SIM Career Connect Newsletter Q4'24 by careerconnect

DIRECTOR’S NOTE DIRECTOR’S NOTE DR AARON TAN

DIRECTOR, LEARNER ADVISORY & CAREER CENTRE

SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT

Hello everyone!

It seems like only a short while ago that I was writing the introduction to the first issue of the year, and now here we are, at the final issue for 2024! I’m not sure how the year went for you, but over at Career Connect it has been a very eventful and fulfilling year indeed!

We hope you have been following our previous issues of this Newsletter and reading about our past events. For this issue we will be highlighting some key events like the IGNITE Career & Internship Fair, our amazingly popular Career SUPERDRIVE board game, some of our exciting company visits, and many more. For those who have participated in these events this year we hope you have enjoyed them, and more importantly, benefitted from them! If, however, your schedules did not permit you to join us, no worries! You can look forward to our upcoming events happening just round the corner! The events not to be missed are our Career Connect Road Show (12 & 13 Feb’25) followed by the DREAMS Career & Internship Fair (21 Feb’25). Do look out for the announcements for these and the many others that are coming up through your CareerSense app, and mark your calendars!

Meanwhile, do take some time as the year closes, to reflect and to spend some quality time with family and friends as you celebrate the festivities Or perhaps some of you might be making plans to travel – do consider sustainable travel practices which would enhance your enjoyment and save the planet at the same time! More on that in this issue!

But even as you enjoy yourselves, do also remember those around you that may not be so fortunate – those going through a difficult time in their lives: remember that this is the season for giving and sharing so look out for them, find ways to reach out to them and spread some joy and love to them. And with that, may your Christmas be blessed, and may the New Year bring you success and satisfaction in all that you do!

Cheers!

MEET THE TEAM

Surya

Joan Tan

Shruthi Balamurugan

Monisha Jaya Chandran

Shashvatha

Writer

Dhatchayeni

Writer Nicole

Writer

Writer Writer Writer Writer

On 20 September 2024, over 900 students participated in Career Connect's annual IGNITE Career & Internship Fair. With over 50 participating companies, including DBS, HDB, Uniqlo, EY, and Cognizant, along with the non-profit organisation - Breast Cancer Foundation, IGNITE offered a diverse range of employers and opportunities. Participants had the chance to network with professionals from various industries

IGNITE helped students get ready for their careers by sharing tips on writing better resumes, doing well in interviews, and learning indemand skills. They also got to hear from industry experts about what employers look for, giving them a clearer idea of how to plan their careers and stand out in the job market.

Let’s hear from some of our participants on their experiences and key takeaways!

Attending the IGNITE Career Fair provided invaluable insights into the job market and allowed me to connect with recruiters from over 50 companies. IGNITE enabled me to gain a clear understanding of employer expectations and resume preferences. By interacting directly with recruiters, I was able to personally showcase my skills and personality in a way that’s not possible through online applications.

Haley Heng SIM Diploma in Accounting

IGNITE Career Fair was a very good opportunity for me to communicate with companies and know more about their culture and recruitment process. After talking with companies, I learnt what to prepare and what I can expect from them. This career fair is a good chance to connect with companies and seek jobs

Phyu Thin Khaing University of Birmingham BSc Accounting and Finance

For the very first time, Career Connect hosted a one-hour session for nearly 20 students interested in Finance, Business, Marketing and Sales on 2 October 2024. This brand-new initiative allowed participants to engage directly with one of the industry experts, addressing their key questions and receiving first-hand career advice.

The session explored critical topics such as what international students should prioritise during job applications, industry trends, and the most in-demand skills for fresh graduates. These practical tips helped students better understand how to position themselves for success in competitive job markets.

Overall, the session offered valuable guidance, giving students the tools they need to better prepare for their future job opportunities. Participants left feeling empowered and equipped with insights to navigate their career paths with confidence.

Mindy

Chan University of London

BSc

Data Science and Business Analytics

Mr Lim’s workshop provided valuable career direction. His thought-provoking questions “What do I want my career to do for me?” and “What are two strengths I can apply in any workplace?” encouraged self-reflection and identifying transferable skills. He also introduced a career navigation framework, highlighting the importance of mastering 1–3 functional expertise areas and gaining industry depth. This perspective helped me differentiate between roles in cost and revenue centres, guiding me toward a clearer career path.

CAREER SUPERDRIVE

On 8 October 2024, SIM students explored their career aspirations through play and excitement – Career SUPERDRIVE, a newly introduced career-theme boardgame. As the students roll the dice, they would land on spaces that make them reflect on their identity, goals and strategies to achieve success

Some spaces lead to real-life disruptions (Shake Up), creativity (Pop Up), deeper “why” questions (Dig Deep), and self-awareness questions (Move Forward) to help students practice career decisions. Beyond simply career advice, Career SUPERDRIVE promotes self-discovery, allowing students to gain clearer insights into their career paths

Diploma in Management Studies

The overall experience of the workshop was both engaging and interactive. It provided us with the opportunity to reflect on our uncertainties related to our careers and explore strategies for more effective planning. Additionally, we gained valuable insights from the perspectives of other participants One key takeaway for me was the understanding that, despite our detailed planning, unforeseen challenges can significantly alter our paths It is essential that we learn to navigate these challenges both during the game that we played and in real life.

It’s been a really fun and insightful journey I’ve learned a lot, especially when it comes to understanding that I’m heading down the right path for my personal growth. The experience has helped me realise what more I can do for myself without worrying too much about the opinions or actions of the people around me It's empowering to focus on my own progress and not be distracted by external influences. This has given me a sense of clarity and confidence I would definitely recommend that everyone give this a try It’s a chance to grow and reflect on what truly matters.

Beatrice Faustine Irawan

Gabriel Leu Jun Yang University of Wollongong Bachelor of Computer Science (Big Data)

Foundations of systems leadership

3 & 4 December 2024,

The Director of Career Connect, Dr Aaron Tan conducted a leadership workshop for over 20 students, focusing on problemsolving and communication techniques. Participants engaged in the Draw How to Make Toast exercise, an 8-step process developed by Tom Wujec, which involved visualising challenges, sharing ideas, and presenting solutions through hands-on activities

A problem-solving matrix was introduced to help participants breakdown complex problem into clear and actionable steps. Additionally, participants explored the LeftHand Column technique, a method to express thoughts and feelings constructively.

Through interactive activities, discussions and presentations, participants developed practical tools to enhance their leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills, to better tackle challenges effectively in both academic and professional settings.

The Systematic Leadership Workshop taught me invaluable skills in communication and problem-solving that I can apply daily.

Through the engaging 'Draw Toast' activity, I learned how to effectively share my perspective while collaborating with others to combine ideas skills I now use to foster teamwork and align goals in my school and internship projects.

University of Wollongong Bachelor of Computer Science (Big Data)

From, Wong Jing Long Additionally, the workshop’s robust framework for tackling complex problems helps me break down challenges, revisit problem statements, and develop clear, efficient solutions in my everyday tasks

Afraid you missed out on this workshop? Don’t worry there’s more to come next year! Scan here to stay

and be part of the next one!

PSYCHOLOGY OF FLOURISHING

7 November 2024,

A workshop combining psychology and self-reflection was conducted for nearly 30 students Participants engaged in the Wheel of Life activity, where they selected 8 categories (e g career, finance, and communication) and rated their past and present stages on a scale from 1 to 10. This exercise allowed participants to assess their progress and identify areas for improvement.

Participants listed their top 3 concerns and the most important areas they want to improve. In pairs, they shared their findings, listened actively, and discussed steps to enhance their quality of life.

Through this workshop, participants gained insights into their personal growth and developed a clearer understanding of areas to focus on for improving their life quality and well-being.

Psychology of Flourishing Activities

Explored the “Big Why” to uncover purpose

Identifying Concerns and Collaborative Problem Solving

Shared personal stories that reflect growth and resilience

Through discussions with peers and Nick's insightful explanations on the 12 aspects of life, we were able to be more self-aware and have deeper understanding towards the aspects of our lives that we value more.

We also had an honest and truthful sharing between pairs on our personal experiences in each of our life aspects throughout the years

This helped me to have a more positive and reassuring yet objective view of my own improvement and growth throughout the years

From, Ooi Jia Wen

Did you happened to miss our workshop? No worries! Scan here to check out what's coming next year. Stay tuned!

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

What would you learn?

Speak tactfully, exude charisma, and command the room with confidence

Handle tough questions and tricky situations effectively

Think on your feet and respond wisely in any scenario

DATE: 9 January 2025

TIME: 2pm - 6pm

VENUE: SR.A.4.18

What would you learn?

Develop effective study habits

Discover how to adopt and apply the growth mindset

Learn and practice effective note-taking

DATE: 23 January 2025

TIME: 3pm - 6pm

VENUE: SR.A.2.15

Ready to level up your skills and boost your career?

Don’t miss out—scan now to secure your spot in our workshops!

sim x Singapore computer society tech meet 2024

On 18 October 2024, SIM collaborated with the Singapore Computer Society (SCS) to host an fruitful mentoring session, connecting up to 80 students with accomplished tech professionals from the areas of cloud computing, cybersecurity, software engineer and data science & AI

The students were given the opportunity to network with the tech professionals in small groups. Through these interactive discussions, students gained valuable industry insights, explored diverse career paths, and received tailored advice from experts The session inspired confidence, fostered connections, and empowered students to navigate the rapidly evolving tech l d ith l i i f th i f t areers.

FLIGHT NO FLIGHT NO FLIGHT NO SSIM2024 SIM2024 IM2024

DEPARTURE DEPARTURE DEPARTURE

18 OCT 2024 18 OCT 2024 18 OCT 2024

TERMINAL TERMINAL TERMINAL

SIM CAREER CONNECT SIM CAREER CONNECT SIM CAREER CONNECT

GATE GATE GATE 444

I had an amazing experience at the Tech Meet! The mentors were eager to share their journeys and to answer our questions. One of the key takeaways for me was when one mentor shared that they value projects and relevant coursework when reviewing resumes. This made me realise the importance of not only building a strong project portfolio but also highlighting relevant coursework to demonstrate my capabilities. I also realised how essential it is to research the mentors and prepare questions beforehand to make the most of each conversation Overall, the event offered practical advice, open discussions, and great networking opportunities

capgemini visit

The Capgemini Career Insights Event on 6 November 2024 brought together up to 35 students for an immersive exploration into technology and consulting careers The event featured an info session detailing daily responsibilities in various roles, a networking opportunity to connect with industry professionals, and a visit to Capgemini’s office to experience its dynamic work culture.

DEPARTURE DEPARTURE DEPARTURE

GATE GATE GATE

Key roles discussed included Developers, Business Analyst, QA Tester and Incident Manager. Attendees gained valuable guidance on career paths, personalised advice, and insights into essential skills needed to thrive in project team roles, enhancing their career preparation and industry understanding.

this? Keep a lookout on

App and Career Connect’s social media App and Career Connect’s social media platforms for upcoming company visits! platforms for upcoming company visits! SSIM2024 SIM2024 IM2024

Are you interested in company visits like Are you interested in company visits like this? Keep a lookout on

TIPS TRAVEL TIPS

PACK LIGHT

Pack light to save fuel essentials and multipurpose items help reduce your travel footprint.

BRING REUSABLE ITEMS

Bring reusable bottles, utensils, and bags to avoid single-use plastics. Refill stations are widely available.

EAT & SHOP LOCAL GO DIGITAL

Enjoy authentic experiences by dining locally and buying handmade souvenirs while supporting the economy.

EMBRACE PUBLIC TRANSPORT, WALKING & BIKING

Use public transport, walk, or bike to cut emissions and immerse yourself in local culture.

CONSERVE ENERGY

Save energy by turning off lights and skipping daily towel or linen changes.

Go digital with tickets, maps, and guides to stay organised and reduce paper waste.

ENGAGE IN RESPONSIBLE TOURISM ACTIVITIES

Visit sanctuaries or take eco-tours to learn about biodiversity and conservation.

BOOK ECO-FRIENDLY LODGINGS

Choose green-certified hotels that use renewable energy, conserve water, and support communities.

Importance of eco-friendly travel

Why is Eco-Friendly Travel Important?

Eco-friendly travel helps to address climate change and environmental degradation, promoting a more sustainable future.

Minimises the negative impact on the environment Preserves natural resources and protects biodiversity Supports sustainable tourism practices while encouraging cultural respect and local economic growth

What is Green Economy?

The Green Economy is focusing on achieving growth and progress while conserving resources and protecting the environment.

Many Businesses in Singapore are transitioning to greener operations, creating new functions. New jobs and skills are required due to new regulatory requirements and green technologies. Existing job roles will adapt with new skills to support the Singapore Green Plan 2030.

Go to the next page to find out about Careers in the Green Economy!

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

IN GREEN economy IN GREEN economy

Sustainable Finance

Emphasises incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions in the finance sector to promote long-term, sustainable economic activities and projects.

Top 3 Skills in Demand Example of Jobs

Decarbonisation Strategies Management

Sustainable Investment Management

Natural Capital Management

Underwriting Manager

Investment Analyst

Sales and Distribution Specialist

Environmental and Sustainability Management

Ensure the buildings and equipment used by the company are wellmaintained, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly.

Top 3 Skills in Demand Example of Jobs

Sustainability Development

Design Sustainability and Ethics Management

Sustainability Management

Portfolio Management Analyst

Health, Safety and Environmental Office/Manager

Facilities Manager

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN GREEN economy IN GREEN economy

Green Infrastructure and Mobility

Focus on designing eco-friendly buildings that use less energy and have smaller environmental impact.

Top 3 Skills in Demand Example of Jobs

Green Facilities Management

Environment Management in Landscape Operations

Smart Facilities Management

Building Operations Manager

Architect / Architectural Associate Technician (Automotive)

Energy, Resource Circularity and Decarbonisation

Involves sustainably managing resources to minimise waste, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance productivity through clean energy, urban farming, aquaculture, and automation

Top 3 Skills in Demand Example of Jobs

Renewable Energy Management

Waste Collection Management

Urban Farming Implementation and Management

Food Safety Specialist

Food Technologist

Business Development Manager (Renewable Energy)

TRAVEL

Quiz part 1:

As you explore this newsletter, keep an eye out for hidden emojis cleverly integrated into the design elements. Read through again to spot the hidden emojis!

So which of the following options contains the complete set of emojis hidden in the newsltter?