From The Straits Times    |

What it's like to be a female diplomat from Singapore.jpg

SHERYL SHUM, 32
She is the political counsellor at the Singapore Embassy in Washington DC.

Growing up on a steady diet of political dramas like The West Wing and autobiographies of female diplomats such as Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice whetted Sheryl’s appetite for a career in public service.

After a decade of serving in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs both in Singapore and in Kuala Lumpur, she finally secured a posting to Washington DC last year.

“Being a Singaporean diplomat carries some weight in this town. I don’t wish to squander the cumulative work our ambassadors and diplomats have done since Singapore’s independence,” says Sheryl, whose job requires her to analyse US foreign and domestic developments. She also lobbies for improved understanding and appreciation of the bilateral ties between the US and Singapore among American senators, congressmen and their staffers.

Her biggest challenge so far? Being away from home for long periods. “It’s not easy uprooting yourself every few years,” she says. “When I get back from a posting, I imagine that life would be the same, but parents get older, friends are at different stages of their lives… I’ve come to accept it; it’s part and parcel of the job I love.”

Photography: Winston Chuang, Styling: Evon Chng, assisted by Gracia Phang, Hair: Dorene Low/Athens Salon, Makeup: Amy Chow, using Makeup For Ever, Jacket by Malene Birger, Pants: Iro, Belt: Stylist’s own

This story was first published in HerWorld Magazine July 2015.

Want to find out more about Singapore women with cool jobs? Read about why this young woman decided to be a frog farmer and what it’s really like to be a female fighter pilot.

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