Why Aaron Tan Believes Mentoring Is Never a One-Way Street
Aaron Tan Yongsheng (BEng (Hons) Mechatronics, Class of 2014) is a Principal Engineer at Cardinal Health. He also runs a board game studio, WYX Studio, on nights and weekends. He also mentors SIT students through the SIT Alumni Mentoring Programme. On paper, this looks like a scheduling problem. In practice, Aaron does not experience it that way at all, because for him, all three are the same pursuit, seen from different angles.
A Passion Project That Became a Masterclass
WYX Studio began with something simple: Aaron’s love of board games, and his belief that physical connection still matters in a world lived increasingly through screens. “Board games create opportunities for conversations, laughter, collaboration and relationship-building that are difficult to replicate digitally,” he says.
Building a game studio also taught him something he had not expected. As an engineer, his instinct was to focus heavily on product development and quality. But building a business required him to look beyond the product, developing an understanding of supply chain management, supplier quality, marketing, sales and business operations. “Creating a great product is only a small part of building a successful business,” he reflects.
He traces this willingness to learn beyond his specialisation back to his time at SIT. “I was taught to be hands-on, adaptable and willing to learn beyond my specialisation,” he explains. “Whenever I encounter an unfamiliar challenge, whether it is manufacturing, logistics, branding or customer engagement, I see it as an opportunity to learn rather than a barrier.”
The Mentor Who Learns as Much as He Teaches
This same mindset drew Aaron to the SIT Alumni Mentoring Programme. He had previously mentored student interns from universities such as NUS and SUTD, and found the experience rewarding because he could help someone navigate challenges he had faced himself. When he came across the SIT Alumni Mentoring Programme he saw it as a chance to give back to the community that had shaped his own journey.
What he did not expect was how much he would learn in return.
His mentee, Jerald, recently graduated from SIT-UofG with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and happens to be older than Aaron. Rather than finding this unusual, Aaron found it inspiring. “His decision to return to university and continue investing in his personal growth reminded me that lifelong learning has no age limit,” he says. Watching Jerald navigate his return to the job market with resilience left a strong impression. “His journey reminded me that success is not always about moving the fastest. Sometimes it is about having the courage to keep moving forward.”
Aaron sees a direct link between this and how he thinks about game design. “Good game design is not about telling players exactly what to do,” he says. “Instead, it is about creating a framework that encourages exploration, decision-making and learning through experience.” He approaches mentoring the same way: rather than prescribing solutions, he offers perspectives, asks questions, and lets his mentee work through his own options.
Making Room for What Matters
A full-time engineering career, a growing business, and mentoring might seem like they would compete for the same limited hours. Aaron does not see it that way. “These activities are not competing priorities for me because they are connected by a common purpose,” he says. At Cardinal Health, he contributes to products that support healthcare professionals and patients. Through WYX Studio, he creates experiences that bring people together through play. Through mentoring, he shares his experiences and helps others navigate their own journeys. “Rather than taking time away from one another, they help me become a more well-rounded professional and person.”
For alumni who are unsure whether they have the standing or the time to mentor, his advice is direct. “You do not need to be a CEO, founder or industry veteran to be a mentor. Often, sharing an experience, lesson learned or perspective can have a meaningful impact on someone else’s journey.”
And the return, in his experience, is considerable. “It is one of those opportunities where you genuinely have very little to lose and a lot to gain.”
Your Move
Aaron’s story shows that mentoring does not have to be one more commitment squeezed into an already full life. For him, it is one of the threads that connects everything else he does. Whether you are an engineer, a founder, or simply someone with a few hard-won lessons to share, there is a mentee who could benefit from exactly what you have already learned.
The SIT Alumni Mentoring Programme Cycle 13 (September 2026 to March 2027) is now open for sign-ups.
You may be surprised by the impact you have on someone else’s journey, and, like Aaron, just as surprised by how much you learn from the experience yourself.
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