SIM Career Connect Newsletter Q3’25 by careerconnect

Director’s Note

MsHayLeeKeng

Director, Learner Advisory & Career Centre

Singapore Institute of Management

Dear SIM students,

I’m Lee Keng, your new Director of the Learner Advisory & Career Centre (LACC). While I’m new to this role, I’ve been part of SIM for nearly two decades and am excited to begin this new chapter with you

First, I’d like to acknowledge Dr Aaron Tan for his tremendous work in shaping Career Connect. His contributions have built a strong foundation, and I look forward to building on his vision to further support your career readiness and industry connections.

As September and October usher in a new semester, a warm welcome back to our continuing students and to our freshmen, welcome to an exciting journey ahead at SIM!

This Career Connect quarterly newsletter highlights workshops and activities designed to prepare you for your future careers Do look out for upcoming sessions in October and November on Communication, ECommerce, Sales, and Sustainability If you haven’t joined us yet, I encourage you to give it a try!

We’d also love to hear from you—if there are topics you’d like us to cover, please reach out. At Career Connect, we’re here to walk alongside you in your SIM journey and beyond Enjoyreading!

BSc (Business and Management)

ADVISOR

Vanessa Lim University of London

hidayah

RMIT University Bachelor of Business

Nur Shirin Binte Zainollah University of Wollongong BBis (Information Systems)

New Hui Jie University of London BSc (Business and Management)

Senthil Kumar Turgesh University of London BSc (Machine Learning and AI)

LEE XIN YI University of Stirling Ba (Marketing)

Introduction to Social Services

On 4th August, more than 10 participants explored the social service landscape. After a quick warm-up, the speaker, Ms Lina Wong, shared that caregivers are often family members which raised an important question: who supports the caregivers?

A highlight of the workshop was the second group activity, where teams identified the most essential needs of different vulnerable groups and shared their reasoning.

Most Engaging Part: The hands-on group activities, which allowed participants the opportunity to interpret and understand social services together

Key Takeaway: Supporting caregivers and collaborating together leads to better support for everyone.

Attending as preparation for my RESSEC social entrepreneurship internship, I gained a realistic view of social services and the need to prioritise scarce resources Group activities were engaging Key insights: financial barriers are central, caregivers need support, and volunteering matters. The workshop deepened my understanding of the sector

Peh wei jie Ub - Bachelor of Science (Business Administration) Final Year

agile personal branding

On 14th August, Italy's leading Personal Branding Strategist, Luigi Centenaro, shared his expertise with up to 15 participants!

WHATDIDSTUDENTSTAKEAWAY?

Exclusive access to Luigi's Personal Branding Canvas

A step-by-step guide to using for the long-term Tips on supercharging their experience with AI

LUIGICOVEREDITALL:

Crafting an impressionable LinkedIn profile

Writing a standout Resume/CV

Catching the interest of employers through conversation

WHATMADEITSPECIAL?

Luigi took the time to connect with the participants, learning about their career goals He then offered practical advice on the steps they could take to achieve them. He also shared real-life stories from his career journey, making the experience feel authentic and inspiring.

Overall, the workshop equipped participants with strategies to create a strong and lasting impression.

Luigi centenaro TRAINEr

WORKDAY COMPANY VISIT

On 19 August, up to 25 participants visited Workday to learn more about the company and meet its professionals The session began with a short introduction, followed by a panel discussion where three Workday employees shared their career journeys and perspectives regarding skill-based hiring

Participants had the chance to engage in 1-to-1 interviews with Workday professionals. By preparing questions in advance, they gained tailored advice on career development and insights into the workplace.

The visit concluded with engaging networking session, where participants connected with Workday professionals in a more informal setting to deepen their conversations. This provided a valuable opportunity to build relationships and gain further career insights.

I learned that transferable skills and AI-screened hiring are pivotal. A 1-to-1 with ASEAN Sales Director Drew Jasper shaped his sales ambitions, sparked a time-management plan, and revealed Workday’s inclusive, collaborative culture. He left motivated to build versatile skills and recommends future visits to peers.

Dinesh Ravi

RMIT - Bachelor of Business Final Year

PROJECT PROTÉGÉ MENTORSHIP SHARING + NETWORKING NIGHT

On 17 July, close to 50 students and 11 mentors attended the Project Protégé sharing and networking night. The evening began with introductions to the newly launched online platform, setting the stage for meaningful engagement

Two mentor–mentee pairs shared how the programme has supported mentees in career planning and development, while also helping mentors gain new perspectives. Their insights highlighted the value of the structured mentorship approach for both parties

The event concluded with a networking session, where mentees connected with mentors from diverse industries, including tech and finance. Many mentees benefited by receiving practical advice, exploring career pathways, and forming mentor–mentee matches for continued guidance.

While I already have a mentor, hearing insights from multiple experts, particularly on data mining and security, helped clarify and refine my next steps

Breakout stories became a clear plan: build hands-on data-mining projects beyond fundamentals. I followed up on LinkedIn, joined the online programme, and left with focused priorities, momentum, and connections Highly recommended for strategic growth

GROW & CONNECT: EMPOWERING MENTORSHIP THROUGH TRAINING AND NETWORKING

On 30 August, over 30 mentors and mentees gathered for an exclusive Project Protégé training and networking session, designed for participants registered on the online platform.

The workshop covered key mentorship skills structured engagement, effective tracking, and asking meaningful questions. With participants already seated in clusters, the session combined interactive lectures with hands-on activities, encouraging idea-sharing, experience exchanges, and meaningful connections.

Over lunch, the networking buzz continued, with mentors and mentees diving into conversations, exploring career goals, and forming valuable connections. The energy was infectious, and many stayed after the session, eager to continue discussions— making this event a unique and impactful experience for everyone involved.

DIDN’TCATCHTHISEVENT?

Don’t miss out! Join us at the next session on:

DATE: 13 November 2025

TIME: 6PM-9PM

LOCATION: PAT Foyer

GROW & CONNECT: EMPOWERING MENTORSHIP THROUGH TRAINING AND NETWORKING

WORDS OF WISDOM

Mentorship plays a significant role in helping students transition into corporate professionals or entrepreneurs. A mentor wears many hats—protector, guide, motivator, supporter, and connector.

This partnership fosters a relationship built on joy, commitment, and mutual growth.

With a mentor’s guidance, mentees can:

Achieve goals more efficiently using proven strategies

Avoid common risks and pitfalls

UNLOCKYOURPOTENTIALWITH PROJECTPROTÉGÉ!

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Gain fresh perspectives and expand their networks

Build confidence, knowing they have a trusted advisor to turn to

While mentorship offers significant benefits, its impact ultimately depends on the mentee’s initiative and direction.

From this event, I learnt practical communication strategies that I can apply to build stronger mentor-mentee relationships Additionally, I had the chance to speak with mentors and peers from different industries I gained insights on career development and how to make the most of mentorship opportunities

My advice to students who are interested in Project Protégé is to be open-minded, proactive, and willing to learn from different perspectives.

Usage: Data entry, financial modeling, reporting and basic automation, etc

AAITools ITools

Jobscan: Optimizes resumes for jobs and Applicant Tracking System (ATS) keywords

Rezi: Builds polished, recruiter-ready resumes

YoodliAI: Provides real-time interview feedback for clarity and confidence

CCreativity reativity

Generate innovative ideas and solutions

Improve processes and solve problems

Drive growth through creative alternatives

Approach conflicts as equations to be solved, and focus on the desired outcome

Ultimately, this builds stronger relationships and improves collaboration

Usage: school presentations, portfolios, casual art projects, etc

CCloudComputing loudComputing

Covers the basics of platforms such as GoogleCloud,AWS,and Azure

Used widelyacrossindustries

Analytical Thinking Analytical Thinking

Divide complex problems into simple, manageable steps

Ensure all aspects are considered for effective solutions

Multiply your chances of success by thriving in both structured and flexible environments

Handle emotions effectively when facing novel situations

Whatinspiredyouto startyourbusiness?

My goal was to bring a little more joy and relaxation to those around me I noticed that in Singapore, people often overlook their mental well-being, so I decided to sell these toys—not only to spread happiness, but also to earn some extra income.

Whatdoyouwishyouhad knownaboutbefore becominganentrepreneur?

I wish I'd known more about the basics of running a business like how a real enterprise is registered, operated, and legal requirements Understanding these fundamentals would have madestartingoutmuchsmoother

Howdoyoudealwith customersthatareless cooperative?

I don’t worry too much about uncooperative customers. By maintaining a respectful, open, and inclusive attitude, and by observing and improving while ensuring product excellence and stability, I believe good products and the right mindset will naturally attract customers who resonate with me.

Howisitlikerunningyour businesswhilejugglingyour studies?

At first, it felt a bit tiring, but over time I realised the syllabus could be applied to reallife situations. Seeing this in action gives me a sense of achievement and makes me happy.

Whatisyourrisktolerance whenyouhaveabusiness?

Running a business on my own was risky, especially while juggling school. Luckily, I had some savings from part-time jobs to get started My main concern was unsold inventory, so I managed it by carefully tracking my budget and stock using balance tables.

Whatisonepieceofyouradvice youcangivestudentswho aspiretobeentrepreneurs?

Follow your own advice: prepare thoroughly and take that first step with courage. It’s usually the hardest part, so face it with determination!

TIPS TO SECURE INTERNSHIPS TIPS TO SECURE INTERNSHIPS

CCustomiseResume ustomiseResume

Use objective statements

Include relevant experiences such as CCA, online certifications, volunteer work, relevant jobs and leadership roles

Use keywords that is related your job description

ResearchBefore Interview ResearchBefore Interview

Do your background research on the company to see what you are truly interested in

Reach out to friends that worked in the internship before

Practice rehearsing your answers to standard interview questions

GGetReferrals etReferrals

Ask for a recommendation letter from professionals, provide them with the internship's job description (e.g. your lecturers)

Give them sufficient time (2 weeks) to craft a proper referral for you

FROM INTERNSHIP TO ACHIEVEMENT

FeaturingSIM60WILLAwardRecipients

During my internship, I worked on improving sourcing strategies and optimised recruitment channels through market research, data analysis and team insights. I believe I stood out due to my HR-related experience and strong cultural fit with the company.

From this experience, I learnt to adapt in a fast-paced environment while sharpening my problem-solving and communication skills.

My advice to students is: don’t lose hope if you face rejections. Build relevant qualifications, tailor your resume to match the job requirements, and highlight how your experience aligns with the company’s mission.

I developed generative AI chatbots and automation tools, building three systems and setting up evaluation methods. I also used Python to automate metadata extraction, supporting digital transformation in the public sector

This experience enhanced my skills in retrieval-augmented generation and prompt engineering, while strengthening my ability to communicate results effectively. It also emphasised the importance of innovation within operational and security constraints

My advice: Stay curious, take on challenges, ask for help when you need it, and keep putting in the effort it’ll open up more opportunities!