Chan Pei Ee
Malaysia
Engineering, GlaxoSmithKline
Been in Singapore for eight years
Currently a Singapore Permanent Resident
Singapore has been home to Pei Ee for eight years, where career opportunities have seen her transition from Sales & Marketing to a technical line, and even afforded her further education in the United States through her previous employer. Her family life is also taking off -- Pei Ee, 31, who is married to a Malaysian working here, is expecting her first child.
While many may dismiss Singapore as a boring place because of its small size, chemical engineer Chan Pei Ee sings a different tune. “Singapore is a small country with lots to explore. Live here with a visitor heart and keep exploring,” she says, revealing her secret to discovering new things despite having lived in the country for eight years. It is also this very curiosity for life and innate spirit for adventure that first brought Pei Ee across the causeway from Johor. “Singapore provides many opportunities as long as you are willing to take the challenge.”
Pei Ee says that the government sees value in foreign talent and gives equal opportunity to all regardless of race, nationality or gender. She should know. Working as a chemical engineer at the multinational company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Pei Ee is the “rose amongst the thorns”. While she had to prove herself initially, her spunk and dilligence eventually gained her the respect of her male colleagues. Nationality was never once an issue. “GlaxoSmithKline is a multinational company, which provides the platform for me to work with multicultural teams.” Pei Ee was even offered the chance to experience a different world, thanks to the company’s insistence on employee skill-upgrading. Prior to her current position, she stayed in Pennsylvania for an 18 month training attachment programme, a collaboration initiative with GSK United States. Much as she found America an eye-opener, Singapore remains her choice place to work and live. “Singapore is the hub of Southeast Asia and the government is investing a lot of money to attract foreign investments.” Another huge draw is its position as a leader in the biomedical sciences industry.
Growing up in Malaysia where the government approach is more laissez-faire, she remembers finding the regulated environment a little harsh when she first arrived. She was also unused to not having a car, and having to rely on public transport to get around. But nothing outweighs the fact that Singapore is the epitome of safety. Recalling her Philadelphia experience, she says, “You hear sirens all the time. You become immune to it.”
Pei Ee is a keen advocate of work-life balance. In her free time, she does a bit of yoga, dances, reads, hangs out, travels and engages in volunteer work. “Work - there will always be more of, so it’s important to set aside time to do other things.” However, she insists on maintaining a heart of a visitor. One that is ever curious, always questioning and ready to learn something new.