As the plane lifts off and the city fades beneath the clouds, a sense of possibility fills the air. For most, it’s the start of an exciting journey. But for some, it’s a symbol of how far ambition and opportunity can take you.

Through its scholarship programmes, Singapore Airlines (SIA), a national icon known for its impeccable service and operational excellence, nurtures young talents and helps transform passion into meaningful careers.

Meet scholars Rachel Lee Sze Yin and Chin Char Juin, who are charting impressive career paths with Singapore Airlines. Rachel is currently a Regional Sales Planning Senior Executive, while Char Juin is a Data Scientist.

We spoke with both scholars to learn how these opportunities have shaped their success.

What sparked your interest in aviation?

Rachel: Growing up, aviation has always been a part of my life as my parents and relatives were also part of the aviation sector. This meant weekends spent at the airport plane watching, and inevitably, these experiences deepened my interest in aviation.

This interest also led me to explore public policy. After completing my A-Levels, I was looking for a temporary job and came across one at a government agency, which involved a supporting role at the 2016 Singapore Airshow. During this stint, I was able to witness Singapore’s aviation policy in action and saw firsthand how policy decisions impact the everyday life of Singaporeans.

Char Juin: I’ve always had an interest in systems. The Big Book of Airplanes was one of my first books as a child, and I remember poring over its details, marvelling at the aircraft designs. Over time, this early fascination developed into an appreciation for complex and interconnected networks—from different models of airline systems to the evolutionary paths of languages.

Char Juin, what made you choose the SIA Open Overseas Scholarship?

Firstly, I was keen to learn more about the world. I wanted to understand how different societies and cultures approach the same problems, how people communicate, and how different systems function across various contexts.

Secondly, I wanted to deepen my interest at the intersection of language and technology, particularly Natural Language Processing (NLP). With many of the best courses on this topic offered abroad, studying overseas was a no-brainer.

Thirdly, I wanted to experience academic life to the fullest.

What made the SIA Scholarship perfect was how it blended these three goals with my career aspirations. With its global operations, SIA offers career opportunities overseas and a connection to diverse cultures and languages. My experience in NLP is also highly valued for its potential to enhance the customer experience through multilingual systems and the implementation of textual analysis of customer queries.

In addition, the assurance of a role at SIA after graduation enabled me to take up research opportunities and co-curricular activities without worrying about job-hunting.

What about you Rachel, how has the scholarship contributed to your success in your role?

I was able to pursue a concurrent degree programme at NUS, a five-year course that combined a Bachelor of Business Administration (Accountancy) with a Master’s in Public Policy.

As part of the scholarship programme, I completed three internship stints with SIA. This gave me valuable exposure to different aspects of SIA’s business, including operations, customer service, finance, and marketing.

Interesting! What does a typical day at your job look like?

Rachel: I manage sales planning for three of our South East Asian markets—Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. My role involves analysing data alongside qualitative feedback on the local market from our station sales teams.

A typical day includes analysing forward bookings for these markets to identify areas of strength and weakness. This will then tie in with a review of available selling opportunities and sharing them with our sales teams. I also work closely with our station sales teams and head office commercial teams to develop promotional fares that keep SIA competitive.

Char Juin: As a data scientist, the core of my role is to identify problems and deliver data-driven solutions. A typical day starts with checking emails and chats to stay updated on ongoing projects. Currently, I’m working on an extension to our customer feedback analytics platform and enhancing internal productivity tools.

Throughout the day, I engage with stakeholders to understand how data can support their work. For example, a business user once needed insights on passenger interactions, a task that would typically take days but was key to identifying critical areas for service improvement. Through our meetings, we managed to identify an existing solution that provided accurate results but lacked timelines. We then defined the project requirements, set a suitable timeline, and began development.

What’s the work culture like at SIA, Char Juin?

SIA is a warm and inviting place to work. I’ve never hesitated to reach out to colleagues for help, regardless of department or team. The culture emphasises openness and support, with opportunities for employees to engage in open dialogues with their managers, senior leaders, and even the CEO. This allows us to innovate together across different teams and freely share our thoughts and ideas.

Lastly, Rachel, what advice would you give to someone considering a career with SIA?

Approach it with an open mind and a strong willingness to learn. Don’t be afraid to venture outside of your comfort zone and ask questions. There’s always someone ready to support you along your journey.