SIM Career Connect Newsletter Q3'23

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

DR AARON TAN

DIRECTOR, LEARNER ADVISORY & CAREER CENTRE

SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT

Hello everyone,

I hope everyone is well and enjoying your studies! I’m not sure if it’s just me, or you feel the same – but I can really sense the life and vibrancy coming back to our campus and things are really almost back to pre-Covid days! A significant event was the Student Involvement Day in July where we saw many clubs, societies, and sports CCAs setting up booths to showcase the exciting activities and learning opportunities that they could offer. Career Connect took the opportunity to ride on the event with the launch of our rebranding to help us get the word out to all students regarding our services and how they can benefit, regardless of whether they are beginner Explorers, cool Adventurers or confident Rangers in their career journeys.

Another key activity that has come back is the company visits organised by Career Connect. Already quite a number of students have benefited from these learning journeys in the past few months. In this issue we will be highlighting the visits to NTUC LIT DISCOvery, Huawei, and Boys' Town. We’ve also organised several career-related talks by FDM Group, IRAS, Singapore Computer Society, and RSM

Many of you may have already downloaded our very own app called Career Sense since we mentioned this in the last issue. For those who have not heard about it, this app has been specially designed for you to be one-stop app where you can have access to tools and resources to help you in your career planning towards your dream job. You can discover your own work values (what is important to you in a job), career interest(s), personality, as well as your skills. We are excited to announce that by the time this Newsletter is circulated, we would have completed our latest release to include a refreshing new User Interface, as well and a number of new/improved features, including a feature for convenient registrations for events/workshops.

Going forward in the months ahead, we will be lining up many more events which you should look out for. These include a Roadshow leading up to our second Career & Internship Fair - IGNITE, our annual Young Graduates Career Forum where you can listen and network with our Alumni who will be giving great career advice, and also Project Protégé, our very own mentoring programme.

Besides the above, we have many other interesting articles that we hope will be useful for you. Enjoy!

Cheers!

MEET THE TEAM

Joanne Koh (Advisor)

University of London

BSc Business and Management

Senthilkumar Gokul (Editor)

University of Wollongong

BSc Digital Systems Security and Cybersecurity

Carissa Yeo (Editor)

University of London

BSc Accounting and Finance

Khor Shin Zoe (Writer) RMIT Bachelor of Business (International Business)

Samhita Mitta (Writer)

University of London BSc Management and Digital Innovation

Vanessa Lau (Writer)

University of London

BSc Business and Management

Mirrah Nadira (Writer) RMIT

Bachelor of Communication (Professional Communications)

Eunice Tan (Writer)

University of London

BSc Accounting and Finance

Cheryl Santoso (Writer) RMIT

Bachelor of Business (Management)

Ramnath Vyas Jyotsna (Writer)

University of Wollongong

Bachelor of Computer Science (Big Data)

We have moved all event-related features from UNICORN to a new "Events & Workshop" tab in CareerSense!

As part of Career Connect’s rebranding, there will be exciting activities that students can look forward to in the coming months!

Career Connect will be introducing three new personas (Explorer, Adventurer, Ranger) to help guide students on their career journeys. There will be interactive booths during our Career Connect Roadshow with attractive prizes to be won such as $10 Grab voucher! Come down and compete with your friends with challenges such as Dalgona honeycomb biscuit challenge and cute photo booths!

Stay tuned to our socials @simcareerconnect for more to come in Q4 2023!

career connect @ Student Involvement Drive 2023

On the 4 & 5 July 2023, Career Connect participated in the annual Student Involvement Drive, sharing with students various career related initiatives offered to enhance their student life and career readiness!

Aligned with our new branding which was soft launched during the event, the Career Connect Office at Block B Level 1 was decorated with an adventure theme. Attendees were introduced to Career Connect and our initiatives and were pleasantly surprised with the complimentary goodies that were given upon downloading the CareerSense app, while also relishing in free and delicious food.

Stay tuned in the upcoming months for more fun and activities as part of our rebranding project!

LEARNING JOURNEYS

HUAWEI AI LAB LEARNING JOURNEY

17 students from SIM had an opportunity to explore the Huawei Lab, an event organized by Young NTUC, for an immersive understanding of their innovations in the technology industry and the work culture

Young NTUC opened the event by sharing their initiatives and STARTER membership program Huawei’s team led the participants on guided tours of their labs, offering insights into the company’s history, latest technology, and future plans They shared about a recent innovation showcasing deep learning-based fruit recognition, which is used in supermarkets

Following the tours, an account manager shared her work experiences at Huawei followed by the Human Resources business partner, who shared various job opportunities available within Huawei. Participants were given the chance to submit their resumes directly to the HR department, providing an opportunity for brief interactions with the staff and potentially leaving a positive impression

Such learning journey’s allow students to interact with their future potential company and network with working professionals in their desired field

BOYS’ TOWN LEARNING JOURNEY

On the 11th of July 2023, Boys’ Town, a charity dedicated to serving children and youth in need, organized a learning journey event that welcomed the public to gain insights into their initiatives, visit their premises and explore job opportunities.

The event commenced with a welcome speech by the Executive Director, Dr Roland Yeow He presented an overview of Boys' Town's mission and positive impacts they have created for their beneficiaries Followed are staff members who shared valuable insights and range of opportunities available for individuals into community partnerships and fostering service

After the talks, participants were guided to explore various interactive booths for discovery of more sectors such as residential care, youth outreach and adventure therapy. Students discovered that they could create a positive impact through volunteering, such as becoming tutors or befrienders for the fostered children.

Towards the end, participants went through a guided tour around Boys’ Town premises Walking through different buildings, they gained firsthand understanding on the purpose and various activities conducted to create a nurturing environment for the beneficiaries

Overall, the learning journey showcased Boys' Town commitment to making a difference and fostering a spirit of empathy among participants.

HUAWEI AI LAB LEARNING JOURNEY

26th June 2023

BOYS' TOWN LEARNING JOURNEY

HUAWEI AI LAB LEARNING JOURNEY

26th June 2023

LEARNING JOURNEYS

DISCOVERY

On the 14th of July 2023, 5 students from SIM had the opportunity to witness NTUC launch their new membership at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre During LIT DISCOVERY 2023, Young NTUC’s signature annual symposium The NTUC Starter Membership aimed to meet the work, live, and play needs of Gen Z aged from 18 to 25 years The starter kit was developed to allow youth to have a holistic approach to their career path and have guidance when entering the workforce

Guest-of-honor, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, graced the event by sharing his thoughts on how youth should be well aware of their career paths and adapt to the changing workforce. NTUC Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng mentioned that they have tailored their starter kit according to the needs of students, such as Career Opportunity, Financial guidance, and Mental Awareness NTUC shared that membership will provide students with career mentorship opportunities, industry visits, and Internship opportunities

After the launch, students had a fun engagement exercise where they had the opportunity to learn more about the Starter Kit at the different booths The booths allowed students to experience one-on-one sessions with mentors, understand their mental health, and learn about different initiatives that NTUC will be launching with the membership kit in the future. SIM’s eager batch of students signed up for the membership after hearing the benefits that they could gain, which allowed them to take part in many activities and win exciting prizes.

Overall, such events are worth visiting as it allow students to learn about other resources available to develop their learning and aid in their career discovery!

LETS HEAR FROM PARTICIPANTS!

It was inspiring to learn about Boys' Town's unwavering dedication to aiding disadvantaged and disengaged youths Their unwavering efforts demonstrate the power of compassion, education, and support in transforming lives. If you're inclined to make a difference through volunteering and be part of this transformative journey, you're encouraged to get in touch via Boys' Town website!

-Pearl Lim Yiting, Year 3, UOW Computer Science (Cyber Security)

Participating in the Huawei AI Labs Learning Journey provided the opportunity to directly communicate with their hiring team, revealing their needs. The breadth of Huawei’s social initiative and dedication to R&D for improved products showed me that Huawei was not just another phone company The LIT DISCOVERY showcased NTUC’s focus on youths with programs like the Starter Programme, Holler, and On My Way I was impressed by how well NTUC understood what youths needed and was amazed by the efforts put in to enhance their programs, using their network and partnering with companies.

-Ong Jing Wen, Year 3, UOL Data Science and Business Analytics

NTUC LIT DISCOVERY

NTUC LIT DISCOVERY

Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong

COMPANY TALKs

Explore Exciting Careers

EXPLORE EXCITING CAREERS w IRAS

Greetings tech enthusiasts and aspiring professionals,

We are thrilled to bring you the exciting highlights from the IRAS Career Talk that took place on the 26th of July, 2023 The event was a resounding success, with around 60 eager graduating students from SIM in attendance IRAS, the esteemed Government agency responsible for the administration of taxes and enterprise disbursement schemes, welcomed students into the world of possibilities that await in the realm of technology

The spotlight of the event shone brightly on the dynamic roles of Software Engineer and Software Test Specialist at IRAS RSM, the driving force behind these roles, shared invaluable insights into the responsibilities and opportunities within these domains

In the dynamic world of the tech industry, where possibilities are endless, such events serve as stepping stones for students to delve into the multifaceted landscape

LUNCH & LEARN Strengths-Based Interviews with

Future leaders and career enthusiasts,

Here is a recap of the exhilarating Strengths-Based Interview Workshop hosted in collaboration with FDM This transformative event took place recently, and it was an invaluable opportunity for all aspiring professionals looking to step confidently into the working world

Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in interactive discussions, role-playing scenarios, and insightful activities The session was structured to cover various interview scenarios, from warm-up questions to those that are more challenging to prepare

DRIVEN PERFORMER LOGICAL RESOLVER

This workshop wasn't just about gaining insights; it was about empowering you to take charge of your career journey The collaboration with FDM, a recognized industry leader, added depth and value to the experience

COMPANY TALKs

RECRUITMENT TALK

On the 24th of August 2023, RSM, the largest accounting and business advisory group outside Big 4 in Singapore shared profound insights into their company background and unveiled a spectrum of promising job and internship openings

RSM shared about their two pivotal branches: RSM and Stone Forest The RSM branch, known for its prowess in assurance, tax, and advisory services, stands as a testament to their commitment to excellence Conversely, Stone Forest focuses on delivering business solutions encompassing essential domains such as recruitment, compliance and technology advisory RSM also introduced their transformative "GROW" programme, a structured framework consisting of three foundational pillars: technical skills, soft skills and management skills. This programme aims to nurture both the professional and personal growth of their employees while assisting them in realizing leadership potential and talents It also equips strategic business knowledge and problem-solving abilities to handle difficult business issues

This company talk allow participants delved into understanding of RSM’s corporate story, exploring unrivaled possibilities and the multifaceted landscape of their business

SINGAPORE COMPUTER SOCIETY X SIM FIRESIDE CHAT & SPEED MENTORING

SIM Career Connect had this incredible opportunity to collaborate with Singapore Computer Society (SCS) to organize a highly successful event for students: SIM x SCS Fireside Chat & Speed Mentoring The turnout surpassed expectations, as the seminar room brimmed with over 70 enthusiastic students throughout the engaging 3hour session Kicking off the event, mentors and students gathered for networking session, complemented by delectable spread of pizzas

Leading the fireside chat was Simona, one of our TDP interns, who expertly moderated a dynamic discussion involving 3 distinguished panelists Their insights into tech trends and invaluable advice on preparing for future careers enriched our students’ perspectives The subsequent session introduced the concept of speed mentoring Students were divided into groups, each delving into specific mentoring topics covering Cybersecurity, Cloud & Big Data, Software Engineering, Consulting & Systems Integration and AI & ML This session allows students to engage deeply with mentors and gain knowledge on their interest topic

Such events not only fostered connections and knowledge sharing but also provided a platform for students to explore and gain insights into the diverse areas within tech industry, settling them on a path to success in their future careers!

SCS X SIM - Fireside Chat

23th August 2023

SCS X SIM - Fireside Chat & Speed Mentoring 23th August 2023

Are you one of those who queue for hours or camp for tickets to see your favorite artist? If so, you’re in good company. With the recent news of acts like Taylor Swift & Coldplay holding concerts in Singapore, the nation is emerging as a prominent destination in Asia for major musical events.

Beyond just attendee enjoyment, concerts also play a vital role in stimulating the economy, affecting these various sectors:

With concerts especially from well-known artists worldwide, fans from other countries would visit Singapore to catch their live performances. They would most likely visit tourist attractions and stay in hotels during their stay in Singapore The expenditure throughout their stay would thus raise revenue for the tourism and hospitality sector. The impact on the economy can be so significant that some countries may even bid for a famous artist to perform in their country, enabling the concert to act as an avenue to attract more tourists. Such moves intend to benefit the tourism and hospitality sector.

WITH CONCERTS ESPECIALLY FROM WELL-KNOWN ARTISTS WORLDWIDE, FANS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES WOULD FLY TO SINGAPORE TO CATCH THEIR LIVE PERFOMANCES THIS MEANS THAT WHILE THEY ARE IN SINGAPORE, THEY WOULD MOST LIKELY VISIT TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND STAY IN HOTELS DURING THEIR STAY THEIR EXPENDITURE FROM THROUGHOUT THEIR STAY WOULD THUS CONTRIBUTE TO THE TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY SECTOR THE IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY IS SO SIGNIFICANT THAT SOME COUNTRIES MAY EVEN BID FOR A FAMOUS ARTIST TO PERFORM IN THEIR COUNTRY SO THAT THE CONCERT CAN ACT AS AN AVENUE TO ATTRACT MORE TOURISTS.

Some of the job opportunities in this sector include Hotel Manager, Attractions Operation Executive, Travel Consultant and Guest Service Coordinator

Tourism & Hospitality

Food & Beverage

Concert-goers will most likely spend on food and drinks before arriving at the concert venue Surrounding F&B outlets will be patronised with concert-goers who are waiting to enter the concert venue. They will grab meals to provide them energy throughout the duration of the concert, boosting sales in the F&B sector Furthermore, non-local concert-goers would definitely visit F&B joints to explore what the culinary scene in Singapore has to offer, even before the actual day of the concert. With a sudden surge of tourists, various job opportunities will be opened up by F&B outlets

If you wish to pursue a career in F&B, here are some positions you may consider: Management Trainee, Cafe Manager, Food & Service Manager

The people behind making these events possible should be acknowledged too!

Events Management

Organising a concert require lots of planning and manpower from different departments, which contributes to employment in the event management industry.

Roles for Event Operation and Event Coordinator will be needed to plan and oversee the event timelines This drives budget and investments into building and managing event spaces Other employment opportunities will be in demand to support the event, such as Event Crew, Logistics Expert, and Venue Operations Executive. Moreover, to host large-scale events, proper infrastructure and facilities are needed for the venue.

Check out the next page for our Q&A with Experia Events and 19SixtyFive!

IT & Technology

Effective management of the online ticketing and sales platform is crucial. There is a high demand for IT Experts who can ensure the platform's seamless operation before and during ticket sales, as well as troubleshoot any user-related issues that may arise.

More importantly, concerts rely heavily on cutting-edge production and sound technology installations This includes visual effects, stage augmentation and many more, which involves managing complicated technologies to create an immersive experience for the audience.

Job opportunities in this industry are - Audio-Visual Technician, Software Engineer, Cyber Security Specialist, and Data Analyst

Cheryl Nadira

Want a glimpse into working for the events & production industry? Catch this special interview with the respective Managing Directors of 19SixtyFive and Experia Events: Miss Marcia Tan, and Mr Leck Chet Lam!

19SixtyFive is a music, arts and entertainment

19SixtyFive is a music, arts and entertainment agency that specialises in producing, agency that specialises in producing, promoting and publicising prominent and promoting and publicising prominent and alternative programmes in the music industry alternative programmes in the music industry. Founded in 2003, the company boasts a Founded in 2003, the company boasts a portfolio of successful events overseas and portfolio of successful events overseas and locally, from producing music festivals to locally, from producing music festivals to launching sold-out concerts for international launching sold-out concerts for international acts, such as the Laneway Festival acts, such as the Laneway Festival.

Incorporated in 2005, Experia specialises in Incorporated in 2005, Experia specialises in conceptualising, creating and curating trade conceptualising, creating and curating trade events of strategic interest that spur industry events of strategic interest that spur industry development With its genesis in the development. With its genesis in the Singapore Airshow, Asia’s largest aerospace Singapore Airshow, Asia’s largest aerospace and defence exhibition, their portfolio of and defence exhibition, their portfolio of events has expanded to span aerospace, events has expanded to span aerospace, defence, government and lifestyle sectors defence, government and lifestyle sectors ttoday oday.

The Alex Blake Charlie Session in 2019 organised by Miss Marcia Tan and her team Credit: Alvin Ho

The Singapore Airshow 2022 organised by Experia Events Credit: MSNews

WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE EVENT THAT YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THUS FAR?

“Experia manages a portfolio of events across aerospace and defence, and government and lifestyle sectors. All events are memorable for each is unique, but perhaps the one that we will be key in most memory lanes would be the staging of one of the world’s most influential aerospace and defence event – the Singapore Airshow 2020 - just before the world closed borders to COVID-19 The entire team, and all our exhibitors, vendors and staff were confronted with a totally unfamiliar situation, and it was in such challenging circumstances that we also witnessed and experienced one of the most powerful collaborations across our entire ecosystem, both locally and globally, to ensure that the show went on successfully.”

“We took over Pasir Panjang Power Station, a space that has been decommissioned for over 30 years in Oct 2019, after talks we started in 2017 when we first discovered this unused space. We retrofitted the space, spruced it up to be event-ready. It was really rough as old buildings, with its natural state, often need a lot of attention and repair works It was a venue that had no power, water or any access. With some help from Singapore Tourism Board, we flipped the space in 2 months and launched it with The Alex Blake Charlie Sessions inaugural festival.”

Singapore Airshow 2022, held from 11-16 February 2022 at Changi Exhibition Centre Credits: MSNews

Pasir Panjang Power Station is one of the venues 19sixtyfive uses for their festivals. Credit: 240wls

The crowd-favourite Laneway Festival, held at the Pasir Panjang Power Station Credit: Aloysius Lim

Changi Exhibition Centre the primary venue Experia uses for large-scale events. Credits: Experia Events

WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR ROLE DO YOU FIND MOST FULFILLING?

“Experia is all about creating events that inspire and influence growth in industries. Fulfilment is seeing how our events enable industries and companies to evolve and grow. And these could span from showcasing of cutting edge products and technologies; to facilitating conversations that set the agenda and pace for future industry growth. We are always energised seeing trade visitors from all over the world being able to meet, network and to witness the latest developments in the industry; inspired when start-ups launch their next generation solutions and secure funding for their products/solutions; and creating optimism for the industries that we serve soar when we successfully reach out to students to empower them with knowledge on possibilities and opportunities of the industries, at the events that Experia organises.”

“Internally, being able to see staff that you have trained climb up and lead a team of his/her own or seeing them in another organisation doing exceedingly well Externally, we love seeing a festival of people of all ages, with diverse background and most of all, people coming out to socialise and have human interaction.”

COULD YOU SHARE A CHALLENGING EVENT EXPERIENCE AND HOW YOU ACHIEVED A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME?

“We produced Laneway Festival from 2014 to 2018 at Gardens by The Bay, which is weather dependent. While we always delivered a solid festival, it’s always a challenge when you are at the mercy of the weather. Festivals are back breaking job as unlike concert promoting work which is a buy and sell model, festivals require a lot of planning and curation and usually takes an army of people coming together to bring it to fruition ”

St Jerome’s Laneway Festival'18 Cloud Dome

Credit: Lionel Boon

Singapore Airshow 2020, held from 11 to 16 February 2020

HOW DO YOU ENSURE SUCCESSFUL EVENT PLANNING AND EXECUTION, CONSIDERING ATTENDEE ENGAGEMENT AND SATISFACTION?

“At Experia, we proactively engage with MICE industry peers and stakeholders to stay up-to-date on the trends and issues in the entire event organisation and management spectrum Such awareness and knowledge help us identify technological innovations and best practices to integrate them into our events such as programmes that will add value to our exhibitors and attendees. And most important of all, we promote a strong collaborative culture across the entire organisation; where everyone across functions and teams are unified by the customers at the centre of all we do.”

“Don’t be too obsessed with target audience or mass participation and those are metrics of success Do assess what might be interesting and what works as a whole. I know most people will lean towards the tried and tested programme but fundamentally we are Producers at heart and to us, is what makes a programming interesting.”

ANY ADVICE FOR STUDENTS LOOKING TO VENTURE INTO THE EVENTS MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY?

“MICE is an exciting industry to be if one seeks to contribute to growth of businesses and industries. Internships in a MICE company would be an ideal way for students to get a good glimpse of what it is like to work with events. Even better if they are able to gain exposure through large-scale events for unparalleled exposure to how a breadth of functions – project management, sales and marketing, operations, hospitality etc – orchestrate seamlessly behind every successful event ”

“There is a need to keep pushing the independent scene here and we hope more students can contribute that to the landscape in Singapore, no matter how small it might be as it is important to have that individuality. I am concerned if a society is so obsessed with economic growth and not realise art is a reflection of society and culture. I fear as a nation, we don’t place enough emphasis on the art scene and its social impact and benefits it can bring; and I hope we have a next generation of students who are bold and open minded to try. It is important for this industry to be authentic and original. Ask “why not?”, instead of analysing all the cons or hearsay from others on how this may not be rewarding ”

Laufey’s first ever Singapore concert held at the Pasir Panjang Power Station Credit: Aloysius Lim

Singapore Airshow 2022, Singapore’s first largescale international trade event since the pandemic

Upcoming events:

Seeking for Internship and Career opportunities? Fret not! Career connect's Annual Career and Internship Fair, IGNITE is back!

Join us at SIM HQ Atrium on the 29th September 2023 to network with 55 companies across the industries and learn first-hand from employers about your desired career opportunities!

Let's hear from our participants and employers on their Career and Internship Fair experience!

"As an international student who relocated back to Singapore from Myanmar after the pandemic peak, I had a big reason to check out the Ignite Career Fair at SIM. And I’m really glad I did! The fair immensely enriched my career journey by enabling direct interactions with recruiters, offering insights into diverse company cultures that online searches couldn't match. Plus, it didn't take long after the fair for companies in finance to get in touch with me. For students like me from different countries, I'd say this fair is a must-attend."

Ms Pwint Phoo Thaw Graduate of University of Birmingham, Business Management with Communications

“Our experience at DREAMS in February was very positive! SIM students exuded a professional outlook and attitude when engaging with us. They displayed a keen interest in knowing more about the opportunities with our company.

As career fairs are usually very crowded, we do not have the luxury of time to have deep conversations with every student. Hence, here are 5 simple steps to get yourself prepared: Research the industry and companies before hand; Prepare your resume; Show enthusiasm; Dress professionally (especially for the finance sector to display professionalism); Follow up after the fair.

I would highly encourage students to attending career fairs to network with recruiters directly to ask questions about working culture and gain insights even before securing an interview. You can also get to learn the current market insights and who are the industry participants. This knowledge enhances your understanding of the industry's landscape.”

Philip Capital, Participating Employer at DREAMS & IGNITE 2023

Cheryl Nadira