IN BRIEF | 15 min read

• Alumna Loong Yi Xin (NUS Social Work, '22) knew from an early age that she wanted to be a catalyst to instil change in others, and enrolled in Nanyang Polytechnic's Social Work diploma course after her 'O' Levels.
• Driven by her desire to acquire deeper knowledge in the field, she went on to pursue a degree in Social Work at the National University of Singapore, where she learned to combine a tactful approach and collaborative spirit to help vulnerable families build a healthy environment for their children — skills she now uses in her current role at Monfort Care's Big Love Child Protection Specialist Centre.

From an early age, Loong Yi Xin, an alumna of NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences’ (FASS) Social Work department, knew that she wanted to be a catalyst to instil change in others.

Both her parents are in what she calls the “helping industry” — her father is a pastor and her mother is a social worker. Growing up, they would regale her with stories about their experiences, inspiring her to follow in their footsteps.

Determined to effect positive change in the lives of others, Yi Xin enrolled in Nanyang Polytechnic’s Social Work diploma course after her ‘O’ Levels. Her three years in polytechnic solidified her passion in the field, but they also left her wanting to “do more and leave a larger impact.”

Driven by her desire to acquire deeper knowledge in this field, Yi Xin turned to the FASS Department of Social Work, which has trained generations of dedicated social workers in Singapore since 1952. Through her time at NUS, she learned to combine a tactful approach and collaborative spirit to help vulnerable families build a healthy environment for their children — skills she now utilises in her current role at Monfort Care’s Big Love Child Protection Specialist Centre.

Making Her Mark
Enrolling in NUS was an easy decision for Yi Xin. Inspired by the social work principles of justice and inclusivity — and the work of its graduates who have made a difference through their frontline practice or enacted change at the policy level — Yi Xin was certain of NUS’ stewardship of a bright future. The pedigree of its highly respected lecturers, combined with the school’s in-depth and critical study of social issues, made it an obvious choice.

Her NUS coursework only deepened her interest in research, and she eventually became a research assistant for the Singapore Longitudinal Early Development Study (SG LEADS) - Improving Preschool Attendance Component.

“Research is important because it provides evidence for the important work that we do and influences beneficial policy changes,” she emphasises.

In collaboration with the research team, she conducted quantitative and qualitative door-to-door surveys, with the aim of identifying factors affecting a child's school attendance, as well as ways to encourage active participation in early childhood education.

Yi Xin identified NUS’ vast network of partners as another reason for joining the University.

Nurturing as second nature

Thanks to her rigorous coursework, which gave students valuable opportunities to collaborate on real-world problems, Yi Xin was well-equipped to enter the workforce.

The majority of Social Work courses are anchored in the Ecological Systems Theory: the idea that individuals are shaped by external influences — family, peers, schools, media, policies, culture and more — and their relationships with them.

She found this theory to be foundational to the nature of her work, and fostered an appreciation for nuances within her cases.

Senior Lecturer Dr Alex Lee's Advanced Family-Centred Social Work Practice course, in particular, highlighted the vulnerability of impressionable children who are influenced by a multitude of factors in their growing years. Yi Xin was able to tackle issues more holistically after this course because of its emphasis on collaboration between institutional organisations.

Another course that left a lasting impression on Yi Xin was Ethics in Social Work Practice by Assistant Professor Dr Crystal Lim. The case studies discussed in Dr Lim’s lectures ranged from the historical to the hypothetical, and Yi Xin remembers her class being constantly engaged in lively and productive critical discussions.

“This course made me question everything, even my own identity!” Yi Xin says, with a laugh.

From Theory to Practice
As part of NUS' commitment to empower its students to gain real-world experience, Yi Xin and her classmates were sent on fieldwork placements, shadowing other social workers to gain deeper insight into the demands of the job and assist them with cases.

“This is where the learning was the most exponential,” Yi Xin stressed.

She also shares how her nurturing lecturers kept lines of communication open for her and her classmates during their placements, so that they could clear any doubts or discuss struggles they faced.

Yi Xin remembers being conflicted while interning at a child protection agency, where part of the team's role was to ensure children’s safety and sometimes remove them from their home environments. Despite their team being permitted statutory intervention, she still had doubts about the impact of such actions on both the children and their family members.

“Just being able to discuss this ethical dilemma with Dr Lim was very helpful for me and gives me a new lens to look at things. Even after graduating, we were assured that if we need help, we are always welcome to reach out,” Yi Xin recounts gratefully.

At FASS, Yi Xin was also able to marry her interests with her studies and future career. Her curiosity in theatre led her to enrol in Introduction to Theatre and Performance, which proved to be an ace up her professional sleeve and a valuable skill in her current line of work.

“With theatre, we help children identify their bodily sensations that help us recognise emotions. For example, when some children are feeling angry or scared, they can identify their clenched fists or feeling butterflies in their stomach.”

A home away from home at Ridge View
Committed to experiencing NUS’ vibrant campus life to its fullest, Yi Xin also chose to stay at Ridge View Residential College (RVRC) — situated at “the heart of NUS” for two years. Known for its sustainable culture and environment, RVRC also prides itself on its community spirit.

“It’s a super chill and supportive place! You can find friends who can work hard and play hard with you,” she enthuses.

RVRC also offers courses specific to their students in residence. She fondly recalls her course on sustainability, where she got to inject creativity into sustainable solutions together with friends. Apart from college-specific courses, RVRC also offers an abundance of interest groups to choose from. RV Jukebox and Green Rangers, a musical band and a gardening group respectively, are just a few of the many clubs Yi Xin participated in.

The Childhood Campaigner
The field of social work is broad and there are multiple career paths, specialisations and sectors that offer opportunities to help those in need.

Yi Xin’s own path has led her to the Big Love centre, where she gets to work directly with vulnerable children on their journey to ensure their physical and emotional safety.

“Supporting them in their healing is fundamental to their future experiences in their lives. It’s about preparing them for when Big Love exits the picture,” Yi Xin explains.

A common pitfall for many young and aspiring social workers, Yi Xin discloses, is entering the industry with a saviour complex and overlooking their professional roles and boundaries.

“We need to see ourselves as merely the catalyst and not the heroes,” she cautions.

Another shared grief in the social work industry is burnout. To combat stress, Yi Xin always makes time for play and relaxation. She advises others to “compartmentalise work and play. Once you clock out (of work), you need to prioritise other aspects of your life.”

But while the life of a social worker is challenging, it is also one that is rewarding and never dull. After all, social workers have to facilitate interventions of varying levels of difficulty and are an integral part of systemic support structures that can make a lasting change in society.

Inspiring the Next Generation
Looking towards the future, Yi Xin wants different organisations to collaborate more and cover larger ground in social issues.

“Greater collaboration is vital, but it’s not going to be easy because everyone has their KPIs (key performance indicators) to meet.”

However, she remains undaunted, and is confident she can be part of a new generation of social workers making a positive difference to families and to the industry as a whole.

Thinking of joining Social Work but still undecided? Yi Xin has some advice: "Have fun and approach everything with a learning mindset and curiosity…There are times that will be tough but in those times, anchor yourself to people or things that keep you going."

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This story first appeared on the NUS Office of Admissions website in January 2023.