Changi Airport stands as a beacon of excellence in the global aviation landscape, renowned not only for its multiple awards but also for its unrivalled passenger experiences. For Martha Henrietta Soetedjo, her visits to Changi Airport left an indelible mark, shaping her career path.

Reflecting on her childhood memories, Martha recalls the defining moment that cemented Changi Airport’s significance in her perception. “If I were to condense my fascination with Changi Airport into one event, it would be the Pokémon Christmas Exhibition that I saw, “ she recounted. “I was in awe of the effort they placed within the spaces of the departure hall. I think this is the very effect Changi aimed to give to its passengers – a feeling of comfort and fun in places that one may not expect.”

Martha’s passion for travel sparked a deep curiosity about the inner workings of airports, particularly in their endeavour to deliver customer-centric experiences while adhering to stringent regulations. This fascination further fuelled her pride in Singapore’s premier airport and ignited a desire to contribute to its success.

Setting Dreams in Motion

When Martha came across the Changi Airport Group (CAG) Undergraduate Scholarship in a BrightSparks scholarship booklet, it almost felt serendipitous.

“Since I already had an interest in how Changi Airport operates, I decided that I wanted to work on more commercial-focused areas, making this scholarship a very good fit,” she recalled.

The scholarship application process was a memorable one for Martha as she relished the chance to hear diverse perspectives.

“One of the aspects that I enjoyed the most was the opportunity to hear from others, be it fellow applicants, employees, and even from the executive positions on their opinions, wishes and hopes for the future,” she noted.

The scholarship paved the way for Martha to pursue a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a Major in Data Science and Economics from NUS. She believes the field is crucial for analysing the rationale behind various actions, whether at the individual, community, or global levels. Martha was particularly drawn to data science as she saw how it could enhance her understanding of economic theories, allowing her the opportunity to apply these principles to real-world data.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Martha had the opportunity to intern at CAG, gaining valuable hands-on experience and insights into the organisation. Working within the Digital, Innovation, Ventures, Analytics (DIVA) team of the Enterprise Digital Ecosystem and Business (EDEB) in the Commercial division, Martha contributed to projects spanning airport management and safety and even Changi Verse, the world’s first virtual reality airport!

Despite the diverse nature of these projects, Martha found herself deeply engaged and thoroughly enjoyed her work. Reflecting on her internship, she remarked, “My internship gave me a lot of first-hand experience in collaborating with external parties, organising and hosting discussions, as well as enhancing technical skills. I also had the opportunity to speak with people from other teams and get to learn about their own goals and how we may support their needs.

While the work at CAG can be challenging at times, Martha finds it fulfilling and enjoyable due to the collaborative environment within the organisation. Witnessing the dedication of the individuals at CAG, and their collective commitment to learning and growing as a team served as an inspiration for her. “I found that CAG places a lot of importance on community spirit and collaboration. I also learnt that being open-minded is not only essential but necessary in CAG,” she noted.

Charting New Horizons

Looking ahead, Martha eagerly anticipates the opportunity to continue collaborative work and gain a deeper understanding of CAG and its operations.

Additionally, she hopes to play a part in contributing to CAG’s growth and innovation. “Changi Airport is best associated with words such as “potential” or “innovation,” both of which I want to help realise,” she added.

Driven by the desire to effect positive change, Martha is particularly keen on contributing to sustainability initiatives at CAG. “To me, there is no greater satisfaction than seeing your ideas, or ideas that you had worked on, come to fruition,” she enthused. “For example, CAG’s current step towards sustainability will likely result in significant changes to current and future operations, maybe even revamping existing processes altogether. While demanding, I find this type of work to be the most fulfilling, and hence something that I want to be a part of!”

For those aspiring to take up a scholarship with CAG, Martha offers these words of advice:

“Be willing to make changes and be out of your comfort zone! CAG provides a world of opportunities, and these may sometimes be unfamiliar or daunting. However, be assured that there is ample support and that the teams are always working together to reach a common goal,” she shared. “Hence, don’t be afraid to sound out your ideas and opinions, or to make mistakes. It is a place to learn and grow!