From Singapore to the Netherlands: A Public Officer's Global Journey
When Maisarah Razak first joined the public service, she did not imagine she would one day be pitching Singapore’s strengths to European business leaders, in Dutch no less. But that is the thing about a career in public service: you never know where it might take you.
In the Singapore Public Service, career development is not just about moving up; it is also about moving across. With about 154,000 officers in 16 Ministries and more than 50 Statutory Boards, there are many paths to explore, including opportunities that extend far beyond our shores.
From local talent scout to global advocate
Maisarah’s journey began in 2015, when she joined Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) as a talent acquisition officer. There, she leveraged her understanding of JTC’s talent needs to transform hiring programmes, restructure internship programmes, and enhance training initiatives—all to position JTC as a top choice for talents.
Looking to stretch her capabilities further, she joined the Human Capital division (currently, the Industry Manpower division) at the Economic Development Board (EDB) in 2019.
Reflecting on her role there, she explained, “We were trying to answer questions such as how we can better profile Singaporeans for C-suite roles in global companies. It is also about helping Singaporeans step out of their comfort zones, to see beyond the local market if we want to remain competitive.”
From supporting the careers of others to forging her own path
Maisarah further advanced her career when she transitioned to the Energy and Renewables division at EDB. As an Account Manager, she worked closely with government agencies and industry partners to anchor new projects and transform operations in line with Singapore’s net zero ambitions.
Attracting green investments was only part of her responsibilities. She also worked tirelessly to translate these business relationships into job opportunities for Singaporeans. On this, she shared, “New roles will emerge, and our workforce needs to be ready for this changing landscape.”
Given Singapore’s size and resource limitations, an outward-looking approach is key. Maisarah embraced her interest in global trends and took on a side project at EDB’s Europe desk. This gave her the opportunity to engage with partners from the Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg) region during their visits to Singapore and deepen her understanding of these countries.
When preparation meets opportunity
In August 2024, Maisarah embarked on an exciting new journey as the Regional Director for the Benelux region based in Amsterdam. Her experience in the energy sector and the connections she forged at the Europe desk made her a natural fit for this expanded role.
Her current role sees her engaging with companies and executives across the region to promote Singapore as a prime destination for business expansion and investment. To do that, she needs to analyse the needs of organisations, showcase Singapore’s strengths, and build relationships with people from different cultures—skills that she picked up throughout her career.
Maisarah has made major strides in her career, yet her eagerness to learn keeps aiming for greater heights. For example, one of her personal goals now is to become fluent in Dutch.
Maisarah and her family in Amsterdam
All the world’s a stage
Moving to another country for work can be an exhilarating experience, but things can get complicated when you are not going alone. For Maisarah, her young family with two daughters also had to move to Amsterdam with her.
Rather than shy away from the challenge, Maisarah approached the situation as she does with any other challenge at work—with a growth mindset.
“There were many considerations we had to make for the move, including schooling arrangements for my children,” she shared. “But it is also a chance for us to grow as a family.”
With every opportunity, comes the chance to step out of your comfort zone and learn something new. So, make it a point to seize opportunities when they come knocking—you could be setting the stage for exciting adventures in your future.
This article is adapted from an article first published on the gov.sg Portal.
- POSTED ON
Nov 6, 2025
