Midas Touch: An inspiring interview with Zhao Jing Yuan, a woman in Singapore’s tech sector

When Zhao Jing Yuan left China for Singapore in 2004 to pursue her technology dream – studying statistics at National University of Singapore – she knew it was the right thing to do. Fast forward to today, this mother of a 10-year-old son has never looked back with regret. “I’m very glad I made that decision; today Singapore is where I live and work and I’m totally contented at this stage of my life,” enthuses Jing Yuan, who holds a PhD in Statistics from NUS.

When it comes to work-life balance, she aces at it. “It was initially very hard when I became a mother; I had work issues to tackle on top of my family responsibilities. But I persevered and believed in myself and everything fell into place. I’m so grateful to friends, colleagues and my family who supported me during my formative years in Singapore,” says the data scientist, who is the current Vice President of Data Science at Lazada Group. Her modern, open-minded upbringing has also helped her to appreciate the world better. When the self-confessed yoga addict is not pursuing leisurely swims, she finds time to hone her drawing skills. Here is an aspiring female tech worker who strongly feels that women can still shine in the mostly male-dominated data science industry and add value with a feminine perspective. We spent an engaging 20 minutes discovering her insights and opinions.

What is your opinion of a “woman” in today’s context?

Zhao Jing Yuan: Firstly, and very importantly, I think a woman should not be any different from a man. She should be treated with the same respect as a man. Today’s working women are as capable as their male counterparts, if not better, in certain areas.

Why did you choose to work in the tech sector?

Z.J.Y.: I like the “energy” of the tech sector – it is fast-moving and evolving. My data science work for the Lazada Group in the region allows me to use the latest technologies and different types of coding software.

What gives you drive to come to work every day?

Z.J.Y.: The success of my projects is attributed to team effort. I enjoy working with my team as we solve many challenges together. There is a feeling of esprit de corps working as a team, too.

Do you feel that the tech sector is a male-dominated industry?

Z.J.Y.: Yes, definitely there are more men working in the tech sector. While I encourage more women to join the tech sector, I also feel that women and men offer distinct skills. We should have this shared vision to complete the same goal and not bicker about the superiority of each sex’s strengths. If men and women can help each other out and solve problems, that would be superb.

Working in this sector, what do you think a woman can do differently that a man can’t?

Z.J.Y.: Personally, being a data scientist is the sexiest job in the 21st century, but what raised my interest is the fast-paced environment and the ability to digest numbers to create stories or predict trends. I also like to use R, Python, SPARK because they are what I use for coding in my data science work. Some of my male team members appreciate my feminine point of view when it comes to modelling and programming.

What are some of the challenges you face at work?

Z.J.Y.: In every job, the onus of managing different stakeholders and clients is a given. My job requires managing people’s expectations, too. However, providing solutions for problems in emerging markets is a challenge I enjoy. I also like that my job covers regional markets. The data science sector is growing very fast so there’s a lot to learn and that’s an educational process which I take as a challenge to hone my skills.

Tell us about your most rewarding experience working in the tech industry as a woman.

Z.J.Y.: Lazada has been the stepping stone to bigger things: I’ve worked with some of the greatest talents in the data science industry; particularly, I enjoyed working with many big brands to identify and solve problems! Every day is something new and interesting! I’ve also worked with external stakeholders to ensure the project meets its goals.

The team is young and cohesive and we treat each other like buddies. Our work is never a solo effort because we all need each other. It is also great that my boss allows me to work in a manner that I prefer while helping me to move things and meet deadlines. I like it that people don’t see me as a “woman” per se, rather, they see me as someone who adds value to the team. My job engages me on so many levels – intellect, emotional quotient and some soft skills!

Lazada has become a very popular online shopping destination in Southeast Asia but we shouldn’t rest on our laurels. Our team works hard to ensure data science remains a valuable asset to Lazada’s growth in the region. We always have a “can-do” spirit; motivating each other to focus hard on our work.

Do you think there’s discrimination being a woman working in the tech sector?

Z.J.Y.: Before I started working, there were rumours of women being discriminated in the tech sector. However, since starting my job, I can safely say that the rumour has never been validated. In fact, some of my male colleagues look up to me; the younger ones treat me like their mentor. The Lazada environment feels like a United Nations meeting – there are so many nationalities working together for a common goal and that makes it interesting to come to work every day.

What’s the most empowering advice you can give to a woman wanting to work in this sector?

Z.J.Y.: The tech sector will always remain dynamic and it is good to always be curious and have the eagerness to take on new challenges. The tech sector comes with a hectic schedule so it’s critical to manage your time well.

What kind of change would you like to see for women working in the tech industry?

Z.J.Y.: I don’t think we’d want to say that more women should join the tech industry for the sake of balancing it out with the majority of males. The tech sector should do its part to attract new talents, be it male or female. However, I applaud women who excel in the tech sector because they break the misconception that only men can succeed in technology.

Are there popular or famous women you admire? Who and why?

Z.J.Y.: Sheryl Sandberg, the Chief Operating Officer at Facebook, remains a woman I admire. I read her book Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead published in 2013 and it reveals her tenacious spirit and open-mindedness. She’s a strong-willed woman who doesn’t take “no” for an answer. It ideally shows how women can climb the corporate ladder in the tech industry – like the adage says, “if there’s a will, there’s a way”.

Interview contributed by Joseph Lim.

* Joseph pursued lifestyle journalism despite having a background in Computer Science. In 1999, he was a technology writer but switched to writing and editing for luxury periodicals under the Singapore Tatler Group in 2007. At home, he is an avid home cook all thanks to his Peranakan lineage. He digs all things vintage and old school like vinyl and cassette tapes.