Business Mindset for Social Impact: Iris in Real Estate

Iris shared how her interest to pursue a business degree developed:

My interest in business began during my time at SIS. Participating in Model United Nations first sparked my awareness of social issues, and taking Business Management in the IBDP helped me realize that businesses could be a powerful tool for addressing them.

This interest grew through leadership experiences, co-founding the SIS Business Club and competing in business-related competitions where I saw how theory could translate into real-world impact. As I became more involved in service-based clubs like Housebuilding and TASSEL, I recognized the potential of Real Estate to tackle deeper societal needs by integrating finance, urban development, and community well-being.

Real Estate’s unique ability to connect analytical thinking with social relevance inspired me to specialize in it. At NUS, I found the ideal platform to explore this passion further through rigorous academics and practical opportunities aligned with my values and goals.

We asked Iris how she envisions her future contributions in addressing social issues through a business and real estate lense:

I hope to contribute to sustainable and inclusive urban development through innovative real estate investment and asset management. My goal is to integrate financial strategy with purpose, ensuring that urban projects deliver long-term value to both stakeholders and the communities they serve.

By working at the interdiv of finance, development, and social impact, I aim to help shape cities that are not only economically resilient but also socially vibrant and environmentally responsible. I believe the future of real estate lies in creating spaces that prioritize people, sustainability, and innovation, and I aspire to be at the forefront of that transformation.

Iris shares the key experiences at SIS that shaped her character and supported her towards this career goal:

SIS gave me space to grow as both a leader and a learner. Leading community service clubs taught me how to take initiative, collaborate and communicate with others, and stay committed to creating impact, lessons that still guide me today.

Psychology class sparked my curiosity about people and systems, while Chemistry class pushed me to challenge myself academically. These experiences helped me build confidence, embrace new challenges, and believe in my ability to do meaningful things.

Together, they shaped my mindset and gave me the courage to pursue a career that combines analytical thinking with social purpose.

Iris expands on the specific skills and aptitudes she developed as a result of studying at SIS and through the clubs she joined:

Through the IBDP at SIS, I developed critical thinking, analytical, and academic writing skills. My English improved significantly, and studying with friends taught me that success isn't just about competition. It’s about collaboration and supporting each other. This mindset continues to shape how I work in university and beyond.

Joining a range of clubs from MUN, Housebuilding, and TASSEL to the SIS Strings Initiative and soccer helped me build communication, planning, and leadership skills. Leading community service-related clubs also taught me how to liaise between different stakeholders and stay aware of global issues, lessons that have shaped both my perspective and professionalism. Performing in violin ensembles taught me balance and resilience, which I carry into areas of life.

Iris recognises some special people at SIS who had a particular impact on her and how these lessons continue to support her:

Each individual at SIS had a special impact on me, but a few stand out deeply. 

Mr. Arnot, my Chemistry teacher, supported me through academic challenges and taught me how to truly learn. Not just content, but mindset. Working with him in clubs, I learned to navigate different interests with consistency and sincerity.

Mr. Wallace, my Business teacher, helped me connect and link concepts and think critically. This helped me a lot in IBDP in general. His guidance shaped how I approach academics even now in university and played a key role in my decision to pursue business.

Mr. Kimball created a welcoming space that felt like home. I still remember that we always found his room a comfortable and safe space in school. His feedback also greatly improved my academic writing and English, and his emphasis on repetition and practice shaped how I study today.

Ms. Khader was always there for me, not just as a teacher, but as someone I could talk to whenever I felt overwhelmed or unsure about my academics or future. Her calm and thoughtful advice helped me approach difficult decisions with more clarity and confidence. I also really enjoyed working with her on the Housebuilding Club, where her encouragement made every project feel meaningful.

Lastly, my classmates deeply influenced me. Coming from Korea, I had a limited worldview, but my peers at SIS opened me up to new ways of thinking and taught me the value of diverse perspectives, collaboration, and creativity.

SIS shaped every step of my journey. Personally, I gained confidence and emotional resilience from mentors and a diverse circle of classmates who taught me to embrace new perspectives. Academically, the rigor of the IBDP and hands-on learning in clubs like TASSEL and Housebuilding prepared me for university-level research, critical analysis, and collaborative projects at NUS. Professionally, leading service initiatives and liaising with stakeholders in those clubs gave me real-world skills in project management and communication.

These skills are those I will apply in my current internship at CapitaLand and beyond.

Lastly, Iris offers some insights to younger students as they navigate their decision making through the final years of high school:

• Don’t be afraid of failure! Explore anything that interests you. You can’t know what you like (or don’t) without trying.

• Be confident and do your best! If someone else can do it, you can too. Believe in your potential and keep pushing forward.

Iris分享了她追求商业学位的兴趣是如何培养起来的：

我对商业的兴趣萌芽于在SIS的求学时光。最初，模拟联合国（Model United Nations）的经历让我开始关注社会议题，而国际文凭大学预科项目（IBDP）的商业管理课程则让我意识到，商业可以成为解决这些问题的强大工具。

兴趣通过领导力经历进一步增长——作为商业俱乐部的联合创始人，我参与了商业相关竞赛，这些经历让我真切看到理论如何转化为现实影响力。随后，我参与了Housebuilding（房屋建造公益项目）以及TASSEL（教育援助计划）等服务型俱乐部，从中了解到房地产通过整合金融、城市发展和社区福祉，有潜力解决更深层次的社会需求。

房地产行业理性分析与社会价值共生的特质，最终促使我将其作为专业方向。在新加坡国立大学，我通过严谨的学术课程和契合个人价值观与目标的实践机会，进一步探索这一热情。

我们采访Iris，她如何设想自己未来通过商业和房地产视角为解决社会问题做出贡献：

我希望致力于通过创新房地产投资与资产管理策略，推动可持续且包容性的城市发展进程。核心目标是构建财务策略与目标相结合，确保城市项目在实现利益相关者长期收益的同时，为社区创造实质福祉。

在金融、发展和社会影响的交叉领域，我希望塑造不仅具有经济韧性，而且具有社会活力和环境责任感的城市。我相信，房地产的未来在于创造以人为本、注重可持续性和创新的空间，我渴望站在这一变革的前沿。

Iris分享了在SIS塑造她的性格并支持她实现职业目标的关键经历：

在SIS的时光里，我同时以领导者与学习者的双重身份成长，领导社区服务俱乐部的经历，让我学会主动发起行动、协调团队协作，并始终致力于创造影响力，这些能力至今仍在发挥作用。

心理学课程点燃了我对人与系统关系的好奇心，而化学课程则教会我以学术挑战突破自我边界。这些经历共同构筑了我的信心基石，让我敢于拥抱未知，相信自己有能力践行有意义的事业。

正是这些经历，塑造了我的思维方式，赋予我勇气去探索分析思维与社会目标相结合的职业。

Iris进一步阐述了她因在SIS学习及加入俱乐部而培养的特定技能和才能：

IBDP课程体系淬炼了我的批判性思维、分析能力和学术写作技能，让我的英语水平显著提高。与同学协作学习的过程，则让我明白 —— 真正的成长不是独行的竞赛，而是彼此合作与相互支持，这种思维方式至今贯穿于我在大学及以后工作中。

加入模拟联合国（MUN）、Housebuilding（房屋建造公益项目）、TASSEL（教育援助计划）、SIS 弦乐团和足球等一系列俱乐部，帮助我培养了沟通、规划及领导力。领导社区服务类俱乐部的经历，还教会我如何与多利益方联络。对全球议题的关注及相关课程，塑造了我的视野与专业素养。小提琴合奏团的表演经历，则教会我保持心态平衡与韧性，这些品质贯穿于我的生活领域。

Iris心怀感恩地谈及在SIS求学期间，

几位特别的人物如何深刻影响了她的成长：

在SIS，许多人都曾照亮我的旅程，而这几位尤其难忘：

Mr. Arnot化学老师在我学业遇到瓶颈时，他始终给予我支持，教会我学习的真谛 —— 不仅是掌握知识，更是培养思维方式。与他在俱乐部共事时，我学会了以始终如一的真诚去对待不同的兴趣与挑战。

Mr. Wallace商业老师帮助我将概念串联，引导我进行批判性思考，这让我在整个IBDP课程中受益匪浅。他的指导至今影响着我在大学处理学业的方式，更在我决定攻读商业学位的过程中起到了关键作用。

Mr. Kimball老师创造了一个像家一样温馨的空间，总是让我们感到舒适与安全。他的反馈极大地提升了我的学术写作和英语水平，而他对重复与练习的强调，更塑造了我如今的学习习惯。

Ms. Khader老师她不仅是一位老师，更是我在压力大或对学业及未来感到迷茫时的倾诉对象。她冷静而周全的建议，让我在面对困难抉择时能更清晰、自信。我也很享受与她在房屋建造俱乐部共事的时光，她的鼓励让每个项目都充满意义。

最后，我的同学们对我影响深远。来自韩国的我，曾经世界观较为局限，而SIS的同学们让我接触到新的思维方式，教会我多元视角、合作与创造力的价值。”

SIS塑造了我成长旅程的每一个维度。在个人层面，导师和多元文化背景的同学们教会我拥抱新视角，让我获得了自信与情感韧性。在学术层面，IBDP的严谨性以及在TASSEL和Housebuilding等俱乐部的实践学习，为我在新加坡国立大学的大学水平研究、批判性分析和合作项目做足了准备。在职业层面，领导服务计划与多利益方联络的经历，让我掌握了项目管理和沟通的实践技能。

这些技能将应用于我目前在凯德集团（CapitaLand）的实习及未来的工作中。

最后，Iris对于正站在高中关键节点的学弟学妹提供了一些见解：

• 不要害怕失败！探索任何你感兴趣的事情。不尝试，你就不知道自己喜欢（或不喜欢）什么。

• 要有信心，尽你最大的努力！如果别人能做到，你也能。相信自己的潜力，更要以行动浇灌成长。