MONETARY Authority of Singapore (MAS) scholar Lee Su Fen wanted to do meaningful work that makes a difference.

After spending four years at Stanford University in the Unites States and coming back to become an associate at MAS' complex institutions supervision department, she knows she has found the right fit.

The 25-year-old recalls: "I applied for a few scholarships, all government-related. I felt that it would be most meaningful, and I would be able to contribute in some way to society.

"Working at MAS would allow me to play a part in ensuring the financial stability of Singapore, which is pivotal to the country's economy.

"Also, the financial sector is a very dynamic and exciting field, and MAS would give me the chance to be part of it."

She left for California in 2001 and returned in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a master's degree in management science and engineering.

She combined the freedom and challenges of living alone with extensive travel and varied experiences.

She also wrote for the campus newspaper, ran the university's peer tutoring programme and organised orientation for incoming international freshmen.

The prospect of contributing to MAS remained top of her priorities.

Stanford's master's programme in management science and engineering provided an excellent bridge between her electrical engineering base and her future work in financial regulation.

"It opened me to the world of finance, economics and business by leveraging on engineering skills and concepts which I had already built up," she says.

Her typical workday includes dealing with staff of the financial institutions, reviewing their documents, policies and processes, or analysing reports and processing applications from them.

She says: "Being able to get a first-hand experience at various aspects of banking activities and dealing with a range of bank staff has allowed me to gain a multi-dimensional perspective of financial institutions.

"Knowing that there are always things for me to learn, improve and get better at, energises and excites me.

To translate the learning into contributing in a meaningful and value-added way gives me a sense of satisfaction, because that is how I can make a difference."

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Jan 19, 2008