The Housing & Development Board (HDB) has become synonymous with home for most Singaporeans. HDB flats serve as cherished homes for 80% of Singapore’s resident population, with about 90% of them proudly owning homes. For over 50 years, HDB’s commitment to providing quality and affordable public housing for generations of Singaporeans has been truly commendable, and its efforts persist to this day.

At the heart of this endeavour are individuals like Senior Estate Manager Gwyneth Teo Sue Ern. Armed with a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Master of Behavioural and Decision Sciences from the University of Pennsylvania, she plays a pivotal role in monitoring, researching, and forecasting the public housing market. We delve into Gwyneth’s passion for her work and her remarkable journey with HDB.

We delve into Gwyneth’s passion for her work and her remarkable journey with HDB.

Why did you choose to apply for the HDB Undergraduate Scholarship?

Growing up, I had close interactions with my neighbours, and these experiences profoundly shaped my understanding of the pivotal role that residential housing plays in growing strong and cohesive communities. The significance of housing in fostering a robust social fabric became evident to me through these personal interactions, and hence I deeply resonated with HDB’s mission to provide affordable homes of quality and value, and to create vibrant and sustainable towns.

I have always been intrigued by the workings of public policies and the considerations behind their implementation. This scholarship presented an opportunity to delve deeper into this field and understand the intricacies of public policy development. It also allowed me to contribute to the development of inclusive and sustainable housing solutions, while navigating the complexities of housing economics and policy formulation.

Beyond financial sponsorship, the scholarship offers a multitude of opportunities for my personal and career development. At the same time, it allows me to contribute and serve the public in impactful and meaningful ways. The prospect of studying overseas under this scholarship aligned with my enthusiasm for embracing different perspectives and immersing myself in varied cultural environments. It also resonated with my desire to make a positive difference in society and leverage my education and experiences to benefit the community.

How has the scholarship shaped your career path within HDB?

As a scholar, I have had the privilege to explore a diverse range of opportunities that have significantly contributed to my personal and professional growth. My journey began with an internship at the Housing Management Group (Yishun Branch), where I gained valuable insights into various operational services such as housing administration, finance, and maintenance. I leveraged data and psychological theories to increase the efficiency of customer responses and employee productivity.

Under the scholarship, HDB supported my participation in a summer school programme held in France and Belgium. I was also allowed to explore different opportunities outside of my regular curriculum, such as serving as a Research Assistant at the Anderson School of Management and the Wharton School.

These experiences not only complemented my academic pursuits but also provided practical exposure to real-world applications of my studies, further enhancing my academic and professional development.

HDB has been instrumental in fostering my career progression by providing an environment conducive to professional growth and development. The organisation has consistently presented me with diverse and challenging opportunities, including pivotal projects such as the development of the HDB Flat Portal, the launch of the pilot Community Care Apartments, and involvement in cross agency initiatives. These experiences have not only expanded my skill set but have also deepened my understanding of the intricacies within the public residential market and the formulation of housing policies.

Moreover, the rotational opportunities within HDB, encompassing roles in customer elations, system solutions, and my current position in Housing Market Analysis, have equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of various facets of HDB’s operations. The unwavering support from my colleagues, together with the invaluable mentorship and guidance provided by my superiors, have played a pivotal role in shaping my career trajectory.

That’s insightful! What is a day in your life at HDB like?

My role involves monitoring, researching, and forecasting public housing market trends. A typical workday for me includes monitoring and analysing the HDB resale market and macroeconomic environment. From the analysis, I get to better understand market dynamics, and identify emerging trends for policy prescriptions and adjustments. I also release housing market data, including the Resale Price Index to update the public on the general market trends.

Additionally, I conduct dialogues and surveys with real estate agencies to understand the latest resale market conditions and sentiments. I also update and refine econometric forecasting models for the resale market to provide an outlook on public housing for resource planning and budgetary purposes. At the same time, I conduct market research to provide insights on policy impact assessment to guide future policy formulation.

My experience in HDB is not just about work. In fact, there is a vibrant sports culture within the organisation. I participate rather actively in the basketball and volleyball teams, forging good friendships and making happy memories by training and competing together with my colleagues. These sporting activities add a special and uplifting dimension to my work experience at HDB.

Tell us about a particularly gratifying project you’ve worked on.

One project that I found particularly challenging and rewarding was my involvement in the development of the HDB Flat Portal during my tenure in the Sales Department. I collaborated with various stakeholders to streamline and enhance the customer’s flat buying journey. The complexity and scale of this project presented numerous testing scenarios, making it a particularly challenging endeavour. I had to manage the varied interests of different stakeholders and ensure we met the implementation timelines.

Finally, what possibilities exist for a career at HDB?

Working at HDB presents a range of exciting possibilities. All staff have the opportunity to shape the future of Singapore’s public housing landscape and make a difference in our heartlands and communities.

The HDB scholarship is offered for a range of disciplines and specialisations, providing scholars with the opportunity to pursue their academic interests while contributing to HDB’s mission. Additionally, there are ample opportunities for career development as an HDB scholar through exciting projects and job rotation, offering exposure to different aspects of public housing development and management. This provides a well-rounded and enriching career development experience, allowing individuals to contribute meaningfully to the public housing sector while pursuing their academic and professional aspirations.