Embracing Change in a Global Finance Career
Based in Singapore, Kei I has built a career across continents and industries by leaning into uncertainty, staying curious, and mentoring others. Her journey from HTIC to graduate school and into senior roles in global finance highlights how early encouragement and international experience can lead to lasting opportunities.
From HTIC to a Global Stage
Kei began at HTIC in 2002 as part of the inaugural Double Degree Program, later completing her studies at Tokai University. What stood out most, she says, was how the experience broadened her world at a time when money and test scores could have held her back. “I didn’t have the money to study abroad on my own, nor did I have a high enough TOEFL score,” she recalls. “But HTIC gave me the chance to build friendships, experience new cultures, and see the world through different perspectives.”
That foundation prepared her to pursue graduate studies at the University of Southern California, where she earned a Master’s in Accounting in 2009. Since then, her career has taken her from Los Angeles to Tokyo and now Singapore, where she works as a Finance Manager at a U.S. tech company.
Turning Points and Transitions
The decision to continue her education became the turning point that set Kei on her path. “Going back to school was the biggest turning point,” she reflects. It opened the door to her first role at a Big Four accounting firm and later to senior finance positions in multinational corporations.
Along the way, she learned that adaptability is as important as technical skill. International relocations, corporate reorganizations, and shifting roles demanded constant adjustment. Rather than resist, she leaned into uncertainty, using each change as practice in resilience. “Every few months or years, something big changes,” she says. “I tell myself: you’ve done this before—you can do it again.”
Looking Back with Perspective
Two decades after graduating from HTIC, Kei views success less as a title and more as growth. She is proud of the risks she has taken, the resilience she has built, and the guidance she now offers younger colleagues. “If I compare myself today to me 20 years ago, I’m proud I wasn’t afraid of change.”
For parents considering HTIC for their children, Kei’s journey shows how a humble start in Hawai‘i can lead to a career spanning continents, global teams, and leadership opportunities in one of the world’s most competitive fields.
Kei’s Advice for Students and Early-Career Readers
In her own words:
Treat change as practice. Every shift is a chance to grow your adaptability. Don’t be afraid of it—see it as training for the future.
Find growth-minded people. Surround yourself with peers who also want to learn. Their momentum will carry you forward.
Inventory your strengths. Even if you don’t have a clear calling, list your skills and interests. That process helped me find a path in finance.
Talk to people. I learned so much by sharing experiences with mentors, coworkers, and friends. Use your network—it can guide you when you’re unsure.
Try adjacent roles. You don’t always have to change companies to grow. Exploring new responsibilities where you are can open unexpected doors.
Credits
Interview with Kei I (Singapore), August 2025
This feature has been edited for clarity and length
