Dear Anonymous,
Congratulations on being well through your undergraduate studies. Thank you for asking me about my personal journey! I studied history at university but never with the intention that I would use the content. Rather, I always saw it as a kind of training of the mind for generalist skills of analysis, organising information, joining the dots and making good arguments. I didn't want to be an academic or teacher in the subject. But I know I was privileged to be able to do this, because MINDEF which sponsored my studies, recognised the value of my education beyond its content and for 9 years I had a satisfying and meaningful job as a non-uniformed officer in the Defence Policy Office, a kind of mini-foreign affairs cum strategy planning outfit.
Changing industry to fund management (after a one-year break) was not easy. It wasn't something I planned - I guess it was more God's leading. It so happened that my husband had some management shares from his company's IPO and not understanding any of investing, I decided to self-study my CFA Level 1. At the exam, I met an old friend who just joined a fund management house and he brought me in - at quite a junior level, because of lack of relevant experience. But it was a choice; my other option then was to go back into Government where I would have continued at a senior level and be well in my element. But I went with my gut and took the plunge because I wanted to learn something new, even if it risked failure. I would tell you that even after all my studying, for some time I did not understand a single word of what was said at the daily investment team meetings, and that was really disconcerting! But I was blessed with mentors; and I was also thrown into the deep end because of the Global Financial Crisis, again a privilege and great learning opportunity. Eventually I moved to the NTUC group and after a number of postings I was asked to lead a project to look into closing the advisory gap in the mass market for comprehensive, competent and conflict-free advice, which led to the formation of MoneyOwl. Financial advisory is also a new industry to me, as is being CEO. Once again, God blessed me with resources, a great team and a great mentor in my friend, colleague and co-founder, Chris Tan.
Do I have regrets? No, actually. At the point when you make a switch, you might have to take a step backwards. It might be painful and it will be scary. But this may be necessary so that you can move even further ahead. In the period after a change and before you achieve the competence needed to thrive, it might feel like nothing you have done before counted and you might despair that you have wasted years, but it is not true. The direct content of what you have studied may not be relevant, but the intellectual skills and life skills that you have picked up are always building you up and developing you. No one takes that away. So don't be afraid to let go of something because there is a season for everything and a reason for everything. Sometimes, we do not see the relevance until later. What is important is a growth mindset, resilience, and the courage to take the risks by going with your heart and your gut. Don't be afraid to fail but don't be afraid to succeed big time, either.
Wishing you all the best and wisdom in your choices ahead!
Dear Anonymous,
Congratulations on being well through your undergraduate studies. Thank you for asking me about my personal journey! I studied history at university but never with the intention that I would use the content. Rather, I always saw it as a kind of training of the mind for generalist skills of analysis, organising information, joining the dots and making good arguments. I didn't want to be an academic or teacher in the subject. But I know I was privileged to be able to do this, because MINDEF which sponsored my studies, recognised the value of my education beyond its content and for 9 years I had a satisfying and meaningful job as a non-uniformed officer in the Defence Policy Office, a kind of mini-foreign affairs cum strategy planning outfit.
Changing industry to fund management (after a one-year break) was not easy. It wasn't something I planned - I guess it was more God's leading. It so happened that my husband had some management shares from his company's IPO and not understanding any of investing, I decided to self-study my CFA Level 1. At the exam, I met an old friend who just joined a fund management house and he brought me in - at quite a junior level, because of lack of relevant experience. But it was a choice; my other option then was to go back into Government where I would have continued at a senior level and be well in my element. But I went with my gut and took the plunge because I wanted to learn something new, even if it risked failure. I would tell you that even after all my studying, for some time I did not understand a single word of what was said at the daily investment team meetings, and that was really disconcerting! But I was blessed with mentors; and I was also thrown into the deep end because of the Global Financial Crisis, again a privilege and great learning opportunity. Eventually I moved to the NTUC group and after a number of postings I was asked to lead a project to look into closing the advisory gap in the mass market for comprehensive, competent and conflict-free advice, which led to the formation of MoneyOwl. Financial advisory is also a new industry to me, as is being CEO. Once again, God blessed me with resources, a great team and a great mentor in my friend, colleague and co-founder, Chris Tan.
Do I have regrets? No, actually. At the point when you make a switch, you might have to take a step backwards. It might be painful and it will be scary. But this may be necessary so that you can move even further ahead. In the period after a change and before you achieve the competence needed to thrive, it might feel like nothing you have done before counted and you might despair that you have wasted years, but it is not true. The direct content of what you have studied may not be relevant, but the intellectual skills and life skills that you have picked up are always building you up and developing you. No one takes that away. So don't be afraid to let go of something because there is a season for everything and a reason for everything. Sometimes, we do not see the relevance until later. What is important is a growth mindset, resilience, and the courage to take the risks by going with your heart and your gut. Don't be afraid to fail but don't be afraid to succeed big time, either.
Wishing you all the best and wisdom in your choices ahead!