Sabrina’s journey at GIC began nine years ago, when she joined as a User Acceptance Testing (UAT) tester. With a background in mathematics and a knack for logical problem-solving, she quickly found her footing in the world of data. Over the years, Sabrina transitioned from UAT testing to data analysis, and today, she is a data engineer in the Data Engineering & Analytics team within the Data Strategy Group (DSG). She now leads the BAU engineering team for the Enterprise Data Warehouse and Total Portfolio Datamart, playing a pivotal role in shaping GIC’s data infrastructure and analytics capabilities.
Outside of work, Sabrina is a devoted family person who cherishes time spent with her husband and her nine-month-old daughter. Weekends are often spent exploring new places together and creating lasting memories.
Why did you decide to join GIC?
As I approached graduation, I cast a wide net, applying to many companies without a clear direction. The job description at GIC caught my eye—I was hired as a one-year UAT tester, which sounded both fun and intellectually stimulating. As a Math major specialising in theorem-proving, I found UAT to be a natural fit, as it required similar analytical rigor to ensure outputs met requirements.
After joining, I quickly realised the immense responsibility GIC holds as a fund manager for the nation. The fast-paced environment keeps us agile and constantly adapting to change, which I find both challenging and energising.
What does your typical workday look like?
My day always starts with a classic peanut butter toast and a coffee from the GIC café—my daily motivation to kick off work! The rest of the day is a dynamic mix of project meetings, team stand-ups, and handling ad-hoc issues that arise from daily operations. No two days are ever quite the same, and I thrive on the variety and pace.
What do you like most about working here?
Despite working on the same products for nine years, my journey at GIC has been anything but monotonous. I’ve had the chance to take on different roles and continuously learn and grow. I’m deeply grateful for the trust my leaders have placed in me, empowering me to drive meaningful and impactful projects. Beyond the work itself, the people at GIC make all the difference—I’m surrounded by collaborative colleagues who share a common vision and approach to work. The camaraderie and alignment within the team make every challenge feel more surmountable.
How would you describe the learning & development culture at GIC?
Most of my learning has happened on the job, from building financial and technical skills to mastering project and stakeholder management. When I first started, I didn’t even know what SQL—a programming language used to manage and query data in databases—was. Thankfully, my managers believed in my resilience and ability to learn quickly. Today, I work extensively with SQL-based data platforms. GIC’s commitment to continuous learning is evident through the GIC School, our internal learning and development department, which offers a wide range of courses and resources to help us keep our skills sharp and relevant.
What skills or knowledge have you developed while working at GIC?
During my time at GIC, I honed both my technical and interpersonal skills. I have learned the importance of clear communication in aligning goals and expectations, which leads to more effective teamwork. My technical expertise has grown through exposure to industry best practices in programming and testing. I’ve greatly benefited from my colleagues’ guidance and support, which has accelerated my learning and helped me overcome challenges. Working with such experienced and collaborative teammates has expanded my skills and motivated me to keep improving.
What skills or knowledge have you developed while working at GIC?
The most valuable skills I’ve gained are in stakeholder management and communication. Through various projects, I’ve been able to observe and learn from senior mentors as they navigated challenging conversations and steered discussions toward successful outcomes. I’ve also honed my adaptability—working in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment has taught me to embrace uncertainty and respond quickly to new initiatives. Over time, I’ve learned to connect the dots, retain key information, and provide timely support when it’s needed most.
What are some highlights in your career thus far?
My career at GIC has been marked by several significant milestones. Early on, I contributed to the development of enterprise-wide data platforms that support portfolio management and reporting across the organisation. I’ve also had the opportunity to represent my team in major cross-departmental initiatives, supporting studies and enhancements for data governance and integration.
Over the years, I’ve co-led large-scale technology refresh projects, upgrading critical infrastructure to ensure our systems remain robust and future ready. More recently, I’ve been actively involved in ongoing business initiatives and have taken a leading role in managing change impacts and supporting the continuous improvement of our data platforms.
What you should know before joining GIC
GIC has so much to offer. Here, you’ll find countless opportunities to grow, learn, and make a real impact. Keep an open mind, be ready to work hard, and you’ll discover just how rewarding the journey can be.