Nine Lives

Tell us about yourself!
I’m currently doing Human Experience. It’s a bit like HR, but not exactly HR per se. I also rescue cats. I have seven cats at home. I rescue them in hopes to give them to other families, but instead I’m the one who always ends up keeping them (laughs).

Hey, as long as they’re being taken care of, right? When did you start rescuing cats?
I started in 2015. So my oldest cats are 10 years old. And the youngest is 2—I got her when she was three months old. But I’ve since stopped. Financially, seven is enough.

Seven! That’s a huge commitment! What made you want to start rescuing cats?
Before I started rescuing cats, I already had two of my own. I guess I can’t help it—whenever I see a cat without a home, I think, since I already have a couple at home, why not bring in more? (laughs) Thankfully, they all get along.

Your house is basically a cat café! Now on to the next topic: can you tell us how you got into HX?
I actually just started my job a couple of months ago. Before this, I was with Sony Pictures. I did on-air broadcasting, on-air transmission—basically more media-focused. After Sony, I was with Delta Airlines for a few months doing customer service. And then I decided to go into HR because I took a certificate course in it, so here I am!

Why the switch?
As you know, media is dying in Singapore, so I needed to switch to something more stable. And HR is something that’s needed everywhere—every company has HR.

How has this change been for you?
It’s not bad since I like speaking and talking to people. I like the human experience in the job so it’s easy for me. And with a background in media, I’ve been exposed to a lot of people.

Has there been a culture shock?
Not so much in terms of switching companies, but more of switching careers . I was so used to working in broadcasting but now, when I meet clients, it’s a completely different environment. I need to think about how I dress—whereas in media, I can pretty much dress however I want. So I had to change my outfits and my overall look. In broadcasting, I didn’t wear makeup very often since I get lazy, but in this role, it’s more professional. It’s a different level altogether.

Interesting! As we’re approaching the new year, do you have any goals or aspirations?
I actually do have my own clothing line called Wear Reen, so my goal is to make sure it goes somewhere (laughs).

Cool! Tell us more about it, how did it start?
When Sony closed down their office in Singapore, I got retrenched, and decided I wanted to do something with my severance pay. I’ve always loved clothing and thought, why not sell things that I like to wear? So that’s when I started. I design everyday style dresses and skirt sets and my tailors from Vietnam and Indonesia help me with sewing them.

Wow, how are you juggling so many things?
I mean, if you like it, just do it, right? And if you have an interest in it, it doesn’t feel like work!