- Jia Hui Ong joined the Singapore Armed Forces at the age of 20.
- Mr Ong, 26, worked there for five years before moving to the private sector. She is currently on a hiatus in her career.
- Ong said serving in the military helped him develop a sense of identity.
This told essay is based on a conversation with. Jia Hui Ong, I left the military and got a job at a private company. The following has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider has confirmed her employment history.
As a teenager, I felt completely directionless.
At that time, I was full of self-doubt. I always questioned my own decisions and doubted my worth. I briefly considered going to university, but I didn't feel like I had an academic inclination.
I remembered my father telling me about his time in the Special Forces and exciting things like jumping out of helicopters. He also said the military helped him set his goals in life.
I wanted that for myself too. So instead of pursuing a university degree, I decided to join the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
My father was very supportive of my decision, but my mother was a little skeptical at first.
My male friends also questioned my decision. They said, “Do you want to experience this? Can a woman do it?”
After joining the military, proving the naysayers wrong became one of my main motivations. I wanted to show that women can do just as much, if not more, than men.
Fight self-doubt and grow as a leader
I learned a lot about leadership during my time in the SAF. After graduating as a sergeant, I had to learn how to take care of a platoon.
Being a young leader was difficult, especially for someone still struggling with self-doubt. I was not a natural leader. I made a lot of mistakes during training, which fueled my anxiety even more.
During my first field exercise as a group leader, I got lost. I was embarrassed and it was a huge blow to my confidence.
It took me quite a while to get over this setback. However, in the end, when my platoon's fitness improved, I felt a sense of satisfaction as a leader.
I trained with them after hours, used jerry cans as barbells, and ran with them. I knew my efforts were justified when I saw them perform better on the fitness assessment.
Stepping away from life in uniform wasn't easy, but it was necessary
My decision to leave SAF was not easy, as much of my identity and self-worth was built there.
I started looking into other career opportunities during my fourth year at the company. I also earned a degree in marketing, which allowed me to discover my creative side. I wanted to explore this interest further.
I felt it too Innovation and initiative were not valued in the military. People generally believe that if something isn't broken, you shouldn't fix it.
I couldn't relate to that kind of thinking. I've always wanted to be in a place where innovation and change happens.
Participating in the private sector
My journey into the private sector was not a smooth one. My military experience was not relevant to the corporate world, so finding a job was difficult.
It took about two and a half months until I was selected for an internship. However, after my stint, a former SAF colleague invited me to join ST Engineering, a technology and engineering company in Singapore.
As part of my work, I worked on product marketing and business development for defense simulation systems.
Working at ST Engineering felt very similar to my life at SAF. I often interacted with my former boss and former colleagues.
Although it was a familiar environment, there was a reason I left the military and I didn't want to become stagnant.
He then joined DBS Bank where he was responsible for managing corporate credit cards. It was a complete 180 degree change for me.
Although the transition was not easy, I was able to utilize some of the hard and soft skills I acquired during my time at SAF and ST Engineering.
Life in the corporate world
One of the main differences I have observed between the corporate world and the military is that everyone in the military seems to be working towards the same agenda and objectives.
But in the corporate world, everyone has their own agenda and personal goals. I needed to become more discerning about whose agenda was more important.
After moving to the private sector, I too needed to find a new sense of purpose in my work. When you are a soldier, your goals are set for you. You wear the green uniform and serve your nation.
However, spending time in the private sector helped me redefine my interests and strengths. It gave me a broader perspective on the world. That's something I wouldn't have learned if I had just stayed in SAF.
I can't say I found my footing in the corporate world. But for now, I keep exploring and it's working for me.
