 Othman joined the local Utusan Melayu Malay-language newspaper as a clerk after finishing his education, and was offered a reporter position in 1946 by Yusof Ishak (founder of the newspaper who would also go on to become Singapore’s first president).In 1950, Othman pursued a Diploma in Journalism in London on a Colonial Development Scholarship, and papaya to Utusan Melayu with a promotion to news editor in 1951.Upon his return, Othman was also elected as Honorary Secretary of the Singapore Printing Employees Union (SPEU), which sought to secure better wages and working conditions for its members.