Tell me what your parents would say to describe you.

Hardworking person who strives for excellence, but that I can be impatient in my intention to be efficient.

Tell me what your friends would say to describe you.

My classmates would probably describe me as an introvert, a good team player and willing to lead. However, my closer friends would think that I’m an extrovert and we would do all kinds of activities together like HydroDash and rock climbing.

During the course of your studies, was there ever a time when you questioned yourself or your choice?

Yes.  When I was choosing my course, it was between NTU Business and NUS Real Estate.  I consulted my parents, went to open houses and asked a few people.  I picked NUS Real Estate and during Chinese New Year reunion, relatives were shocked to learn about my choice as they thought given grades, I would have selected other options rather than learn to be a real estate agent.  Concurrently, I came to hear about what the Business students at NUS were learning and that made me question my choice.  However, over the course of these past 4 years with NUS Real Estate, I am happy with my choice.  When I walk through properties like retail malls, I can use what I learned to appreciate what the developer and asset managers have done or are doing.  It’s like an insider knowledge that only those in real estate would notice and appreciate.  I also took up a specialization in real estate finance as part of my studies that marries my interest in finance with real estate.

What’s the biggest misunderstanding about real estate?

I think people misunderstand real estate as very one-dimensional.  They do not realise that there is a myriad of economic activities behind a property from facilities management to valuation.  It’s like either you are an agent or a developer.  They do not understand the whole ecosystem and the size of it!

Assuming there is no such thing as a career in real estate, what might you have pursued?

I probably would pursue something along the lines of business since I was contemplating between the two options, and more specifically in finance.

Which real estate company are you most fascinated about? Why?

CapitaLand because I think their projects are amazing.  For instance, CapitaSpring, IMM, Jewel are great developments and increasingly they care about the green features of the building.  With CapitaLand Investments, they have been doing well too.  On top of that, I had interned at Ascott and learned about lodging assets so that was a very fruitful learning experience.  It is fascinating to see CapitaLand’s work at various levels.

Is there any particular real estate personality that you are intrigued by? Why?

Ms Chua Ming Lee of Cushman & Wakefield was my mentor and she was very candid about the industry.  She really guided me well and posed questions that helped me crystallize my thoughts about my career path in the real estate industry.

Read about the WLI Singapore Commendation Award ceremony