Switching careers midway through working life often seems daunting and filled with challenge that requires determination, adaptability and the right support system. For Lee Wee Teck, who is currently the Head of Data at Cariuma, the Singapore Management University (SMU) Master of IT in Business (MITB) programme facilitated his career transition and leap from an operations-based role into the domain of data analytics.
With a background in chemical engineering, Wee Teck was initially unsure about making the shift into the realm of data analytics. "I was worried about learning a new subject, especially since it was so different from my undergraduate training. Coding was also a concern because I'd only done a couple of programming modules back in university," he said.
Despite these initial reservations, he chose to take the plunge, trusting that the MITB programme would equip him with the skills, technical knowhow and network needed to navigate the unknown path ahead. He graduated from the MITB programme in 2014.
“I gained valuable knowledge and skills from the MITB programme that enabled me to make a career switch from operations to data analytics. I also met people from diverse backgrounds, which broadened and enriched my network,” shared Wee Teck. According to him, the MITB learning journey also provided access to the University’s suite of comprehensive career services. From personalised career guidance, workshops, networking and job search resources, Wee Teck had the resources and support on-hand to make informed career decisions and to navigate the job market as he completed the MITB programme.
Wee Teck with his MITB classmates on SMU campus in 2014.
Wee Teck’s postgraduate journey was not entirely free of challenges. Adjusting to student life while juggling work and family priorities, understanding complex subject matter, building competency in coding and growing his network were some of the hurdles that he had to overcome concurrently.
“Going into the programme, I was anxious about my ability to get a good job and what my career would look like after completing the degree,” he admits. He tackled these challenges head-on through disciplined self-study and by maximising classroom opportunities.
"Before the programme started, I used Coursera to study relevant topics. During the course, I spent weekends catching up on schoolwork and prepared for each class so I could ask questions and clarify doubts," he explains. Networking did not come naturally to him, but he pushed himself to engage more in class and at school events, which helped him grow his professional connections. He also sought out career fairs and career services to better prepare himself for job applications.
Wee Teck (1st from right) with his team at Cariuma. In his present role as Head of Data at Cariuma, a global sustainable footwear brand, Wee Teck is passionate about making data easy for people and businesses.
In his present role as Head of Data at Cariuma, a global sustainable footwear brand, Wee Teck is responsible for everything data-related, including the pillars of analytics, engineering, and governance. He is passionate about making data easy for people and businesses, and his primary goal is to build a strong data team that can become a trusted partner for the business.
A firm believer in the importance of staying updated with industry trends, he shared a fun anecdote about programming languages: “When I first started in data science, I used Python but later switched to R because I liked its conciseness and wide range of libraries. However, as time went on, Python became the industry standard while R fell out of favour. Even though I initially chose the less dominant language, I was able to adapt and refresh my Python skills when needed.”
Wee Teck with his family. Asked to describe himself, Wee Teck replied: “Son. Husband. Dad.”
Despite his professional accomplishments, family forms the bedrock of the values that keep him grounded. Asked to describe himself, Wee Teck replied: “Son. Husband. Dad.”
For those looking to make a similar leap into data science, Wee Teck offered the following advice: "Cultivate your soft skills as much as your technical skills. Many challenges in applying data science are more about people and processes than technology."
Photo credit: Lee Wee Teck.