Lim Yian graduated from National University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) with Honours, and obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Education with Credit from the National Institute of Education.
Lim Yian taught Mathematics at Pioneer Junior College. Sincere and open-minded, she built good rapport with her students. During her stint, she undertook an Action-Research project to investigate on motivation of students. As a teacher in-charge for Outdoor Activities Club, Lim Yian organised and facilitated numerous overseas expeditions and outdoor events. She was also the Acting Subject Head for Overseas Development Programme and Coordinator for Service Learning Committee for the college.
Lim Yian sees Mathematics manifested in the Arts. Like Arts, Mathematics can be abstract and needs to be understood to be appreciated. Lim Yian aims to get her students to understand and appreciate Mathematics through her teaching.