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Around the same time, feelings of inadequacy peaked as classmates compared internships at banks, consultancies and multinational firms, while she wondered whether she was on the right path in her own decision to intern at startups.<\/span><\/p>\n After graduating with a business degree from SMU in December 2019, Ms Tan joined American business news channel CNBC as a marketing and communications assistant.<\/span><\/p>\n About a year later, an opportunity arose when a friend who had co-founded a cryptocurrency firm invited her to join the fledgling company.<\/span><\/p>\n She rose from being the marketing and communications lead at the startup to chief marketing officer a year later.<\/span><\/p>\n At just 25, Ms Tan was leading the venture’s marketing and communications strategy despite having barely any formal training in the field. She learnt on the job, often relying on online resources while adjusting to the relentless pace of life at a startup.<\/span><\/p>\n Within three years, the company earned a spot on the Forbes Asia 100 to Watch list, with Ms Tan leading the public relations campaign behind the recognition.<\/span><\/p>\n “I jumped out of my chair and told the CEO, ‘We’re on Forbes Asia 100 to Watch’,” she recalled. “It felt like a huge weight off my shoulders.”<\/span><\/p>\n From the outside, Ms Tan appeared to have built the kind of career many young professionals dream of.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Behind the scenes, however, the years of pressure and unresolved grief were catching up with her.<\/span><\/p>\n Three years ago, while still at the startup, Ms Tan attempted suicide four times and was eventually admitted to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH).<\/span><\/p>\n After discharge came months of intensive treatment, including family therapy sessions with her parents, where years of unspoken hurt finally surfaced.<\/span><\/p>\nTHE TURNING POINT<\/h2>\n