Volunteer to gain experience, says Singapore social entrepreneur

KUCHING: Young people are advised to offer themselves as volunteers in any organisation to gain experience if they wish to be successful in their careers later.

ELIM CHEW

Elim Chew, a Singapore social entrepreneur, said on Friday night that experience, good and bad, was essential for shaping one’s future.

“Your choice of decision is based on your experience. One of the ways to gain experience is to become a volunteer in various organisations.

“Remember, all good experience come from bad experience,” said Chew at the inaugural 2010 Business Leadership Forum at Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus here.

The forum themed ‘Changemaker – From Entrepreneurship to Social Entrepreneurship’ was organised by Swinburne, Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Priority One Consultancy Services Sdn Bhd.

The forum would be a series of events that feature distinguished local and global speakers.

It serves as a platform for the exchange of ideas and innovations on topics of paramount importance for partners, stakeholders and students with keen interest in entrepreneurship and social innovation.

Chew, who was recently awarded one of ‘Forbes Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy 2010’, is also an activist in youth-related matters.

She said experience could be gained through meeting with the right people and listening to their stories.

“Meet people who are willing to share their experience with you. At the same time, read more books. Books tell other people’s experience as well,” said the founder and president of 77th Street (Sin) Pte Ltd.

The 77th Street was established 22 years ago with a capital of SG$15,000. Today, the leading youth and young adults street-wear fashion and  accessories retail chain has 13 outlets in Singapore, a wholesale network in Mumbai, India and a shopping mall at Xidan in Beijing, China.

About her experience at the forum, Chew said she was glad that she met a teacher who had faith in her even though she was not an academically outstanding student.

She pointed out that disadvantage in any area, for instance, in education, should not become a hindrance for someone to pursue their passion.

“Nothing comes easy, everything comes with commitment. You must have a good habit, correct attitude and willing to do everything in order to achieve your goal,” she stressed.

Apart from that, she also reminded young people that the question of returns should not be their only concern.

“A change maker is someone who could create a change and he or she won’t let other things influence them. Whatever you have decided, go for it. Don’t regret, but keep looking forward,” she said.