Chin Oy SimHer diverse interests and passions have certainly given Oy Sim the right to call herself a globetrotter, as her work has brought her to five different countries in the span of sixteen years. Upon graduation, as an international student from Malaysia, she returned home to work for a number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as the Consumers Association and Friends of the Earth in Malaysia. She was also involved with Third World Network, a non-profit, independent network of individuals and organizations operating on a global level dealing with environmental, developmental and third-world issues. She returned to the U.S. a year and a half later to set up the network’s bureau in New York City, covering news from the United Nations (UN). Oy Sim spent some time working for the UN’s Non-Governmental Liaison Service office before she got inspired to attend New York University’s School of Law.
Oy Sim decided to venture down a different career path upon obtaining her Masters in Law, opting to work as a tax attorney at Davis Polk & Wardwell (DPW), a prestigious international law firm known for its corporate, litigation and tax practices. “My third year at DPW was spent in its London office, during which I realized that working hard to help large, wealthy corporations reduce their taxes just did not go hand-in-hand with believing that those corporations should pay more in taxes to compensate for the damage they cause to communities, indigenous cultures, and the environment,” Oy Sim added. “My friends heaved a collective sigh of relief as, in their words, ‘I regained my senses.’”
“I then packed my bags, joined my partner in Geneva, Switzerland and landed a job with the UN Compensation Commission, utilizing my legal training to review claims for compensation for damages caused by Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990-1991,” she said. In 2005, Oy Sim relocated to Kathmandu, Nepal, where she took a ten-month sabbatical to do volunteer work.
In 2006, Oy Sim returned to Malaysia to work for Women’s Aid Organization (WAO), an NGO advocating for women’s rights. “It was time to give something back to society,” she said, “which I was fortunate to be able to do as a result of my privileged background, my education and my professional training. And where better to do so than in my home country, where my efforts would have the greatest impact.”
Currently, Oy Sim is the Deputy CEO at the Malaysian Bar Council, a statutory body that was established to manage the affairs and execute the functions of the legal profession in Malaysia. She joined the Bar Council as the Executive Officer for human rights matters only two years ago, and has risen up the ranks ever since. “My days are mostly occupied with tackling the organization’s management and policy issues,” said Oy Sim. There, she is also drafting press statements, briefing notes and speeches, often related to the rule of law and the judiciary system.
Despite her busy career, she remains actively involved in the NGOs that she believes in. She is the Honorary Secretary of the WAO’s Executive Committee, a member of the Reproductive Rights Advocacy Alliance of Malaysia (RRAAM), a coalition that advocates for women’s access to reproductive rights and services. She is also part of the All Women’s Action Society, another Malaysian NGO for women’s rights. When she has the time, Oy Sim serves as a resource person for International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific.
Oy Sim’s undergraduate years at Mount Holyoke have definitely impacted her career choices. Her alma mater shaped her into who she is both personally and professionally by giving her the opportunity to explore new ideas and think critically. “It awakened me to the importance of challenging mainstream beliefs and conventional values and allowed me to begin discerning my own ideals,” Oy Sim said. “When choosing colleges, I did not understand the value of attending a women’s college, and did not prioritize this attribute when making my selection. Now, however, I cherish the privilege I had in obtaining a women-only education, and promote it fervently to young women I meet,” she said.
She encourages students to keep an open mind, especially when it comes to academic interests. “Do not limit yourself to your major or minor courses of study, or theclasses where you know you will do well,” she advised. “If that sculpture class is always oversubscribed, find out why—chances are, the professor is an incredible teacher, and you will learn and grow in that class, irrespective of what subject is actually being taught and whether it is ‘wise’ to spend a semester on it. You only have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—carpe diem.”
Oy Sim advised students to not get discouraged by family members or friends who are might judgmental or disparaging regarding career choices.
“I have been very privileged to have had jobs that I enjoyed, and new opportunities to move on to when I wanted a change.” Oy Sim added. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
Related posts:
- Study abroad leads to a position in Ireland
- Q&A with Lani Guinier
- Making it work at the leadership conference
- The Lyons Network Sponsors Leadership Conference
- Pillow Talk
This is one awesome blog post.Much thanks again. Much obliged.