2022
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Why did you choose to do a PhD?
I became aware of my academic curiosity in the penultimate year of my undergraduate studies. I was genuinely curious about what I didn’t know and fascinated by the intellectual challenge of critical thinking discussions. Guided by my undergraduate thesis mentor, I had my first experience in conducting research and publishing my work. This inspired me to think about academia as a life career.
Why did you choose to do graduate education at NUS? If you received offers from other universities, why did you pick NUS?
I earned my undergraduate degree in NUS and sincerely enjoyed my undergraduate years in NUS that I wanted to continue the chapter in my Alma Mater. The most important reason is that the research capability and the mentorship in NUS Business School is superior.
How does graduate school compare to your undergraduate experience?
Well, I have to admit that time reserved for co-curriculum activities shrank after being admitted into a graduate program. I used to participate in CCAs such as music production and community engagement activities during my undergraduate years and enjoyed them. However, during PhD years, I shifted my emphasis largely onto my research endeavors. I spend most of my leisure time enriching my knowledge that is related or loosely relevant to my research interest. I did not regret pursuing such a lifestyle as the it satisfies my intellectual curiosity.
Briefly share about your research or thesis (i.e. dissertation topic for Masters by Coursework students).
My thesis centers on the intersection between labor economics and auditing. The dissertation consists of two essays on the talents in audit firms. My thesis uncovers the “black box” to uncover the “black box” of personnel policies in accounting firms.
What impact do you hope to have with your research?
I hope my research could narrow the gap between academic and practice in the accounting discipline. The gender equality discussions in my thesis aim to raise awareness of the “glass ceiling” for female auditors.
If you have won any academic prize/competition or been invited to speak at an international conference—share what it is, its significance, and how you worked towards achieving it.
I was honored to be nominated and invited to participate the Hawaii Accounting PhD Consortium in the summer of 2022. The experience was splendid, with opportunities to communicate with world-famous scholars as well as PhDs from other prestigious programs. In my application, I shared my endeavors on uncovering the “black box” of personnel policies in audit firms. I guess my ambition to contribute in narrowing the gap between practice and academic research.
Share something about campus life at NUS that new students would be interested to hear about.
I had several “secret spots” on NUS campus that I sometimes wander around when I need some time alone. One of the places is the Fragments of the Berlin Wall near Tembusu College at the University Town. The historic remnants and modern architecture intersect to inspire us to think about the past and the future of the human existence.
Do you have any interesting personal stories to share? For example, about your journey to get into graduate school, personal hobbies/interests.
I am grateful that I have been able to maintain some of my personal hobbies throughout my doctoral career. There are pianos for public use on the campus (I love the UTown ones the most). Whenever my friends and I pass by, I often sit down and play a tune (although I haven’t been able to do so since COVID began).