Learning takes on a different meaning at this stage of your career because you are not just learning new concepts, but actively thinking and understanding how to apply them to your own context and job.
Sharon Lim
What is a fun fact or something unexpected about you?
I have a PhD in biomedical sciences from Harvard University. When I started my EMBA, some people asked me if it was because I love studying so much!
Tell us about yourself, and how you got to where you are today both on a professional and personal level?
This is such a big question! At the core, my personal and professional motivations are to be able to contribute meaningfully to my community and society through the work that I do. As a mother of two young girls, I also hope that I can be a good role model to my girls, for them to become responsible and compassionate citizens of the world.
What led you to decide to pursue an EMBA, and why did you choose INSEAD in particular?
My organisation A*STAR strongly believes in people and leadership development and in fact it was my Chief Executive who encouraged me to do an EMBA, and wrote me a recommendation letter!
I chose INSEAD because it had a great reputation for diversity and excellence.
The first time I went on the school website, I felt a connection to the school's mission "(...) to develop responsible leaders who transform business and society". The idea that it is not just about learning to enrich yourself but to contribute back to your business and to society really resonated with me and my work in the Singapore public service.
Could you describe your experience so far? The classes, the curriculum, your fellow participants, the professors?
It has been rather intense but also extremely exhilarating.
Intense, because it is not easy at all studying while holding a full-time job, and also the fact that it has been more than a decade since I have been in school (with graded assignments, project work and exams!).
Exhilarating, because the topics are so interesting and relevant and the professors are all amazing.
Learning takes on a different meaning at this stage of your career because you are not just learning new concepts, but actively thinking and understanding how to apply them to your own context and job.
You get to experience a high level of engagement in the classroom, not just learning from the course content and from the professor, but also from your classmates' sharing.
What advice would you give to someone who might be interested in pursuing an INSEAD programme?
Be prepared for a transformative experience! Plus, it really is fun to be back in school.
