3 Tips For Finding Success In A Male-Dominated Field

Former RSAF helicopter pilot and now MP for Sembawang West ward, Poh Li San is determined to help women achieve their career goals in male-dominated fields.

- Adora Wong

Poh Li San is a leader on both commercial and political fronts: She is the vice-president of Changi Airport Group and a Member of Parliament for Sembawang Westward in the Sembawang Group Representation Constituency. As you might imagine, she doesn’t have much free time, and she’ll be the first to tell you that striking a balance between these two roles is a constant work in progress.

“I feel like a juggler tossing and catching five to eight balls. It’s not easy, and I have meetings scheduled back to back most days. I have to be very focused to make sure meetings are productive,” says the 45-year-old.

“But there’s a limit to (managing different things simultaneously), especially when it comes to community work, where you have to walk the ground and talk to people to know what’s happening.”

Not that she would have it any other way. In fact, in being elected at last year’s general election, she’s just getting started.

CHAMPION FOR FEMALE EMPOWERMENT

Prior to her current appointments, Li-San was in the military: After securing a Singapore Armed Forces Merit (Women) Overseas Scholarship, she became a helicopter pilot with the Republic of Singapore Air Force. In 2003, she was assistant director of the Future Systems Technology Directorate under the Ministry of Defence, and in 2006, she assumed the role as the first female aide-de-camp (a personal assistant or secretary to a person of high rank, usually a senior military, police or government officer) to then-president, the late S. R. Nathan.