Charting Her Own Path

“I hope to land a job in media planning or creative direction,” says Renee Tan, Year 2 Communication and Digital Media (CDM) undergraduate student currently on an eight-month Integrated Work Study Programme (IWSP) with global communications leader Publicis Groupe.

Pursuing a Passion in Communications

From a young age, Renee was captivated by the world of media and storytelling. Thai advertisements that unfold like emotive short films – only to reveal an insurance product at the end – sparked her curiosity about how such narratives capture attention and influence audiences. That fascination has grown into an interest and passion for storytelling and media strategy.

Yet pursuing this passion is not easy. Renee musters strength daily to overcome financial and personal challenges.

“I get so stressed whenever tuition fees are due, as I see my 
savings depleting,” she says. “Even buying a new laptop for my course adds on to the strain. Nonetheless, I am pushing myself to get a degree, even though I know it’s costly.”

Her Mother, Her Bedrock of Support

The loss of her grandmother during the COVID-19 pandemic was deeply painful, as she had been a pillar of Renee’s upbringing. From a young age, Renee has drawn strength from the women around her — her grandmothers, aunts, cousins and especially her mother, whom she describes as her bedrock of support.

When her father was retrenched, her mother became the family’s main breadwinner for a household of six. Alongside her full-time job, she took on part-time work collecting surveys at MRT stations to supplement the family’s income, with Renee often accompanying her and witnessing the quiet sacrifices she made to keep things going.

After her parents’ divorce, Renee moved between households and now lives with her father and older brother in a two-bedroom HDB flat under the care of her aunt. Through it all, her mother has continued to offer quiet encouragement, especially in supporting Renee’s education and interests.

“My mum says that I'm her pillar, that I keep her going and grounded,” Renee shares. “Honestly, there is no one I value more than my mom because of how much she has done for us and what she has gone through.”

Friends often wonder how Renee maintains such a positive outlook. For her, seeing her mother’s resilience through difficulties has shaped her determination to make the most of every opportunity.

“My mother is my utmost inspiration. She is the reason I keep pushing on. If she can do it, I can too!” she says.

A Helping Hand from the ELK Bursary

This year, Renee receives the ELK Bursary – news that fills her with gratitude and pride.  

“The bursary helps financially but also very much emotionally,” she explains, noting that her older brother is also pursuing a private 
university degree, adding strain to the family. “It’s not only a 
recognition of my achievements, but it also helps lighten our 
financial burden and allows me to focus on my studies.”

The ELK Bursary is funded by a $4 million endowed gift from the Estate of the late Mr Eng Liat Kiang, Founder Chairman of Sin Heng Chan Group, who himself persevered through hardships as an orphan before becoming a successful entrepreneur. His gift supports the ELK Bursary, the ELK-Forward SITizen Bursary and the ELK Student Arena – an inclusive community space at SIT Punggol Campus for students, staff and faculty to connect, collaborate and recharge.

Previously, Renee funded part of her education through savings from a full-time role at a digital agency during a gap year before university, as well as various part-time jobs. Her mother and stepfather also contributed to her education. He takes care of the family and treats Renee as his own, serving as a strong source of support.

Defining Her Own Terms

Today, Renee approaches life with greater confidence and purpose.

A contemporary dance enthusiast, Renee recently returned to the stage with her alma mater Temasek Polytechnic. She also stepped up as a student leader, serving actively on the CDM student management committee and helping to organise networking and welfare programmes for her cohort.

University life has been both enjoyable and fulfilling, she says. She is especially excited about learning more about media marketing, audience targeting and consumer psychology. Through her IWSP at Publicis, she hopes to deepen her understanding of advertising and media strategy.

“Whatever background I have, whatever challenges I come across, I’ve learnt that they do not define the person I want to become,” Renee reflects.

“I know I can chart my own path.”