EXPERIENCE
The Straits Times | Assistant Foreign Editor | Singapore | May 2024 – present
CNBC | Senior Correspondent | Singapore | May 2023 – April 2024
As lead writer of major news stories emerging from the Asia-Pacific region, covered macroeconomic, financial markets and geopolitical developments in Australia, China, India, Japan and Southeast Asia.
Ministry of Education | Education Officer | Singapore | Feb 2018 – Apr 2023
As General Paper tutor at Anglo-Chinese Junior College, coached senior high school students to read, think and write critically about current affairs. GP is a compulsory component of Singapore’s national A Level curriculum aimed at helping pre-university students understand their place in the world. Started as a substitute teacher before qualifying as a secondary educator at Singapore’s National Institute of Education with a distinction for teaching practicum.
Bloomberg News | North Asia Aerospace/Industrial Reporter | Beijing & Hong Kong SAR, China | May 2014 – May 2016
As company news reporter, covered China’s aviation, maritime and rail sectors and the country’s broader industrial and economic foreign policy. Wrote features on China’s aerospace and railway ambitions, while chronicling the consolidation in shipbuilding, relating corporate developments to the broader slowdown, reform and rebalancing themes in the world’s second-largest economy. Supported coverage of key Hong Kong political events such as the Occupy protests and the annual Tiananmen vigil.
Reuters News | China Stocks Correspondent | Hong Kong SAR, China | July 2010 – March 2014
As financial markets reporter covering Hong Kong and China stocks, composed daily market movements into thematic, analytical and forward-looking reports. With stints in Shanghai, cultivated buy and sell side sources in both markets. Wrote data-driven stories on investment strategies and Chinese companies. Covered visiting finance ministers and central bankers from major economies. Directed Reuters China social media presence on Twitter and Facebook. Started as intern and editorial assistant at Asia Desk in Singapore, assisting on the global WikiLeaks reporting team and covering emerging Asia foreign exchange markets.
Tribune Washington Bureau | Political Reporting Fellow | Washington, D.C. | Feb – May 2010
As political reporter, covered campaign finance and immigration for newspapers that Tribune Co. then owned, mainly the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune. Wrote range of profiles, enterprise and spot news stories, while supporting bureau coverage of landmark Washington events.
The Atlantic | Editorial Fellow | Washington, D.C. | July – Dec 2009
As editorial assistant, helped fact check and copy edit articles for print magazine. Researched on issues relating to U.S. foreign policy in East Asia for staff writers. As web editor, produced the old Correspondents landing page on TheAtlantic.com; blogged for the Politics and Business Channels.
The Campus Observer | Founding Editor | Singapore | May 2006 – Dec 2007
Founded first independent online student press in Singapore, now defunct. Coached junior writers and editors, planned coverage, edited and wrote a range of deadline reports, features, news analysis and editorials on issues from the annual student elections to the 2006 Thai coup.
EDUCATION
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism | New York, N.Y.
Master of Science, Magazine Journalism, Class of 2009
Major course offerings include Business and Economic Reporting, Magazine Production, Feature Writing, Personal & Professional Style and audited Foreign Reporting Beyond the Beaten Path with photography coursework. Wrote long-form project on independent film making in New York City to show how mangled the term “indie” has become, shadowing two amateur filmmakers as they struggled through the production process.
National University of Singapore (NUS) | Singapore
Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours), Sociology, Class of 2008
Graduated from the elite University Scholars’ Programme with second-upper class honours and placed on dean’s list in Spring 2006, wrote senior thesis on the social history of intellectual dissent in post-colonial Singapore involving interviews with prominent political exiles in Boston and Kuala Lumpur. Major Course Offerings: Social Theory, Political & Economic Sociology, Race & Ethnic Relations, Visual Ethnography
OTHER RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
[Exposure] Cambodia | Photojournalist | Siem Reap, Cambodia | June 2008
Reported on the impact of rising food prices on Cambodia’s poor in weeklong photojournalism workshop in Siem Reap, organized by Tufts University Institute for Global Leadership. Produced a written report and a photo essay under the tutelages of former IHT editor Mort Rosenblum and co-founder of VII Photo Agency, Gary Knight.
The USP Writing Center | Student Writing Assistant | Singapore | Aug. 2006 – May 2008
As student writing assistant, helped students improve their academic papers on diverse disciplines such as physics, biology, history, politics and philosophy. Focused primarily on structural ideas and logical argumentation.
SKILLS/LANGUAGE PROFICENCY
Fluent in Mandarin Chinese, photography with working knowledge of DSLR camera and Adobe Photoshop
For more information, please refer to my Linkedin profile.