Chelsia Lim is a Social Worker with SHINE Children and Youth Services, where she conducts school social work programmes for children and youths and provides casework and case management services to students and their families. She is a Social Service Scholar with a Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours (Distinction) in Social Work from NUS.

Scholar Chelsia Lim have chosen to make a difference by impacting lives through the work that they do. They form part of the social service sector in Singapore which employs more than 16,000 professionals who have a passion for helping people in need.
As a Social Worker with SHINE Children and Youth Services, we sat down to discuss her career journey in social service, and how the Social Service Scholarship has paved the way for her to pursue a passion to work in social service.

What inspired you to join the Social Service?
Previously, I went on a few mission trips with my church, which opened my eyes to the needs of the less fortunate. Those experiences made me consider what was important to me in my career – bringing hope and light to others in practical ways.

Why did you choose the Social Service Scholarship?
I discovered the Social Service Scholarship on the NCSS and BrightSparks websites. This scholarship provided me with a wide range of social service agencies that I could explore after graduating. This was helpful as I was still in the process of figuring out the profile of clients I desired to work with.

How have you applied what you learnt in university to your current roles?
CHELSIA: What I learnt in university provided a foundation for me even as I began my journey as a social worker. Having the knowledge and right perspective was necessary in preparing me to work with individuals from varied backgrounds.

Could you tell us more about your key roles and responsibilities on a day-to-day basis?
I conduct school social work programmes for children and youth, where I co-facilitate sessions in a group setting, which are focused on equipping students with socio-emotional skills. The work is not done in silos but in collaborative partnership with the school, to provide more coordinated support to students in need. I also work with families to identify areas where they may require more support and equip or link them to the necessary resources.

What do you think are important skills to possess in your line of work?
The ability to listen, empathise and withhold judgement. Patience and perseverance are also essential attributes to possess.

What are some challenges that you often face in your job and how do you overcome them?
Working with children and youth in a group setting has its challenges, as students have their own individual needs, preferences and personalities. It can be challenging knowing how to manage differences, while communicating that every child is loved and valued. But I’m glad that I work with a team, and we can tap on each other’s expertise and experience to navigate through the challenges.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
There is never a dull day with the children and youth I work with. It brings me joy to witness their growth even in small ways – when a child grows in confidence or when a youth decides to stay out of trouble because of a recent conversation we had. I also like that the work is dynamic and it often requires me to be creative in relating to every individual differently. That keeps the work exciting!

Lastly, what makes the social service special to you?
My experience in social service has helped me to see that small actions can make a big difference in someone’s life. It gives me a sense of fulfilment knowing that I am serving a purpose greater than myself, and it encourages me to know that I am doing so alongside many others who believe in the same purpose.

To find out more about scholarships, please click here https://www.ncss.gov.sg/social-service-careers/scholarship-and-awards

This article was first published in BrightSparks February 2023 magazine. Reproduced with permission from CareerBuilder (Singapore) Pte Ltd