Find out how Brenda seizes opportunities and plays the long game of mobility for personal and professional growth.

Brenda's, Learning & Transformation, OCBC Singapore, career journey at OCBC, which began in 2007 at the Business Service Centre, has been diverse and fulfilling, allowing her to gain experience in various roles such as customer service, project management, and training. In 2025, she transitioned to the Learning & Transformation team, focusing on Workforce Transformation, leveraging her network built through coordinating MOBI workshops and serving as an emcee for a departmental event, which helped her gain visibility and recognition, including the Campus Star Award in 2024.

The Power of Network

For dynamic Brenda, connecting with people unwittingly opened new doors for her. Her network primarily grew from coordinating a series of MOBI workshops for her department, which allowed her to connect with various colleagues and stakeholders. Additionally, she took on a gig project (through a hands-on learning initiative called Vybe) with the Learning and Transformation Team as an emcee for the "Grow Your Way 2024" event, which further expanded her connections within the organisation.

Being recognised as a recipient of the Campus Star Award in 2024 also played a crucial role in this process. It not only highlighted her contributions but also exposed her to different teams within the Learning and Transformation department. These experiences enabled Brenda to build strong relationships and gain insights that were invaluable during her transition.

Growing Beyond: Tapping into Mobility

Having a skills profile was key in helping Brenda identify skill gaps and areas for growth in several ways. With an inventory of the skills she has, Brenda was recognised as a strong fit for the Vybe project. This opportunity allowed her to step out of her business-as-usual (BAU) activities, enabling her to learn in the flow of work and foster valuable networks.

Now that she has transitioned into her new role, she appreciates the personalised recommendations tailored to her growth areas in relation to this new role. This targeted guidance helps Brenda address and close any skill gaps promptly, ensuring that she continues to develop and excel in her new responsibilities.

Being Ready to Seize Opportunities

Brenda resonates with the Chinese phrase: 机会是留给有准备的人- she believes that opportunities are meant for those who are prepared and ready to seize them. She is an advocate of continuously preparing oneself, whether through skill development, networking, or gaining diverse experiences, so that when an opportunity arises, you are ready to take it on.

She also sees mobility as a crucial to personal and professional growth. In her opinion, embracing mobility allows people to learn new skills, adapt to various environments, and ultimately become a more well-rounded professional.

Walking the talk, she aims to deepen her understanding of the latest trends and methodologies in the learning space. This includes exploring innovative learning strategies, technologies, and frameworks that can enhance organisational development and employee engagement.

She also intends to strengthen her change management skills by learning how to navigate resistance, communicate effectively during transitions, and foster a culture that embraces change. Lastly, data analysis is also something that she wishes to develop, to better leverage data for decision-making and strategy development.