A sporting spirit in tech - how Wan Qi’s perseverance fuels success at Google

Multinational firms make up about 20% of firms in Singapore and provide jobs for nearly one-third of employed residents.

From the sports arena to the tech world, Wan Qi’s journey from table tennis player to Google Customer Engineer showcases the power of adaptability and determination in shaping a successful career.

Embracing Change and Finding Passion

At 18, Wan Qi stood at a crossroads. Despite her dedication to table tennis where she spent her teenage years training rigorously at the Singapore Sports School, she realised her aspirations extended beyond sports. “I always intended to pursue a university degree. Though I was unsure which path to take, I wanted to utilise my strengths in maths and science,” she recalls.

Wan Qi eventually enrolled in the Renaissance Engineering Programme at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where she was exposed to diverse engineering disciplines. “I was keen to learn about the tech behind everyday gadgets like phones and laptops. The programme offered the chance to explore different fields, and I was excited to discover what really resonated with me,” she shares. This ignited her journey into computer science, a world that captivated her as much as sports did.

By embracing this new academic challenge, Wan Qi unlocked doors to opportunities she had never imagined – ultimately leading to an internship in 2021 with tech giant Google, which has had a regional headquarters in Singapore since 2007.

Learning and Growth at Google

During the 12-week internship with Google, Wan Qi immersed herself in hands-on projects involving cloud infrastructure and AI. Despite the challenges of a virtual internship amid the pandemic, she embraced it with an open mindset and a strong thirst to learn. 

A key highlight of her internship was building a Recommendations AI demo for an e-commerce client. It felt like a high-stakes match, giving her a real taste of the impact her work could have. While the work challenges were exhilarating, what truly set Google apart for Wan Qi was the company’s unique culture, particularly the “coffee chats”—casual conversations that allowed her to connect with colleagues across different teams. Along with regular training, sharing sessions by teams globally, and mentorship by senior colleagues, Wan Qi was convinced that it was a conducive and inclusive place to launch her career. When the company offered her a full-time role because of the potential she had shown during the internship, she eagerly accepted. 

Reflecting on her journey, Wan Qi emphasises the importance of resilience. “In the beginning, I struggled a lot when I compared myself to more experienced teammates – I felt inadequate and sometimes like an imposter. But, like in sports, you can train hard and not see results immediately. The same goes for learning and career growth,” she candidly shares. Her perseverance ultimately enabled her to overcome self-doubt and find confidence in navigating her role.

A Vision for the Future

Today, as a Customer Engineer at Google, the 26-year-old actively engages customers to identify technical obstacles, and develop tailored solutions. She takes pride in her contributions to initiatives like the AI Trailblazers programme, where she helped 265 participants from 50 companies and agencies harness generative AI to tackle real-world challenges. Additionally, she advises 26 startups on generative AI as part of the Google for Startups Accelerator: AI First Singapore, a collaboration with Enterprise Singapore, working to drive groundbreaking innovations. 

Looking ahead, Wan Qi’s ambitions remain firmly rooted in the tech industry. “I want to stay in this field as long as possible,” she says, though she is open to exploring new roles if the right opportunity arises. She believes that growth often comes from stepping outside her comfort zone. 

“For me, moving to a different location, even in the same role, would bring new challenges,” Wan Qi explains. “Different accents, local cultures, and new environments would push me to adapt and grow.” 

Wan Qi's openness to new experiences mirrors her belief in lifelong learning and the importance of accumulating expertise to excel in one’s career. As she progresses in her career, she remains dedicated to the convergence of technology and business, ready to take on whatever challenges come her way.

Watch Wan Qi's video on gov.sg YouTube!

Photos & article by: Maven Potter