Joanne Wang, a mid-careerist who is currently the Group Head of Marketing for The Entertainment and Education Group (TEEG), recently attended a career guidance programme called Polaris by Workforce Singapore (WSG).
If you haven’t heard about Polaris, here’s a quick rundown: It’s a suite of personalised career guidance programmes delivered by WSG and its appointed career matching providers, Ingeus and AKG.
It is designed for those who are:
- Exploring career opportunities;
- Seeking clarity before making crucial career decisions;
- Looking to move up in their career; and
- Contemplating honing their expertise in a specific role.
Joanne shares more about her career journey and how the Polaris programme arrived at a particularly opportune moment in her career, as she was facing a crossroads and seeking guidance on how to navigate her next steps to her current role.
How did you come to know about Polaris, and what were your impressions of the programme?
The programme’s focus on personalised career development resonated with me, and I decided to explore it further with an open mind.
Initially, I was intrigued by the structured approach and the opportunity to work with a certified career coach.
My first impressions were overwhelmingly positive; each session provided valuable insights that I hadn’t anticipated.
The coach was professional, empathetic, and insightful, which helped me feel comfortable sharing my thoughts and aspirations.
What’s your career history so far, and why did you think career coaching could help you?
My career history spans over 18 years, during which I have progressed through various roles in marketing across different consumer brands.
I have consistently taken on more significant responsibilities, contributing to brand growth and engagement.
Throughout my career, I have developed a strong foundation in marketing by working with diverse brands and navigating complex market dynamics.
This experience has taught me the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in staying ahead in the marketing industry.
I’m currently at a mid-to-senior career stage, where I am seeking to refine my professional goals and explore new opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Career coaching is particularly beneficial for me because it provided a structured framework for evaluating my strengths, identifying areas for improvement, and developing a strategic plan for the next phase of my career.
Furthermore, it helped me navigate the complexities of career development, ensuring that I remain focused on achieving my long-term objectives while staying adaptable to industry changes.
For me, it’s not just about finding work that interests me; it’s equally important that my career aligns with my personal values and provides a sense of purpose.
I believe that what I do needs to be meaningful and engaging, contributing positively to both my personal fulfilment and the broader community.
What was your experience of Polaris like during the three sessions?
My experience with Polaris was insightful and transformative.
The programme consisted of three sessions, which I completed over a period of three months.
Each session was engaging and tailored to my needs, allowing me to explore different aspects of career development.
My career coach created a comfortable environment where I felt at ease sharing my thoughts, which was crucial for gaining deep insights into what drives me and planning my next career moves.
Notably, I realised I still have a significant career runway ahead of me — over 20 years — and I need to plan carefully to make it more meaningful and enriching.
How did you find the quizzes, tests and exercises such as the Workplace Big Five and Career Flow Map during the Polaris programme? Were there any interesting realisations that you had about yourself?
The exercises and tools were instrumental in enhancing my self-awareness and understanding of my career mindset.
These tools helped me identify strengths I hadn’t fully leveraged and areas where I needed more focus.
The realisation that I have a long career ahead of me was particularly impactful, as it motivated me to plan more thoughtfully.
Additionally, the quizzes and tests provided valuable insights into my personality traits and work behaviours, which helped me better understand how these aspects influence my career choices and satisfaction.
Lastly, what were your feelings after you finished the Polaris programme? Did it help you progress onto your next career stage?
After completing the Polaris programme, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and direction.
It sparked an interest in coaching, which led me to pursue professional coaching certifications.
With guidance from my WSG career coach, I decided to develop my coaching skills further.
This personal development journey not only increased my own career satisfaction but also influenced how I manage my team.
By incorporating coaching principles into my leadership approach, I have been able to create a more supportive and collaborative team environment.
This shift in management style has helped my team work more effectively.
The Polaris programme was instrumental in helping me transition into a role where I can mentor and empower others, while continuing to grow professionally.
