Chong Jern Yen
Assistant Manager, Advocacy & Communications

(Joined 2023)

I had little to no knowledge about the social service sector when I first entered the workforce. Compounding this, I did not have any intentions whatsoever of joining the industry in question. I wanted to advance my career in the corporate world, and that was what I did for the first two years after graduation. I wrote for one of Singapore’s highest-read food publications, joined the marketing and communications team at one of the top law firms in Singapore, and dabbled in a public relations agency.

While I enjoyed the challenges and opportunities these companies provided, I felt like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle was missing. I wanted to challenge myself further, but more importantly, I wanted my work to have a positive impact on people.

Coincidentally, during a casual meal, my wife mentioned that she had worked with Dementia Singapore on a particular project and had nothing but compliments for the organisation. Her three takeaways were: the CEO is nurturing, the teams are professional, and the organisation has a healthy work culture. These characteristics were confirmed when I asked my colleagues who had worked with Dementia Singapore about their experiences. I knew at that moment that Dementia Singapore was the place to be.

When I first joined Dementia Singapore, I naturally I viewed my tasks and to-dos as KPIs. However, as I continued to surround myself with passionate advocates for the dementia community, my attitude and perspective on my work shifted. I wanted to do more for this group of individuals, even if it required extra effort on my part. Although this meant taking on a heavier workload, I felt happier and more fulfilled. At the end of the day, when articles are published and voices are heard, I sit back and feel a sense of contentment, knowing my work was not in vain.

At Dementia Singapore, I found myself more inspired, encouraged, and motivated than ever before. Being at the forefront of advocacy work challenged me to think on my feet and outside the box. Being part of a highly dynamic team also boosted my confidence in sharing ideas and suggestions. I was given ample opportunities to lead various functions within the department and actively participate in the brainstorming process.

Dementia Singapore’s proactive approach to promoting continuous learning is undeniably valuable for staff eager to enhance their skillsets. Being a social service agency specialising in dementia care, all staff receives the necessary dementia awareness workshops to jumpstart our career within the organisation. As a young leader, I was given the opportunity to attend a leadership course, helping me understand my leadership style and improve my people management skills.

“While I enjoyed the challenges and opportunities the corporate companies provided, I felt like a piece of a jigsaw puzzle was missing. I wanted to challenge myself further, but more importantly, I wanted my work to have a positive impact on people.”