I’m a software developer by profession and the IT sector in Singapore has always been highly competitive. Back in 2011 the job market was quite saturated in my field, and I was desperately searching for a better opportunity, scouring through job sites and applying to every suitable opening, hoping for an interview call-back. 

That’s when I came across a job opening at QI for the travel and leisure arm, to work on the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) 4.0 system and solve software-related issues and provide tech support where needed. I applied, got through, and fast forward 11 years, I am currently a Senior Systems Analyst.

The management team in the entity that I work in has always provided me with multiple opportunities and ample space for exploration and growth. I am grateful for the trust they’ve placed in me, and it motivates me to put in maximum effort into everything I do. 

Since QI Group’s travel and leisure arm provides travel-related products to a global customer base, our users are extremely diverse, multi-cultural, and increasingly tech savvy! To keep up, I strive to constantly upskill myself. The management team here has been very supportive and has given me the opportunity to earn a certification as a Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP).  This has allowed me to approach my work in a more strategic manner and also stay up-to-date on highly effective business analysis methods, many of which I was able to apply to our internal systems.  I’m currently working on integrating various systems into our new CRM platform, which is a challenging yet interesting project and I’m excited about it. 

I truly think that because the management style here is complementary to my style of working, it pushes me every day to give my very best and never become complacent, despite being with the company for over a decade. 

The best part of my job is that it allows inter-departmental interactions which make it all the more fun. Because of the very collaborative nature of the projects I work on, I get to work with people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. This has given me exposure to new perspectives and has taught me a lot. We constantly bounce ideas off each other with the common goal to serve our customers better, sometimes even getting into debates intensely about the most efficient way to do something.

I also deeply resonate with our ethos of RYTHM – Raise Yourself to Help Mankind, a constant reminder that I should not do things just for the sake of doing, but to look at the bigger picture when helping others. This inspired me to volunteer with the Singapore Modern Pentathlon Association where I now serve as the secretary-general. Although I am not an athlete myself, I gain happiness from knowing that I’m playing a small part in helping others achieve their sporting dreams. Through interactions with the national sports body, I am exposed to so many different facets of people and way of doing things, which has helped me with my work as well. 

I believe one’s attitude decides the outcome of their career path. I was lucky that I found QI where I am valued for my work, and I get to learn so much every day. I don’t think I could have found this anywhere else. 

Desmond Chan is a Senior System Analyst for our travel and leisure business. He is based in Singapore.