Su-Lin Tan (SCMP): Episode Themes
- Losing a job during the GFC and pivoting careers. Advice for others in similar situations.
- Diversity and racism in Australia.
- The Australia-China relationship.
- The lack of understanding about Asia.
- The journalism industry in Australia, HK and advice for young journalists.
- Pushing your comfort zone and being curious.
From Accounting to Journalism
Born in Malaysia, Su-Lin came to Australia in her early teens. After losing her finance job during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis (GFC), Su-Lin embarked on a journey to pursue meaning over money.
Over 2 years, Su-Lin sampled a variety of potential careers such as law, child-care, chemistry and at one point, wanted to be a concert pianist. Eventually, she settled on journalism and hasn’t looked back.
About Su-Lin Tan
“Su-Lin Tan joined the Post in 2020 after the Australian Financial Review where she covered housing and commercial property, Asian business and street talk and investigations. She is a qualified accountant and worked in investment banking and funds management both in London and Sydney before becoming a journalist.” Find out more here: https://www.scmp.com/author/su-lin-tan
About the Professional Development Forum (PDF)
PDF’s mission is to help diverse professionals reach their full potential in the workplace. To find out more about our upcoming events, please visit them on Facebook, LinkedIn, or their website: http://professionaldevelopmentforum.org/
Timestamps
1:20 – Su-Lin’s introduction, life in Malaysia, moving to Australia.
3:45 – Why she chose accounting as a career.
4:40 – Losing her job during the 2008 Financial Crisis. How and why she pursued journalism.
7:40 – Advice for others who may be affected by COVID-19 and in similar positions as Su-Lin was.
1025 – how she got her break in journalism.
11:30 – her time at the Australian Financial Review.
13:00 – the bamboo ceiling in Australia, how her Asian background was an advantage in the newsroom.
14:25 – thoughts on the lack of diversity in journalism.
17:20 – how she got stories, what was her favourite piece?
20:25 – why she moved to the SCMP. Differences between journalism in HK and Australia.
22:15 – about her stories on racism in Australia.
27:20 – thoughts on the Aus-China relationship.
35:00 – Australia and its relationship with Asia. Lack of grassroots education about Asia in Australia.
38:25 – is Australia multicultural or multi-cultures?
39:50 – how do we build better relations between countries and within our own societies? Be curious, be uncomfortable, explore the world.
43:35 – thoughts on journalism in Australia, revenue models, the impact of social media, South China Morning Post & Alibaba.
50:20 – advice for young journalists.
51:50 – biggest challenges in Su-Lin’s career. How she pushed on.
54:30 – closing thoughts.
