Student Stories

Li Jia (Joy)

Class of 2011
,

“We tend to assume we can solve and accomplish everything overnight, but the truth is things do not work that way. Hence, one must stay focused on your goal and chase after your dreams. There may be hurdles on the way; overcome them instead of allowing them to stop you from moving further.” – Joy

 


 

Briefly share the highlights of your current career portfolio.

When I had just given birth to my son, I was working as a freelance consultant who served as a bridge and helped companies in China to start-up their subsidiaries or branches in Singapore as I am familiar with the guidelines over here. The position gave me a lot of time flexibility to make arrangements for my personal schedule as well as to take care of my baby. Fast forward to current, I am working full-time as a Community Supervisor with Ucommune Singapore, co-working space provider originated from China and my main role involves public relations and marketing for the company.

As a working mother with a young son at home, how do you juggle your commitment between work and family?

You must always remind yourself what is the reason and key objective that motivates you to stay in the workforce. For myself, I enjoy the interaction with people and the joy when a task/project is completed. Moreover, being in the workforce also creates opportunities for self-enrichment and to develop better time management skills. Furthermore, I am a strong believer that what we do set an example for our children in the future.

I am thankful to have my mother who will always be there for me whenever I needed an extra hand as well as my reporting officer who is very supportive and understanding towards me.

Regardless, being a working mom to a toddler is no joke!

Could you share with us an aspiration that you have for your son?
A practice in both my husband and my family, we let the child know our aspiration for them through the given name we had chosen for him or her. The meaning of his Chinese name is to be stable, down to earth and be wise in his future decision-making while the English name refers to ‘friend’ in old English context. We hope he will always keep these in mind while growing up and when he is stepping into the working world.

If you have free time on hand for a month, what would you do with that?

I will be flying over to USA to visit my sister and her family who are residing there. She is my only sibling and it has been four years since we last met and spent some quality time together. Plus, it will be a good chance for my son to get to know his cousin better! After all, family is very important.

What tips can you give to full-time students who are also juggling studies in a foreign land ie (Singapore)?

Step out from your comfort zone and actively participate in student activities to interact and know more people to help cope with homesickness. Also, keep in touch with your love ones back home regularly and occupy your spare time with outings with friends.

I was the committee member in Student Council 2010/11 and the vice-president for Chinese Student Association (now known as Chinese Student Club) and both roles required the team and I to plan and execute events to create vibrant student life in the campus. Through all these experiences, it built my confidence and soft skills as well as gave myself the satisfaction of bringing joy to other people.

Share a personal quote or mantra you live by.

“Follow your dreams. If you have a goal, and you want to achieve it, then work hard and do everything you can to get there, and one day it will come true.” –  Lindsey Vonn

We tend to assume we can solve and accomplish everything overnight, but the truth is things do not work that way. Hence, one must stay focused on your goal and chase after your dreams. There may be hurdles on the way; overcome them instead of allowing them to stop you from moving further.