This week on the Career Transitions Podcast, we’re joined by Associate Professor Jimmy Wong from the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). Jimmy heads the Master of Management programme and teaches the popular course “The Future of Work.”

In this lively and candid conversation, Jimmy shares:

• Why being a polymath — someone who learns widely and curiously — is the edge you need for the future
• How to build healthy human-machine relationships and avoid becoming obsolete
• The mindset shifts necessary to navigate rapid change and automation
• His personal journey from pharmaceutical rep to academic, and how burnout sparked a career transformation
• Tips for HR and business leaders to redesign work and foster career agility
• His call to action: stop chasing money, embrace learning, and design the career you want

Whether you’re a leader, a learner, or someone feeling a little stuck — this episode is packed with practical insights, laughter, and some serious food for thought.

🔗 Referenced in this episode:

• Book: The Polymath by Waqas Ahmed
• Jimmy’s course at SUSS: “The Future of Work”

🎧 Tune in to hear why Jimmy says, “When there’s a willing student, there’s always a willing teacher — and that teacher is you.”

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

· Vanessa Iloste (Host)

· Vanessa Teo (Host)

· Aaron Wu (Producer)

Join us as Julian Devaureix, founder of the Sismique Podcast, explores the evolving world of work and offers insights for navigating a rapidly changing career landscape. With a background in digital marketing and transformation, Julian shares his personal journey and discusses the critical shifts shaping the future, from environmental concerns to technological advancements and the search for purpose. Discover actionable strategies for staying curious, embracing ambiguity, and building a resilient, meaningful career in today's complex world.

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

· Vanessa Iloste (Host)

· Vanessa Teo (Host)

· Aaron Wu (Producer)

In this episode, we unpack one of the most talked-about topics in career transitions: networking—and how to do it authentically.

Whether you're a seasoned executive or exploring a new path, building meaningful connections can be a game-changer. But how do we move beyond transactional handshakes and LinkedIn connections to relationships that truly support and shape our careers?

Vanessa T and Vanessa I share personal stories, practical tips, and candid reflections on:

• Why networking is more than just a numbers game
• How to reach out in small but meaningful ways
• What a strong, diverse network looks and feels like
• Common pitfalls to avoid (hint: don't wait till you need something!)
• Why introverts often make the best networkers

💡 One of our favourite takeaways? Networking is about being intentional and valuing diversity—in backgrounds, viewpoints, and experiences.

Whether you're rekindling old connections or starting new ones, this episode will leave you inspired to build your network with purpose and heart.

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

· Vanessa Iloste (Host)

· Vanessa Teo (Host)

· Aaron Wu (Producer)

In this heartfelt episode of the Career Transitions Podcast, we reconnect with our very first guest and longtime mentor, Jean Balfour—Master Certified Coach and founder of Bailey Balfour. Jean joins us to reflect on her own remarkable career journey, from her early days in education, to corporate leadership, to founding a global coach training organization.

We have a great conversation about:

• Jean’s evolution from teacher to entrepreneur, and what led her to start her own coaching academy
• The emotional highs and lows of building a business—and the power of staying grounded through transitions
• How coaching unlocks emotional resilience at work and beyond
• Why shared humanity and empathy are essential leadership traits in the future of work
• Jean’s upcoming third act—including the tough decision to transition her coach training program and her exciting new book on emotional agility at work

Jean’s wisdom and warmth are as inspiring as ever. Whether you're navigating a career pivot, growing your leadership practice, or just need a reminder that you’re not alone in change—this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen in as Jean reveals what’s next and shares her biggest lessons from a lifetime of learning, leading, and coaching.

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

· Vanessa Iloste (Host)

· Vanessa Teo (Host)

· Aaron Wu (Producer)

In this week's episode of the Career Transitions Podcast, Vanessa I. and Vanessa T. speak with James Feliciano, a seasoned senior executive, about his thriving career in Japan's pharmaceutical industry. James shares his unique insights on leadership, cultural navigation, and career evolution, drawing from his experiences as president and general manager of AbbVie Japan and his transition into a senior advisory role.

Discover James's advice on embracing international opportunities, balancing work and life, and the importance of trusting your intuition. He also discusses his passion for coaching and how it has shaped his leadership style, emphasizing the power of engagement, self-awareness, and continuous growth.

Whether you're considering an international move, navigating a career change, or seeking to enhance your leadership skills, this episode offers invaluable lessons and inspiration for your own journey

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

· Vanessa Iloste (Host)

· Vanessa Teo (Host)

· Aaron Wu (Producer)

In this inspiring episode of the Career Transitions podcast, we welcome two extraordinary guests—Lee Peh Gee and Joanne Soo, members of the Singapore Women’s Everest Team. Their journey to the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain at 8,848 meters, is a testament to resilience, teamwork, and perseverance.

We often say that career transitions feel like climbing a mountain—filled with uncertainty, self-doubt, and the need for endurance. Who better to learn from than real mountaineers? Peh Gee and Joanne take us through their grueling five-year journey of preparation, their physical, mental, and emotional challenges, and the life lessons they gained along the way.

In this episode, we explore:

• How they trained for Everest—mentally, physically, and emotionally
• Overcoming self-doubt and external critics who questioned their ability
• The power of teamwork and enablers in achieving big goals
• How their experience translates to navigating career transitions
• The importance of preparation, clarity, and trusting the journey

Their story is a powerful metaphor for career growth and personal development, reminding us that the journey matters just as much as the destination.

Tune in for an episode filled with motivation, adventure, and practical insights to help you conquer your own Everest—whether it’s in your career or personal life.

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

· Vanessa Iloste (Host)

· Vanessa Teo (Host)

· Aaron Wu (Producer)

In this episode of the Career Transitions podcast, we are thrilled to welcome Eric Sim, thought leader, entrepreneur, author, and LinkedIn Top Voice with over 2.8 million followers. From his early days helping at his family's prawn noodle stall to leading at UBS Investment Bank as a managing director, Eric has built a career that defies limitations. Today, he is the founder of the Institute of Life, a platform dedicated to mentoring professionals in career growth, leadership, and personal branding.

Join us as we explore:

• Eric’s bold career transition from banking to becoming a global thought leader
• The challenges of reinventing your professional identity beyond a corporate title
• Why small, intentional actions are the key to big career success
• The power of social capital, storytelling, and building an authentic online brand
• How to navigate the "magical stage" of life where time, money, and health intersect
• His philosophy on investing in others and creating lasting impact

Eric’s journey is filled with practical wisdom, inspiring stories, and powerful takeaways for anyone looking to reinvent their career, build a strong personal brand, or embrace new opportunities.

Tune in now to learn how thinking big, starting small, and acting now can transform your career and life.

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

· Vanessa Iloste (Host)

· Vanessa Teo (Host)

· Aaron Wu (Producer)

Welcome to Season 5 of the Career Transitions podcast! We’re launching this season with an inspiring guest—Dorothy Yiu, CEO and Co-founder of Engage Rocket, a leading people analytics platform that helps organizations drive real-time insights into employee engagement, performance, and development.

Dorothy’s career journey is nothing short of extraordinary. From starting out in banking and consulting to making the bold leap into entrepreneurship, she co-founded Engage Rocket to address one of the biggest challenges in HR—how organizations leverage data to build better workplaces.

In this episode, we explore:

• Dorothy’s transition from corporate leadership to startup founder
• How people analytics can transform workplace culture and performance
• The key challenges companies face in driving employee engagement
• Why culture-building requires intentionality, consistency, and empowerment
• Dorothy’s experience as a working mother of two and her advocacy for Down syndrome awareness
• Her top lessons on resilience, adaptability, and building a portfolio career

Whether you’re navigating a career shift, looking to create impact as a leader, or curious about the future of HR and workplace analytics, this episode is packed with insights, strategies, and inspiration you don’t want to miss.

Connect with us on LinkedIn:

· Vanessa Iloste (Host)

· Vanessa Teo (Host)

· Aaron Wu (Producer)