AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH DECEMBER'S MENTEE OF THE MONTH: GINNIE WEE!

1.What are your passions in STEM and what motivates you to pursue them? Do you have any passions outside of STEM and how did they develop?

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I am very interested in personality psychology and neuroscience. My interest began when I took the MBTI personality test a few years ago and I was curious about how our choices and actions are affected by personality types. Since then, I have continued exploring how MBTI and Enneagram types can guide us in decision-making and in relationships. For fun, I also like to read up about what interests different personality types, like favourite movie genres and even organization habits! I recently also developed an interest in exploring the anatomy of the brain and hippocampal memory. I am planning to write a research paper on hippocampal memory too!

I am also passionate about advocating for women’s rights and encouraging more girls to pursue STEM. I have founded the Singapore chapter of the Girl Up Campaign. Considering that there is more awareness in my country’s about gender inequality in Singapore, I decided to use my voice to raise awareness about the gender inequalities that exist in STEM globally. I started my project with an Instagram campaign (@girlupsingapore), which features weekly interviews with women in STEM globally, some of them are mentors from our program! I have also initiated collaborations with clubs from other cities and I am working on an extension which you will hear about very soon.

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Outside of STEM, I like cycling. Although I have a busy school schedule, I try to find time to cycle at the park once a week. I also really enjoy watching sitcoms like Brooklyn Nine-Nine (I’ve watched the 7 seasons like 6 times now haha), The Good Place, The Office, Parks and Rec, Friends and One Day at a Time. Another hobby I have is trying new ice cream flavours!)

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2. How has your experience in the 1000 Girls, 1000 Futures program been so far and what has been your favourite experience? 

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My experience has been enjoyable and meaningful! I am grateful to be be in a community of girls who are equally passionate in STEM. Many of the mentees share similar interests and are very proactive in sharing interesting articles, opportunities and even study materials. I am very inspired by their enthusiasm and initiative in their communities. Learning about their various passion projects and pursuits definitely shows that today’s girls will one day make a huge contribution to the STEM community. Although we may come from different parts of the world, I feel that we are a close-knit community. I have also enjoyed the chance to learn about the cultures, food and even the educational systems of different countries. I have also learnt a lot from weekly discussions and the ideas other mentees have, as they provide insight into youths’ opinions on crucial issues like climate change. 

The mentors are definitely my favourite part of this program. They are friendly and will give you valuable advice on educational and career pathways. My mentors have helped me possible areas in neuroscience I could research into further. The AMA sessions are also beneficial for students as we learn about the choices mentors made, the challenges they overcame and the advice they have for us. This is an awesome platform to ask good questions and get to learn more from professionals in a specific field.

3. What do you think helped you become mentee of the month? Do you think something particular—such as passion projects or initiatives—made you stand out from the rest of the students in the program? 

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I think that participating actively in weekly sessions, AMAs and group discussions posted on Schoology helped. I have also reached out to mentors to be interviewees for my Girl Up Singapore club. If you would like to be nominated for this award, I would encourage you to be proactive in the program and show your enthusiasm!

4.How are you keeping a balance between your schoolwork, family and friends, responsibilities, and passion project(s)?
 

Time management is crucial! I think managing your time wisely is so important, especially in high school where there is so much studying to do and many of us are heavily involved in other activities. For me, I try my best not to procrastinate and prioritise the most important work to be done first. This allows me to channel my attention and focus to what needs to be done well and quickly while I am still energetic. Allocating time for rest is crucial - this can be done in the small pockets of spare time you have in a day and use this spare time to take a break from your work. I also try to get 8 hours of sleep every day, as it provides me with the energy I need to focus on my school work and other activities. I would also recommend planning your schedule ahead so you know your commitments and you can work your schedule around your current commitments.

5. What would you say to girls who are inspired to pursue a STEM career? 

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1. Work hard and pursue your passions! You will be happiest when you do what you love. 

2. Be confident of your own abilities. Don’t let challenges or rejections hold you back! When one door closes, another will definitely open.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice. This can be from your teachers, seniors, mentors and mentees in these programs. I recommend asking for advice on what you can study in the future, careers that suit you and colleges that match your passions and goals.