Navigating Mum Guilt, Planning Your Second Act, and Career Pivots After 40 – Rachel Eng

Why is the mid-life career pivot so daunting?
Why does networking pose a greater challenge for women?
How can we retain more talented women in the workforce?
And is it really possible to eradicate mum guilt?
Five years ago, Rachel Eng embarked on what she calls the scariest career move of her life!
Amid countless paths, she chose the “hardest” one. Leaving a prominent role at a top law firm to start her very own law firm. What once seemed audacious, has since paid off!
Today, she remains the only woman in Singapore to ever head up one of the Big 4 local law firms; honoured in 2014 as the esteemed Her World Woman of the Year.
As Managing Director at Eng and Co. LLC, Chair of the Singapore Women Entrepreneurs Network, and a Board Member of JTC Corporation, Rachel epitomises success.
In this episode, you will hear about how Rachel manages to stay on top of everything.
How was she able to break that glass ceiling?
What gave her the confidence to make the switch?
How did she manage her successful career whilst raising her children – something she did without a domestic helper?
Join us as Rachel unveils her blueprint for advancing gender equality in the legal profession and imparts wisdom drawn from her extensive career journey.
Topics we discuss in this episode:

Reasons for Leaving a Comfortable Job to Starting a Business
Balancing your Career and Parenthood without a Helper
Building a Company with Female Leadership and Management

Join us, whether you are considering shifting careers, embarking on your professional journey, or already experienced in your field, as we discover Rachel Eng’s outstanding career path and the lessons she has to offer.
Follow Rachel Eng:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-eng-50366319/
Videos with Rachel Eng: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-eng-50366319
Singapore Women Entrepreneurs Network: https://www.sbf.org.sg/about-us/our-communities/business-networks/singapore-women-entrepreneurs-network
Connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shulinlee/
More on the podcast - https://www.AfterTheBar.com.sg

What to listen for:
00:00 Start of Episode
00:57 Introduction
02:35 Forging A Path For Female Leadership and Gender Diversity In Management
04:36 Building A Firm With A Family-Oriented Philosophy To Retain Talented Women
11:00 Implementing Nursing Rooms In The Office
15:32 Balancing Work and Family Commitments Without A Helper
16:50 Struggling With Parental Guilt As A Mother
21:04 How The Advice to Hire A Helper Might Land
23:07 The Road To Partnership As A Female in Law
26:09 Leaving The Comforts Of A Firm To Start A Company
31:49 Whether The Opportunity Or The Decision To Make A Pivot Came First
34:31 The Mission Behind Eng & Co.
35:14 What Rachel Wish She Knew When Starting The Firm
37:17 Advice For Someone Contemplating A Career Change
39:23 What Is Singapore Women Entrepreneurs Network (SG-WEN)?
42:26 How You Can Be A Part Of SG-WEN
43:41 Advice To Her Younger Self
44:26 Rapid Fire Questions
46:11 Outro