Public Officers’ Advice For Our Younger Selves (Part 2)

Yvonne Ng, National Library Board (NLB)

“How did you manage to stay in the Public Service for 10 years?”

A new entrant to the Public Service asked me this recently. I did not quite expect the question, but after a moment's thought, I replied, "Because I love the Public Service!"

Let me share two reasons why:

1) The work:

Over the past decade, I have worked in three different Public Service organisations. I took up unique roles within each organisation, and what I have discovered is that the work in the Public Service is incredibly diverse.

However, a common thread runs through all my roles: a shared commitment to serving the public. Whether it is to improve the lives of Singaporeans, ensure a safe environment, or foster a caring and inclusive society, the goal is always to make a positive impact. Where else can one play a part in delivering nationwide changes or implementing initiatives that shape Singapore's future?

2) The people:

The people I have met in the Public Service are a significant source of strength, especially during challenging times. I recall a conversation with a colleague some years ago, when I expressed my hope that he would remain in the Public Service because we need more good people like him to inspire others.

By "good", I mean not just being competent but also having the heart, integrity, and moral courage to do the right thing and having a willingness to serve. (I’m happy to share that this colleague is still in the service and continues to inspire me!) It is through such dedicated individuals that sound policies are driven.

As I look back on how I survived more than 10 years in the Public Service, my advice to my younger self would be to:

1) Seek role models: Find out what motivates them and keeps them going. Whether they have been in the service for a long time or are new and passionate, their stories can be an inspiration and a broader perspective on Public Service work.

2) Be open, collaborate, explore, and experiment: The best way to learn is to take a hands-on approach, share ideas, and be open to feedback. Exploration and experimentation are increasingly important because we often do not have the full picture or solution.

3) Seek career coaching: The Public Service’s Career Coaching Network, which was started in 2020, is a great initiative. Utilise it to gain clarity on your career journey, reflect on your development and plans, and be ready to adjust along the way.

4) Build a support network: The Public Service has unique challenges and shared jokes that only those within the service would truly understand. Build your support network and do not hesitate to ask for help.

With the above, enjoy the ride!

Jessica Chai Pei Shan, SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG)

I’ve spent 17 years in the Public Service, and it has been my first career since graduating from university. My career in the Service has been an amazing journey filled with ups and downs, and most importantly, chapters filled with poignant life lessons where I met inspiring role models, friends for life and leaders.

To my younger self and the younger generation, here’s some pieces of advice I’d like to share:

1) Just keep “skilling” forward

Be brave and keep an open mind to learn new skills and self-reflect. Sometimes, this means stepping out of your comfort zone. During my career, I have embarked on corporate social responsibility initiatives and ventured overseas to volunteer as part of Enterprise Singapore’s extended mission. These were unforgettable experiences for me.

Another valuable learning opportunity came from my cross-agency experiences. For example, I had the chance to explore creative projects across different agencies, one of which involved writing a postcard to my future self as a visualisation exercise.

2) Find joy in your work and seek guidance from mentors and coaches who can help you better yourself personally and professionally.

One of my former bosses and career coach in SSG, Gerald Tan, once shared a quote that has inspired and stuck with me throughout my career: “Let our work bring out the best in us, so that we can put the best in our work.”

To fellow public officers, friends and colleagues, may you always find joy in your work, spark joy in Singaporeans as you put the best in your work, and continue to grow, glow and shine in your career!

Text by Yoganeetha Sivakumar

Photos by Mandy Ong