A cup with Phyu Me Zaw, Senior Business Analyst, NTUC LearningHub
By Steven Lee, Brand & Communications, NTUC LearningHub

On yet another sweltering day, the air hung heavy with humidity. It was against this backdrop that she entered our meeting space, her professional demeanour as crisp as her attire.

“Please make yourself comfortable,” I offered. “This cup of kopi may appear complimentary, but I will be collecting your payment in conversation currency,” I said in a playful tone.

Thus began my kopi session with Phyu Me Zaw, a Senior Business Analyst at NTUC LearningHub. Despite her small stature, Me Zaw exuded an aura of confidence. Her impressive trajectory in the ever-evolving tech industry stands as a beacon of inspiration for young women aspiring to leave their mark in the technology realm.

It was evident that Me Zaw's accomplishments were the fruit of considerable experience and an indomitable spirit—qualities perhaps requisite for excellence in a demanding field. My curiosity, however, extended beyond her professional façade; I sought to uncover the woman behind the code.

From humble beginnings

From her earliest years, Me Zaw harboured an ardent passion for computer science. Her innate affinity for logic and rationality enabled her to embrace coding as a second language easily. A strong foundation in mathematics, established during her youth, was crucial in her transition from software engineer to business analyst.

Yet, Me Zaw's path to NTUC LearningHub was far from a leisurely stroll. In her formative years, computers were a rarity, viewed as luxuries rather than the ubiquitous machines they are today. The tech industry, now omnipresent, was then barely visible on the horizon.

For a young Burmese girl with big dreams, it was particularly daunting—especially when those around her seemed content with less ambitious pursuits.

Reflecting on her journey, Me Zaw shared, "In Myanmar, prospects for growth and advancement were scarce. Only the academic elites in high school were granted the privilege of pursuing medicine or computer science. Those were challenging times. Even then, the Internet was practically non-existent in my country. Yet, my love for computers and all possibilities technology brings, fuelled my determination to learn everything about them.”

“In retrospect, it was this passion that propelled me to excel academically, knowing that a career in computing was my ultimate goal. I recognised how precious each opportunity was, and I went for them with strong determination, a decision I’m now really thankful for,” Me Zaw continued.

Hearing that, I almost sensed a tinge of relief in her voice. Me Zaw had persevered relentlessly to get to where she is today. Her passion for coding and problem-solving had led her to obtain a degree in Computer Science. Facing limited career opportunities back home, she made the bold decision to uproot herself to further her studies in Singapore. Her postgraduate diploma from the National University of Singapore (NUS) had not only equipped her with valuable skills but also opened doors to a rewarding career as a software engineer.

On the voyage of continuous learning

Throughout her career, Me Zaw had worked on various projects, ranging from cashless payment solutions to financial integration projects. Her ability to adapt to different teams and work environments has been a key factor in her success. “It's not about adhering rigidly to one style, but about how we tailor the approach to bring out the best from different team members,” she explained.

Drawing from her rich academic background and years of professional experience, Me Zaw has masterfully woven together her technical prowess and refined interpersonal skills into her current role as a Senior Business Analyst at NTUC LearningHub. In this pivotal position, she serves as a crucial conduit between full-stack developers and internal clients, leveraging her comprehensive understanding of both business dynamics and technical intricacies to generate insightful analyses and propose data-driven organisational change.

Despite her impressive accomplishments, Me Zaw maintains a humble perspective on her journey. "It is a continuous voyage," she reflects. "Much is still unexplored beneath the surface. I've yet to reach my full potential and I see ample room for growth and improvement.”

Me Zaw's commitment to lifelong learning has been the cornerstone of her professional evolution. In an industry characterised by rapid technological advancements, she firmly believes that maintaining relevance demands constant upskilling. "In this field, stagnation equates to irrelevance in the blink of an eye," she emphasised. This led her to pursue a Master of Technology in Software Engineering at NUS-ISS, a significant undertaking that saw her return to school years after her initial graduation.

As I absorbed Me Zaw's words, I couldn't help but feel in awe of her passion. Her journey serves as a compelling testament to the power of continuous learning and there are many leaves to take out from her book of life.

Female representation in the tech industry

As a woman navigating the tech space, Me Zaw has encountered her fair share of challenges, particularly in striking a work-life balance and maintaining her professional relevance. "Keeping pace with the tech industry's demands is an ongoing struggle," Me Zaw mused. "I must continually remind myself that change is both constant and inevitable.”

She candidly shares her perspective on the industry's demands: "If I could make an improvement in this field, it would be a more structured work schedule. From my previous experience as a technical lead, I learned that time management is crucial in the tech industry, especially in software engineering as a young woman with family responsibilities and commitments."

Despite these challenges, Me Zaw maintains an optimistic outlook on the increasing female representation in tech. "Compared to the past, I'm witnessing a growing number of young women in tech," she notes. "With flexible work arrangements today, such as in NTUC LearningHub, it has made the field more accessible to both women and men.”

“The industry stands to gain significantly from women’s perspective. Contrary to some beliefs, increased female representation in tech is undoubtedly beneficial, paving the way for innovation through crucial conversations, and a more balanced workforce. It's not about competition between genders; it's about the human experience in tech,” said Me Zaw.

Cooking maestro

When I asked about her hobbies outside of work, Phyu Me Zaw's face lit up with excitement. "I love cooking," she exclaimed. "My favourite dish to prepare for my family is a national Myanmar dish called Mohinga, a fish soup made with rice noodles. The recipe was passed down from my mother.”

“There are some eateries at Peninsula Plaza at City Hall which sell authentic Myanmar cuisine. Whenever I miss the taste of home, I always head down there for a spoonful,” Me Zaw said gleefully.

“Plus, I have grown to love local food as well. My husband and I love the diverse cultures that can be found in Singapore, which translates to a plethora of cuisines. I love laksa, so I have also learned how to prepare it too. Cooking really gives me the freedom to experiment and discover the tastes that I really like. There is always a new technique or method to prepare a dish, and I am always learning something new as well.”

Besides cooking, I further discovered that Me Zaw is an avid reader too. She enthusiastically described her favourite book of all time, entitled ‘How to Win Friends & Influence People’ by Dale Carnegie. One of her favourite quotes from the book is:

“You must be what your experiences, environment and heredity have made you. For better or for worse, you must play your own little instrument in the orchestra of life.”

Inspired by this quote, Me Zaw has constantly motivates herself to be better every single day, to gain new experiences, knowledge and to obtain the power to shape her environment. In this way, she can truly be the conductor in her life’s orchestra.

As our conversation drew to a close, I found myself marvelling at the depth and richness of the exchange. My kopi session this round highlighted the immense value of taking the time to truly connect with our colleagues, for in doing so, we not only enrich our understanding of one another but also foster a more vibrant and interconnected workplace community.

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