Hello everyone! and we are in the final weeks of 2022. What a year it has been!
re back on campus by now and we can all really feel the buzz of where we go. This could especially be seen at our recent physical r and Internship Fair – a great comeback after a 2-year hiatus. tudents and 36 employers participated in this event held at the ther 400+ students joined in virtually. We are really glad for the positive feedback from all who came!
We will share more about IGNITE in this issue, but for those who missed it, don’t worry, we will be sharing some information about the next big one called DREAMS coming up in February next year. Also, in the spirit of giving during this season, we will be sharing ways which you can volunteer and give back to the community, and also ways to help you unwind, or take the opportunity to upskill yourselves. Some of you may also want to consider joining our own Talent Development Programme (TDP) next year – this is the Learner Advisory & Career Centre’s own traineeship programme to help you develop realworld skills to better prepare yourself for work. In this issue we will share a glimpse of the life of a TDP trainee and hopefully it will excite you to join us.
We hope you will enjoy this final issue for the year as much as we did putting it together! Here’s wishing you and your loved ones a Blessed Christmas, and a Wonderful and Meaningful New Year! See you soon at our Career Connect office! Cheers!
Loh Yi Xin (Writer) University of Birmingham BSc Business Management & Comms
Tresha Lakshmi (Writer) University of London BSc Banking & Finance
Eugene Tan (Editor) RMIT Bachelor of Business & Supply Chain Management
Sajidah Nihar (Editor) University of London BSc Economics and Politics
Ramnath Vyas Jyotsna (Writer) University of Wollongong Bachelor of Computer Science (Big Data)
Sim Chai Yi (Writer) University of Buffalo BSc Business Administration
Pua Jun Yao (Writer) University of London BSc Data Science & Business Analytics
Saravanaa Dhepikaa (Writer) University of London BSc Economics and Finance
Charmaine Lee (Writer) University of London BSc Business and Management
Regina Lee (Writer) RMIT Bachelor of Business (Accountancy)
Darren Tan (Advisor) University of London BSc Business and Management
On 27-29 September 2022, Career Connect had our first physical roadshow since the Covid-19 pandemic at Block B Student Hub!
It was great to interact with over 300 participants in person after almost 3 years of meeting and communicating in the virtual space! Participants had the chance to know more about various Career Connect initiatives via games and activities, as well as the sure-win lucky spin and free popcorn & candyfloss!
The biggest draw of the 3-day event is definitely the Resume Clinic, where students had the opportunity to meet Career Connect's career coaches to receive feedback and suggestions on their resume within a 20-minute session.
We look forward to meeting you at our next roadshow in Feb 2023!
On 14 October, over 500 SIM students participated in the IGNITE Career & Internship Fair, the first physical career fair since 2019.
Participants had the opportunity to network with over 30 employers, with more than 400 jobs and internships available. Participating companies include KPMG, Changi Airport Group, UOB, Ninja Van, Cognizant, ShopBack and many more.
On top of that, besides hearing first hand from the employers during the event, students continue to have an additional month of access to the ConnectNow platform (powered by GradSingapore) to apply for the jobs and internships offered. This hybrid format is very well received by students who missed the actual event. If you missed out on IGNITE, fret not! Stay tuned for our next career fair DREAMS in February 2023!
Asaparticipantofthisyear'sIGNITE,Ifeltitwasavery insightfulexperience.Itgavemeabackgroundofhow companiesarelikeandattendingIGNITEphysicallymade iteasierformetogetinterviewsformyinternships. Particularly, itwasinterestingtotalktotheFDMgroup astheywerereallyhelpfulandfriendlywhenanswering anyqueriesIhad!
Research on the company or sector you are interested in 1-2 months prior to application. Some companies even start hiring 6 months earlier! Check the company's website or LinkedIn for the latest updates as it will show what their internship job details require and when will their next internship intake start.
Having doubts and questions regarding your resume? What are the areas to improve on? Have your resume and cover letter vetted by a career coach in school.
The Career Connect office offers free resume vetting service for our students. Book an appointment with our career coaches at this email careerconnect@simedusg, with your name, school, and attach your resume
Research on the commonly asked questions during interviews. Such as "tell me about yourself?" or "why did you choose this internship?" Questions asked by interviewers might be different too based on your industry. Take some time and reflect on your past experiences and skills you could bring into this internship
Over 2 rounds in Jul and October, over 50 students participated in the Tech Acceleration Programme. Conducted by Vincent Xu, mentor at TalentGeist and a veteran in the Tech recruiting space, the 3-day insights-packed programme taught students how to methodically nail the Tech job application, from writing ‘perfect’ resumes to methodically breaking down each type of interview question.
Participants learned about various frameworks that were applied by hundreds of previous mentees who have landed offers in companies such as Google, Amazon, Shopee, Shopback, Bytedance, and more! On top of that, students also get to practice each type of interview question with the trainer, translating ‘ paper knowledge’ into real-life applications and internalize the techniques and framework from the programme!
Interested to secure non-tech roles in the Tech industry? Stay tuned for the next round of the Tech Acceleration Programme in the upcoming months!
Let's hear from one of our participants on her takeaways from this programme!
Whatwasyourbiggesttakeawayfromtheprogramme?
Thebiggesttakeawaywouldbelearninghowtoanswercasescenario questions Casescenarioshavenotbeentaughttomebefore,soIfoundthis veryinsightfulandchallenging.Asaresult,Ihavebeenabletoexpandmy thinkingprocesswhenansweringinterviewquestions
Whatspecificinsightsdidyoufindmostrelevantforyourself?
Istheworkshopuniqueinitsinsights?
I love how we practiced and brushed up on our case scenario questions with the mentor It helped us identify gaps and identify what needs to be done to fill them
Learning about the various frameworks is not only essential during the interview but in life when you are making vital decisions.
Wouldyourecommendthisprogrammetoothersandwhy?
Absolutely. More universities ought to host workshops with mentors from large corporations It gives recent graduates like me the chance to practice your interview skills and meet people who have worked at your ideal company.
ArinahZaimahBinteHamzah SIM-RMIT
BachelorofBusiness(Marketing), FinalYear
On the 18th of November, Career Connect collaborated with Workday, a Software as a Service (SaaS) business established in 2005 and has been serving its customers in over 120 countries. This workshop was intended to create awareness for students to understand the SaaS business and industry insights into various non-technical roles within Workday. A total of 18 students from different University backgrounds had the opportunity to interact, network and learn valuable career insights via a 1-on-1 career coaching session with Workday professionals. Jerral Cheng SIM-UOL,
On 26 November 2022, Career Connect held its first physical Young Graduate Career Forum (YGCF) after 2 years. With a turnout of over 60 students, our panel of alumni speakers who recently graduated from SIM, engaged our students with insights into the working world through their experience.
Participants got to answer their burning questions on their preferred industry through the Q&A discussion which covered topics such as the transition into a full time job, the recent job recession as well as tips to enhance their University life before stepping into the workforce.
Our speakers, hailing from different industries, shared how their industry works and what to look out for when considering a career in that industry. Following the panel discussion, participants also had a chance to network with our panel to gain insights into their working experience upon graduation.
There is plenty to take away from the insightful sharing forum as well as the networking session in order to better equip themselves with the skills and knowledge required for the working world. We thank our valuable speakers and moderator for their time, as well as our participants for attending our forum! Check out our next run on 11 Feb 2023!
"Participating in the Young Graduate Career Forum was extremely beneficial to my friends & I. It reduced many of the uncertainties that I faced as a final year student & gave me confidence in the various support systems put in place by SIM to ensure that students are able to transition smoothly into the workforce. Being able to connect with SIM Alumni students after the forum enabled me to gain insights into life as a professional as well as learn about the key steps & strategies to take prior to entering the workforce. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity provided by SIM & hope more of such events are conducted in the future!"
Studies show that 70% of employees find it difficult to switch off after work so here are some tips on how to unwind!
According to studies, running keeps your brain young, fights off anxiety, and boosts your mood.
Even if you're not an active person, its never too late to start!
Even for an Introvert, social time is important for happiness and to de-stress
Studies have shown that time spent with friends and family goes a long way towards boosting happiness
So don't feel shy and invite your friends to that impromtu movie night!
Writing down your daily emotions, goals, and realizations can help you cope with stress, clarify your thoughts, and problem-solve more effectively.
Cleaning and organizing your personal space can help you unwind while keeping you healthier and happier
Next time you need to unwind after work, let out your pent-up stress by doing some mindless vacuuming around your house.
It may seem daunting at first, but meditation is one of the proven ways to quickly de-stress.
It only takes a few minutes to meditate and there’s no right or wrong way to meditate, even if you're having trouble at first
Music can help you sleep better, reduce depression symptoms, and generally make you feel happier.
So play some Christmas tunes to really immerse yourself in the holiday vibes!
Help raise funds for Christmas Kettling at various shopping malls
Simply, scan the QR code to sign up now!
A meal delivery program to meet the daily needs of the home-bound elderly. Scan the QR code to sign up now!
Assist to man the game stalls & activity booths, and help with crowd control at the Christmas Carnival for Migrant Workers
Scan the QR code to register now!
An animal welfare group with the singular purpose of delivering hope and love to the ones that need it most – our street dogs. Scan the QR code and sign up now to show some extra love to these furry animals this Christmas!
Support children and youth from low income families
Volunteer together with your friends and family by emailing info@wishingwellorgsg to register!
Make the most of your holiday break by completing short courses to keep your skills sharp and abreast of developments in your field. Refine and update your expertise this holiday. Here are some courses found in our campus!
Python is a popular computer programming language used to create software and websites, automate processes, and analyse data. Since Python is a general-purpose language, it is used to develop a wide range of programs and its knowledge is increasing in demand
Learning objectives:
Able to write python scripts
Learn how to perform basic hands-on data analysis
IDEA® is a software that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide efficient and quality findings. The workshops is suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate students, with basic accounting knowledge. Learning objectives:
Determine the data required and import the data Use IDEA® in Audit, Accounting, Finance, and other industries to increase efficiency and effectiveness
Quickbooks is an essential tool for accounting
Learning objectives:
Set up a company and its associated accounts, customers, and vendors in the QuickBooks program
Record sales, as well as associated receivables in the QuickBooks program
Generate invoices using the QuickBooks program
Record initial payables as well as the payment of payables in the QuickBooks program
Prepare and print financial statements using the QuickBooks program
