Mickey Jane Salim, a digital consultant and content creator, shares her journey from Jakarta to Hong Kong and Singapore, highlighting her passion for connecting with Indonesians abroad.
Mickey Jane Salim was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia. She later moved to Hong Kong to pursue her college education in Marketing Information and Management. She stayed and worked in Hong Kong for eight years. Due to language limitations, she decided to leave Hong Kong. However, she wasn’t ready to return home, so she chose to settle in Singapore and build her career here. Looking for a passion project outside her job to occupy her weekends, she began creating content and meeting new people. Over time, she became more consistent and committed to her journey as a content creator.
Could you please share more about your professional role and how you balance it with your work as a content creator?
I am a digital consultant at Accenture, primarily focusing on marketing technology. My clients usually include companies in financial services and retail. We help them implement IT solutions tailored to their needs, improving customer experiences and business outcomes. Outside of my full-time job, I am also a content creator. I dedicate my weekends to creating content, sharing insights, and connecting with my audience, which has become a passion project alongside my professional career.
Could you share more about your social media accounts and the story behind their creation?
My TikTok and Instagram handles are called @hey.mickmok. The name originates from my teenage Twitter account, “mickmok,” which was my childhood nickname given by my dad because I was a chubby kid. I didn’t want to use my personal account for content, so I changed the name to hey.mickmok and dedicated it entirely to content creation, keeping my personal and professional life separate.
How much time do you spend creating content?
Recording takes about 20 minutes, but I spend 1–2 hours connecting with the person I’m interviewing. Editing one video takes about an hour, and since I post 2–3 times a week, I dedicate roughly 5 hours on weekends to content creation.
Which is your most-viewed content?
One of my most-viewed posts featured Monica Hynds, an Indonesian who changed her nationality to Singaporean. She shared the challenges and decision-making process behind giving up her Indonesian nationality, which sparked a lot of engagement because of its controversial nature.
What do you think about why Indonesians follow your content?
Indonesia is a vast country with diverse people, and I cannot speak for everyone, but generally, life in Indonesia is more laid back. For some Indonesians, going abroad, even to Singapore, is just a dream due to limited opportunities. However, many Indonesians have big dreams and aim for global success. Local brands in Indonesia have also grown immensely, with some becoming comparable to international brands that are gaining recognition.
I think Indonesians who study or work abroad tend to adapt better and become more open-minded because they integrate into foreign cultures. However, they still hold on to their roots. My content resonates with Indonesians who aspire to work or study abroad but don’t have access to firsthand experiences or tips about life overseas. I aim to inspire them through my content and share valuable insights into life in Singapore.
What are your impressions of Singapore, especially now that you’re a content creator?
Singapore has left a great impression on me. Having lived in Hong Kong for eight years, I find Singapore a better place to live. The people are friendlier, they speak English, which makes communication easier, and culturally, Indonesia and Singapore share similarities, making it easier to integrate into life here.
Since becoming a content creator, my perspective has expanded. I’ve discovered how many incredible people live in Singapore and the countless opportunities available. For example, I’ve seen Indonesians start businesses here and thrive. Initially, I thought living in Singapore meant working as a professional only, but I’ve realized there are multiple pathways to success in this city.
Would you recommend Singapore to Indonesians?
Yes, I would recommend visiting Singapore to experience what it’s like. In my content, I often encourage people to live away from their home country at least once in their life. Living abroad challenges you to step out of your comfort zone and grow as a person.
Singapore is geographically close to Indonesia, making it an ideal choice. Whether you plan to work or just visit, it’s worth exploring what the city has to offer. It opens your mind to new perspectives and possibilities, even if you eventually decide that another place suits you better.
What do you recommend to Indonesians visiting Singapore for a short trip?
I think it depends on the reason why they come here. If it’s for traveling, they can visit Marina Bay Sands, Universal Studios, and try all the delicious foods such as chicken rice, laksa, and bak kut teh. However, if they come to seek job opportunities, they should have clear goals and purposes before arriving.
If you don’t know anyone in the professional field here, what’s the point? It’s essential to do thorough pre-trip research, and if possible, arrange some coffee chats with people who are willing to share information. This way, you can ensure that your time in Singapore is well-spent. Singapore isn’t cheap for Indonesians, so it’s important to make the most of your time while you’re here.
Could you share some of your favorite places to hang out in Singapore and how they compare to spots you enjoy in Jakarta?
My favorite place is Tanjong Pagar. It has great bars, cafes, and restaurants, and it’s lively during weekdays while being quiet on weekends. It’s a convenient and enjoyable spot where I often take friends when they visit.
In Jakarta, I enjoy hanging out in Senopati or central Jakarta, which is similar to Tanjong Pagar. It’s important to show Singaporeans that Indonesia has modern, vibrant areas and isn’t just a jungle. For authentic local experiences, I recommend street food like martabak, nasi goreng, mie ayam, and sate.
Do you want more followers from Indonesia or Singapore?
Things I try to remind myself of, and the reason I started this, is about bringing value to others. Of course, metrics like the number of viewers per video and followers are nice to have, but I think of them as secondary metrics. As long as my content brings value to people in some way or another, I’m happy enough for now. My plan is to continue doing this, as there’s still a demand for this content and many more stories I haven’t shared about Indonesians living in Singapore. I will keep doing what I’m doing. At the end of the day, I still have my day job and only create content on weekends, so I’ll maintain the balance with what I’m currently doing.
Ultimately, it’s not about the numbers, but the opportunities that come from the content itself—like meeting cool people and getting invited to share. That’s the one thing I look at as the true benefit of content, rather than just the followers. Since my content is in Indonesian and targets Indonesians in Singapore, I’m not sure if I’ll switch to English to reach a wider audience. Until that time comes, I will continue creating content in Indonesian and reach more Indonesians.
Would you promote Indonesian culture?
I have a personal mission to show that Indonesia is capable. However, since my channel is in Indonesian and targets Indonesians, this promotion will primarily benefit Indonesia. Hopefully, one day, with other opportunities, I can promote Indonesian culture to non-Indonesians through English channels. But there is one thing I want to share with my fellow Indonesians: we are equally smart and talented; we just don’t have the opportunities to showcase it. We lack the systems, platforms, and opportunities to prove that we are just as good as the rest of the world.
Personally, I promote Indonesian culture—I proudly wear batik to events and introduce Indonesian foods to my colleagues. As an Indonesian, I show my integrity at work to reflect the good behavior of Indonesian people. I am the only Indonesian in my office, so I hope they can begin to trust that Indonesians are equally capable. I also support Indonesian brands in Singapore through my content about Indonesian culture and food.
Credit: Alma Amarthatia, Clara Paska
