Tell us a bit about yourself

My name is Shi Jie and I graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Real Estate). I will be working as a Management Associate at NTU. During my time at NUS, I had the opportunity to intern at URA and Frasers Property, acquiring valuable industry knowledge and skills. Additionally, I served as the Director for Project Fundraising and the External Relations Director of NUS Red Cross Youth. Driven by my passion for building communities and interacting with people, I volunteered for the Urban Redevelopment Authority Outreach Programme. With the knowledge gained from my studies at NUS and the valuable experiences obtained during my past internships, I am eager to contribute my acquired skills to the real estate industry.

What led you to study real estate

I have always been interested in the built environment and its impact on people’s lives. Furthermore, my volunteering experiences in secondary school and junior college have exposed me to the housing issues in Singapore. This has allowed me to have a more in-depth understanding of the issues faced by many seniors and low-income families in Singapore. Through my interactions with seniors and low-income families, I have gained insights into the difficulties they faced in their lives such as housing environment and mobility issues, which have given me a strong desire to impact other people’s lives by studying Real Estate.

What are your impressions of the sector based on your internships, observations and encounters

Firstly, the real estate industry has become more data-driven to make informed business decisions, drive targeted sales and analyse data in real time. I believe that we will continue to see more transformation in the real estate industry in areas such as smart building technology and data analytics with the advancement of technology and the growing demand for instant solutions in the real estate industry.

Secondly, as climate change continues to be a pressing issue, sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the real estate sector. There is a greater emphasis on green buildings to minimize environmental impact.

Thirdly, there will be a greater demand for mixed-use and integrated developments that incorporate residential, commercial, retail and community spaces to meet Singapore’s growing needs.

Lastly, there is a growing expectation for real estate professionals to be able to integrate knowledge across different disciplines such as engineering and sociology.

Tell us more about your community activity and personal endeavours outside of academic pursuits

My passion in serving the society has translated to my involvement in NUS Red Cross Youth where I served as the External Relations Director and Director for Project Fundraising, raising funds and participating in outreach activities to extend support to members of the community who are less fortunate. I also pursued projects to promote environmental sustainability at NUS Students Against Violation of the Earth (SAVE). Sustainability is an area that I am passionate about, having been involved in the development of the evaluation rubrics for the NUS Sustainability Fund and the promotion of green finance among universities in Singapore.

Can you share your thoughts about ULI and its Women’s Leadership Initiative

I feel that ULI plays a crucial role in engaging with stakeholders within the real estate industry to facilitate the growth of the industry and support real estate events and initiatives. ULI also provides networking opportunities, leadership engagements, and research content which allow real estate professionals to stay connected, be informed about the latest real estate trends and gain new insights.

Furthermore, its Women’s Leadership Initiative is meaningful as it provides opportunities for female leaders in the real estate industry to guide and inspire young female professionals by sharing their experiences, knowledge and providing mentorship to them. I am encouraged by ULI’s efforts to equip women within the real estate industry with the skills and knowledge to support the advancement of their careers and their professional development. 

What would you like to achieve in the year ahead

Firstly, I hope to increase my industry knowledge and expand my understanding of the real estate industry in the upcoming year. Secondly, I hope to develop new skills and make significant contributions to the real estate industry and NTU. Thirdly, I hope for the opportunity to serve as a mentor, guiding and supporting others in the real estate industry.

Read about the WLI Singapore Commendation Award 2023 ceremony