari answered her calling to serve on a bigger scale and joined the SAF.

She’s one of RSN’s first female submarinersWith the commissioning of the Invincible-class submarine, CPT Loh Jia Yi joins the ranks of “dolphins” as one of four qualified female submariners.

I'm fluent in 7 languages, and I don't plan on stopping thereA chance encounter showed Ms Pugunes Visvanathan, a lead ticketing host at Sentosa, how powerful language can be in connecting with people, especially in their time of need.

On life, loss, lessons learnt from patients, and a sweaty obsession: 5 columns by Lee Wei LingHer topics ranged from personal reflections growing up to her work as director of the National Neuroscience Institute. Read more at straitstimes.com.

From selling jewellery on her blog as a teen, this Singaporean now designs pieces for Japanese royaltyLechelle Petite’s Michelle J Tan on how her hobby became a business, finding inspiration from gem materials, and designing jewellery for Japan’s Princess Hitachi and the wife of the nation’s Prime Minister.

People told her not to chase dreams in Singapore. She started her own circus anywayBeverly Wan directs, produces and performs in her own show.

Gig girls: Meet 4 women in Singapore who have fulfilling day jobs but started passion-filled side hustlesNot content with their professional roles, these women lovingly started creative pursuits, from being a fibre artist, founding a pet ferry service, becoming a tourist guide, and a route setter at a bouldering gym. They tell CNA Women what drives them.

Retrenched fintech MD now sells Shokupan in Fortune Centre: ‘I wanted to do something I won’t regret when I die’The Japan-born INSEAD MBA holder turned to baking after being retrenched from her managing director job. “It made me reflect on the meaning of working for a company. I was already in my mid-40s and thought: ‘What’s the meaning of my life?’. So she opened Tsumiki Bake, selling “high-quality Japanese bread hand

A year after sisters open shio pan hawker stall, their buns now sold at hip Japanese cafe HvalaThe sibling hawkers say this collaboration with cafe Hvala is “a dream come true”.

Gen Z Speaks: I never considered a career in the special needs sector until a life-changing internship opened my eyesMy parents have always encouraged me to volunteer from a young age. Always my biggest cheerleaders, they raised me to focus on my personal growth, rather than just my academic achievements.

Gen Z Speaks: At 22, I've already had 12 part-time jobs. It's been hard, but it's prepared me for 'real' working life“You are already failing Maths, and you still don’t want to attend remedial class?” my Secondary 3 teacher asked. But it's not that I didn't want to go — rather, I couldn't.

Mothership | Told to quit the sport due to an injury in 2016, Gemma is now at her 4th rodeo at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Let’s continue to cheer for... | Instagram

Recycling plastics into roads: How 29-year-old is paving a greener future for SingaporeThe founder of tech start-up Magorium developed a sustainable material that uses plastic – even those deemed “unrecyclable” – to construct our roads, instead of relying on crude oil. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The Stories Behind: This bodyguard of Singapore presidents swapped gun for ladle to run her family's hawker stallsSINGAPORE — When visiting hawker stalls around Singapore, it is not uncommon to see photographs of the stallholder with celebrities who have dined there plastered on the walls.

When ultrasound scans are abnormal, this Singaporean foetal surgeon helps parents through hard decisionsUltrasound scans are a common procedure in pregnancy. But when they reveal abnormalities in the foetus, Dr June Tan from KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital knows that an expectant parent’s decision about how to proceed rests heavily on what she shares and how she handles their questions.

Community Heroes: I keep a fridge and freezer outside my flat well-stocked, so that my neighbours do not need to go hungryI am a mother of five children aged between 10 and 27 years old. I have been a rental flat resident at Lengkok Bahru for 14 years and a volunteer in the community for the past five. I am also a working mother.

Meet the K-pop concert interpreter in Singapore who's impressed IU, Taeyeon and other actsIn recent months, South Korean interpreter April Kim has become the darling of the K-pop community (and a few K-pop acts) after multiple videos – highlighting her unique ways of conveying artistes’ messages to concert-goers – went viral.

Commentary: I started @katong.joochiat to document my neighbourhood. This is how it has reshaped my ideas of heritageOne of my most cherished childhood memories is visiting an old provision shop at the junction of Koon Seng Road and Everitt Road.

This Singaporean set up a library in Bukit Merah for people to share their books by renting shelvesAt Casual Poet Library, opening in August, every shelf is rented to an individual wanting to loan their books for free. Its founder Rebecca Toh wasn’t sure people would embrace the idealism and “impracticality” of a community-funded library – but she was proven wrong.

Tech Marketer, Empowerment Advocate: Neha Kaushal Reflects on Her Journey in Fueling Girls' Dreams and Passions" — Women Who Win “Ultimately, my dream is to empower women to build successful careers and become leaders in cybersecurity. By offering the necessary mentorship, education, and opportunities, we can foster a more diverse and innovative industry, creating a ripple effect of positive change.” Today’s woman dreamer, Ne

Community Heroes: Aged 16, I wanted to help kids from single-parent homes. Establishing credibility proved a challengeI have been volunteering since young at old folk homes and charity flag days, and enjoy interacting with people from all walks of life.

Airline cabin crew member who eyed switch to nursing at age 35 among award-winning ITE graduatesShe was one of nearly 12,000 students who graduated from ITE this year. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Keeping A Watchful Eye On Our WeatherAt the Meteorological Service Singapore, operational meteorologist Leong Pei Yi shows Challenge how the weather is forecast with various types of data.

The Stories Behind: The troubled teen who spent her youth running from the law but now runs a chain of beauty salonsSINGAPORE — From smoking her first cigarette when she was nine years old and having multiple run-ins with the law, Ms Ivy Zerbel Lim's entrepreneurial ways are a far cry from her rebellious teenage behaviour.

Disney Cast Member’s Journey from Intern to Full-Time Engineer - Disney ExperiencesMeet Sarah, a Walt Disney World Resort engineer who gets to fulfill her childhood dreams of, “making the rides go around” every day. Learn more about what she and her team have created.

Meet Software Engineer, Bianca. - Careers - LEGO.comAs a student, Software Engineer, Bianca, was inspired by her experience of working with the LEGO Group. This is her story.

S'pore pastry chef, 28, leads double life, makes cakes by day & cake-looking candles by nightGuess you could say her cakes are lit.

She’s a hit: Singapore’s only female pro wrestler vows to fight onLion City Hit Girl, as Alexis Lee is known in the ring, is Singapore’s only professional female wrestler. Since her first pro outing here in 2013 when she was just 18, she has won several championship titles and even wrestles men twice her size.

Singaporean filmmaker Nelicia Low wins best director award at film festival in Czech RepublicLow won the award for her work on the film Pierce, her debut feature.

She moved to London to become British museum Tate’s first Singaporean curator of photographyA recent transplant from the National Gallery Singapore, Charmaine Toh tells CNA Women how life has changed after her move to London, what her work entails and what to expect from her debut exhibition at Tate Modern next year.

https://www.maritimeone.sg/article-detail/a-journey-of-excellence-fatin-s-maritime-aspirations

Community Heroes: Why we're passionate about making 'fidget blankets' to help dementia patientsI’ve always envisioned collaborating with my sister on something that has a meaningful impact and genuinely helps people.

A love of video games as a child led S'pore student, 18, to win top award, paid trip to Apple HQ in AmericaSINGAPORE/CALIFORNIA (United States) — When she was aged eight or nine, Miss Jiang Tongyu loved playing video games with her brother. She aspired to creating her own game one day so that she could bring the joy she got from games to others.

This Singaporean vet is making sure senior pets get the palliative care they need in their last daysLike humans, our beloved fur babies will grow old, lose their sight, hearing, organ functions and suffer from critical illnesses like cancer. Driven by the pain of losing her own beloved dogs, Dr Kelly Yeo co-founded The Gentle Vet to help pets and their owners on their last heartbreaking journey together and reduce

Lee Kang Qi“Everyone has the potential to achieve their ideal life and overcome their difficulties; everyone has the capacity to build their resilience.” Lee Kang Qi Psychologist Singapore Association for Mental Health

Meet the 28-year-old Singaporean chief officer of a Celebrity Cruises ship who’s sailed around the CaribbeanSahira Sha’ri lives the literal life on deck. The 28-year-old Singaporean spends months onboard Celebrity Beyond, the luxury cruise ship where she is the chief officer who manages the ship’s operations and safety while meeting passengers from all over the world.

Making music again: Award-winning film composer on returning to her first love

Diversify to thrive: How firm’s commitment to gender equality is fuelling innovation and growthGamuda Berhad is dedicated to ensuring a level playing field for women to excel across its businesses. Read more at straitstimes.com.

S'pore ambassador Rena Lee who led global talks on high seas treaty makes Time's list of world's 100 most influential peopleSINGAPORE — Singaporean Rena Lee, who last year led successful global talks on a treaty to protect the high seas, has been recognised in Time magazine's list of the world's 100 most influential people.

Gen Y Speaks: As a former film student, I felt like a fraud in my coding career. Here’s how I overcame imposter syndromeI stumbled into the world of software engineering almost by accident.

This Singaporean architect was tasked to refurbish one of the highest placed hotels in the worldArchitect Goy Zhenru’s passion for craft has led her to work with regional artisans, as well as renovate the Hotel Everest View in the Himalayas.

I chose this path, I must finish it: First woman to top SAF’s gruelling combat diver courseThis also marks the first time women have completed the Combat Diver Course since it started in 1987. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Love hoaxes to money mules: She fights scams in Singapore as SPF’s Anti-Scam Command lead investigatorDeputy Superintendent of Police Sindhu Dasan leads a specialist police team that tackles scams – from concert ticket fraudsters to major con rings based overseas. She tells CNA Women how her team protects Singapore from such crimes.

These 6 women are making an impact in the field of architectureThese trailblazers share what keeps them motivated, and what they hope to achieve in their roles as architect.

Gen Y Speaks: Helping migrant workers as part of my bank job has opened my eyes to the needs of the vulnerableWhenever someone asks me what I do in a bank, they’re surprised when I tell them I work with migrant workers.

This Singapore female tech expert is developing a device to help people with dementia in case they get lostFrom assembling her own CPU in the 90s to developing police cameras for HDB blocks, Khoo Ri Na of Evvo Labs tells CNA Women how her love for gadgets and her knack for problem-solving led her to develop tech solutions for national security and healthcare.

Four change-makers seek impact in medical researchBringing fresh perspectives to long-standing health challenges, these scientists are using techniques such as big-data analytics and AI to push the field.

www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/pioneer/article/regular-article-detail/people/2024-Q1/18mar24_news1

From Love, Bonito to Our Second Nature: Singapore entrepreneur Velda Tan's fashion journeyShe was a co-founder of Love, Bonito, but stepped away in pursuit of slower fashion with Our Second Nature and Atlas Kind, where clothing is “not just a product, but also an emotional connection with customers.”

How co-founder of Nesuto Patisserie & Masterchef S'pore guest judge went from IT studies to culinary careerShe calls herself “the accidental baker”.

From air traffic controller to interior designer: She reignited her teenage passion during the pandemicWhen the aviation industry was badly hit during the pandemic, former air traffic controller Phan Min Er turned to her teenage obsession with beautiful homes to pivot to becoming an interior designer.

Nur Aisyah Binte Mohamad Nizam"The role of a Social Worker is like a game of “Jenga” where each piece of Jenga represents a professional or a system, collectively forming a sturdy support structure to assist the client in overcoming challenges." Nur Aisyah Binte Mohamad Nizam Social Worker PPIS Oasis

Meet Melvados' 'Brownie Girl': She tests ice cream and brittle, and launched diabetic-friendly browniesSeven years ago, second-generation foodie Bandana Kaur gave up her dream of taking on corporate America to join her family’s homegrown food business, Melvados. As its branding manager, she tells CNA Women how much pleasure she gets from working with food – and family

ICA is a millennial & Gen Z-approved workplace. Here’s why.Don’t judge a book by its cover.

The 'death doula' who invites people to discuss the taboo subject over dinner with an aim to live wellTan Ming Li has made it her mission to help people talk more openly about death, in a way that she herself was not able to when she lost her mum at 17. At one of the events she runs, called Death Over Dinner, the food helps to facilitate meaningful conversations about dying and ultimately, also about living.

This S’porean has a mission to simplify GenAI at CPF, helping her colleagues to adopt it for workByte-sized learning.

CAST BEHIND THE MAGIC: MEET ANNA MELCHIOR, CARPENTER AT DISNEYLAND PARIS • DisneylandParis NewsAnna Melchior is a carpenter at Disneyland Paris hotels. After training in plastic arts and carpentry with the Compagnons du Devoir in Paris, she joined our teams in 2022 on a work study program and was soon hired on a permanent basis, a career path that has enabled her to transfer knowledge from her teachers […]

Social media savvy and driven: This Singapore property agent has sold $500m worth of homes and buildingsThe NTU graduate uses several digital platforms to market properties and won’t sell you a home she doesn’t feel good about. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Gen Y Speaks: Hustling too hard led me to burn out at 26. Now I know there's no prize for being 'the busy one'I always thought that doing well in school meant making my parents happy. As such, exam periods were very stressful, and I would often burn the midnight oil revising. This work ethic carried on into my professional life when I became a working adult.

L’Oréal - UNESCO For Women in Science (2023)Congratulations to Asst Prof XUE Shifeng, from the Department of Biological Sciences, who was one of three women who received...

She’s unlocking the secrets of hardy corals to help restore marine lifeTo help restore the reefs, Emma Camp is investigating the secrets of resilient ones thriving in tough environments. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Mothership on Instagram: "💡 TIL boccia is pronounced ‘bot-cha’"4,095 likes, 9 comments - mothershipsg on February 25, 2024: "💡 TIL boccia is pronounced ‘bot-cha’"

Amid a changing Arctic, Singapore scientists head north to study ice loss and extreme seasWhat happens in the Arctic does not stay there, and the researchers are helping to fill knowledge gaps. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Klarra founder Beatrice Tan on her Instagrammable ION Orchard flagship, motherhood and having it allNo, she didn’t expect the queues outside her new boutique on opening day. The unassuming founder and creative director of Singapore fashion label Klarra chats about her latest retail triumph and plans for the future.

Gen Y Speaks: From home bakes to pro cakes — how opening my own shop taught me to reframe my relationship with doubtIt started with a YouTube video. The year was 2015: During the long wait between junior college and university, I spent my afternoons coaching softball part-time, which meant that I had ample time to kill in the mornings. One morning, a cupcake tutorial by CupcakeJemma popped up on my explo

Intel Corporation on LinkedIn: Sandra Rivera: TIME 100 Talks | 15 commentsWe’re proud to call one of TIME's #TIME100 AI Honoree’s one of our own. Hear from Sandra Rivera on the future of bringing #AI everywhere… | 15 comments on LinkedIn

She juggled 4 jobs as a student, now she's the face of a charity that helps women from low-income familiesSINGAPORE — Decades have passed but Ms Kaylee Kua still vividly remembers her growing up years, cramped in a three-room flat with her parents, grandparents and two elder siblings.

EY CareersMeet Audrey. She balanced work and studies to excel in the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification (SCAQ) program. She also ranked in the top ten performers for her final paper. Read on to...

Road Concierge: Entrepreneur Lisa Morris Shares Her Journey in Broadway, Film, TV, and Philanthropy — Women Who Win “I started out as a musical theater actress.   I did the Broadway Touring and European Touring companies of a wide variety of musicals, including:  Les Miserables, Cats, Evita, Beauty and the Beast, and more.   While on tour, I thought o

Firsthand: S'porean mother & daughter, 69 & 37, share what it's like to open a business together“Even when I’m working, I’m actually spending time with one of the most important people in my life."

How Malay bridal entrepreneur Yumi Ayummi became a hit among millennials and Gen Z newlyweds-to-beSingaporean Yumi Ayummi was an executive in the banking industry with no experience in the Malay bridal industry. Fourteen years later, she found success in a traditional industry and even has her own makeup line.

2 S'pore teens spend holidays making bouquets for elderly to put smiles on their facesThe pair have delivered 100 bunches of flowers since December.

The Singaporean artist who once turned an HDB staircase gold continues to highlight social issues through her artSingaporean artist Priyageetha Dia believes art is a medium to express her identity and struggles as a minority female artist in Singapore. She tells CNA Women about her eventful journey as an artist, from her controversial gold-foiled HDB staircase in 2017 to her exhibition at Singapore Art Week 2024.

Adventure Of A Lifetime: Rriley thought offer of Coldplay opening act gig was a scamThe Singapore singer-musician made her name as a member of popular local band The Sam Willows. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Would you change jobs in your 40s or 50s? These women made a midlife career switch with no regretsIt’s not too late to embark on a second career – even if you’re hitting middle age. These women told CNA Women what led them to take the bold step of changing professions at an older age, forgoing the senior positions and high salaries they used to have, so they could have meaning and purpose in life. &n

Gen Y Speaks: Wheelchair-bound since 17, I finally found a firm that values inclusivity because I refuse to give upWhen I was 17, I experienced complications from chemotherapy during my leukaemia relapse and I was paralysed from the waist down.

What’s a risk you took that you’re proud of? These women in Singapore share their inspiring storiesFrom letting go of identity as a career woman to starting a dance academy despite a back injury, five women in Singapore tell their stories about taking a risk, how it paid off and how you can be inspired to become a risk taker too. As told to CNA Women’s Izza Haziqah.

Four Women in Leadership Growing Their Careers in Japan - Life at DisneyIt all starts with a dream, and these four women have grown their Disney careers with pride. From Product Design to Marketing, meet four employees based in Japan who shared their magical journeys with us.

Firsthand: Best friends, 17, open café at Bugis while still studying in polytechnicWhat were you doing at 17?

No Degree Required: How I prove my worth as a vinyl car wrapper amid male chauvinism and prejudice against manual work As a student, I envisioned myself entering the creative or media industry.

This 28-year-old Singaporean started chocolate boutique BerryBar and it’s now headed to DubaiMaribelle Seah, the founder of artisan chocolate boutique BerryBar, started making her popular chocolate treats four years ago in her mum’s kitchen during the COVID-19 circuit breaker. CNA Women finds out how the former recruiter ended up with a successful business selling chocolate-covered strawberries.

Jennifer Lee on 'Wish,' Leading Disney Animation and the Future of 'Frozen' - The Walt Disney CompanyAn interview with Jennifer Lee—Chief Creative Officer of Disney Animation and writer/executive producer of "Wish"—about the highly anticipated film.

Meet Hasinah Binte Mohamed Amin of SP Group, who works to ensure Singapore’s electric cables are well-orchestrated in the face of increasing land use optimisation and complexity.The nation’s grid keepers

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products on LinkedIn: #disneygames #lifeatdisneyWhat's a typical day like supporting #DisneyGames? 👉 “My day can consist of everything from playing work-in-progress game builds, to virtually meeting with…

Republic Polytechnic on LinkedIn: #besomuchmore #discoverrp #rpoh24From outdoor adventure to sailing the high seas. This is the story of ME2 Tan Xiao Shi, who is also an RP School of Sports, Health and Leisure graduate. Xiao…

How S’porean, 57, went from petrol kiosk cashier to OCBC customer service manager & stayed for 36 yearsIt ain’t easy, but someone’s gotta do it.

Job hop? No, thanks: How a chemist is still having an adventure at CPF after joining as fresh grad 13 years agoShe took the plunge and has not looked back since.

Meet the woman behind Klook Singapore’s success story during the pandemicKlook Singapore GM Sarah Wan tells CNA Luxury how they're bringing back the magic of travel through curated joyful experiences.

Michelle Obama could teach Meghan and Harry a thing or two about brand-buildingSince leaving the White House “lockdown”, Michelle Obama has become the breakout star of the new Obama show.

‘I wanted to stretch my limits’: How an SAF captain became the first woman to complete the Ranger courseIt is no mean feat to pass one of the toughest small-unit leadership courses in the Singapore Armed Forces. Earlier this year, Captain Yap Hui Jun became the first woman to do so.

The Value of Hard-Earned Money: Jessica Shah Shares Journey in Finance, Entrepreneurship, and Akshaya Patra — Women Who Win “Always talk to the people in your life, especially your elders. Listen to their stories, and learn from their experiences.” Today’s woman dreamer, Jessica Shah is an NYC based finance professional and entrepreneur, with a passion for philanthropy and giving back. In her inspiring Women Who Win inte

Work It podcast: What does it take to become a female general manager at an MNC by 40Data suggests that the median age of general managers is 46. Yeoh Ying Ying was 39 when she took the top job.

Her son’s allergies inspired Mad About Sucre's Lena Chan to create award-winning allergen-free pastriesShe became a pastry chef only at the age of 41. She created clean-dining desserts before they became a trend in Singapore. She has even baked for K-pop group Blackpink. Mad About Sucre’s co-founder Lena Chan shares how her eldest son’s food allergies inspired her to live her dream.

'It’s all for the women': This nurse has cared for breast cancer patients for 25 years and started a support groupPatmavathy Chellaiyya is a senior nurse clinician who holds the hands of breast cancer patients, listens to their worries, and encourages them not to give up. She tells CNA Women what it’s like caring for breast cancer patients, how she started the TTSH breast cancer support group and why being a breast care nurse

Of Corals And Conservation: Protecting Sentosa’s Marine LifeSentosa is home to a rich variety of marine life such as corals and sea turtles. Find out how the Sentosa Development Corporation works to ensure that these species are protected.

Treating breast cancer: Doctors often focus on the medical and physical – what about the emotional?It is simply “not enough” for doctors to explain and execute an effective treatment plan for women suffering from breast cancer. Empathy, tenderness and even celebration are also key to recovery, says Dr Michelle Tseng, a female radiation oncologist in private healthcare.

Singaporean designer makes her mark on international stage at Paris Fashion WeekThe outfits featured on the runway were an extension of Ms Kavita Thulasidas’ collection that won her the Singapore Stories Award conferred by the Singapore Fashion Council and the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) last year.

Disney Animation-Inspired Mural Will WOW You in The Villas at Disneyland HotelIn honor of the new Disney animation-inspired mural coming to The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, we’re sharing a new digital wallpaper and an interview with the artist.

The Most Powerful Women in Banking 2023Our annual list of The Most Powerful Women in Banking.

Her father went to jail when she was only 9, but she made it to university with some helpRecommendations made at symposium to support young offenders and at-risk youth. Read more at straitstimes.com.

‘It’s not all doom and gloom’: Meet the hopeful conservationists who show how anyone can protect our planetDr Jessica Lee, Dr Charlene Yeong and Sue Ye are hardworking and passionate advocates for birds, native wildlife and marine biodiversity respectively. They tell CNA Women about their conservation work, how they protect the environment and how conservationist habits can be accessible to everyone.

3 female S’porean racers share why & how they ‘go for 100%’ in their work & personal life‘Putting pedal to the metal’, in more ways than one.

'Imagine taking university classes at a firing range': Woman shares unusual career path from SAF gunnery instructor to DBS product managerThese days, Ong Jia Hui dons formal office wear for her job at DBS Bank. But a few years back, her work attire was entirely different and she wore an army uniform instead. Before working as a project manager for the bank, she was a regular servicewoman at the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) for five years. Though she enjoyed her...

The way of water – How sustainability lessons at school shaped this student’s career goalsSam Pei Yi gravitated towards Republic Poly’s Environmental & Marine Science department as a post-secondary pathway. Find out how and why...

From Charles & Keith to Ginlee Studio: How Singaporean brands are reinventing circular fashionTransforming your favourite old outfit into something new and useful just got easier.

S'pore woman, 23, buys Serangoon condo with money earned from businessShe said she has always worked hard and consistency is key.

A Clam State Of MindGlobally acclaimed Singaporean marine biologist Dr Neo Mei Lin shares why cross-border collaboration underpinned by cultural cognisance is key to conserving biodiversity in our oceans.

For super interns in tech, the hustle starts early and comes at a costMore students who hope to work in technology are juggling multiple internships with school. Three of them tell CNA why they do it.

'People underestimate me a lot': How a visually impaired actor fought her way to the stageClaire Teo started losing her vision at the age of four. She tells CNA how her dream of being a star transformed into doing more for people with disabilities.

To fight tax crimes in Singapore, this IRAS tax investigator has raided nightclubs and embalming roomsShe has fought more than 50 tax crimes such as GST and income tax fraud, confronted syndicates and helped to unravel complex fraud schemes. Meet 33-year old IRAS tax investigator Kwek Shi Yi.

She’s mastered the art of spotting fake luxury goods: Meet an authenticator from Vestiaire CollectiveVestiaire Collective’s authenticator Kai Ning tells CNA Lifestyle how the tell-tale signs of top-graded counterfeit items are often hidden in the details.

Becoming Future Ready: Critical Thinking, Real-World Experience & The Role of Technology - United Women SingaporeWe recently sat down with Candy and Constanz, 2 students from the UWS STEM First FinTech programme, and had a chat with them about what first got them interested in the programme, what they’ve learnt, and what advice they would like to give to other like-minded FinTech enthusiasts.

Gen Z Speaks: I was fixated on studying the sciences, even though I wasn't good at them. It wasn't too late to switch tracksIn my lower secondary days, I was a consistent top scorer with a near perfect score for all subjects.

A Guide to Becoming a PolicymakerAre you an aspiring policymaker? Let Neo Hui Yi share her experience on becoming one!

Cleaning the Dying: How Vigil Angels Restore Dignity to Palliative PatientsVigil Angels offers comfort and dignity to home hospice patients by giving them one final clean. We follow Nurse Amy on one of these sessions. The post Cleaning the Dying: How Vigil Angels Restore Dignity to Palliative Patients appeared first on RICE.

Fact or Fiction: On Forensic Science with Crime Writer and Journalist Liz Porter“Real forensic scientists don’t get written about, so it’s important that when somebody writes about them, that they get it correct.”

From surgical table to dining table: A former nurse’s unusual journey to becoming a zi char stall ownerShe used to assist with surgery on accident victims at the operating theatre. Now Joanne Annalyn Lau is serving up delicious lala white bee hoon. CNA Women speaks to surgical scrub nurse turned banker and zi char stall owner in the first of this series on women who have made extreme job switches.

Ex-flight attendant among Singaporeans working in roles related to World Cup in QatarThe World Cup has been a truly international affair, and Singapore is playing a small part. From making the container complexes possible to ensuring security for fans, meet two Singaporeans in the thick of it.

Meet the women leading the way in Tech-for-Good and diversity from SingaporeWhile 41 per cent of Singapore’s tech workforce are women, far above the global average of 28 per cent, Singapore understands that more can always be done. We hear from three women who are driving tech-for-good and diversity from Singapore.

S’porean air steward & aspiring aircraft engineer share how going to poly helped their careers take flightFlying high.

Nareen Sidhu Reflects on her Inspiring Journey: Entrepreneurship, Harvard Business School, and Advice to Young Women Professionals — Women Who Win “The most important business and life lesson that I have learnt is courage – courage to test an idea instead of perfecting it.” Today’s woman dreamer Nareen Sidhu is an entrepreneur with a mission to empower female founders. Originally from Malaysia, Nareen graduated from Harvard Business School thi

The Data Behind Every Exceptional Experience - Industrial Engineering - Life at DisneyDisney's Industrial Engineers work behind-the-scenes with dozens of partners in the operation to ensure seamless visits for guests from around the world.

My Learning Diaries: Having supported my family through my career in ICA, I finally entered NUS at age 26As a young adult, I have always considered pursuing higher education after obtaining a diploma in Integrated Events and Project Management from Singapore Polytechnic in 2014, but my family’s financial situation did not permit this.

Firsthand: Design student goes from earning S$1,800 to 5-figure salary & owning business she loves A 12-year career journey.

Youth-run thrift stores in Singapore paving the way for sustainable fashion revolutionSINGAPORE — When customers walk into Woofie's Warehouse at Golden Landmark Shopping Complex, they will be surprised by the absence of employees lurking around.

Escape Rooms! Nicole Loeb Talks Co-Founding Trapology Boston & Breaking into the Live Experience Industry — Women Who Win “Escape rooms are board games that come to life. The stories immerse you. The concept challenges you and takes you out of reality - just for that one hour.” Meet today’s woman dreamer, Nicole Loeb, founder of Trapology Boston (one of Boston’s Best Escape Rooms), and also one of the world’s top weddi

Jill’s story about becoming a lawyer in her forties. (jobs.barclays)

Sniffing out a good business opportunityBusiness owner Joyce Lian stumbled upon the world of fragrances at polytechnic, and a degree in chemistry cemented her love for creating perfumes....

Meet SK-II’s first female global CEO: 'You can be an effective leader with your own personality and style'Lee Sue-Kyung, who famously wore a short playsuit when she first addressed P&G Korea as its CEO, says women should not need to conform to expectations and gender stereotypes to be successful in the workplace and should always be unafraid to be themselves.

Sentosa Fire Station's commander: Rescue work not all about fighting fires – empathy is keyA good firefighter needs to be able to take the heat – and in ways you might not expect, Lieutenant Colonel Jennyline Fan tells CNA Women.

Meet 4 teens who used Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn to launch their pursuits: Bagels, General Paper tuition, songwritingTwo sisters started selling home-baked bagels through Instagram, a gap-year student founded a tuition centre that now has a 75-student waitlist, and a singer got her first record deal by spamming people on LinkedIn – these young women tapped into the power of social media to live their dreams, all before turning 2

'Art isn't pointless': Singapore student photographer, 19, aces subject in A-Levels, lands offer to pursue fine arts in UKSINGAPORE — Student photographer Yvette Lim Jun Yan could hardly believe her eyes when she read an email in July 2021 inviting her to exhibit her works in Milan, Italy.

From studying potential biological weapons to teaching pre-schoolers: A scientist’s unusual career switchAfter training for 10 years to be a scientist and building a career in bio-defence, Catherine Ong gave it all up to work with pre-schoolers as a childcare centre operator. CNA Women speaks to the director of Kids and Kins Child Care Centre in this instalment of our series on women who made extreme job switches

Letter to My Younger Self: Nazreen Visram | Culture | Barclays Barclays’ Nazreen Visram reflects on the challenges, victories and mentors that have shaped her life – and taught her not to “hide away”.

Grace Chong-Tan: The co-founder of dental chain Smile Inc. on her career adventures in healthcare and hospitalityGrace Chong-Tan built a formidable chain of dental practices that disrupted the industry, and went on to open a boutique hotel.

Women in Science

Commentary: If even Jacinda Ardern can’t have it all, what hope is there for the rest of us?Who among us hasn’t felt like they just don't have “enough in the tank” sometimes? New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern may be resigning, but she isn’t opting out, says CNA's Charlene Tan.

Petite but packing a punch, she leads an elite police team that protects Singaporeans from violenceGang fights, assault and terrorism - just some of the incidents Inspector Priscilla Lim has to deal with as part of the Emergency Response Team that protects Singaporeans from some of the most violent offences in the country. She tells CNA Women what her training entailed and what a typical work day is like.

Powerlifting: 'Record is not mine alone', says Farhanna Farid as she rewrites world recordThe Singaporean eclipsed her U-52kg dead lift world record at the SEA Cup, just three months after notching her first world mark. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Chef of Greek restaurant Fotia on coming to Singapore with a baby and no real prospects: ‘I needed something more’Sofia Beleri had nearly a decade of experience in Greece and had established herself as an executive chef. CNA Women finds out what made her come to Singapore, where she had to start from scratch, and how she’s working towards a gender-equal future.

From Singapore to Tanzania, she's future-proofing the world's cities one green building at a timeFarizan d’Avezac De Moran is shaping more sustainable cities of the future through her building company GreenA Consultants. CNA Women speaks to her in this instalment of our women in sustainability series.

This former piano teacher decided to pursue her other passion and now designs fine jewelleryJoanne Sim, 43, the founder of Eli J Jewelry, found not only a second chance at love but also a way to pursue a very precious passion.

This Singaporean fashion designer makes clothes to empower stroke survivors and those with limited mobilityParsons graduate Claudia Poh finds the most meaning in making adaptive fashion that serves and uplifts people in ways that are unexpectedly creative.

The Singaporean designer who’s helping dementia patients with her award-winning ‘memory tool’Designer and design educator Poh Yun Ru's motion-tracking tool, which guides seniors with dementia to recall and play out familiar gestures, won the grand prize at the Lexus Design Award.

Repurposing fabric, restoring livelihoodsA sisterhood of women who are empowered through their skills and opportunities to create accessories with unwanted fabric.

Me & My Career: She thrives on cutting-edge tech, nurturing engineersManufacturing employee Rachel Lim counts herself a rarity in the semiconductor industry, having worked as a customer engineer for more than a decade. . Read more at straitstimes.com.

S’porean women helm cutting-edge engineering innovations at MNCThis semiconductor giant taps on an international network of expertise to broaden opportunities for employees — from fresh grads to managers . Read more at straitstimes.com.

Non Traditional Employment for Women: Expert Career AdviceAs women pursue nontraditional careers such as STEM, blue collar and the military, they have a chance at higher salaries and diverse opportunities.

Being a girl in a poly class of 24 boys: How this S'pore woman achieved her dream of becoming an engineerThis is Binita Saha’s journey — from being interested in engineering as a child to becoming an engineer in an MNC (and so much more).

Conversations on Singapore Women’s Development (reach.gov.sg)

The White Paper on Singapore Women’s Development reflects our shared vision towards a fairer and more inclusive society, where men and women partner each other as equals, and both can pursue their aspirations freely and to the fullest.

Singaporean female embalmers show us how they preserve & clean up bodies for their final send offEmbalmers Sarah Ang and Nicole Chong from Serenity Casket and Funerals take us on a behind-the-scenes look at the process of embalming and share the joys and woes of being a female embalmer in Singapore.

Women

୧ʕ•̀ᴥ•́ʔ୨ What to do when the going gets tough... ( * ́꒳`*)੭

In high school, I had my life planned out. | Amanda CuaIn high school, I had my life planned out. Good grades, top university, and a Wall Street finance job. Then, I got rejected by nearly every university I applied to. At 18, I learned a big lesson in adulting—that life rarely goes according to plan. It was 2020. COVID hit. I was stuck at home, staring at university rejection after rejection. I'd always followed my head and done the right thing. Put in the late nights, got good grades. But suddenly, I had nothing to show for it. I failed. My confidence was shattered, and I asked myself: "Am I not good enough? Were my dreams too big? How could they be?" So, for the first time, I stopped following my head and listened to my heart instead. My heart said: Take a gap year and reapply later. Maybe my dreams weren’t too big, and this just wasn’t the right time. So, I started hunting for a job. I had only one offer: first intern at an early-stage startup. And I loved it so much I took a second gap year. But suddenly, I felt like I wasn’t growing in my role anymore. What would I do for my second gap year? My heart whispered another crazy idea: Start something of your own. That's how BackScoop was born. A newsletter covering Southeast Asian startup news. I had no idea what I was doing, but I launched anyway. Fast forward to today: 5 years in tech, almost 4 running my own business. I've built a name for myself, growing my business to work with banks, big tech companies, and unicorns across APAC. Funny how life turns out, huh? At 18, I questioned if my Wall Street dreams were too big. Now, I realize that life had even bigger, better plans for me. I never ended up reapplying to university. But following my heart led me somewhere far better than my original "dream career." I followed my heart and it led me here. Are you listening to yours? 💙 📸: In Joo Chiat, one of my favorite neighborhoods in Singapore. 📰 Want the latest startup news and business stories in Southeast Asia? Subscribe for free: www.backscoop.com | 38 comments on LinkedIn

‘I don’t want to die’: 20-year-old still dreams of becoming a doctor even as she battles incurable illnessesMiss Tammie Ong’s debilitating illnesses have progressively weakened her physically, but the 20-year-old still tries her best to keep her spirits up and her wish to bring some form of healing to others has not faltered.

‘I go to my bedroom to decompress if tired’, says nurse who minds dementia-stricken mum and autistic son after workSINGAPORE — Senior staff nurse Siti Farhana Jumari feels especially sympathetic towards patients who have dementia or are children with special needs, because seeing and tending to them hit close to home.

'Crying every day': NUS grad draws on her mental health struggles to advocate for Malay community, othersSINGAPORE — Just days before Ms Aisha Shamsudin started her degree course at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2020, a distressed friend called her to say that she wanted to end her own life.

Gen Z Speaks: I was a teen trying to chase career goals while juggling life’s curveballs — it wasn't easyFor six years, I found myself straddling various responsibilities. As a teenager then, I worked full-time as a customer service officer in the aviation sector while pursuing my bachelor’s degree in marketing and international business at Murdoch University.

Take metrics with ‘a pinch of salt’, S’pore’s education success goes beyond rankings: Chan Chun SingCreativity is not just about waking up with the lightbulb coming on, he said. Read more at straitstimes.com.

After feeling left out as a child, this 22-year-old with hearing loss started speaking up for persons with disabilitiesSINGAPORE — Twenty-two year old Nicolette Koh does not have fond memories of primary school and remembers feeling lonely and left out.

Gen Y Speaks by Shanti Pereira: How I learnt to build resilience, both on and off the trackThe tears that flowed once I crossed the finish line at the 19th Asian Games on Oct 2, 2023, pretty much said it all.

The danger of perfectionism in girls: How parents can ease their daughters away from the need to be perfectGirls as young as five years old are having their creativity stifled as they seek perfection, a new study reveals. This impossible strive for excellence carries through to adulthood. What causes it? And what can be done to help girls overcome this pressure and unlock their creativity and fearlessness?

Temasek Poly grad with rare bone condition wins award for perseverance, academic achievementMs Raphaella Gautama was only 16 when her condition led to her needing a wheelchair. Read more at straitstimes.com.

This anorexia sufferer once had days to live but aqua therapy saved her life – she now uses it to help othersUsing the aqua therapy techniques she learnt during her three-year recovery from anorexia, Malissa Sander developed Aqua Tula, her water fitness programme, to help those recovering from injuries and other conditions. In the second of our True Grit series, she tells CNA Women how she has come full circle. &nbsp

'I don't want to regret anything': Student whose sister died in New Zealand crash took charge of family matters while studying for A-LevelsAfter her older sister died in a road accident in New Zealand last year, Shannon Chong had to take three weeks off school to help identify her body and bring her home. She tells CNA how life has changed since.

Bikepacking in Jeju Island: How my four-day cycling trip helped me with the loss of my motherOn her first bikepacking adventure, this writer discovered breathtaking views, idyllic port towns – and the best burger of her life. Traversing the scenic and occasionally challenging terrain also helped her confront the complexities of grief and taught her how to live a more appreciative life.

She co-founded Paint The World Malaysia, an NGO to help the marginalised, when she was only 18Aziza Aznizan, a 27-year-old PhD student, started Paint The World with her classmates when she was a teenager. Now, she runs the branch in Malaysia, which serves youths from refugee communities and other underprivileged backgrounds.

Actress to F&B entrepreneur: Lydia Izzati on building a successful pan-fried satay businessThe celebrity entrepreneur started her own pan-fried satay business at age 26, inspired by her own parents' butchery stall.

Jobless, broke and diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer at 36, this woman turned her life aroundFired from her job with no money to pay for treatment, this breast cancer survivor beat the odds, made a full recovery and rebuilt her life and health. She shares her heartbreaking experiences with CNA Women and tells us why breast cancer was a wake-up call for her to start anew.

Commentary: What would it take to snap Singapore out of its obsession with grades?An inter-university survey found Singapore undergraduates still feel there is an “unhealthy obsession with grades” – even when employers have expanded their hiring criteria. NUS undergraduate Friedel Wong explores why and what it would take to move beyond grades.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai is inspired by a woman who scored a 0 in her physics exam - Times of IndiaSaraphina Nance, an astrophysics student, two days back tweeted about an incident on how she scored 0 on a quantum physics exam. She stressed on the i

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NLB eReads - An Artist of the Floating World

An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro delves into the reminiscences of Masuji Ono, an ageing artist who, in his youth, put his work in the service of the imperialist movement that led Japan into World War II. Now, in post-war Japan, Ono’s role as a former pro-government painter has come to haunt him. He struggles with difficult questions – was it a mistake for him to use his art for propaganda? Should art be produced for purely aesthetic purposes? Follow the journey of Ono as he tries to come to terms with the changing sentiments felt for his art by society and his family, and what it means to be an artist and a human being. (Synopsis adapted from National Library Board)