Edited by Rivermore Academy
“Don't let your age hold back your eagerness to learn, and don't care about what people around you think or say!”
This is what Song Bee Yin, also known as Rachel Song, who has bid farewell to her youthful years, says to me as the interviewer, to you reading this article, and to everyone else who may be grappling with confusion.
A Trailblazing Woman in Pursuit of Challenges
Since entering the workforce in 2003, Rachel Song has immersed herself in the realms of several companies across various industries. While many have changed jobs and worked at numerous firms, perhaps only Rachel Song has pursued diverse career paths solely driven by the desire for greater challenges.
Up until 2023, Rachel Song's personal journey has encompassed industries such as lighting retail, manufacturing, industrial supply, fashion, processing, and trade. Whenever she has spent a considerable time in a company and feels ready to take on new challenges in different industries, she decisively leaps into another field, embracing unfamiliar environments and significant challenges.
Navigating unfamiliar work settings and tasks can catch anyone off guard, often necessitating a longer adjustment period to the new routine. In response, Rachel Song has chosen to immerse herself in her colleagues and company culture to quickly adapt to her new roles.
"Dining together, chatting, watching movies, karaoke... I engage in all these activities," Rachel Song remarks. Her proactive approach not only enables her swift adaptation to new roles but also facilitates harmonious interactions with her peers. The concept of "generation gap" seems to have no effect on her.
Undoubtedly skilled at making friends, even after leaving a company, both former and new colleagues continue to seek her out for conversations and meals. Perhaps in the future, wherever Rachel Song goes, she may encounter her friends once more.
Late-Night Work Trapped in Mall, Taking Matters into Own Hands
When asked about the most memorable aspects of her work, Rachel Song considers an experience during her time in the fashion industry. Back then, she often needed to visit the company's 5 outlets to determine the age groups buying at each store and decide on clothing styles for purchasing. In addition to this, she had to inspect the staff at each store, hold meetings with mall management, and negotiate contracts.
During one inspection, a customer was still choosing clothes even after the mall had closed, and Rachel Song stayed until the end for this customer. When the customer left the store, she realized she couldn't return to the parking lot to leave. It wasn't until a kind security guard escorted her to the parking lot that she was able to exit the mall smoothly.
"Whenever I go on inspections, if we're short-staffed, I'll also handle money from customers or attend to them," she said. Even though she wasn't a cashier or a salesperson, Rachel Song was willing to be hands-on like other staff members, even being one of the last people in the store.
Despite such experiences, she considers them interesting and unique encounters. Similar situations happened when she worked at a design company. A government official visited the design company for an inspection, and it was her first encounter with such a situation.
These "firsts" often happen to Rachel Song, especially when she enjoys being hands-on in every aspect of her work. However, she faces these challenges with a calm demeanour, turning these experiences into nourishment for herself, allowing her to handle similar situations more smoothly the next time around.
However, these lessons seem to be somewhat challenging to apply after changing environments.
Singapore vs. Malaysia: Stark Contrasts
With the same determination to challenge herself, Rachel Song set her sights on a new work environment in Singapore, a neighbouring country to Malaysia.
Upon arriving in Singapore, she immediately felt the stark differences compared to Malaysia: distinct cultures, a faster-paced work rhythm, varying approaches from government officials, and the overt or subtle emphasis on and discrimination based on educational qualifications.
In Malaysia, individuals with experience but lacking formal education can still find their place; however, in another land, Rachel Song believes that even experienced individuals might find it challenging to establish themselves if they lack formal education.
"These days, having just an SPM isn't sufficient anymore; at the very least, you need to hold a Diploma."
As someone who had already been working in Malaysia for over a decade, Rachel Song found herself starting from scratch in Singapore. While her Malaysian work experience wasn't entirely irrelevant, she recognized that many aspects of working in Singapore required her to learn anew, such as the proper way to ask questions.
Faced with these new challenges, Rachel Song courageously made up her mind once again.
Years Later Returning to Books, Be True to Yourself
Ever since obtaining her SPM certificate, Rachel Song has entered the workforce, all the while harbouring a desire to elevate her educational qualifications. This aspiration remained concealed for over a decade until she made the resolute decision to pursue a Diploma-level education, particularly after beginning work in Singapore.
Upon learning of her pursuit of a Diploma, those around Rachel Song raised sceptical and murmured doubtful remarks. "You're how old now, and you're still going back to school?" "Why continue studying? It's so demanding." "Is it too late to pursue a Diploma at this point?" The questions and opinions were varied.
Yet, her decision was made, and she remained steadfast in pursuing what she deemed right for herself. Ultimately, she chose to enrol in the Professional Diploma in Business and Digital Marketing program at Rivermore Academy.
This choice was the result of thorough contemplation. Having engaged in part-time live streaming sales, she believed this program and the associated qualification would be immensely beneficial. Now, having attended several classes, she has indeed found herself inspired.
" Don't let your age hold back your eagerness to learn, and don't care about what people around you think or say!" Rachel Song asserts confidently. " Don't let any doubts from others stop you from attending classes!"
Having weathered the tide of well-intentioned advice from those around her, she places immense importance on her mindset towards learning. With a pure motivation to learn, she chose to pursue further education when she believed herself capable, disregarding the opinions and perspectives of others.
"Follow your aspirations and passions; life doesn't offer second chances, so be true to yourself!"
Armed with this conviction, Rachel Song remained steadfast and consistent, choosing to excel in her personal pursuits. Of course, she also hopes others will hold onto their own convictions, remain uninfluenced by external factors, and embrace their desired paths, just as she has done.
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