Our alumni team recently met with Cai Zejun, a former design specialist based in our Singapore office, who is currently a senior manager (data management and governance) at the National Heritage Board of Singapore. Cai details the skills she acquired while part of our DTP team and shares how she continues to apply her global perspective to her current role.

Tell us about your Oliver Wyman journey and what you’ve been up to since leaving.

I was part of Oliver Wyman from 2014 to 2016 as a design specialist within DTP, based in Singapore. After two years, I decided to change my career direction and pursued a master’s in museum studies at New York University. Upon graduation, I transitioned from the private sector to the culture and heritage sector, joining the National Heritage Board in Singapore. It’s a government agency responsible for preserving culture and heritage, overseeing museums such as the National Museum of Singapore and the Asian Civilisations Museum. Our work also includes research and conservation. I am part of the corporate cluster, specifically in the strategic planning and data management division. My team leads the data initiatives and digital transformation of our organization.

What advice from an Oliver Wyman mentor still resonates with you today?

When I joined Oliver Wyman as a fresh graduate, the firm exposed me to multiple industries and global colleagues. I quickly learned that you can’t make assumptions about handling a piece of work. With a diverse team, we received a variety of information and perspectives, and applying a single viewpoint often wasn’t effective. Oliver Wyman taught me to ask more “what” questions, exploring stakeholders’ considerations and understandings. This advice has been invaluable, not just professionally but also in parenting my toddler — asking her “what” instead of “why” always helps to communicate with clarity and promote self-reflection.

What kind of skills did you acquire at Oliver Wyman that you're applying in your current role?

As a design specialist, I was not the content or subject matter expert and a typical day could include working on a financial presentation and then shifting to a project in health care, for example. I had to learn how to communicate with my partners to understand their needs and translate complex data into compelling infographics. The key skills I developed — visualization and design thinking — are essential in my current work, including project management and website devleopment.

What advice do you have for current Oliver Wyman staff?

Be open-minded and enjoy the opportunities that come to you. 

This page was originally published on July 3, 2024.