The day Linda Lee chanced upon a video of an 81-year-old Japanese woman learning how to build a mobile game application was career- and life-changing.

It not only sparked her interest in coding, but it also made her seriously consider changing her job.

Yet the scale of the task to switch to a career in technology was daunting.

Linda had been a video editor for more than 13 years where she was responsible in making edits to commercials, TV programmes and movies. Besides being deeply entrenched in her job, she was also filled with trepidation to transit to a totally new industry and field in the middle of a pandemic.

She added, “It was hard getting out of my comfort zone. I was very familiar with my work and had become accustomed to my daily routine in a predictable stable environment... My decision to switch careers happened during Covid-19 when global economies were impacted, and people were losing their jobs. All these uncertainties weighed on my mind.”

Taking the plunge

Despite her initial doubts, Linda’s interest in coding grew. She began learning how to code from YouTube videos and exploring the field of application development in her spare time. As she delved deeper into the intricacies of coding, Linda discovered a whole new world of problem-solving and creativity that appealed to her budding passion for technology.

With her newfound enthusiasm, Linda decided to take a leap of faith and plunged into her career switch by applying for IBF’s Technology in Finance Immersion Programme (TFIP).

TFIP is an industry Attach-and-Train Career Conversion Programme that aims to build up an industry pipeline of capabilities in key technology areas such as artificial intelligence, business analysis, cybersecurity, data analytics, and software engineering, to meet the talent needs of the financial sector. It provides opportunities for mid-career individuals to attend industry-curated structured training, followed by attachment with financial institutions to gain on-the-job experience to pivot into a career in technology within the financial sector.

Linda embarked on her TFIP programme in Full-Stack Software Development which lasted for 24 months. It consisted of structured training at NUS-ISS where she learnt to build full-stack web applications, followed by an attachment at DBS Bank for on-the-job training, which accelerated her learning curve. 

Linda with her TFIP course-mates (Photo credit: Linda Lee)

Overcoming challenges and uncertainties

As Linda balanced her career commitments and TFIP training, she faced challenges and moments of self-doubt. She also had to forgo parts of her social life to spend hours and days doing research, learning new tech tools to build projects, and understanding chunks of cryptic-looking codes.

However, she persevered, drawing strength from her passion in coding and problem-solving. The transition wasn’t easy, but by embracing change and continuously re-learning, Linda overcame each new challenge and grew more confident in her capabilities.   

Linda remarked, “The learning in tech never stops, so it is important to keep abreast of current trends in web application development and tools.”

The job attachment experience at DBS also allowed Linda to gain valuable insights into the industry as well as hone her communication and collaboration skills as she worked alongside experienced developers and colleagues. 

Making a difference

Today, Linda is thriving as an application developer in DBS, working on innovative projects that impact millions of customers in Singapore. One of the projects that she is most proud of is developing an artificial intelligence-powered financial and retirement tool that helps customers manage their finances and life goals. 

She explained, “I enjoy seeing the features that we built ‘come to life’ in the application’s new releases. We have about three million users, of which more than one-third are active monthly users, and this number continues to grow. It is a testament to the tool’s importance and effectiveness, in helping our customers achieve financial wellness. and epitomises DBS' ethos as a 'different kind of bank.'”

(Photo credit: Linda Lee)

DBS’ focus on upskilling its workforce rubs off on Linda, who continues to pick up new knowledge and skills through courses as well as working with more experienced colleagues.

Linda’s journey serves as an inspiration to others who are contemplating a career switch with TFIP. It illustrates that with the right mindset, dedication, and willingness to learn, one can successfully transition to a completely different field.  With TFIP, others too can ignite their “spark” into a fulfilling career in technology in finance. 

IBF administers the Technology in Finance Immersion Programme (TFIP) which helps mid-career individuals to pivot into a career in technology within the financial sector. Find out more about TFIP at this link.