Bursting with enthusiasm, Adele Chong is one of the many aspiring engineers who joined DSO upon their graduation. With her fascination in wanting to unravel the mystery of how things work, embarking on a R&D career came naturally. We discover the challenges she faces as a female engineer and why it has been an eye-opening ride so far.

As a woman in a male-dominated field, do you consider yourself the rose amongst the thorns in DSO?
It can be true that the engineering discipline can be more geared towards men, but I think women bring a different set of skills to the table. We tend to have a keener eye for details, which is important in designing and engineering an end product.

Why did you jump at the chance to join DSO immediately after graduation?
It may sound unusual, but I am a huge fan of military and war-related movies. This has much to do with my interest in military systems and technologies. I took up a six-month internship at DSO during my undergraduate days. The experience was exciting and enjoyable and I was hooked! I can boldly say DSO cemented my passion for engineering and R&D.

Which part of your job do you value most?
DSO is one of the few organisations in Singapore that gives you the best of both worlds. It is not just pure engineering or pure research. We have to develop technologies and systems that are unique to Singapore’s defence needs, so we need to grow our research into something tangible.

Is defence R&D work tough?
Determination and perseverance is essential, as repeated failures are part and parcel of R&D. If you think you do not have them, do not fret. It’s amazing how passion can be a driver and bring out the qualities that make you a better person. Being part of a great team also eases the multi-faceted challenges we face. I am proud to say that my close knit team is like a family. Beyond working hard together, we even recently went mountain climbing together!

How do you excel at your job?
DSO is Singapore’s national defence R&D organisation. We have a critical mission, and my team and I need to maintain a forward-thinking mindset and strive for unique innovations. To achieve this, I believe I need to constantly expand my horizons and further develop my skill sets. This hunger for knowledge is a distinct characteristic of staff in DSO and likewise, management has pushed forth lifelong learning initiatives. As a matter of fact, I have lost count of the number of courses I have attended! My current pursuit for a Masters of Science in Engineering is also sponsored by DSO.