Public policy can feel distant – something debated in Parliament, announced in Budget speeches, discussed in the news.
But for Goh Choon Guan, it has always been a part of daily life, shaping his family’s experiences and later influencing his decision to join the public sector.
Growing up in a low-income household, Choon Guan saw first-hand how government support made a difference in easing everyday struggles. As a beneficiary of the Community Health Assist Scheme, he received healthcare subsidies and other forms of support that helped his family manage day-to-day expenses.
Then, during the Covid-19 pandemic, policy touched his life again. His father, a blue-collar worker, benefited from the Job Support Scheme (JSS), which helped employers retain workers during the economic downturn.
“There was this JSS package back then which benefited my dad,” Choon Guan recalls. “He was able to remain employed during that period. Without that, we would have been in a very different situation.”
These moments stayed with him. “Seeing how the government supports lower-income families through its policies really struck me,” he adds. “I realised I didn’t want to just observe those policies take shape – I wanted to be in the thick of it, contributing directly to the decisions that impact people’s lives.”
At school, Choon Guan gravitated towards disciplines that combined numbers, rigour and systemic thinking. He completed a double degree in accountancy and business at Nanyang Technological University’s Nanyang Business School in 2022 before pursuing a master’s degree in business analytics at The University of Edinburgh in Scotland the following year.
His undergraduate and postgraduate studies were both supported by the Public Service Commission (PSC) (Public Finance) Scholarship. “The fields I studied – accountancy and analytics – aligned quite naturally with public finance. The PSC (Public Finance) Scholarship was therefore a good fit,” he says.
His analytical strengths found their first application at the Auditor-General’s Office, where he spent two years working on audits and internal policies that reinforced the importance of public accountability and the prudent use of public funds.
“I have always been quite analytical and I like working with figures and data,” he says. “Audit felt like a good fit because it is about making sure resources are used properly and systems function as intended.”
That analytical grounding followed him into policy work. Now 28, Choon Guan is eight months into his role as an associate with the economic programmes directorate at the Ministry of Finance (MOF), where he works on the Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) and digital economy portfolios.
The team helps shape how fiscal tools – such as grants, subsidies and tax incentives – are deployed across economic programmes to support Singapore’s growth and transformation.
Today, his work involves reviewing proposed projects and existing schemes to assess whether they boost economic and ecosystem development or encourage companies to undertake enterprise transformation.
Much of this requires close coordination across various government agencies, including the National Research Foundation Singapore on RIE matters, and the Ministry of Digital Development and Information as well as the Ministry of Trade and Industry on enterprise policies.
At MOF, these discussions carry particular weight because of the ministry’s role as a financial gatekeeper. “MOF holds the fiscal levers,” says Choon Guan. “We assess and prioritise projects to promote economic growth and transformation. The extent or design of these measures can shape how effective they are on the ground.”
His understanding of policymaking was further deepened during a six-week programme at the Civil Service College. The training included dialogue sessions with senior public service leaders and a study trip to Thailand.
“That was when I realised how complex policy coordination really is,” he says. “Different ministries – and different countries – approach similar challenges in very different ways. Public policy isn’t just about technical solutions; it’s about understanding context and adapting accordingly.”
The experience challenged his earlier way of working. Coming from an accounting background, where answers are often clear-cut, Choon Guan had to learn to navigate ambiguity. “Not everything in policy has a definitive right answer,” he says. “I’ve become more open to different viewpoints and more comfortable navigating uncertainty.”
“I realised I didn’t want to just observe those policies take shape – I wanted to be in the thick of it, contributing directly to the decisions that impact people’s lives.”
– Goh Choon Guan, recipient of the PSC (Public Finance) Scholarship
As he continues his journey in public service, Choon Guan sees his role as one that bridges data, policy and purpose – applying evidence-based analysis while remaining grounded in the lived realities of the people affected by policy decisions.
For those who are considering a PSC Scholarship, his advice is straightforward and reflective of his own journey.
“You really need to ask yourself whether you have the heart for public service,” he says. “The private sector can be attractive, but it is important to think about what you want to achieve in the long term. For me, being able to contribute meaningfully – and to be happy doing so – matters more.”
