Contents Page

Abstract (TLDR for the speedrunners)

1. Back-to-school transition: From the atypical graduate analyst-cum-project manager-cum digital transformation analyst to graduate school, 2024 has been an awfully eye-opening experience. After receiving acceptance offers from both the Online Master’s of Science in Analytics (OMSA) and Online Master’s of Science in Computer Science (OMSCS) programs, I ultimately enrolled in one of the world’s leading technological and scientific research institutions, Georgia Institute of Technology. A heartfelt thanks to my incredible mentors—Prof. Sky Seah, Prof. Cristian Badarinza, and Jerome Lagaye—whose stellar recommendation letters paved the way for this opportunity. Attending the August OMS Singapore meetup also gave me a glimpse of the vibrant, supportive community (spot me in the group photo! 👀).
2. Lifelong learning in progress: Returning to academic studies has been both exhilarating and humbling. Programming, in particular, proved to be a steeper climb than anticipated, with courses including Machine Learning for Trading (ML4T) and Robotics: Artificial Intelligence Techniques (RAIT) pushing me to new frontiers. From RAIT’s highly visual robotics projects to wrestling with LaTeX for the first time in ML4T, these challenges have been equal parts demanding and rewarding. Shoutout to NUS’ RE2708 and Harvard’s CS50 for laying the foundational groundwork—it turns out I needed every bit of it!
3. Budgeting 101: With no stable monthly stipend, I embraced the basics of financial discipline. Thanks to a strong emergency savings buffer from my professional years, I was able to navigate 2024 responsibly. Still, inflation, shrinkflation, and skimpflation made budgeting an ongoing test of creativity and adaptability. Platforms such as Shopee and Klook became my go-to allies (case in point: scoring a $12 Hinomi H1 Pro Ergonomic Chair during 12.12 sales, complete with free delivery and installation).
4. Keeping Family at the Heart—Lessons from the Five Balls of Life: Brian J. Dyson’s iconic “Five Balls” speech at Georgia Tech (1991) left an indelible mark on me this year. Dyson’s analogy—that work (and/or education) is like a rubber ball that bounces back, while family, friends, health, and spirit are fragile glass balls—resonated deeply as I juggled priorities in a year of immense growth and reflection. The lesson was clear: glass balls demand careful handling, lest they shatter beyond repair.
5. The journey continues! As SG60 celebrations and an election year approach, 2025 is poised to be just as dynamic and exciting. Here’s to embracing new challenges, fostering meaningful connections, and building on the lessons and growth of 2024!

Career & Education Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals (BHAGs)

Back-to-School Transition: A Leap of Faith

”I’m sure our paths will cross somewhere down the line. I don’t think a tearful farewell will suit us anyway. And besides, it would be embarrassing when we met again.” — Himmel (Source: Episode 28 of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End)

Images—Acceptance letters to both OMSA and OMSCS

When I first started my career at BNP Paribas, my BHAGs were clear: kickstart my career by building meaningful connections, aligning with organizational values, and seizing opportunities for growth. Fast forward to 2024, these goals have evolved into a new dimension—stepping away from the corporate world to embrace a bold return to academic studies.

This year marked a significant milestone as I transitioned from my multi-faceted, fast-paced corporate roles to the intellectually rigorous environment of graduate studies. Being accepted into both the OMSA and OMSCS programs was both exhilarating and humbling—a validation of my efforts and the support of incredible mentors like Prof. Sky Seah, Prof. Cristian Badarinza, and Jerome Lagaye, whose recommendations paved the way. Ultimately, choosing the OMSCS program at one of the world’s leading technological institutions was the beginning of an audacious journey.

The transition was not without its challenges. Moving from corporate tools like Microsoft Teams, OneNote, Excel, Power Query and Power BI to academic platforms such as Canvas, Gradescope, Ed Discussions and PyCharm felt like trading a well-worn toolkit for an entirely new arsenal. Suddenly, I was immersed in coding on Linux (WSL to be precise), LaTeX report writing, and programming in Python—skills that stretched me far beyond my comfort zone. Yet, there was a familiar rhythm to it all: Outlook emails, coffee-fueled late nights, and the dread/thrill of meeting deadlines (depends on whether I got those Eureka! moments). The supportive environment and structured curriculum meant that I could channel my energy into exploring and mastering these new skills, turning initial apprehension into a rewarding journey of growth and discovery.

Attending the OMS Singapore meetup in July further solidified this leap of faith, offering a glimpse into a vibrant, supportive community—spot me in this group photo! (hint: I’m hiding near a tree 👀) The connections made and insights shared were a reminder that this journey is not just about individual growth but also about being part of a collective pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation.

Personal BHAGs

Lifelong Learning: Embracing the Challenges

“Knowledge is merely a tool. There is someone in Argentina or Singapore who has the same degree as you. The difference lies in how you use it. Will you use your education for life or just as a living? It’s up to you now.”

— Brian G. Dyson, former president and CEO of Coca-Cola at Georgia Tech’s 172nd commencement on September 6, 1991