STEM Career Guide 2019

STEM CAREER GUIDE 2019 The complete guide to graduate careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

MCI (P) 011/04/2019

INTRODUCTION STEM Career Guide 2019 A comprehensive guide featuring descriptions of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) graduate jobs, careers advice, as well as emerging industry trends to prepare students for their future careers ahead.

Inside This Guide

INSIDE THIS GUIDE SECTOR OVERVIEW Industries in the STEM Sector .......................6 Is a Career in STEM for me? ..........................8

ENGINEERING AREAS OF WORK Aerospace engineering ................................11

Skills that Employers look for in Engineers ..................................................38 Engineering: A Beginner’s Guide .................40 What else can I do with an engineering degree? .................................42 Considering a Postgraduate Degree in Engineering ...........................................44

FEATURES

Automotive engineering..............................12

Top Three Trends in Engineering for Graduates to Know ...................................46

Chemical engineering ..................................13

Finding Purpose in Pharmaceuticals ...........48

Construction engineering ............................14

Helping Lives, Building Communities ..........49

Control engineering .....................................15 Defence technology.....................................16

Supporting the Business of Engineering and Technology .........................................50

Electronic engineering .................................17

Generating a more Sustainable Future........51

Energy (Oil & Gas) .......................................18 Energy (Power generation) ..........................19 Engineering consultancy..............................20

IT & TECHNOLOGY

Engineering design and construction ..........21 Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).........22

AREAS OF WORK

Food manufacturing ....................................23

Cyber security..............................................53

Materials and metals ...................................24

Financial technology....................................54

Pharmaceuticals ..........................................25

Financial software development .................55

HOW TO GET HIRED

Games development ...................................56 Hardware development...............................57

Getting an engineering graduate job...........26

IT in investment banking .............................58

Choose the right engineering career and graduate employer .............................28

IT in manufacturing .....................................59

Perfect Your Engineering CV ........................30 Cover Letter Tips for the Graduate Engineer ....................................................32

IT in retail.....................................................60 IT in telecommunications ............................61 IT outsourcing..............................................62

Technical Interviews for Graduate Engineering Jobs .......................................34

IT services ....................................................63

Assessment Centres for Graduate Engineering Jobs .......................................36

Technology consulting .................................65

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Professional services IT ...............................64 Web Development and e-Commerce ..........66

Inside This Guide

media GTI Media is the world's largest careers and graduate recruitment publisher. Founded in the UK in 1988, GTI publishes and distributes more than 100 careers and recruitment products around the globe.

Editor Candice Leow Editorial Anne Grace Savitha, Candice Leow Design & production Amirah Azlan, Charlene Wong

HOW TO GET HIRED Getting an IT & technology graduate job ....68

Advertising Ron Ong, Terence Teo, The GTI Media sales team

Choosing the right IT & technology career and employer ................................70

Marketing & distribution Shirlyn Ting, Tang Weishan, Cheryl Tan

Perfect Your IT & technology CV..................72

Managing Director Isaac Hee

Cover Letter Tips for the Graduate IT & tech specialist ....................................74

International managing director & co-founder Adrian Wood

Technical Interviews for Graduate IT & tech Jobs ............................................76 Assessment Centres for Graduate IT & tech Jobs ...........................................78 Technical Skills needed in IT & tech to seal the deal .........................................80 Soft Skills for IT & tech.................................82 Getting an IT internship or placement.........84 Considering a Postgraduate Degree in IT & tech ...............................................86

FEATURES

1 Lorong 2 Toa Payoh #05-04 Braddell House Singapore 319637 Tel: +(65) 6294 6505 Fax: +(65) 6294 1043 www.gtimedia.asia Printer Times Printer Pte. Ltd. 16 Tuas Ave. 5 Singapore 639340 This magazine is printed on environmentally-friendly paper.

Š GTI Asia Pte Ltd, March 2019

Top Three Trends in IT and Tech for Graduates to Know ..............................88 Ideating Design for Business........................90 Creating the Future through Constant Learning ....................................91

EMPLOYERS

GTI Asia Pte. Ltd. (Company number: 200301978M)

93

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means including, but not limited to, photocopying or storage in a retrieval system in any form without prior written consent of GTI. The views expressed in the articles are those of authors and their publication does not necessarily imply that such views are shared by GTI. Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this publication, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, or for consequential loss arising from such inaccuracies, or for any loss, direct or consequential, arising in connection with information in this publication.

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Sector Overview

INDUSTRIES IN THE STEM SECTOR Here is an overview of the various industries in the STEM sector ere ou ill ave to nd our best t

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he STEM sector is made up of scientists and mathematicians who work with theory and engineers who thrive on practical applications, as well as technologists who build and design things.

In this guide, we focus on graduate areas of work in engineering and IT and technology, to help you find your ideal career and employer in the sector.

Engineering Employers: Employers in engineering include industrial manufacturers in key areas such as energy, infrastructure and medical. Technology firms, marine engineering firms, oil and gas companies and research institutes hire engineering talents as well. Engineers are also sought after by construction companies, environmental NGOs and public agencies in charge of building infrastructure such as airports and waterworks.

Challenges: Change is the only constant, and there is an inherent need for continuous learning and listening to feedback in engineering careers. The engineering industry bears heavy responsibility due to the real world applications being developed and implemented. Job transitions are common in engineering, requiring adaptability to work in new sites, with new colleagues and picking up new skills and technologies. Engineering in the workplace is an entirely different ball game compared to engineering in your school days. The problems encountered daily by an engineer are varied and complex, with a multitude of possibilities for solutions.

Perks: A career in engineering is satisfying given the intellectual stimulation offered by interesting and unpredictable challenges. Beyond the prestige that comes along with the profession, engineers get to make the world a better place, and enjoy financial security for their hard work.

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Sector Overview

IT & Technology Employers: In IT and technology, you can be employed in a variety of firms ranging from IT giants and tech start-ups, to software and hardware makers, and data-driven companies. Products and services are both consumer-facing and tailored for business solutions, such as telecommunications and cloud pla orm services.

Multinational companies and public agencies alike require IT and technology talent to keep up with cybersecurity issues and a changing technology landscape.

Challenges: Technology is evolving constantly, with new products and services being rolled out at a fast pace. The race for innovation also brings about cutting-edge competition. Cybersecurity issues and the exposure to potentially unknown threats have always posed as challenges to technology professionals, along with regulatory amendments.

Perks: In technology, work is hardly boring and you are embedded in a culture of growth and innovation. You get to surround yourself with like-minded, inspired and creative professionals with problem-solving strengths. You can marry your passion for technology with other interests as technology is applied in most fields, be it healthcare or entertainment. Lastly, technology professionals are in high demand and enjoy comfortable remuneration for their services, skills and expertise.

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Sector Overview

IS A CAREER IN STEM FOR ME? onsidering a career in science tec nolog engineering or mat ematics ast-gro ing and nanciall re arding t e M sector elcomes fres graduates and oung professionals o do ou kno if it is t e rig t career pat for ou

A uick c ecklist Are you creative and collaborative?

Are you craving for hands-on work?

Are you curious about solving complex challenges?

Are you cool with documenting processes for making things?

Are you convinced about using statistics and data to make important decisions?

Are you committed to making a difference in the lives of others and for the future?

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Sector Overview

A Career in Science Careers in science include that of a physicist, a pharmacist, a materials scientist, a pharmacologist, as well as roles in medical research. Fields such as marine biology and environmental science and conservation come under the umbrella of scientific careers too.

Besides laboratory work, a scientific career path is heavily centred on innovation, discovery and research.

Besides being well-versed in your area of specialisation, you have to be ambitious, logical and passionate about your chosen field to pursue a scientific career.

A Career in Engineering While scientists create theories and focus on concepts, engineers are implementing science to solve practical problems, looking for breakthroughs and inventing new ways to do and make things. Fields of engineering include aerospace, automobile, biomedical, civil, computer, electrical and mechanical, as well as environmental and petroleum engineering. Other than being educated in the selected field, successful engineers are strong in mathematics and science, highly analytical and enjoy their work in teams.

A Career in Technology Technology career paths include computer programming, systems and database administration, as well as information security. Technology helps to improve lives by bringing convenience through efficient energy use, building design and transportation for instance.

Information technology, on the other hand, delivers value to users from data. Tech careers welcome talents who are keen to solve problems and communicate and work effectively on teams, other than being technically skilled with programmes and softwares.

A areer in Mat ematics Careers in mathematics include roles in statistics, quantitative finance, operations research and actuarial science. Cryptographers and economists, as well as investment analysts are in mathematics careers too. alued traits for a career in mathematics include a knack for analysing and interpreting data, skills in critical thinking, logical thinking, in addition to organisational abilities and teamwork skills for collaborative problemsolving.

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ENGINEERING Find out about the engineering industry in terms of the areas of work and how to prepare yourself for a career within.

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Aerospace Engineering ....................................... 11 Automotive Engineering ..................................... 12 Chemical engineering ......................................... 13 Construction engineering ................................... 14 Control engineering ............................................ 15 Defence technology............................................ 16 Electronic engineering ........................................ 17 Energy (Oil & gas) ............................................... 18 Energy (Power generation) ................................. 19 Engineering consultancy..................................... 20 Engineering design and construction ................. 21 FMCG .................................................................. 22 Food manufacturing ........................................... 23 Materials and metals .......................................... 24 Pharmaceuticals ................................................. 25

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Getting an engineering graduate job.................. 26 Choosing the right engineering career and employer ................ 28

Perfect Your Engineering C ............................... 30 Cover Letter Tips for the Graduate Engineer ...... 32 Technical Interviews for Graduate Engineering Jobs ........................... 34 Assessment Centres for Graduate Engineering Jobs ........................... 36 Skills that Employers look for in Engineers ......... 38 Engineering: A Beginner’s Guide ........................ 40 What else can I do with an engineering degree? ................................ 42 Considering a Postgraduate Degree in Engineering .................................. 44

A Top Three Trends in Engineering for Graduates to Know ................... 46 Finding Purpose in Pharmaceuticals................... 48 Building Communities, Helping Lives ................. 49 Supporting the Business of Engineering and Technology .................... 50 Generating a more Sustainable Future............... 51

Engineering | Areas of work

AEROSPACE ENGINEERING

raduates orking in aerospace engineering can e pect to take up diverse roles in tec nicall -c allenging pro ects

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erospace engineering is an industry undergoing rapid growth in Singapore as the government strives to position the country as a regional aviation hub.

With more than 100 international aerospace companies taking roots in Singapore – including major names like Rolls Royce, Goodrich, and Pratt & Whitney – and the establishment of aerospace amenities, the Lion City is set to dominate nearly a quarter of the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) market in Asia.

Most of the services offered by these companies include extensive and thorough nose-to-tail MRO operations, though a select few also dabble in aerospace design and manufacturing services locally.

Career overview The typical core responsibilities of aerospace engineers include a mix of researching, designing, manufacturing, as well as operating and maintaining aircraft.

Between working on civilian and military aircraft, however, some may find the latter to be more exciting, as the military will usually expose them to more advanced and developed aviation technology, such as fighter jets, reconnaissance machines, and automated vehicles.

Trends and developments Sustainable development is a key point of focus in the aerospace industry these days. Most employers within this sector have had to adapt to global events such as environmental concerns related to the aviation industry, rising fuel prices, as well as a growing apprehension of flights due to the unnatural recent rash of aircraft accidents.

Improving safety measures on aircraft, more stringent quality control on the production of aircraft parts, and the search for both alternative fuel sources and more fuel-efficient aircraft engines are also making headlines in the industry.

Career highlights Opportunity creativit

to

showcase

ide scope of ork You can also expect to encounter a wide variety of job opportunities that will challenge your expertise and facilitate your growth as a budding engineer within the aerospace industry – from cuttingedge research on aircraft components to overhaul services.

Skills required in aerospace engineering Abilit to discern details and to t ink out of t e bo Abilit to ork ell in teams

your

This field requires a lot of creativity and thinking out of the box, as you will often encounter issues and complications that do not have a one-size-fits-all solution. While this may sometimes be demanding, it allows you to flex your ingenuity and will give you opportunities to showcase your resourcefulness.

Abilit to balance di erent pro ect re uirements simultaneously Methodical logic

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Engineering | Areas of work

AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING

In this sector, you must meet customer e pectations t roug providing superior tec nical performance

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he automotive industry may not currently be as developed as the local public transportation and infrastructure sectors. This trend is, however, seeing a change in recent days as the Singapore government promotes efforts to develop the industry.

Classified locally as an emerging industry, the motor industry in Singapore is populated by global automotive companies that are looking to establish headquarters in Southeast Asia in order to carry out strategic activities, regional distribution, as well as Research and Development (R&D).

Singapore – with its position as an excellent trading hub that possesses a first-rate financial assistance and a ready supply of skilled labour from electronics, infocommunications, and mechanical engineering – is therefore a prime location for these organisations.

Career overview In response to Singapore’s strategic location, the automotive engineering sector is set to see great development and career opportunities.

The responsibilities expected of employees working in the automotive engineering industry are not limited to just designing and manufacturing vehicles; they may also include a

variety of people-oriented roles, such as distribution, marketing, sales, aftersales, regional procurement, and even compliance with local regulatory requirements.

Trends and developments The current automotive industry is heading in the direction of electronics and software systems, where manual checks of automotive parts are becoming less common and in-vehicle technology , such as car audio and “carputers”, is on the rise.

This being a global trend, the automotive industry in Singapore, too, is affected; and this is reflected in the increase in demand for software and hardware engineering expertise.

Another significant development within the industry is the increase in environmental concerns, which leads to efforts in reducing carbon emissions. This usually starts in R&D, such as attempts at boosting fuel efficiency by manipulating the vehicle’s weight through its materials make-up.

In these instances, automotive engineering must work to strike a proper balance between standard safety measures, efficient energy consumption, and environmental responsibilities.

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Career highlights Diverse learning opportunities One of the best experiences within this industry is the opportunity to work and learn from engineers across a variety of areas of study, since you will be working in large teams focused on one goal. ast-paced and e citing industr You will also get the satisfaction of seeing creative automotive designs being incorporated into the engineering of cars, and the exhilaration of working in an industry that is always rapidly evolving.

Skills required in automotive engineering Enthusiasm roactive adaptabilit pdated kno ledge of t e sector Abilit to be on our toes

Engineering | Areas of work

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Engineers help overcome environmental issues and drive p armaceutical drug discoveries in t is sector

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he growth of the chemical industry in Singapore is centred chiefly within Jurong Island, a welldeveloped area that most of the world’s leading energy and chemical corporations have seen as suitable to build their base.

Among some of the big names to be found within the area include BASF, ExxonMobil, Mitsui Chemicals, Sumitomo Chemicals, Shell, and Lanxess. The products produced at such companies range from oil, pharmaceuticals, and polymers, to fine chemicals and commodity chemicals.

Career overview Chemical engineering involves the challenge of solving problems concerned with making and using chemicals and biochemicals. Chemical engineers strive to create and develop the best possible methods to manufacture useful products and services.

They respond to society’s growing demands for new innovative products and for improved use of our limited natural resources.

Other career opportunities in the chemical industry include support businesses, such as engineering contractors who specialise in building chemical plants, or technology development organisations that develop and patent new chemical manufacturing technologies.

Trends and developments Some of the most relevant and prominent issues that are propelling the global chemical industry are environmental concerns and the rising costs of certain feedstocks (raw materials).

For instance, the rising cost of oil is placing pressure on companies to optimise processes involving this commodity, resulting in chemical engineers being urged to find solutions to offset the rising costs of processing oil.

Environmental concerns, such as water shortages and climate change, are also affecting the industry drastically.

Still, such concerns also tie in to good business. Optimising a process to use fewer resources, for example, not only helps the environment, but allows the company to save on costs.

Career highlights

le ibilit in career directions The flexibility to change career directions and explore a variety of specialised career opportunities are some of the other benefits that graduates in this industry look forward to.

Mobilit You can work anywhere in the world, whether permanently, on a secondment, or travelling from place to place, for example, in a technical sales role.

However, it’s not essential to be mobile. Roles such as R&D or working in a production role at a plant generally allow you to stay in one place.

Skills required in chemical engineering

ontinuous learning One highlight of a career in this industry is the opportunity for continuous learning.

You will be continually exploring new innovations or improvements to existing processes.

ocial skills Adaptabilit Abilit to ork in a team umerac skills A ention to detail Accountabilit

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Engineering | Areas of work

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING

In t is eld ou ill ave opportunities to leave ver visible marks on t e orld

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onstruction engineering is primarily related to the built environment, including infrastructure (e.g. roads, buildings, railways, harbours, airports, and tunnels), buildings, and the facilities within buildings (e.g. power generation and ventilation systems).

Core employers in this sector typically fall into two categories: consultants, such as Mott MacDonald, Surbana Jurong Consultants, and Arup, and contractors, such as Lend Lease and SembCorp Construction.

However, graduates in this field may also be scouted by developers, retailers, and even the public service, such as Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the Housing Development Board (HDB).

Career overview The sector is very fast-paced with lots of teamwork. Projects vary in length from a few months to ten years from inception to completion. Typically, they will be based in one geographical region and expected to travel around it to sites and client meetings. Opportunities to work overseas may be available, although these tend to be optional.

Civil and structural engineers are indispensable in this sector, but depending on projects, they may be joined by specialists from other disciplines as well. Increased global awareness concerning the environment and pollution problems have also given environmental engineers a new importance in this sector.

Trends and developments Prevalent issues within the current industry include cost efficiency and environmental concerns. Government spending and client budgets are decreasing for most projects in general, so it falls upon engineers to look for alternative solutions to help minimise expenses without compromising on safety standards.

Concerns over global warming, water shortages, and sustainable energy use have also prompted engineers to keep a lookout for new and environmentfriendly materials and processes, particularly in regards to carbon emissions and footprints.

The growing use of advanced technology within the sector is another trend that graduates should take note of. The 3D modelling technology, for instance, is growing in popularity as it can help engineers project and identify setbacks in the planning stage itself, instead of encountering them only after construction has started.

Career highlights Making a di erence Engineers working in the construction and built environment sector tend to find great satisfaction in seeing their projects completed. They can also find satisfaction in the difference they make to a local area.

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ide e posure Working in this field also gives you the opportunity to meet with engineers from other disciplines, which will greatly enhance your understanding of the sector and engineering in general. orking abroad Certain positions in selected employers may also give engineers in this field the chance to travel the world.

Skills required in construction engineering Basic understanding of other engineering disciplines eam orking skills Abilit to uggle several pro ects simultaneousl ood communication skills & people skills

Engineering | Areas of work

CONTROL ENGINEERING

no ledge of so are engineering ill help engineers develop and manage the organisation s control s stems

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ontrol engineering is an emerging discipline within the engineering sector that explores the different ways in which control systems can be successfully incorporated into a system’s operations to increase its efficiency and output.

Graduates working in control engineering have a large pool of employers to choose from, as nearly every industrial company will need a specialist in this field to manage and supervise their processes.

This can range from prominent names such as General Electric, ABB, and Shell, to smaller companies that develop specialist devices or equipment, such as sensors or control systems.

Career overview Complex and sophisticated control systems have become an important component in the manufacturing and electrical industry, mainly for efficiency and cost-saving reasons. Control engineering thus helps manufacturing companies cut down on operating costs through automating processes, and reducing margin for error.

This consequently increases the company’s competitive edge, giving it a more consistent manufacturing benchmark and improving its ability to meet the necessary environmental and quality control requirements.

Trends and developments Advancements in processor technology have filled the market with more powerful processors at lower costs, resulting in an increased number of systems and devices with built-in intelligent controllers.

Such advancements have given rise to auto-diagnostic capabilities in some applications, and control engineers may find themselves managing an entire network of interlinked auto-diagnosis systems on the job.

From a business standpoint, rising energy costs worldwide have resulted in companies tasking control engineers to place special care on reducing energy consumption at manufacturing plants and facilities.

On the other hand, advancements in wireless technology and information transfer systems have also increased the pace on plant floors, making real-time process enhancements part of a control engineer’s responsibilities.

Career highlights

at the different areas in which you could work, such as R&D, production or maintenance, and decide what area would suit your skills and aspirations best.

Diverse range of tasks You’ll experience a diverse range of tasks in this line of work – from designing control systems, developing and testing them, to reporting on their effectiveness and efficiency. ners ip from start to nis Engineers in this line of work claim that being able to see a complete system come together from start to finish – as well as the improved efficiency of the process that comes with it – is highly satisfying.

Skills required in control engineering o

arious options There are different ways for graduate engineers to enter this line of work.

Companies typically have their own recruitment schemes and training programmes and you will need to look

are engineering

umerical skills Abilit to t ink on our feet Abilit to learn uickl elf-motivated Adaptabilit Time management

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Engineering | Areas of work

DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY

Experiment with emerging technologies alongside colleagues from ot er disciplines

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efence engineering mostly involves focusing on R&D to produce better support services and equipment for a nation’s air, land, and naval armies.

Much of the work goes into advanced electronics and systems engineering, though the end products must conform to extremely rigorous military requirements.

Singapore’s defence technology is primarily managed by the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), where intensive development and acquisitions are performed to strengthen and support the nation’s “Total Defence” policy.

Most commercial organisations providing defence engineering services or defence technology locally also tend to be government-linked. However, defence engineering brings opportunities to work on some of the most technologicallyadvanced projects in the world.

Career overview The defence industry provides the potential for a very dynamic career.

Graduates can get involved in solving complex problems using emerging technology.

Most defence requirements need global solutions so some positions do require mobility, but you can have a very interesting career based on one site.

Sites tend to be large and encompass a vast array of disciplines, with people working on a range of projects.

A variety of skills are required to solve problems. As such, every engineer is an intrinsic part of the team.

Trends and developments Unmanned autonomous vehicles (UA s) and weapons systems are becoming increasingly central in defence technology, allowing soldiers to perform reconnaissance and dangerous operations with minimal risk.

In addition, one often-overlooked area among graduates keen on a career in defence engineering is network security.

In order for defence technologies across different mediums, such as electronic, land, air and marine, to function as a unified system, a comprehensive and well-protected defence communications network is key.

Project timescales within the defence engineering industry used to be very long, with new technologies languishing in development for years. However, these days, new capabilities must now be conceptualised, tested, manufactured, and rolled out within a much shorter timeframe.

Career highlights ariet of duties and people One of the main highlights of the industry is the variety of duties and people within the sector. You may be asked to work in the laboratory today, and then assigned to onsite research tomorrow. All this makes for a vastly interesting experience. ontributing to a larger communit The opportunity to contribute to the safety of your country is also another positive point to this line of work. Many defence engineers find the fact that they are contributing to the nation’s security incredibly gratifying.

Skills required in defence technology olid engineering background Open mind reativit ritical-t inking abilit to t ink outside t e bo rust ort iness and discretion Diplomac

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Engineering | Areas of work

ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

e electronics industr o ers graduates numerous opportunities for specialisation

hether it’s manufacturers of high-volume consumer products, like Samsung and Apple, or specialised medical equipment providers, like Accuray – electronics companies encompass many areas of expertise.

Key players like Seagate, Broadcom, and STMicroelectrics, for instance, have selected Singapore as their regional centre of operations in Southeast Asia thanks to the city-state’s advanced infrastructure and facilities. In fact, the electronics industry is a major industry that underpins Singapore’s economic growth.

The role of the electronics industry is rapidly changing, and there is an increasing demand for devices, machines and systems to be more connected and “smarter”.

Career overview Graduates in this industry can expect an exciting career ahead, with plentiful of innovation and developments to come.

However, roles in this industry are very broad – depending on which area you go into, your job description may differ. With enough experience and expertise, electronics engineers may also opt to become specialised consultants later on in their career. There’s a huge market for independent contractors and consultants in this industry.

Trends and developments Globally, miniaturisation is a constant pursuit in this industry, as manufacturers are doing their best to pack the best technology into the most compact size possible.

A growing trend is the focus on “wearable” technologies, such as Apple’s smart watch and Google Glass, which allow information to be fed to users in a non-intrusive way.

Some of Singapore’s key strengths in electronics manufacturing lie in semiconductors and integrated devices, but the government is also looking to expand into other areas, such as microelectronics.

This translates to increased R&D investments in coming years along the production line, from componentlevel design and processes; to product designs, firmware development, and industrial design.

u ng-edge tec nolog Another highlight is the opportunity to work with advanced technology, using it to manufacture other technologies. ork satisfaction Most engineers simply appreciate the satisfaction of seeing their finished products hit the market. Knowing that you’re responsible for the merchandise that can influence people’s daily lives is quite motivating.

Skills required in electronic engineering Abilit to ork in teams ood communication skills Abilit to prioritise and plan e ectivel

Career highlights

ood decision-making skills

Diversit Many electronics engineers enjoy the diversity within the industry, where they get to explore a variety of industries and creative ways of solving difficult technical problems.

roblem-solving skills

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Engineering | Areas of work

ENERGY (OIL AND GAS)

Engineering careers in oil and gas may re uire graduates to live and ork abroad

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espite not having any oil reserves, Singapore’s economy owes a great deal of its health to the oil industry, mainly due to its role as one of the world’s leading oil refining centres. Much of the local activity in this industry takes place in the refineries and plants on Jurong Island.

Although Singapore is primarily a refining hub focusing on downstream services, oil and gas engineers can still expect to be employed into either streams due to the international nature of the industry. Major employers like ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, and Keppel Corporation tend to send their employees on international secondments and transfers.

Engineers can also consider employment with small independent oil companies, oil services providers, and specialised operators, contractors, and suppliers catering to the needs of this industry.

Career overview Engineers in this field are usually assigned to either exploration and production (upstream) responsibilities, or refining and marketing (downstream) duties.

The former revolves chiefly around the search and extraction of new oil and gas beds, whereas the latter is about processing crude oil into commercial products for trade.

Timescales in exploration and production typically take five or ten years from starting the search for a new

oil or gas field to beginning extraction, and the production phase can last for 30 years or more. Within this, there are many discrete, shorter projects.

Engineers working for operators and contractors typically work on one project at a time, each lasting several years; in contrast, an engineering company employee providing flow assurance calculations may complete the job in six weeks.

Trends and developments As technology advances, the international appetite for energy does too, and the search for new oil and gas beds has intensified as a result.

Subsea explorations now go up to more than 2,000 metres beneath sea level, and are expected to stretch even deeper globally. However, hydrocarbon resources are also growing increasingly scarce, leading to more research into alternative fuels.

Singapore, in particular, has been very encouraging of this trend – as seen by the amount of government investments into R&D, production, and use of biofuels.

Environmental issues continue to remain a looming concern in the industry. Engineers are urged to research ways to reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact that come with both the sourcing and consumption of fossil fuel products.

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Career highlights ver-e panding sector Oil and gas engineers can look forward to a potentially exciting career because of the rapid growth and dynamism of this industry. pportunities exposure

for

international

If you’re working with an international organisation, you may also get the opportunity to work with and be mentored by engineers from other parts of the world, exposing you to new insights, technologies, and systems within the industry.

Skills required in energy (oil and gas) engineering eam orking skills trong interpersonal skills Abilit to cope under pressure A areness and kno ledge in latest developments t at a ect the industry

Engineering | Areas of work

ENERGY (POWER GENERATION) Address issues such as the rising demand for po er and t e searc for sustainable sources of energ

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ower generation deals with the generation of energy, its transmission and distribution to homes and properties, as well as its metering and sales.

This privatised industry is locally regulated by Singapore Power, and the major players tend to be companies with a full vertically-integrated structure – those with the ability to generate, distribute, and sell power.

Singapore’s strategic location within the Asian Sunbelt, as well as its strong logistics and R&D capabilities, have encouraged international companies to invest in clean energy research here in the city-state.

Career overview Commercial availability and profitability provide challenges on a daily basis as short-term solutions need to be implemented quickly and safely. Longterm solutions must then be developed for the future.

Circumstances change quickly and engineers play a key role in managing this change. Mobility is often required and projects can last from days to years.

Typically, engineers work in small specialist teams, either in isolation or as part of a larger project group, and it is common to work on numerous projects simultaneously.

Trends and developments As current power infrastructure systems come to the end of their service life, nuclear power is seeing a global resurgence as new energy generation assets are needed to avoid worldwide power shortages.

While climate change issues are pressuring engineers to deploy new sustainable energy solutions, the race is still on for reliable clean energy systems that can be deployed on a national scale and at an affordable cost to consumers.

For instance, Singapore may have difficulties generating a regular supply of solar energy due to rapid weather changes, and this unsustainability translates to increased cost for solar power. Power generation engineers around the world are struggling to fix issues like these.

Some engineers, on the other hand, may end up taking on specialised consulting roles instead, offering their expert opinions on power generation projects.

Skills required in energy (power generation) engineering ro ect management skills Abilit to assess risk Decision-making skills ood communication skills eam orking skills Abilit to see t e bigger picture

Career highlights ndless opportunities Graduates looking to enter this line of work will find themselves various opportunities to tailor their roles to their personal preferences and interests. They may either be deployed individually to address day-to-day technical issues, or integrated with other teams into a larger group for more complex projects – such as the building of a new power plant.

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Engineering | Areas of work

ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY

se our tec nical e pertise to advise clients on comple engineering ma ers

E

ngineering consultants are responsible for providing sectorspecific and project-specific advice for clients. They are usually hired by companies to assist in conceptualising and managing projects in circumstances where in-house expertise is lacking.

A rail company that wishes to adopt new tunneling technology, for instance, may want to enlist an engineering consultancy to assess the suitability of this new technology and the company’s capacity to use it in their future projects.

Many consulting engineering firms consist of multidisciplinary teams of qualified engineers and other buildingrelated professionals. Others specialise in a specific area of engineering, such as geotechnical, environmental, traffic or structural.

Bigger consultancies, such as Surbana, Arup, and Mott MacDonald have more than 40 engineering consultants working with them and cater to multiple areas of expertise – from airport crosswind monitoring to urban planning. A smaller or medium-sized consultancy in Singapore, in contrast, may only focus on one or two highlyspecialised engineering areas instead.

Career overview Typical work activities of an engineer in this field include:

Conducting initial fact-finding surveys, project inception, formulation and concept planning.

Managing and supervising engineering projects for clients, sometimes internationally.

Supervising subcontractors who provide specialist assistance for parts of the project.

Organising the project logistics, including purchasing and supply chain management.

Liaising with others involved, including architects, local authorities and manufacturers.

Career highlights arious learning opportunities The opportunity to work on a variety of projects is one of the biggest highlight of this career. You will constantly be picking up new competencies, skills, and knowledge, and this will keep you on your feet. You will also be staying at the cutting edge of technology development.

Career progression As you continue to gain relevant experience and skills as a consultant, you can also work towards chartership and a higher managerial position.

Defining clients’ needs and translating them into designs for new facilities, equipment or systems.

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ide variet of connections Engineers in this field will find themselves working with professionals of different fields – from clients in non-engineering sectors to experts in other engineering fields. The connections you will make are diverse, which can be useful for you to expand your knowledge in other fields, and for future business/career opportunities.

Skills required in engineering consultancy trong t eoretical kno ledge in area of specialisation Abilit to ork in and manage teams ommunication skills to be able to e plain tec nical details in layman terms eople skills ro ect management skills ime management skills Abilit to cope under pressure reative and critical-t inking skills

Engineering | Areas of work

ENGINEERING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

et t e opportunit to ork around t e orld on large-scale pro ects for multinational clients

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very company that produces ready products from raw materials may need the services of the engineering design and construction (EDC) industry – an industry that provides the necessary infrastructure and technology for manufacturing processes.

Typically, EDC companies are appointed by major organisations to oversee large-scale projects that can be worth billions of dollars, such as building a new oil refinery or refitting an old chemical plant. Their job is to turn such requirements into commercial realities through the conceptualisation, procurement, construction, and initial operation of the project.

Career overview EDC engineers are essentially contractors who cater to the specialised needs of clients such as petrochemical companies, chemical manufacturers, and processed food producers. The industry is divided into two distinctive divisions: “onshore” and “offshore”.

This is further split into hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon-based industries.

EDC engineers working in the hydrocarbon industries will generally work on projects related to oil and gas production, but may also be contracted by manufacturers of chemicals and polymers.

The non-hydrocarbon industry is more diverse, servicing areas of work such as pharmaceuticals, foods, minerals and metals, water treatment, industrial gases, and environmental treatment.

Trends and developments As a sector that caters to a variety of industries, the EDC industry is often affected by many of the vagaries that affect those other sectors as well.

These may include hot-topic issues, such as commodity prices, energy scarcity, development of sustainable energy sources, and reducing carbon emissions. As such, EDC engineers will need to pay special attention to such factors when working on projects.

Another important issue in this industry is health and safety. It is paramount for EDC contractors to ensure that all projects they work on adhere to international health and safety standards while still minimising costs.

Career highlights

supervisor and mentor (for those on an accredited training scheme) to ensure that the right level of training and experience is planned and completed to match the individual’s aspirations and the business needs of the company. oreign travel Plants are built in challenging places all over the world (including deserts and in the oceans), so foreign travel will be a routine feature of your work life. Although it may be challenging, the chance to travel and work in many different locations around the world is another highlight for many engineers in this field.

Skills required in engineering design and construction trong aptitude for learning

Training and support

Enthusiasm and drive

Many employers have accredited training programmes that require engineers to experience all phases of projects and types of work.

Moreover, future career direction is usually something a graduate engineer discusses in conjunction with their

elf-motivation eam orking skills eaders ip skills umerac skills ood communication skills trong commitment to meeting sc edules and delivering ork

gradsingapore STEM Career Guide 2019 | 21

Engineering | Areas of work

FAST-MOVING CONSUMER GOODS (FMCG) Develop and manage manufacturing processes to reduce costs and wastage while ma imising productivit

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he fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry provides consumers with essential products to fulfil their daily needs and wants, such as household cleaning goods, toiletries, cosmetics, as well as food and drink products.

Companies are commonly divided into two categories: those that manufacture a wide range of products, such as Procter & Gamble and Unilever; and corporations that stick to only one category of products, like L’Oreal (cosmetics and toiletries) and Nestl (food and beverage).

Career overview Engineers in FMCG mainly develop and manage manufacturing processes to reduce wastage and cost while maximising output. Thousands of units of a product can come out in just one production line every minute, and engineers need to continually develop new machines or processes to keep up with consumer expectations concerning such products.

Graduates will work alongside experienced engineers as part of a small team with responsibility for part of a process or a project, which could focus on improving an existing line or installing new technology. Many FMCG companies buy production lines off the peg and then customise and optimise them for their own purposes.

Trends and developments Sustainability and reliability are two major keywords among FMCG employers.

FMCG businesses are interested in maintaining consistency – investing in machinery maintenance, automation, unmanned systems, and programmable logical controllers to produce a consistent standard.

Machinery breakdowns can cause huge losses for this sector. For this reason, engineers working in this sector spend a lot of time developing, improving, and maintaining industrial manufacturing processes, machines, and systems to accommodate the bulk and speed of production.

The ultimate goal is total automation – where machines and production lines can be set running and left to operate almost full-time with no human intervention.

Career highlights ood training ground Manufacturing facilities are pressurised environments, but also brilliant training grounds. Engineers face new challenges every day and you’ll learn quickly about processes, equipment design and people.

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areer progression opportunities Career progression opportunities usually come after a year or two, where you can be promoted to managing a production line and its staff, or to developing and implementing more effective systems or technology.

There are lots of opportunities to progress into interesting roles because the industry is so dynamic and embraces change to keep advancing.

Skills required in fast-moving consumer goods le ibilit eaders ip skills ound decision-making skills ood communication skills A ention to detail Abilit to ork under pressure pdated and compre ensive kno ledge of t e industr

Engineering | Areas of work

FOOD MANUFACTURING

ngineers are t e essential link in ge ng food onto consumers tables

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he food manufacturing industry in Singapore extends across a huge range of products: from flavours and sauces to ready-made meals, confectionery, and beverages.

Employers in this industry include large FMCG companies like Nestl and Suntory, fast food companies, food merchandisers, or producers of edible additives. Plenty of major players in the global processed food industry have strong manufacturing presences in Singapore, since its position as a regional logistics hub allows for easy export to other ASEAN countries and to global markets.

Career overview Engineers play an important role in this industry’s supply chain – they are the ones managing the processes, equipment, supplies, and distribution channels to ensure that high-quality food products successfully reach the customer.

In terms of job roles, graduates may end up in either the production or research divisions. Production roles tend to focus more on the manufacturing aspect of the supply chain, and they’ll be working a lot with production machinery and optimising processes.

Conversely, in the research division, they’ll be more focused on discovering better ways to produce specific food products – for instance, lengthening the shelf-life of an item, or researching new chemicals to reduce processed ingredients.

Trends and developments Unmanned equipment and automated processes are the watchwords in this industry, and it is up to engineers to discover solutions to optimise production while maintaining constant quality.

Increased automation, however, has made it easier for the major industry players to consolidate their operations, so make it a point to keep up with such exchanges. Know who is acquiring whom, and consider the impacts that it may have on the industry – both short and long term.

Another growing trend is also the focus on organic ingredients or sociallyresponsible food processing, as a more health-aware and socially-conscious generation holds production practices along the food manufacturing supply chain in deeper scrutiny.

For this industry, timely yet hygienic delivery is a perpetual pursuit – food items are highly perishable, and must be delivered with minimal risk of contamination.

Career highlights pportunit to ork overseas If you’re attached to a global company, you may get to work overseas and experience new working cultures.

Japanese food companies, for instance, typically require new staff to be seconded at their production headquarters in Japan for a period of time in order to immerse new hires in the company’s in-house production standards and culture. ood training ground Many of the larger employers in this field run graduate schemes, which provide graduates with excellent training and opportunities to experience working in different areas of the food manufacturing business.

Skills required in food manufacturing eam orking skills Interpersonal skills roblem-solving abilit Anal tical mindset Abilit to ork under pressure ood time management

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Engineering | Areas of work

MATERIALS AND METALS

Engineers in the materials and metals sector have the chance to develop rare allo s and discover brand ne materials

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lmost every engineering and technology industry is dependent on the materials and metals sector, where materials and components are supplied and/or developed for companies and manufacturers.

This sector covers a broad scope: from the provision of raw materials and research into new compounds, to the manufacturing and sale of completed products. Due to the competitive nature of this industry, it is common for materials suppliers to differentiate themselves through value-added approaches.

One such approach is through specialisation – focusing on specialised products, such as coated steel, rare metal alloys, or the development of materials for specific purposes.

Career overview Materials and metals companies serve many industries, developing new products and processes, as well as solving problems for customers. In both research and manufacturing roles, projects vary from short, quick turnaround projects, such as implementing general efficiency improvements in production, to longer-term strategic projects, such as expanding a product por olio into new markets.

Working in manufacturing facilities is fast-paced as engineers have to react to the daily challenges of keeping production facilities running. They have to apply their technical knowledge and communicate fresh ideas persuasively.

You need the confidence to communicate with people from all backgrounds.

Graduate opportunities in materials and metals in Singapore can be grouped into two broad categories.

The first is production roles with companies running local materials production facilities, such as NatSteel.

The second category is operational or sales roles with materials and metals companies running operational/trading hubs in Singapore, such as BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.

Trends and developments One issue that continues to plague the industry is its harmful effect on the environment. Materials and metals suppliers are thus constantly working on developing efficient production and waste management systems to address problems such as industrial pollution.

The high energy and material cost involved in each production cycle is another chief industrial concern. Many materials companies are re-evaluating their product por olio and inventory to optimise their resources for maximum profit.

New and more durable materials are also emerging, such as bio- and nano-materials, which may determine the growth pathway of the industry.

Composites are another huge potential growth area for this sector.

Career highlights arge-scale of production The sheer scale of materials production can be very exciting, considering the fast-paced nature of the industry and its global reach – from mines in one continent to refineries and manufacturers in another. This translates to a huge variety of possible job roles in this sector as well.

D namic and e citing career This is an exciting sector to work in as you have a variety of tasks at any stage of the production cycle. Depending on your position, you may be involved in backend responsibilities, such as developing new materials, products, and processes; or front-end duties like liaising with clients or closing supply deals.

Skills required in materials and metals engineering Anal tical skills eaders ip skills ective organisational skills ommunication and interpersonal skills Commercial awareness eam orking skills

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Engineering | Areas of work

PHARMACEUTICALS

Engineers help overcome environmental issues and drive p armaceutical drug discoveries in t is sector

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he pharmaceutical industry offers work in a broad range of drug manufacturing and development work, such as classic pharmaceuticals (prescribed medicines), biopharmaceuticals (such as vaccines), medical technology, and consumer business (over-the-counter medicines).

Singapore is widely acknowledged as a top-rated clinical and biomedical R&D centre in Asia. Its high status has managed to attract leading biomedical companies, such as GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis, which have contributed to a highly innovative and competitive industry landscape.

Pharmaceutical engineers thus have access to an ample amount of resources when working on their projects.

Career overview Pharmaceutical engineers are mostly involved in researching and manufacturing prescriptions and products. They may work alongside pharmacists and chemists to develop active medicinal ingredients and then synthesise it into a consumable product, or maintain and optimise pharmaceutical production facilities.

Projects that involve pharmaceutical engineers typically have long timescales.

It can take seven to ten years to develop a product, run clinical trials and then launch it – and less than ten percent of products that are trialled make it to market.

The industry is heavily regulated, which slows down the rate of change, but it’s also demanding and fast-paced.

Most large pharmaceuticals companies are global; you can work anywhere or stay in one place.

Trends and developments Globally, the pharmaceutical industry is under pressure to make medication more affordable to patients in lowerincome brackets and countries.

Companies are thus now investing in improving production efficiency and yields via automation to keep costs to patients low while still maintaining profit margins.

Constant regulatory updates on drug manufacturing quality are another challenge that pharmaceutical companies face. Engineers are thus needed to develop increasingly sophisticated production line monitoring and measurement systems in order to maintain higher production standards.

There is also an increased consumer demand for lifestyle and age-related illness medication (e.g. heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s). Heightened focus on gene research and vaccine development has led to trending growth in the production of biopharmaceutical and biological medical products worldwide.

Career highlights

effective manufacturing strategies. They also get to develop state-of-the-art technology that the industry has not exploited before. ide e posure As a pharmaceutical engineer, you will be working in project teams made up of different disciplines: research involves mainly scientists and chemical engineers; industrialisation and commercialisation require various engineers alongside more corporate roles.

That said, you get to learn while working alongside colleagues from other departments and disciplines.

Skills required in pharmaceuticals Adaptabilit atience pro ects ave long timescales Abilit to take on ig levels of responsibilit Accountabilit

Abilit to make a positive impact Pharmaceutical engineers are able to contribute to the betterment of people’s health and help improve quality of life.

D namic industr

Abilit to ork in fast-paced environment eam orking skills Interpersonal skills ime management skills

Pharmaceutical engineers have the opportunity to work in a rapidly-evolving industry that encourages adoption of advanced medical technology, new products development, as well as gradsingapore STEM Career Guide 2019 | 25

Engineering | How to Get Hired

GETTING AN ENGINEERING GRADUATE JOB efore ou even appl for engineering obs ou must kno at to e pect as a professional engineer

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he world needs engineers, and so does Singapore as the nation continues to invest in the industry to attract local talent.

But while you may be keen to use your engineering degree or diploma to kickstart your professional journey, you must first have some basic idea of what to expect from the industry.

Here are just some of the most typical questions asked by an engineering job seeker.

Here are just some of the most typical questions asked by an engineering job seeker.

What are the different areas of work?

Engineering graduates are welcomed in many areas, such as aerospace, automotive, chemicals, electronic, and rail. They are also greatly valued in industries where machines and technologies are involved, such as FMCG, manufacturing, and telecommunications.

Depending on the industry, engineering roles can vary in scale from the development of nanotechnologies and electronic devices, to the construction of grand structures like refineries or a field of solar panels.

How can I get a job with an engineering company?

Employers greatly value graduates who can contribute to the company with a good mix of technical knowledge and commercial awareness.

Larger recruiters will typically hire through graduate training programmes, which can be competitive. Having previous work experience – whether gained through internships, industrial placements, or part-time jobs with related employers – can give you an edge over other applicants.

Smaller firms, on the other hand, tend to hire directly into specific entrylevel roles.

What qualifications and skills do I need?

While the industry does welcome graduates from all disciplines for more commercial positions, specific engineering roles require a relevant engineering degree.

Employers may be selective of the education level of their applicants as well. While some are open to recruiting graduates with BEng and MEng degrees, other industry employers will only hire graduates with a MEng.

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Graduates may also want to consider training to become a chartered engineer, where you can be part of the Chartered Engineer (Singapore) Registry. The programme aims to help distinguish professional engineers.

Recruiters also look out for a variety of soft skills, including: Communication skills – written and verbal Problem-solving ability Analytical skills Teamworking skills Interpersonal skills Commercial awareness Attention to detail The ability to learn quickly Flexibility and adaptability Enthusiasm and motivation

What does the application process involve?

Major engineering firms typically prefer online applications from their careers page or job portals, whereas smaller firms accept C s and cover letters via email. Once your application is processed, you’ll usually be invited for a series of interviews (general and technical), tests (numerical, personality, verbal reasoning, etc.), and/or an assessment centre.

Engineering | How to Get Hired

When should I apply?

Unlike most financial and banking institutions which offer graduate programmes with fixed application deadlines, many engineering employers have open recruitment cycles where they accept applications until all vacancies have been filled. That said, a number of them do keep annual deadlines, especially when coordinating a regional/international graduate programme.

Smaller firms also usually hire graduates directly into a specific position as and when it’s needed, so be sure to monitor online portals, job boards, and company websites as often as possible.

What training and development opportunities do employers offer?

Training and development is a high priority in the sector, and employers typically offer professional courses or graduate schemes to help develop engineers. With the government placing emphasis on the Continuing Education and Training (CET) programme, this has become even more important.

What are the working life and hours like?

The job scope and working hours of an engineer is very dependent on the industry that you are in. You might find yourself deskbound, clearing tasks such as calculations and preparing proposals all day, spending time outside of the office overseeing work in a manufacturing facility/construction site, or holding meetings with clients.

Depending on the role, engineers can have a relatively good work-life balance, although you might have to put in extra hours whenever deadlines approach.

Mobility is also important as you may have to travel for client meetings, business trips, or extended placements abroad.

What are the highs and the lows?

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JO

B

Graduate engineers get the chance to work with experienced engineers in multidisciplinary teams and explore cutting-edge technology.

Find personal satisfaction in working on intellectually and technically-challenging problems.

Knowing that their work can benefit society is another plus point.

Engineers may also be required to travel often, which can be both exciting and taxing at the same time.

The sector is also sometimes beset with strict regulations and standard operating procedures, often leading to tedious paperwork.

Work can get frustrating as projects may be abandoned halfway due to a sudden withdrawal of funds.

What other jobs can engineering graduates do?

Obtaining an engineering degree exposes you to a range of transferable skills, such as problem-solving, logicalthinking, and high-level numeracy skills.

This makes engineering graduates very desirable candidates not just for the engineering sector, but also for sectors such as finance, IT, and consultancy. raduates can opt for commercial roles in the sector: e.g. procurement, technical sales, operations management, supply chain management, and logistics.

Another option for graduates is to start out in a tec nical position to gain more e perience before switching to another area in the future: e.g. management or business functions.

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Engineering | How to Get Hired

CHOOSE THE RIGHT ENGINEERING CAREER AND GRADUATE EMPLOYER it t e variet of career options available in t e engineering eld ou s ould take some time to t ink about t e industr ou are passionate about and t e career ou is to pursue

M

ost engineering firms present a good mix of specialist and management career opportunities – each of which offers a very different type of career springboard.

While this may not necessarily determine your future career pathway, it certainly does influence your professional growth as a graduate engineer For this reason, it’s important that you put some thought into applying to the right employer and position, and consider the following questions: at are our priorities Developing your technical knowledge to become an expert in that particular field, or throwing yourself into the thick of the action in a manufacturing plant? at t pe of function suits best

ou

A customer and product-oriented role, such as in the supply chain management, or a strategy planning-related position in project management?

These are only broad guidelines for you to think about. If you’re still unsure, then you may want to try applying into a rotational training programme, offered annually. These are mostly offered by larger engineering firms, and they allow you the opportunity to “sample” duties across different departments, including commercial and technical ones.

However, depending on the employer, the structure of these programmes may or may not be rolespecific. Some engineering firms will

want their graduate employees to experience the best of both worlds, offering programmes that cross technical and non-technical fields. Others are more particular, sorting applicants out into “streams” upon admission.

On the other hand, smaller organisations prefer recruiting directly into specific engineering roles, so make sure that you know what you’re aiming for if you’re applying to such firms.

Choosing your working environment Start by considering whether you’re more suited to a fast-paced or research-based working environment.

Factories and manufacturing plants tend to be more exciting, requiring a lot of immediate attention and action. Inversely, the R&D and design departments may provide more chances to work with technology, but at a slower pace.

How about spending most of your working hours outdoors? Some positions will require you to travel and perform your duties out of the office, such as the construction sites.

Others such as design engineering, are mainly office-based. If you’re the type who gets bored by a desk-bound vocation, then you may want to opt for an engineering specialisation that can sate your wanderlust.

The working environment may also affect the type of opportunities and projects that are offered to graduate

28 | gradsingapore STEM Career Guide 2019

engineers. Larger organisations with structured training schemes will usually let you participate in big international projects, supported by a good network of senior engineers.

Smaller organisations, in contrast, are more selective with their projects, usually going for specialised niches. The lesser manpower at such firms means that you’ll be given early responsibilities, which translates to faster growth and more experience for your career. While this may also mean that the learning curve may be quite steep, you may achieve early acknowledgement if you can pick things up fast enough Others such as design engineering, are mainly office-based. If you’re the type who gets bored by a desk-bound vocation, then you may want to opt for an engineering specialisation that can sate your wanderlust.

The working environment may also affect the type of opportunities and projects that are offered to graduate engineers. Larger organisations with structured training schemes will usually let you participate in big international projects, supported by a good network of senior engineers.

Smaller organisations, in contrast, are more selective with their projects, usually going for specialised niches. The lesser manpower at such firms means that you’ll be given early responsibilities, which translates to faster growth and more experience for your career. While this may also mean that the learning curve may be quite steep, you may achieve early acknowledgement if you can pick things up fast enough

Engineering | How to Get Hired

What are you prepared to do?

Before you decide on who you want to work for, think about how far you’re willing to go for your work. Consider the following: Are you prepared to move around the region for your work, or travel overseas on secondments and longterm project assignments? How long would you be willing to do so?

Or are you more comfortable being rooted in the office, where you can build positive working relationships with your team members?

Oil and gas engineers, for instance, are usually required to be particularly mobile – often travelling offshore to oil rigs and refineries. On the other hand, a process controller may find themselves tied to a specific manufacturing plant, monitoring its operational efficiency day in and day out.

Think about the hours that you’re willing to clock in as well. It’s common, for instance, for manufacturing engineers to have to do shift work, whereas those involved in maintenance sometimes work odd hours. If keeping ordinary working hours of 9-to-6 is a priority, then perhaps other engineering specialisations will be more suited for you.

Obtaining additional professional qualifications Another concern that you may want to consider is the educational support that you may get from your employer.

Are you aiming to become professionally qualified as a chartered engineer or an incorporated engineer? Do you also have plans to get a postgraduate degree?

Some recruiters do provide support and opportunities for additional qualifications. Be sure to clarify with employers, however, because some will only support your studies to a certain

“

“

Before you decide on who you want to work for, think about how far you’re willing to go for your work.

level. Also, make sure to ask about alternative training opportunities – both internal and external – and other forms of sponsorship that can benefit you or help you with your career progression.

Make the match Don’t neglect the culture fit between you and the potential employer either See if you can request for a tour around the workplace during interviews to get a feel for the company culture or the kind of work that inspired you to apply to this employer in the first place.

Additionally, if you have the opportunity, try speaking to current employees or any connections you may have within the company for an insider’s view. You can also use this time as an opportunity to observe your potential colleagues. More often than not, if you’re comfortable talking to them from the get-go, you’ll be fine working with them if you do get hired.

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Engineering | How to Get Hired

PERFECT YOUR ENGINEERING CV ere are some tips on o to rite t e ideal engineering a ention of recruiters

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C should be no more than two pages of A4 – but what information should you be including? How should you fit all the information about yourself into one single document?

The overall aim of a C is to market yourself and your skills in order to convince recruiters that you are a good fit to the role and company you are applying for. In other words, a wellwritten C is key to landing an interview with prospective employers.

Make a positive first impression by crafting an effective C with our tips and sample C .

The golden rules for engineering CVs Tailor your C to each employer.

Keep a master copy and tweak it to each application.

Make sure your C is easy to read: choose a clear font in a reasonable size, word your headings clearly and consider using bullet points to break up the text.

Use a skills-focused or chronological format for your C , depending on what sells you best.

The most common CV format is the reverse-chronological C , which focuses primarily on work history and education. If you follow this approach, make sure the chronology is clear and there are no major time gaps to confuse or worry employers.

Do graduate engineering CVs need personal statements?

Many students start with a brief personal statement outlining their abilities and aspirations. It is advisable for graduate engineers to include a short profile in their C s that briefly outlines their motivations for applying and why they would be a good fit with the company.

Be specific and keep it relevant to the engineering job in question. It’s a waste of space to say: “Student with great teamworking skills seeks challenging job”. For instance, it’s far better to say: “Final-year mechanical engineering student with particular interest in aerodynamics seeks graduate role in the defence industry”.

A chronological CV is the most common type of C , particularly if you’ve already worked a couple of jobs in the past. This format is best for highlighting work experience and the lessons you’ve learned on the job.

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A skills-focused is useful if you’re applying for a highly-specialised job that requires a specific skill set.

It’s also a good format to use if you have very little prior experience.

to catc t e

Educational history – how much detail do engineering companies want?

Your educational history from your university years should include your predicted or actual degree class, information on group projects and your dissertation, any modules relevant to the job, and relevant academic awards.

Engineering employers don’t need to know the specifics of modules that don’t relate to them.

Should I include nonengineering experience in my CV? Many engineering employers look very favourably on achievements and experiences outside engineering. These can be a real boost if you haven’t been able to secure engineering work experience – and can give you an extra edge.

Examples worth mentioning include fundraising, voluntary work or taking a leading role in a university society. You can also mention part-time work or summer jobs. However, don’t go into detail: summarise your achievements and any transferable skills developed that will be useful in your engineering career.

Engineering | How to Get Hired

Crafting an effective engineering CV Here’s a sample of an engineering C detailing the information that you should be including in order to convince recruiters that you’re the right candidate for the job.

erem

ong

Email: jeremy wong@gmail.com

Mobile: 8765 8903

D A I 2016 – Present Singapore University, Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, Honours Relevant modules: Circuits and systems; signals and communications; microwave systems and circuits.

Final year project on auto intensity control of street lights.

Give contact details at which recruiters can easily get hold of you. Ensure your email address sounds professional.

Include university modules that are relevant to the job instead of listing them all.

Devote plenty of space to relevant work experience, highlighting what you achieved and how it benefitted the company.

Where relevant, summarise what you learned from an experience.

Include part-time or holiday jobs, highlighting transferable skills obtained, but devote less space to these and more to relevant experience.

Many engineering employers will be interested to know about your IT skills, but don’t exaggerate your abilities.

Including references on your C is optional. If you can’t fit them in, write ‘References available on request’.

I 2018 (July to September) Future Electronics Singapore, Intern Actively sourced for potential Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) suppliers of key components in the Southeast Asian region.

Identified more cost-effective alternatives to key components used in company products. Theoretically reduced production costs by 5 as a result.

Communicated directly with senior management during the sourcing process, and submitted report of findings to them.

2017 (June to August) Research Assistant, Fiber Optics Lab, Singapore University Assisted in research on power fiber laser systems and their practical industrial applications.

Set up, maintained and catalogued equipment used in research experiments.

Coded programme to filter and analyse gathered data, in order to assist with interpretation of research findings.

A 2016 (June to September) Volunteer Vocational Trainer, Craft a Change Organisation olunteered as a trainer for a robotics vocational programme for underprivileged teenagers.

Taught a class of 26 teenagers. Successfully designed and taught programmes such as building and programming a Pet Bird robot and a race car.

The experience taught me the value of patience and good communication. It also gave me a lot of satisfaction knowing I imparted knowledge to underprivileged individuals who may use these skills to potentially better their future.

M M I 2014-2016 Customer Service Assistant, Tesco (part-time) Duties included working on the checkout and at the customer service desk.

Helped develop my commercial awareness and communication skills.

ADDI I A I I Able to program in C and Java.

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

Dr d in ong Senior Lecturer Faculty of Engineering, Singapore University

Mr omas umar Operations Manager, Future Electronics Singapore

Tel: 9085 6721 Email: edwin.wong@su.edu.sg

Tel: 9983 7832

Email: kumar.thomas@future-e.com

gradsingapore STEM Career Guide 2019 | 31

Engineering | How to Get Hired

COVER LETTER TIPS FOR THE GRADUATE ENGINEER onvince engineering emplo ers t at ou re t e rig t person for t e ob it an a ractive cover le er

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ost engineering graduates have a fairly wide range of career options open to them.

Outside the engineering sector, graduate engineers are sought after for their numerical skills and problem-solving abilities. Within the sector, on the other hand, there’s a wide range of industries and job types that engineers of most disciplines can choose from.

Your cover letter, therefore, is a chance to convince the engineering employer in question that you want to work in their industry, for their specific organisation, and in the job role advertised.

Here are some tips on how you can successfully sell yourself to recruiters using a cover letter.

Research matters!

The trick is to have a clear idea as to what the company does and what the

job entails, then draw out evidence of your own skills, interests and experience that relate to this. “I’m applying to you because you are a vibrant, international company that is a market leader in the automotive industry” (flattery) won’t get you anywhere.

A much better approach is to: Clearly state your career aim Say specifically what attracts you about that particular employer (e.g. you could mention a couple of projects the company has been involved in that interest you) Mention a work placement, project or module you have enjoyed that relates to the role in question Showing an understanding of the company in your cover letter will illustrate that you’ve done your research. Pick out the key bits that fit with your application and relate them to yourself.

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Accuracy and professionalism – vital for graduate engineers Careers in engineering demand professionalism and accuracy, whether for communicating effectively with clients, suppliers or non-technical colleagues, or for ensuring that calculations are correct.

Make sure that your use of written English in your cover letter reassures recruiters that you have these qualities.

If written communication isn’t your strong point, refresh your knowledge of punctuation and grammar before you start, and run draft copies of your cover letter through trusted friends or careers advisers.

Engineering | How to Get Hired

What an ideal cover letter should include

Address t e recipient b is or er title and surname If t ese aren t stated on t e ob ad get in touc and ask ever use ‘Sir or Madam’ or ‘To whom it may concern’.

Dear Ms Jones, I am writing to apply for the Graduate Water Treatment Engineer vacancy (ref A123) advertised on gradsingapore.com. I graduated early this year with a B.Eng. in Chemical Engineering from Singapore University. I am seeking my first role in the water industry and enclosed is my C for your consideration.

I am interested in the Graduate Water Treatment Engineer role at XY Water Consulting as I wish to apply my knowledge of the waste management industry as well as my understanding of chemical processes and biotechnology developed during my undergraduate degree.

I wish to work for a consultancy as I particularly enjoy working on projects that provide a clear business benefit and am keen to work with clients and stakeholders. During a three-month placement with BioChem, I produced a report outlining how the organisation could reduce the waste from its processes by 30 . On a six-month industrial placement with Western Electric, I produced a report on how byproducts could be harnessed to create more energy, which is now being implemented. I have also completed an optional Waste Management in Business’ course in Singapore University, learning about business skills and functions, and have strong customer service skills developed through working as a Customer Service Assistant.

I have a basic understanding of InfoWorks CS, strong programming ability in C and Java, and good working knowledge of Excel.

I am available for an immediate start and able to attend an interview at any time.

Yours sincerely,

State clearly which position you are applying for. If the job ad specifies a reference number, include it. ery briefly mention your qualification for this position.

Mention why you are applying to this specific job. Highlight briefly why you would be the right choice for the role and that you have taken time to understand the company.

Link the job requirements to your skills.

A cover letter is a chance to add clarity and detail to certain points on your C . If you have achieved something specific in your work placements, highlight your relevant achievements here.

If you have additional, specific skills that are relevant to the job, mention them briefly as well.

Benjamin Low State your availability for interview and to start work.

Sign off professionally. ‘Yours sincerely’ is always a safe bet.

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Engineering | How to Get Hired

TECHNICAL INTERVIEWS FOR GRADUATE ENGINEERING JOBS it t e rig t preparation ou can feel con dent to talk tec nical in ob intervie s and land our coveted engineering ob

E

ngineering employers want to assess your technical abilities, drawing out your experience and knowledge to see how well you match the role and how easily you can get your head around unfamiliar scenarios.

Graduates applying for an engineering job should expect some competency-based questions to make sure you really do have the experience and background as stated on your C .

The most likely technical assessment is a technical interview but you could also face: A short test A presentation Some technical questions within a more general interview A technical exercise, for example a case study group exercise at an assessment centre

What form do technical interviews take?

This depends on the employer but recruiters will typically be testing your technical competence and your basic understanding of engineering principles.

They will also be gauging how well you can explain technical concepts that you’re familiar with, in front of an audience who are not.

Many technical interviews will start off in familiar territory, asking you about modules and projects from your curriculum that you found interesting or that relate directly to the organisation’s work.

It’s essential to do some preparation – here’s a general guide on how you can prepare for it:

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Brush up on your basic engineering knowledge, particularly subjects that tie in with the recruiter’s line of business, as you may be tested on this.

Get an insight into the employer’s activities and any issues that may be of concern to the industry.

Find out what sort of work the organisation does and from that, you can anticipate the sort of basic questions you might be asked relating to its work. For example, an employer that constructs oil and gas facilities might ask you questions about steel structures, so you should brush up on your general knowledge about steel.

Engineering | How to Get Hired

In many ways, a technical interview focuses on how you communicate technical ideas and information rather than whether you know everything.

It’s perfectly alright to ask for further clarification if you need it and if a sketch or diagram can help you explain something, ask for a piece of paper. Engineering projects rarely present textbook problems, so your future employer wants to see how you approach and solve a problem.

How can a candidate recover if they get stumped?

If you’re lucky enough to receive more than one job offer, this could help you decide which to accept. Being proactive and asking questions will also make a good impression on employers – it shows that you are thinking seriously about whether you are suited for the role.

Top tips for technical interviews Avoid jargon and acronyms.

When talking about your experience and achievements, focus on your personal contribution.

Listen to the questions properly before diving into your answer.

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In many ways, a technical interview focuses on how you communicate technical ideas and information rather than whether you know everything.

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It’s not about getting the right answers!

Don’t let it phase you. Pause, perhaps ask the interviewers some questions, and try to work things out.

If you don’t know the answer, honesty is the best policy. Recruiters don’t always expect candidates to know the answers to all the questions, especially when the question asked is not intended to test your technical knowledge but rather your ability to think on your feet.

Hence, don’t try and guess or make things up. It’s better to own up if you are unsure about something.

Can a candidate ask their own questions in a technical interview?

Approached in the right way, a technical interview can be a valuable experience, allowing you to learn about employers as well as the other way around. Most interviewers are happy for candidates to ask questions about how the company works and have a two-way conversation.

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Engineering | How to Get Hired

ASSESSMENT CENTRES FOR GRADUATE ENGINEERING JOBS lements suc as group activities presentations and tests are a mainsta of graduate engineering ob assessment centres ere s at to e pect and o to control our nerves

M

ost major recruiters use assessment centres as part of the selection process for their graduate engineering schemes. The content varies from company to company, but there are numerous common elements.

Most recruiters’ assessment centres are designed around their core competences – the skills they most need from their graduate engineers. Technical ability is obviously important, but it’s the soft skills that allow engineers to use this in a business context that really make the difference.

There’s no point designing a brilliant new product or system if you can’t communicate the concept to colleagues, convince them of its potential value to the business, or adapt your ideas in the light of practical or commercial considerations.

Typical activities at engineering assessment centres

for the engineering assessment centre presentation in advance so they have a chance to prepare (e.g. discussing a technical project they have previously been involved with).

Others give candidates their topic on the day of the assessment centre.

This often relates to the employer’s business and may involve candidates doing fact finding or decision making before presenting their conclusions.

Te st s : T h e s e ca n i n c l u d e psychometric tests (for example reasoning tests or numerical tests).

Other tests include personality questionnaires and tests to check that the candidate understands the basic engineering principles of the area in which the employer works.

Some employers also test whether candidates can extract relevant details from a large amount of information, and/or communicate this information. In some cases, this leads to them giving a presentation.

The social side of assessment centres

Common tasks at assessment centres for engineering jobs include the following: Interviews: There may be technical interviews, competency-based interviews, or both. roup activities These often involve discussing and making decisions around a given business issue in small groups. iving a presentation Some recruiters give applicants the topic

As well as formal assessment exercises, most assessment centres include opportunities to chat to recruiters or current employees.

Use the chance to learn more about the business, keeping in mind that their opinion of you is important. Genuine enthusiasm, interest in the company and good manners will take you far.

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Engineering | How to Get Hired

“

“

Remember that employers will be marking you against their selection criteria, not the other candidates.

Dealing with assessment centre nerves Remember that employers will be marking you against their selection criteria, not the other candidates. Keep the employer’s selection criteria in mind throughout the event instead of pitting yourself against other candidates. It’s not a competition No matter how nervous you may feel, try to remember that to succeed at an assessment centre, you will need to participate fully. You might have great technical skills but if the assessors don’t see or hear anything from you, they can’t assess you. If you have something to say that could have an important effect on the outcome of a group exercise, it’s important to get your point across – but make sure to do so without being overbearing or rude.

One key advantage of assessment centres is that you have the opportunity to demonstrate your skills in a variety of situations. Rather than being judged on your performance in one interview by a single interviewer, you’ll be observed in various situations by multiple recruiters and engineers, providing a much more accurate picture. It’s also a chance for you to find out about the organisation – so, just relax and be yourself

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Engineering | How to Get Hired

SKILLS THAT EMPLOYERS LOOK FOR IN ENGINEERS o skills are ust as important as tec nical skills en it comes to ge ng a graduate engineering ob

hile different employers prioritise different competencies depending on their organisation’s vision, values and culture, there are several common soft skills (or transferable skills) that employers look for among graduate candidates.

Here are eight typical soft skills that are highly valued by engineering employers, and how recruiters assess candidates to find out if they possess these skills.

01

Communication skills

What is it?

Communication skills include written and verbal abilities, and interpersonal skills.

In your working life, you’ll have to deal with different people of different levels. Sometimes, you may even have to deal with people of different nationalities who are based in different countries, and time zones.

As such, it’s important for you to adapt your style of communication when necessary.

Recruiters will be impressed by candidates who appreciate and respect each other while still getting the task done, make sure everyone gets their say and, if they challenge other group members, they do so in an appropriate way.

How you will be assessed

What is it?

In group tasks, you may find that other candidates have been given different information from you and that you need to negotiate and decide among yourselves which aspects are most important.

Assessors for many graduate schemes will be interested in whether you have an aptitude for leadership. It’s important to be able to identify the most important facts and communicate these clearly, concisely and enthusiastically to a team.

02

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Leadership potential

Being organised and aware of time constraints while remaining courteous and respec ul in stressful situations are also important leadership qualities.

How you will be assessed Group exercises are a key tool for assessing your leadership potential but this doesn’t mean that you should try to take charge of your group from start to finish. A pushy candidate forcefully taking the lead will be viewed negatively.

However, it’s important to speak out when you have something productive to say, or to challenge a view that you think is incorrect.

Engineering | How to Get Hired

03

Teamworking ability

05

07

Planning skills

Motivation and enthusiasm

What is it?

What is it?

What is it?

Teamwork is a huge part of working life for an engineer, so recruiters are looking for candidates who realise that they can achieve more as part of a team than as individuals and focus on working towards common goals.

At work, you may have to plan your own day-to-day tasks and those of others, as well as organising long-term projects.

How good are you at breaking down tasks, monitoring progress and making contingency plans? Do you typically take the lead in planning and organising how to progress with group work or social events?

Enthusiasm is important in your work with others. To engage and lead a team while working well with customers, it’s a big help to be keen about the task at hand – you need to believe in something yourself to be able to sell it to others.

How you will be assessed Employers value graduates who actively participate; are open, honest and respectful; and who support others.

For instance, listening to what others have to say, building their confidence and encouraging quieter teammates. All these things will be noted in candidates’ behaviour towards each other.

04

Problemsolving skills

How you will be assessed You may be asked in an interview how you went about planning a project or event – for example, a university activity, sporting event, academic assignment or personal project – looking at what you did right and what you learned from it.

The leadership and problemsolving behaviours you show in group tasks, such as considering who will be responsible for what, are also relevant here.

What is it?

Finding innovative solutions to challenges faced by the company are at the heart of excellent problem-solving.

06

Adaptability and flexibility

How you will be assessed Recruiters will be keen to identify genuine enthusiasm. Help yourself out by doing your homework on the companies you are applying to. Ask yourself these questions: What do they do?; where are they located?; and are the roles on offer really what you want?

In group exercises, showing enthusiasm can help bring the team together and lead it forward. In interviews, make sure you mention projects, roles or interests that you are particularly passionate about, even if they aren’t directly related to the position.

08

How you will be assessed

What is it?

At assessment centres, you may be given a task involving a lot of information so it’s wise to note down what you think are the most important points in a fashion that works for you – perhaps as a chart or flow diagram. Remember your notes may be collected and analysed afterwards by the assessors.

This can count in your favour if you’ve been on the right track but unable to get your points across to other team members. You may also be asked in an interview to think of an example of a problem you have solved, describing how you tackled it, what the outcome was and what you learned from the experience.

For some engineering positions, you’ll be expected to be flexible geographically.

Other positions require less travel but employers will still be keen to see a flexible mindset to deal with new methods and processes, enthusiasm for doing new things and willingness to take on tasks or roles that may not have had their structure mapped out for you.

How you will be assessed Doing your homework when you apply will help. In group exercises, assessors may throw in challenges to see how you adapt, for instance, waiting till the task is well under way, then saying that the customer has changed his/her mind about what he/she wants.

Ability to build relationships

What is it?

Engineers must be able to understand and build relationships with their customers, suppliers, teams, managers and other key stakeholders. It’s often not possible to choose who you work with, so you need to be able to assess others’ behaviour and adapt to it.

How you will be assessed Again, recruiters will observe how you interact with other candidates in group exercises and may ask you relevant questions in interviews. For instance, they may ask you to give an example of a time when you have dealt with a difficult person.

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Engineering | How to Get Hired

ENGINEERING: A BEGINNER’S GUIDE ork e perience ill impress graduate recruiters and can elp ou it career decisions

R

ecruiters value work experience.

An engineering placement is the gold standard – it shows that you have hands-on industry experience to complement your degree, demonstrates your commitment to the sector and indicates that you know what to expect when you start your graduate job. It will also help you get a feel of where you want to work, and indicate to employers that your decisions about where to apply are based on more than guesswork.

However, if you can’t manage an engineering placement or you’ve left it too late, don’t worry too much about it – work experience or part-time jobs in any environment (even if it’s in a different industry) can help you develop transferable skills and experience the working world. As such, they too are well thought of by employers.

Engineering placements Some degrees incorporate a year in the industry; if yours doesn’t, you may be able to arrange one. Placements will give you a sense of what life as a graduate engineer is like and help you build skills that are relevant to graduate positions, as well as build up a network of contacts.

A placement is also a great opportunity to get to know an organisation better than you could through simply reading company literature. This will give you a good basis from which to figure out whether it’s the sort of business you could work for on a long-term basis – and whether you feel the area of engineering and kind of role are right for you.

It also gives employers a chance to get to know you better. Many graduate recruiters like to hire students who perform well on their placements and some may even offer sponsorship to help you complete your degree.

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Small engineering companies Small engineering employers may not run formal schemes but can still be a good source of work experience. You could ask to shadow someone in an

Engineering | How to Get Hired

Non-engineering experience Many companies will happily consider your application for graduate jobs even if you don’t have engineering work experience, as long as you’ve done something else worthwhile with your time that you can draw upon when discussing your background and skills.

For instance: art-time ork during university terms or vacations will help you develop communication and teamworking skills. You might even be able to go a step further and come up with a suggestion or improvement that will help the business to prosper. elping to run universit clubs and societies also offers the opportunity to develop skills and provide examples of these. For example, you might have led a team effectively, come up with innovative ideas and carried them through, solved problems or organised events. arit ork volunteering and independent travel will also help you develop in ways recruiters

may appreciate and give you something interesting to talk about in your applications and interview. Furthermore, having a range of interests shows you’re a multidimensional person who is enthusiastic, motivated and likely to be an asset in the workplace.

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Many companies will happily consider your application for graduate jobs even if you don’t have engineering work experience, as long as you’ve done something else worthwhile with your time.

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area or organisation that interests you for a couple of days, volunteer to come in on an unpaid work placement or look for paid, part-time work. Go to your university’s careers service for advice and contacts, and check job boards on online portals.

What’s important is for you to use these as concrete examples of how you have developed skills that are useful for the graduate engineering job you are applying for. Having these experiences on your C is not enough if you do not explain how they make you a good candidate for the job.

Tips for getting an engineering placement Start planning your work experience from your first year of study. Most employers looking for placement students only take applications from the beginning of your second year, but planning ahead is ideal.

Getting an industrial placement isn’t automatic - employers will view your application favourably if you combine good academic results (first year results do matter ) with evidence of career commitment. Have something on your C that will attract interest.

Careers service on campus is a good starting point, but the more people who know you are looking for an internship, the more help you can get.

There is always competition for advertised placements, so apply your networking skills to look for alternatives.

If you really can only find a supermarket job, try to make more of it by asking for additional responsibility. Find out how the business operates and talk to managers. That way, you might be able to get a bit of work experience in a more relevant job function.

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Engineering | How to Get Hired

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO WITH AN ENGINEERING DEGREE? aving an engineering degree doesn t tie ou do n to t e engineering eld forever ere are some alternatives

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ust because you have an engineering degree, it doesn’t mean that you have to be stuck in an engineeringrelated job forever The best thing about an engineering degree is that it equips you with skills – such as logicalthinking, problem-solving, and strong numeracy – that are technical enough for a specialised sector, yet general enough to be transferable to other areas of work.

Most companies have positions where engineering graduates can combine their existing technical skills with commercial, financial, and management opportunities. Here are some alternative career options:

1

Logistics

Whenever something has to be moved from one place to another – whether it’s transporting raw materials to a manufacturing facility, or distributing retail products to customers – that falls under the purview of logistics.

You’ll be responsible for everything that is related to the process: the planning and financial costs, processing and tracking orders, the liaising with other departments, and so on. Two of your main concerns will be expenses and deadlines. It’s your job to balance quality service and timely delivery while minimising costs.

Some of the skills needed: Problem-solving and logical-thinking skills to tackle urgent last minute problems.

Most situations will boil down to a cost-benefit analysis. You’ll need to be able to consider the impact of your choices on the business as a whole.

Good communication skills – you’ll need to be clear and precise when managing colleagues and customers, especially when you need to be firm with them.

2

Operations management

Operations management bridges the manufacturing and the business side of a company, linking them to form an efficient supply chain. As such, work in this area is very diverse; you can be involved in nearly everything – from the purchasing of raw materials to the delivery of a complete product to a customer.

Roles in this area are primarily occupied with planning and implementing strategies to increase productivity and to reduce costs. Here are some notable “engineer” attributes required in this type of work: Analytical-thinking skills to deduce necessary information from compiled data.

Quick-thinking ability to solve problems that may have a huge impact on a process.

Able to see the overall picture and final objectives even as you focus on improving specific areas.

3

Procurement, purchasing, and buying

Procurement is all about scouting for and purchasing equipment, parts, and materials for projects at the right price

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and quality. You’ll have to prepare a list of suppliers and quotations to select from; check on the quality, prices, and schedules; and liaise with transporters and logisticians to ship purchases to the right place at the right time.

Engineers are well-suited for this job because of their familiarity with specific parts, equipment, and materials, which means that they can help with quality control. Here are other qualities that you will need for this line of work: Meticulousness and accuracy in your calculations and handling of the purchases. Some orders can be worth millions of dollars

Engineering | How to Get Hired

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To succeed, you’ll have to learn to strike a balance between providing good customer service and minimising costs. You’ll also need to understand the functions of other teams as well as their individual roles to improve processes and act as a liaison between different parts of the operation.

Many engineering graduates branch out to this particular field because of its focus on quantitative skills.

An engineering background helps with picking up necessary technical knowledge, which can lead to better business decisions. Pay attention to these skills:

The ability to work under pressure and think fast because you may have to contend with tight deadlines and last-minute problems.

Good communication and negotiation skills to bargain with your vendors.

A good technical understanding of the process that you are purchasing for. You’ll need to accurately gauge timescales and the impact of any changes you make.

4

Supply chain management

Supply chain management manages raw materials, production lines, manufacturing processes, and logistics to maintain a steady supply of products to customers, ensuring that nothing is delivered late or lost.

Analytical and investigative skills to seek out new opportunities and strategies that may boost profits.

Effective communication skills, as you’ll be working with people from a variety of backgrounds – from business managers to line technicians.

5

Technical consulting

Technical consulting offers broader business-oriented opportunities, and will usually involve using mathematical and computational theories to troubleshoot problems that impact the profitability of a business. Engineers are highly sought after in this field for their technical knowledge.

As a graduate, you’ll usually start off in this line of work with researchbased duties, but will eventually move up into performing data analysis and statistical modelling to help clients solve commercial problems.

Other skills that will help you in this line of work: An eye for detail, superior logical reasoning, and keen problemsolving skills. You will be dealing with tremendously large volumes of data (also know as Big Data).

Excellent communication skills for presenting technical information and analyses to audiences from a nonengineering background.

Specialist knowledge to advise others on the implementation of specialised technology or equipment.

6

Technical sales

Technical sales is a branch of sales that focuses on selling highly technical products or solutions to specialised clients. You will need to persuade clients that your organisation’s expertise and products can meet their requirements.

This requires a solid understanding of both their business and their needs.

A solid engineering background is essential – you’ll need to understand clients’ technical issues and challenges, as well as how your organisation can help them address those problems.

Other skills that you may need as a successful technical salesperson: A disciplined nature will help you remain level-headed in a sales environment, especially when under duress.

Good communication and listening skills, as well as attention to detail.

You’ll need to absorb and interpret information on a regular basis.

Self-motivation and a positive nature will make you more approachable, and will help with generating new business opportunities.

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Engineering | How to Get Hired

CONSIDERING A POSTGRADUATE DEGREE IN ENGINEERING Doing our postgraduate studies can open up plent of ne opportunities but at are some of t e t ings t at ou must consider before making our decision

hile a postgraduate degree does not automatically lead to employment opportunities, it does greatly impact your career direction.

It is highly advisable, however, to spend some time gaining experience in the field before pursuing a postgrad, so that you’ll know for certain which area to specialise in your course of study.

Additionally, years of dedication to an employer might also lead to some form of support from the company.

Here is a brief outline of some of the certifications that an engineering student may consider for their postgraduate studies – whether locally or overseas.

MA courses Most master’s courses typically take no more than a year for a full-time student, allowing you to specialise in a specific area of interest. If you already have a BEng degree, it may even speed up the process of achieving a chartered status.

An engineering postgrad student can select from three types of courses: e M c Masters of cience M es Masters of esearc and M il Masters of ilosop Each degree provides you with indepth knowledge of a specific subject, but has very different course structures.

MSc is course-based and may sometimes require the submission of a short dissertation.

MRes and MPhil are typically research-oriented. These two degrees are better suited if you plan to continue with a doctorate degree, as they will help you build your foundation in research skills.

Working adults may opt for part-time courses instead, although these courses may take up to two or three years.

Also, you may want to speak to your employer before applying for the course to gauge the level of support they can provide you with – for example, allowing you to adopt a more flexible schedule to accommodate both work and school, or any form of financial backing.

Doctorate courses There are two types of doctorate courses available for engineering students, the traditional doctorate (PhD) and the engineering doctorate (EngD), each catering to different needs.

PhD A PhD usually takes about three years to complete, and involves groundbreaking research. This route is typically recommended for those interested in becoming an academic.

You will primarily be guided by a supervisor as you conduct your research, although there will be plenty of opportunities to work alongside other PhD students and researchers.

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While some may opt to do a purely academic PhD, many others may incorporate industry-related training from an industry partner for a more practical and hands-on experience.

Depending on university requirements, you may have to commit at least three months to working on the premises of the industry partner.

Engineering | How to Get Hired

“

It is highly advisable to spend some time gaining experience in the field before pursuing a postgrad, so that you’ll know for certain which area to specialise in.

011100 101100 001100 011110

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EngD Engineering doctorates can take up to four years to complete. An engineering doctorate typically focuses on researching about and finding solutions to contemporary industrial issues in the sector.

While EngD students are required to go for taught courses on specialist technical and professional development subjects related to the area of research, onsite industrial training will take up nearly 75 percent of their time.

Graduates with an EngD typically go on to become highly-specialised experts in their own field, guiding others interested in their area of expertise.

Funding

Location

In Singapore, there are scholarships offered by universities, government bodies, and companies to help postgraduate students. You will need to communicate with the respective departments for more information.

For instance, the NUS Graduate School offers the Commonwealth Scholarship for Integrative Sciences and Engineering for students from any of the Commonwealth countries, whereas A STAR has the National Science Scholarship and various collaborations with international universities around the globe.

You may also want to keep an eye out for international scholarships offered by various third-party funding organisations.

Opting to study locally or at your alma mater is a good idea given that you will be familiar with the culture and staff in the university.

You may also get special waivers or access to additional sources of funds, but don’t reject the idea of doing your studies in a different institution. Doing your postgraduate studies in a new environment gives you the chance to explore new networks, academic sources, as well as expertise. Be sure to run a basic check on the institution’s admission requirements, facilities provided, and the resources that will be made available to you.

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Engineering | Features

TOP THREE TRENDS IN ENGINEERING FOR GRADUATES TO KNOW e pressure is on for t e industr to embrace t e digital transformation and keep up it market demands

I

n recent years, the engineering industry has gone through exciting changes and seen ground-breaking developments, such as the rise of automation and the application of intelligent machines. These developments, combined with Singapore’s plan to transform itself into a Smart Nation, have led to a strong demand in a future-ready engineering workforce and people who are well-versed in new and advanced technology tools that bring business value.

Keeping up with what’s trending in the industry will not only provide graduates with an idea of the job opportunities that these advances have opened up, but also awareness of the skills needed for them to be more employable.

Here are three significant industrial trends graduates should take note of (and impress engineering recruiters with ).

Trend #1

Automation and Robotics The rise of automation and robotics may not be a new trend, but they continue to revolutionise the engineering sector.

Robots and machines are displacing workers, dominating workplaces and becoming the true backbone of many companies while humans just manage them on the sidelines.

A notable example of a company that has integrated automation and robotics into their operations is SIA Engineering.

Recently, the company deployed air tugs that allow the ground crew to move an aircraft backwards wirelessly and air casters to float heavy objects off the ground. Such devices help ensure that staff welfare is protected, as employees no longer have to perform such strenuous and manual tasks.

Moreover, the use of automated machines and robots are key for fastgrowing industries to manufacture products in high quality and quantity in the shortest possible time. This is important for industry stakeholders, as automating labour-intensive processes also lead to significant cuts in manpower costs.

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What this means for graduate engineers Engineers with the technical skills and knowledge in manufacturing technologies and programming are becoming increasingly high in demand.

Employers are looking for engineers to design, install, programme, operate and maintain machines and robots used in their operations.

Aside from technical skills, recruiters also seek graduate engineers who are investigative and possess problemsolving abilities. Graduates can showcase these traits to prospective employers during their job application process by reading widely about the issues faced by stakeholders in the industry and explaining how they can contribute in the company’s efforts to solve the problems.

Recruiters also value graduate engineers who possess foresight, as well as the ability to look at the bigger picture of how minute details can affect larger processes. These qualities often indicate a candidate’s potential to continually innovate and come up with new applications of technology to solve problems.

Engineering | Features

Trend #2

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) The IIoT is a branch of a larger technological development known as the Internet of Things (IoT), which refers to connecting devices to the Internet and to each other.

This tech application paves way for smart’ processes, where intelligent devices with independent learning abilities are able to communicate the collected data to one another within an integrated system. Imagine a world where your smart fridge is able to order groceries for you because it detected that your fresh milk has gone bad. This is how IoT can be used in a consumer setting.

The IIoT, on the other hand, is the application of IoT technologies in the industrial world, where more is at stake because a single mistake can lead to a high revenue loss.

For instance, a company dealing with the shipping of temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical drugs can benefit from this technology by using real-time data to read the exact condition that the

drugs are exposed to. This allows the company to keep track of whether the goods are exposed to very high or low temperatures. If the products were in fact under these harsh conditions but were checked only after they have reached the destination, it may be too late to save them and the company may end up losing thousands of dollars’ worth of shipment.

MARKETING CONTENT

What this means for graduate engineers The introduction of the IoT technology in the manufacturing industry blurs the line between IT and engineering. Graduate engineers who are seeking employment in the manufacturing industry will need the necessary IT-related skills to remain competitive in the job market.

Following the growing significance of data and automation in the engineering scene, recruiters now highly value technical skills, such as the ability to build machine-learning algorithms as well as AutoCAD (a design software for engineering applications), big data analytics and management skills.

In terms of soft skills, employers seek graduate engineers who are innovative and collaborative. Engineering graduates, who are able to transform ideas into practice or feasible solutions, will attract recruiters from different industries. Employers also value candidates who are collaborative, not just in human-to-human relations, but human-to-machine interactions as well.

What this means for graduate engineers

Trend #3

Sustainable engineering Sustainable engineering attempts to bridge social science with civic engineering and environmental science with the technology of the future.

For Singapore, water scarcity is a real challenge. With the nation’s heavy dependence on imported water, occasional political issues between the Singapore and Malaysia governments

more often than not lead to veiled threats of the latter cutting off the former’s water supply. Understanding that this is not a sustainable water solution, the Singapore government commissioned the construction of a superhighway that collects every drop of used water for treatment and re-use.

NEWater is the product of this deep tunnel sewerage system. As of 2018, there are five NEWater plants supplying up to 40 percent of Singapore’s current water needs.

More can still be done in order to encourage sustainability and selfsufficiency, and this is where engineers can make a difference. With energy efficiency, a particularly pressing concern in the region due to expanding economies and growing populations, the Singapore government is also targeting a 35 percent improvement in energy efficiency and reduction in carbon emission from the 2005 level by 2030.

There is simply no shortage of roles for graduate engineers today.

Given how sustainability is a key consideration for most if not all engineering companies, employers do expect graduate engineers to have an understanding of industrial regulations and ethical codes. In addition, read, research and understand about other technologies and sustainability initiatives introduced in other companies and countries. Find out how you can use these existing solutions and tailor them accordingly to add value to the company that you’re working with.

You should also be commercially aware, as economic feasibility of engineering processes plays a big role in the overall picture of sustainability as well. Take the initiative to attend networking events or employer talks to get an insider’s insight and opinion on the sustainability issues faced by industry players. Be ready to make sustainability the key objective in your job. If saving the environment is your calling, this is the engineering focus for you.

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Engineering | Features

FINDING PURPOSE IN PHARMACEUTICALS Tan Shao An joined the GSK Future Leaders Programme in 2017 after graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) from the National University of Singapore.

Tan Shao An

I am a Production Engineer at the manufacturing plants in Jurong. I attend daily tier meetings to understand the conditions of the plant, including crossfunctional meetings, and walk around the plant to troubleshoot issues. At the heart of the manufacturing plant, I get a broad view of the entire process – the learning opportunities are endless.

Something that surprised me upon joining GSK is how complex it is to make a drug product Apart from manufacturing the product, everything that comes along with the product – all the critical information on the box that the tablets come in, for instance – has to be compliant and inspire trust.

Finding my calling in pharma Back in school, I knew that I wanted to make a meaningful impact in my career and help others. A career in pharmaceuticals feels most aligned to what I want, based on the careers available for my degree.

Getting the role I found out about the GSK Future Leaders Programme (FLP) through an e-mail from my university, and attended a talk on the FLP to speak with past candidates. I hoped to be part of a graduate programme to learn and see more.

I underwent a full-day assessment but it has since been shortened to half a day. Other than micro-exercises, candidates can expect a strengthsbased interview and a group exercise, as well as live job simulation and a video exercise. The face-to-face session helps to determine if your values fit with those of the company.

In my three years here under the GSK Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Future Leaders Programme, I have three rotations, including one potential international rotation. I am also guaranteed of an on-site position in Jurong after the three years.

Challenges and motivations My biggest motivation is the sense of purpose in what we do at GSK. In pharmaceuticals, every little thing that you do has an impact on someone’s life. A key challenge that I face is a lack of technical capability while being responsible for a manufacturing campaign early in my career. Faced with goals like achieving a good yield for competitive pricing, I am glad there are around people around whom I can consult.

The network you build with experienced colleagues and FLP seniors help you overcome these challenges.

Put in the extra effort to understand the situations better.

A memorable project During my first rotation as an Automation Engineer with the Engineering Service department, I led a project to set up a whole new system for auto back-up of the data for the control systems in the manufacturing plant. Aimed at more efficient use of manpower, the project was seemingly simple. Coordinating and leading the project allowed me to learn from everyone and be exposed to how the system works across different functions.

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“

It is important to understand the company’s operations, values and expectations, and how you align with these values and portray these values.

“

About my work

Innovation in my workplace The pharmaceutical industry is moving towards digitalization. At GSK, we use Workplace, a Facebook platform, to keep up-to-date with company-wide announcements and connect with one another.

In manufacturing, to prepare for continuous workflow, we are undergoing training to learn more about it. In a transitional phase, I experience both old and new ways of doing things, and how to adapt accordingly.

Advice to graduates If you have a strong sense of purpose in what you do, the pharmaceutical industry is for you. It is important to understand the company’s operations, values and expectations, and how you align with these values and portray these values.

Engineering | Features

HELPING LIVES, BUILDING COMMUNITIES Lydia Chua joined the GSK Future Leaders Programme in 2017 after graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering) and Master of Science in Supply Chain and Logistics from the Nanyang Technological University.

Lydia Chua

“

I found that it was important for me to do meaningful work aligned to my values.

During university, I learnt that it was important for me to do meaningful work aligned to my values. At the same time, I realised that I enjoy visualising goods and services. Although we may have read about criticisms of big pharma companies, I came to see that pharmaceutical companies save lives by delivering a service. GSK ploughs profits into research and development to sustain new pipelines for new medicines.

Every year, GSK also holds Orange Day, where employees get to volunteer their time and expertise. To me, this makes healthcare bigger than ourselves as we are helping people who need medical aid yet cannot afford it.

“

Getting the role About my work I am now in the GSK Procurement Centre of Excellence, as part of the Project Management and Innovation teams. I work across timezones with teams based in different countries. I have weekly calls with my US-based line manager, and also speak with my mentor who guides me through any roadblock I may face in project management. Having flexible hours help a lot, especially when there are night calls.

Finding my calling in pharma At GSK, we support healthcare systems worldwide. I made the decision to come to GSK after I learnt about the PULSE olunteer Partnership, GSK’s skillsbased volunteering initiative. Applicants need to be in GSK for at least two years before applying to it. The programme lets selected employees take up a fulltime stint in a non-profit organisation at home or abroad for 3 to 6 months.

I read about the GSK Future Leaders Programme (FLP) in an e-mail from the university. I decided to embark on procurement although it is a different path from engineering, as I enjoy interaction with people. As an intersection between business and stakeholders, procurement professionals are problem solvers.

The GSK Procurement FLP is a twoyear programme, with four 6-month rotations. Although the allocation of rotations is subjected to business needs, you are given flexibility and responsibility to choose your rotations, and can speak to the managers about it.

During the inter view, the greatest challenge is to address your vulnerabilities but also demonstrate a proven aptitude for growth & learning.

I shared my fear of public speaking, and how I signed up for NTU Toastmasters to put myself in an uncomfortable position and push past myself.

Challenges and motivations I did a project focused on data analytics, and that was entirely out of my comfort zone. I tried not to get too caught up in negative emotions and leaned on the community around me. Although none of my colleagues were experts in the area, each person had some knowledge, holding a piece of the jigsaw puzzle for me to complete.

A memorable project My first rotation was in global agricommodities and then I had a regional role in media and marketing agency procurement. For the latter, I was assigned a project to support an important regional supplier presentation. It ate into my personal time as we had to handle some logistics in a very short time frame. I got a Bronze recognition award for the effort, but that also served as a sharp reminder to take pride in my own hard work and celebrate successes, even without formal recognition.

Innovation in my workplace To improve efficiency, we have a GSKwide travel expenses app for uploading claims. In Procurement, we have dashboarding where we can access information at our fingertips, and are also looking to work with innovative suppliers.

Advice to graduates Be yourself, be comfortable and confident. The onus is on you to lead an open and mature conversation to help you understand your future employer.

At the same time, the assessors can have a glimpse into who you are in order to assess your culture fit.

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Engineering | Features

SUPPORTING THE BUSINESS OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

About my job I am now on the financial controlling team, and was a commercial project manager in my previous rotation as part of the CAPAP. As a financial controller, I look through financial statements and approach respective colleagues on any figures that require clarification. I regularly meet with colleagues on my team, project managers or technical support staff and engineers, in order to get their feedback on any problems they may be facing in the course of rolling out projects.

About the Siemens Commercial Apprenticeship Program Asia Pacific (CAPAP) Through the CAPAP, I started my rotation in the pre-sales phase, bidding and going through contracts and terms, working with lawyers and negotiating with customers. Then I went to the controlling and execution teams respectively. For my first permanent role after the rotation, I chose to join the execution team, completing my one and a half year bond there and am now in the controlling team, staying on after the bond.

Clinching the role As an undergraduate, I chanced upon the Siemens Commercial Apprenticeship Program Asia Pacific (CAPAP) on the university job portal. I was attracted by the opportunities to rotate across various commercial areas, which helped me find out what I like most and what suits me best. I was also drawn to the overseas theoretical training phases.

The assessment process began with some logical and numerical tests,

followed by a group case study, and an interview with the direct hiring managers. The most challenging part was the group case study. I maintained my confidence and organised my thoughts. I also listened to the opinions of others first before coming up with suggestions.

Working at Siemens

Neo Wen Fang

“

This is a good place to start your career with exposure to diverse cultures and technology.

“

Neo Wen Fang joined the Siemens Commercial Apprenticeship Program Asia Pacific (CAPAP) after graduating with a Bachelor of Business Management, majoring in Finance, from the Singapore Management University.

What sets Siemens apart is our emphasis on sustainable growth. We do not just care about business profits but we develop technologies, helping the world advance in an environmentally friendly way. This makes me proud to be part of Siemens.

project. I learned more as I went along.

There is an advantage to having both commercial and technical knowledge.

Most memorable experiences

Support from mentors

As a Commercial Project Manager, I visited the Batam yard to check on the construction progress of the electrical house modules, also known as E-house modules. The E-house module is a Siemens solution for generating power supply for deep sea usage. I got to see my purchases and the end-product we were building for the customers.

Also, during our overseas theoretical trainings in Bangkok and Malaysia for a month each, we met other CAPAP graduates from ASEAN. Trainers from different fields who had worked in Siemens for at least a decade provided us with different perspectives.

Three months into my rotation as a commercial project manager, my mentor with 15 years of experience in the field guided me for an independent project. Under the CAPAP, I had a formal mentor from the management of another division, whom I met every two months, benefiting from the sharing of knowledge across divisions.

Picking up technical knowledge Starting out, I checked with my colleagues on the technical side when it came to ordering materials. There is a commercial project manager and technical project manager for each

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Some advice Apart from the fun and flexibility, this is a good place to start your career with exposure to diverse cultures and technology. We have a wide range of businesses across industries from Mobility, Building Technologies, to Processes.

Engineering | Features

GENERATING A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Daryl Teo

“

Have a global mindset. Be ready to work with people from around the world.

“

About my job As a Technical Support Engineer, I am part of the team in Power Generation Services for Aero-derivative Gas Turbines, providing quick and comprehensive factory or field service support, maintenance, repairs, replacements, modernizations and upgrades of gas turbines.

For technical support, our focus is on learning and technology. As Siemens is an original equipment manufacturer, when any of our customers experience a gas turbine breakdown, we want to bring the engines up as soon as possible.

Being a Future Maker at Siemens I see myself as a Future Maker, not because of what I do, but because of what the whole company is striving towards. In my department, we are just a small part in driving the whole company

Daryl Teo joined the Siemens Engineering Graduate Programme (EGP), after graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering Science (Mechanical Engineering) and Master of Science in Technology Management from Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

towards a more sustainable future. In power generation, we introduce new technology through our projects, to reduce our carbon footprint, as we move towards low carbon emissions and renewable energy.

When it comes to digitalization, we have digital twins’ of factories and power generation units. In our office, you can use a irtual Reality ( R) set to walk around and see your plants before they are built, which helps to identify any need for rectification.

Drawings, blueprints and diagrams are all digitalized and we give our customers a thumbdrive or CD instead of folders.

maintenance of the engines when it was raining. The field staff just laughed and taught me all there was to know about the task on hand. They made sure a young engineer like me, who had no experience then, could learn from the assignment and be of support to them and future projects.

Four months after joining Siemens, I went to Malaysia with three other young engineers, entrusted to give a customer presentation on engine maintenance.

Some of our recommendations were adopted and that was very encouraging.

About the Siemens Engineering Graduate Programme (EGP)

There is always more to learn due to technological advances. This is both an obstacle as well as a motivation.

Our more experienced colleagues encouraged us to talk and discuss ideas to prevent getting stuck in silos. Handson experiences are also important for an engineer. I asked for more handson work opportunities. We are getting our own facility up and running to provide young engineers with hands-on opportunities.

I underwent the Engineering Graduate Programme (EGP), rotating across three roles in Technical Support over one and a half years, in which I helped to deliver Siemens’ knowledge to our customers in the best way for them to utilise it.

Clinching the role There was a stringent three-stage process, with a written assessment, video interview and a full-day assessment centre. Coming from the Renaissance Engineering Programme (REP) at NTU helped as we acquired broad-based knowledge of engineering and were taught to present business ideas. I also had an internship experience that was closely related.

Most memorable experiences

Motivations and challenges

Some advice Talk to people, especially those in different roles, and talk to your supervisor on whether your role suits you. You can identify other opportunities to grow. Learn as much as you can and contribute back to the company.

You need to have a global mindset.

Be ready to work with people from around the world.

During my six-month overseas posting in the UK, which was my second rotation on the EGP, I was on-site at a port for

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IT & TECHNOLOGY A

A

Cyber security..................................................... 53 Financial technology........................................... 54 Financial software development ........................ 55 Games development .......................................... 56 Hardware development...................................... 57 IT in investment banking .................................... 58 IT in manufacturing ............................................ 59 IT in retail............................................................ 60 IT in telecommunications ................................... 61 IT outsourcing..................................................... 62 IT services ........................................................... 63 Professional services IT ...................................... 64 Technology consulting ........................................ 65 Web Development and e-Commerce ................. 66

I

D

Getting an IT & technology graduate job ........... 68 Choosing the right IT & technology career and employer .......... 70

Perfect Your IT & technology C ......................... 72 Cover Letter Tips for the Graduate IT & tech specialist ........................ 74 Technical Interviews for Graduate IT & tech Jobs ............................... 76 Assessment Centres for Graduate IT & tech Jobs ............................... 78 Technical Skills needed in IT & tech to seal the deal.............................. 80 Soft Skills for IT & tech........................................ 82 Getting an IT internship or placement................ 84 Considering a Postgraduate Degree in IT & tech ....................................... 86

A Top Three Trends in IT and Tech for Graduates to Know .............. 88 Ideating Design for Business............................... 90 Creating the Future through Constant Learning ........................... 91

IT & Tech | Areas of work

CYBER SECURITY

A global increase in t e number of c ber a acks as led to a gro ing demand for c ber securit specialists

A

s companies and organisations become more reliant on IT and technology for their transactions and communications, cyber security has also grown to become a key concern.

For this reason, cyber security specialists – people who work to protect computers, data, networks and programmes from attacks or damage through the development of a range of technologies, processes, and operations – are now in great demand.

Career overview Job opportunities in this sector typically fall under one of the following three roles: onsulting This involves providing risk assessments for clients, followed by advising and counselling clients on the various strategies to help them keep their business safe from attacks.

Engineering: The builders of the community – security engineers or architects are responsible for planning and building IT systems to withstand cyber threats. peration The “guards” of the system – operational security experts monitor the systems for signs of threats.

Cyber security specialists are typically hired by specialist organisations that render their services to other businesses.

However, some organisations, such as banks and online-based companies, do invest in their own cyber security teams.

Pros and cons

Career highlights

Life as a cyber security specialist is almost never dull – not only do you get the chance to work with a variety of clients, ranging from government bodies to commercial businesses, you will also be dealing with new problems or threats all the time.

Depending on your role’s area of work, you will be exposed to very different work styles. In consulting and engineering roles, work is usually project or clientbased, where you’ll be assigned to one or two major clients for 12 to 24 months at one time. Work is done in teams which are usually quite large and you will also be guided by mentors as you gain more experience on the job.

Those working in the operational security side, on the other hand, can anticipate a steeper learning curve, particularly if they show a talent for investigative work. They may work at a security operations centre (SOC), where they run constant surveillance over the systems for their clients.

Alternatively operational staff may also work in digital forensics, where they investigate infected machines or systems; or penetration testing, where they run simulated attacks on clients’ systems to check for vulnerabilities.

Cyber security specialists working in this area may also find their work to be more client-facing than the other two areas.

To progress in your career, it is a good idea to invest in professional certifications or courses that are related to cyber security.

A dynamic industry

Irregular orking ours Keeping one step ahead of cyber criminals can be difficult and you may be expected to dedicate extra working hours during emergencies.

Skills required in cyber security A ention to detail uick-t inking abilities roblem-solving skills rust ort iness specialists must be discrete in t eir ork to ensure con dentialit of t e situation faced b clients

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IT & Tech | Areas of work

FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY (FINTECH) elping banks and insurance rms appl tec nological innovations to en ance t e e cienc of nancial services

T

he growth of financial technology, also known as FinTech, has led to the innovation of traditional financial services and opened up employment opportunities in the industry.

Career highlights Graduates keen on this field can look forward to working on technologies that aim to automate parts of the banking industry, in addition to lending support functions like handling data management, interactions, and transactions between financial firms and their partners or clients.

Career overview Employers are made up of established financial institutions, technology companies, as well as start-up companies, and they typically fall under one of the following three categories: Product providers: Organisations that offer financial products, such as retail and online banks, investment management companies, as well as insurance and actuarial firms. This may also include other less conventional corporations that provide financial services and products.

Service providers: Companies that work hand-in-hand with product providers to offer advisory and other forms of assistance. Financial advisors, actuarial firms, and other business consultancy organisations fall into this category.

Technology providers: Technology “partners” to product and service providers that cater to their software and technology service needs.

In most cases, product and service providers tend to be dominated by large organisations, and most will have a graduate programme to introduce graduate recruits to the IT functions within the company.

The period of the programme may last between three to six months, and at the end of it, you will be assigned to specialise in a field you’re most comfortable with.

Technology providers, on the other hand, are typically smaller in size, and will recruit graduates directly into specific roles instead of graduate programmes.

It is also common for employers to put you in charge of responsibilities early into your role.

As an IT personnel – sometimes also referred to as IT engineers – your work will typically revolve around a few functions: Application development Where you develop applications and software to improve the organisation’s facilities.

Infrastructure: Where you are in charge of building and maintaining the components – both hardware and software – required to host the programmes.

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Support: Where you assist users and handle troubleshooting when required. Your job will involve more client-facing responsibilities compared to the other two roles.

Pros and cons ork satisfaction Many IT personnel find satisfaction in being able to serve the finance community both on a national and global stage, knowing that they have contributed to more efficient banking experience.

Irregular orking ours On most days, work-life balance is quite guaranteed, but every now and then, you may be required to stay back after regular working hours for systems/ network maintenance.

Skills required in FinTech Passion for technology and the nancial services industr Awareness of the latest trends in bot industries A ention to detail ood communication and social skills roblem-solving abilities Integrit and credibilit

IT & Tech | Areas of work

FINANCIAL SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT o are developers are crucial to t e development of the IT infrastructure of the nance industr

inancial organisations are becoming increasingly dependent on their IT systems and a variety of software applications to provide a smoother and more efficient service to their customers. From data analysis to planning investments to trading activities, traders, asset managers, and analysts will rely on either a customised or off-the-rack software to help them make better, faster decisions, and to perform better.

Recognising the importance of financial software development in order to stay ahead of other industry players, most financial institutions do invest in an in-house software development team to maintain and develop the software that their colleagues need.

However, as the needs of financial organisations grow and become more complex, it has become increasingly common for them to outsource their software development tasks to specialised software development companies as well.

Career highlights Graduates entering this industry are typically hired by specialist software development companies or major financial institutions, where they usually start their employment with a period of

training – whether a structured graduate programme with rotations, or training with mentorship – that lasts for three to six months.

Given that this industry is an intersection of sorts between IT and finance, you’ll find yourself working in projects with complex mathematical models, large data sets, distributed and high speed systems, as well as information security measures.

Depending on the complexity and scale of your client’s requests, these projects can take a few days to years to complete – and it can also affect other aspects of your working environment (e.g. the size of your team).

Most developers are usually involved in several projects at one time, both longterm and short-term ones; so if you’re not working on large back-end systems or new software that may take years to complete, then you are likely to spend a chunk of your time on simpler projects like upgrading existing systems to make it even more efficient and user-friendly (e.g. simpler graphical interfaces.

In terms of career progression, you can opt to develop yourself in either a technical or managerial role, with plenty of opportunities for a rapid career development.

Pros and cons est of bot

orlds

Many financial software developers enjoy being able to work with the best of two worlds: the IT and finance industry. Working in this industry lets you keep up with the latest technological development as well as understand the latest financial market trends, and how both can impact each other.

Challenging career You may also regularly come across demanding clients, and your work may be made more complicated by the constant development of technology, but if you like a challenge, then you will find a lot of enjoyment working in this industry.

Skills required in financial software development le ibilit fre uent c anges in clients re uirements regulations etc roblem-solving mindset eople skills pdated kno ledge on nance tec nolog in ec

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IT & Tech | Areas of work

GAMES DEVELOPMENT

ork it people from a variet of disciplines who all share the same passion as ou

T

here is no denying the growth that the global gaming industry has been experiencing in the past few decades and the impact that it has on the current generation. Singapore is not exempted from this development, and the government has been very supportive of the relatively young games sector within the country.

Thanks to the country’s solid IT infrastructure, ease of communication and transportation, as well as ready talent pool, many international industry players – such as Ubisoft, Gumi Asia, Konami Singapore, and Tecmo Koei – have made Singapore their base around this region.

Career overview The production of games is an extremely complex process and requires the expertise of people from a variety of disciplines – e.g project managers, musicians, artists and animators, as well as programmers – which can be further broken down into even more specialist roles.

IT and computing graduates will be able to find many employment opportunities here, but the sector is a competitive one and will require a lot of preparation.

Despite the generally competitive nature of the industry, the increasing number of mobile/tablet and independent game companies are presenting new entry-level positions for graduates.

Career highlights As a graduate-level recruit, you usually start out as a junior programmer, working with a mentor and a team where you’re expected to pick up key skills that are necessary in the industry.

As you pick up these skills, it would be wise to keep an eye out for your preference or affinity for certain ones, which you can then develop further to help progress in your career.

Following that, you can become an authority in a speciality area, leading a team of your own. Alternatively, you could also take a lead production role if you prefer to oversee the whole production process instead of focusing only on one scope of the cycle.

You’ll have the chance to work alongside a very varied crowd – animators, designers, audio engineers, programmers, etc. – as everyone strives to perfect your product for the public.

Pros and cons citing industr Working in the gaming industry can be a tremendously exhilarating experience as you’ll be exposed to new inventions and innovations all the time.

With gaming programmers all over the world being extremely willing to experiment with different ways to improve gamers’ experiences, you’ll be working in a field that’s constantly trying to push the envelope in terms of technological capabilities and user interfaces.

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Long hours Unfortunately, the game development industry is also known for protracted periods of brutally long working hours (termed within the industry as “crunch”).

This becomes especially pronounced as shipping deadlines for games approach.

While there is greater dialogue within the industry now about better worklife balance, graduates should still be prepared to put in long hours if they wish to start a career here.

Skills required in games development Strong interest in technology ood understanding of trends and tec nolog innovations Interpersonal skills resentation and documentation skills Anal tical skills ood business sense

IT & Tech | Areas of work

HARDWARE DEVELOPMENT

e in c arge of upgrading e isting or building ne s stems to accommodate clients needs

T

he hardware industry is very wide-ranging and covers a broad spectrum as almost all industries will need some form of hardware product to operate.

In Singapore, key industries that will benefit most from a developed hardware sector include electronics, manufacturing, telecommunications, defence, and aerospace; but it also serves and supports other less typical sectors such as tourism. The recent rise of the mobile and “smart” technology has also invigorated the sector.

Due to its inclusivity, graduates hoping to join this industry can find opportunities in various markets, primarily with IT employers that have hardware development divisions. There are also many specialist IT service providers that focus only on developing hardware for certain industries, and may be an alternative option for graduate computer scientists, engineers, and physicists as well.

Career highlights Most graduates joining major organisations enter through graduate schemes, but there are also employers who prefer to hire directly into a position.

If you are recruited through graduate schemes, then there is a high chance of being rotated around the sub-divisions/ teams of the hardware development department.

You will then be able to gain a quick exposure of how the whole department functions. Otherwise, you will be mentored and are expected to develop your skills through hands-on experience.

Typically, graduate recruits in this industry are initiated into work with a small-scale project and a small area of responsibility to wet your feet. For instance, you may be asked to assist one of your team members with one of his/ her tasks as he/she guides you along the way.

Once your manager/mentor feels that you are ready, you can then begin to manage certain tasks or parts of a project on your own before letting you take part in more formal technical projects.

Task-wise, you will be involved in a lot of upgrading and improving of the current configuration of the machines that you are responsible for. IT specialists in this industry often need to review and analyse the existing system to identify flaws, and then develop new designs that can be integrated to help improve performance.

However, some of you may also be working with clients who outsource projects requesting for the development of a completely new hardware. Often, you’ll be involved in the production process, and may be required to test the prototypes for quality checks.

Pros and cons Diverse roles You will be exposed to a variety of roles in this field as you’ll be involved in a wide range of roles and responsibilities, such as electronic design (schematics) and programming (firmware/software), testing, mechanical design, and design ergonomics.

Slow career progression Career progression might be slower than your peers in other industries, and constant continuing education is necessary in order for you to remain relevant in the field.

Skills required in hardware development no ledge of t e industr s latest developments ommunication skills Abilit to ork in teams Commercial awareness

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IT & Tech | Areas of work

IT IN INVESTMENT BANKING

Man I and computing graduates nd t eir calling in t e banking orld

O

nce upon a time, typical career pathways that come to mind when talking about investment banking include positions such as analysts and associates before they go on to become vice presidents and directors – most of which will need you to have a financerelated degree in order to succeed at.

However, with the rise of digital applications and e-commerce pla orms within the sector, many investment banks are rapidly expanding their technology team to cope with various functions – such as online trading activities and transactions, risk management, gathering of information, client interaction, as well as 24/7 operations – thus making computing and technology graduates highly desirable in this sector.

Career highlights Depending on the bank’s needs and recruitment policies, graduates can be recruited directly into specific IT roles, where they are trained in the specific skills unique for the position; or rotational programmes with a chance to experience different positions and responsibilities in different areas of technology.

Traditionally, IT specialists are brought on board mainly to build and maintain the bank’s technology infrastructure (e.g. system troubleshooting, web development, research & development, engineering, application development), providing support to all financial divisions within the bank.

You may also be required to support your colleagues from other regions every now and then to ensure that the process of IT development and application is achieved on a global level to meet the technological needs of every location in which the bank operates.

Many banks also involve their technology team in the product development and business part of the job due to the increase in electronic and digital products, so you might also find yourself working with traders and analysts in a later part of your job.

Pros and Cons Latest IT and technology advancements Working as an IT specialist in the investment banking sector can be immensely exciting, not just because of the dynamic and constantly changing environment of the sector itself, but also because of the rapid advances in technology. You’ll find that you will need to constantly update yourself with the latest IT knowledge to keep up-to-date in your field. ravel opportunities With most investment banks being global operators, you’ll also have the chance to travel and work with people from different regions. This also opens up plenty of learning opportunities and will train you to work with people from different backgrounds.

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otentiall stressful The general working environment tends to be rather fast-paced and can be quite stressful, so you’ll need to be able to perform under pressure.

Skills required in investment banking Basic understanding of the industry ood communication and interpersonal skills eam orking abilities roblem-solving skills atience as ou ll be involved in troubles ooting and maintenance processes A ention to detail

IT & Tech | Areas of work

IT IN MANUFACTURING

sing I and tec nolog skills to elp manufacturing companies create a smoot er suppl c ain

hether it’s a large multinational company or a small organisation, a corporation that is actively operating in the manufacturing sector will need the support of a dedicated IT department to run its business effectively.

IT and technology has often been credited for many manufacturing organisations’ improved productivity and cost reduction, and is essential in helping them improve their supply chain and data management process.

Career highlights Depending on what you’re hired as, your job scope as an IT expert in this sector can revolve around a few primary duties, such as quality control, building and maintaining computer-aided design/ manufacturing, and data sensing and logging.

You’ll most likely start out with technical duties as you learn from the mentor and team that you are assigned to, such as the maintenance and troubleshooting of technical problems that arise in the day-to-day IT networks or operations systems.

As you progress in your career, you can opt to specialise in a certain technical area or skill through postgraduate education or professional certificates.

Alternatively, you can also join the managerial ranks where you work with

planning, quality management, and monitoring functions.

Unlike other industries where regular IT skills can be applied to almost all departments, IT roles in this sector can be quite specialised because of the type of knowledge and machineries that are used by each company.

For instance, if you are an IT expert in an oil and gas company, it is usually difficult for you to switch over to the pharmaceutical line due to the highly technical industrial processes involved.

Pros and cons

supply chain, you may need to pull allnighters to bring the systems back up as soon as possible.

Skills required in manufacturing Awareness of ongoing trends Business and commercial awareness Abilit to multitask

orking it cu ng-edge technology

Abilit to cope it pressure

Depending on the size and type of organisation that you’re working for, there is a chance for you to work with cutting-edge technology. For instance, large organisations are typically more willing to invest in the latest systems and IT infrastructures to streamline their complicated supply chain procedures/ processes.

rganisational skills roblem-solving abilities A ention to detail

ressure at ork One drawback of working in this sector is the pressure that you may potentially face when systems or networks fail. As system failures can greatly affect the

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IT & Tech | Areas of work

IT IN RETAIL

IT is crucial in helping retailers serve their customers be er

N

early every function in the retail industry – e.g. the sourcing of new products, management of distribution networks, in-store pointof-sale systems, and administration responsibilities (such as HR and finance) – requires the involvement of IT and technology to a degree.

In most cases, IT is used to achieve a couple of objectives: to improve the accuracy and availability of information on every level, and to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the business. However, the emergence of online retailers have brought the use of IT in retail to a whole new level.

Career overview Most retailers, especially international ones, have their own in-house IT team/ department to cater to their key IT needs and projects.

However, complex projects that require more advanced or specialised skills will usually be outsourced to third-party IT services providers, with the internal IT team coordinating and assisting as and when needed (e.g. identifying the services needed, initiating interaction with the service providers, and integrating the new software with existing systems).

Depending on your skillsets and preference, you may seek employment between working in an in-house team or a third-party service provider. You can also move from one to the other later in your career.

Career highlights As an IT personnel in the retail industry, you may find yourself positioned anywhere along the chain of business to help improve the flow of information and to integrate the different functions within the business, although responsibility-wise, there will be a lot of programming involved regardless of where you are stationed.

Most large retailers offer graduate IT recruitment programmes once every year, which can last from one to two years. During the course of the programme, you will be rotated through several roles and departments to give you a broader view of the business as a whole, as well as to expose you to various programming and business analysis skills before deciding on a permanent role that matches your skills.

Once you’ve settled into a permanent role, you’ll work with teams – usually multidisciplinary – on projects to troubleshoot and maintain the servers and networks used within the organisation. Career progression might take some time as you’ll need to gain quite a bit of experience before you get promoted to senior programmer or analyst.

However, if you prefer a more peopleoriented role, you can also consider taking up management opportunities instead.

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Pros and cons ide e posure Programmers working in this industry often tout the variety in their work as one of the pros of their job because they can move between different functional areas relatively easily. This also means getting exposed to different experiences, roles, and skills – as well as plenty of chances to network with different groups of people.

Slow career progression One grouse that programmers working in this industry have is the slower career progression compared to other industries, although that may be eclipsed by your desire to make a difference in the retail industry.

Skills required in retail Anal tical mind Commercial awareness eam orking abilities ommunication skills Adaptabilit

IT & Tech | Areas of work

IT IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS

orking in t e telecommunications industr lets ou improve and reinvent global communication s stems to be er serve its users

T

he telecommunications industry is all about connecting people – whether it’s communication through traditional fixed-line telephones, computers and laptops, or mobile devices.

Singapore has placed tremendous focus on its telecommunication industry, viewing it as the key to the development of its status as a knowledge-based economy and its various industries, particularly the services and infocommunications sector.

Career overview Job opportunities in the telecommunications sector can usually be found within two groups: vendors and carriers.

To put it simply, vendor companies, such as Apple, Ericsson, Huawei, Samsung, Alcatel-Lucent, and Agilent, provide the hardware and software products required by the sector; whereas carrier companies such as SingTel and StarHub make use of the products to deliver telecommunications services to the end users.

Graduates aspiring to break into the industry can also find employment with IT consultancy providers, such as Accenture and IBM.

Career highlights Depending on which group that you choose to enter (i.e. vendors or carriers),

your early responsibilities might differ.

Those who opt to start their career with vendor companies will typically be put in a technical role to assist in hardware or software development before moving on to other roles after gaining some experience.

Graduate recruits starting at carrier companies, in contrast, have more options in terms of their roles, but most will often require specialist knowledge.

Most companies will also have graduate or management associate programmes with job rotations and mentorships to ease graduates into the workforce.

Whichever option that you choose, your work will usually come to you in the form of projects, and responsibilities may include researching and developing hardware and software, product testing, setting up or maintaining the necessary infrastructure, technical sales and marketing, as well as providing support to your clients and customers.

The pace of work varies with the type of role that you’re in. For instance, a software/hardware developer usually gets a longer response time compared to their colleagues working as technical support in the marketing or customer service department.

You can also expect work-life balance from your line of work, and unless you are rushing for a deadline, most employees working in the telecommunications department do not have to stay for extra hours.

Pros and cons ariet in ob responsibilities Work in this field can be very interesting due to the variety in job responsibilities, which evolves in tandem with the rapid development of telecommunications technology and the industries that you are involved in. ressure to keep up Work can get frustrating when networks go down and you are faced with the pressure of repairing the system or infrastructure. The speedy development of the industry also means that you’ll have to be self-motivated to keep up or you may get left behind.

Skills required in telecommunications no ledge about t e latest I and technology trends Anal tical and researc skills roblem-solving skills A ention to detail ommunication skills

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IT & Tech | Areas of work

IT OUTSOURCING

ene t from t e e posure to a variet of business-focused tec nologies

O

utsourcing is a rapidly growing area in the IT sector, encouraged mainly by the speed with which technology is evolving. With the IT sector developing as fast as it is, many companies are finding it a challenge to keep up and to maintain an in-house IT team to cater to these changes, making outsourcing a more preferable option.

Most major outsourcing services providers cover aspects of technology ranging from hardware such as PCs to mainframes, to software like Microsoft/Apple packages and major SAP (Systems, Applications & Product) implementations. They also provide other supporting technology and training services to complement their offerings.

Career overview An IT services provider can offer their services in a variety of forms – whether individually, combined as a package to provide an overall service offering, or customisable according to the needs of the client. Most offerings will fall into either one of the three areas: Applications management Where the contracted services provider is asked to develop and/or maintain key applications for a client.

Infrastructure support: Where the services provider manages and maintains the client’s IT environment and infrastructure, including (but not limited to) PCs, printers, networks, and servers.

Business process outsourcing Where the client completely outsources a business process/ function within the company. In other words, the service provider not only takes care of the infrastructure and systems needed to support the process, but will also perform the function on behalf of the client.

Career highlights Most organisations offer a training programme that lets graduate hires try out a few areas of work to gauge their preference and capability. Following that, you will typically be assigned to one service team that works on one particular function/area or client, usually in specific technical roles such as telecoms support, networking support, or programming.

In some cases, you may also find yourself being part of the customer services department, where you’ll be providing technical assistance to clients and customers as part of a service desk operation.

As you work, you can progress your career in two ways: 1. By specialising in a particular technology or technical field, or; 2. By moving into project or service management instead.

The former option will require you to gain as much in-depth knowledge as possible, whereas the latter puts you in a closer contact with clients and customers.

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Pros and cons ro t and opportunities Work in this area promises a lot of excitement due to its exponential growth and dynamic atmosphere. As your clients will come from different industries, there will be plenty of learning and networking opportunities for you as you are exposed to the trends in different sectors. citing but ta ing career The rapid technology developments can be just as taxing as it is exciting. You may finish working on an updated system or studying an upcoming trend, only to find that the trend is already outmoded.

Skills required in IT outsourcing Enthusiasm to learn technical abilities ommunication skills atience rganisational skills Abilit to prioritise

IT & Tech | Areas of work

IT SERVICES

rovide clients it invaluable professional technology support and services to help them achieve t eir business goals

B

usiness organisations often enlist the help of IT service providers to cut costs, improve service efficiency and gain access to a range of technological expertise.

The process generally entails the assessment of clients’ needs, followed by the implementation of a solution, and then providing support and after-sales services.

Career overview Clients typically expect four things from a good technology partner: Proactive and strategic advice during the implementation process that helps clients make better decisions to improve their existing IT infrastructure.

Sharing knowledge and experiences to help clients benefit from the functions of their new technological upgrades.

Able to translate technological value of IT additions into economic value (e.g. shareholder returns, revenue growth) To take charge and be involved in the whole process of purchasing and installing solutions/upgrades (e.g. explaining the products to shareholders, the implementation, and post-installation support.)

The functions of IT services is likely to overlap with technology consulting to

an extent as IT services providers need to match their services to client’s needs, rather than just selling them.

Pros and cons

Career highlights

Working in this industry promises diversity in terms of your job scope and the people you meet. As you get involved in different projects, and thus meet different clients, you’ll also get plenty of networking and learning opportunities.

Broadly speaking, work in this industry can be divided into four categories: lient relations onsulting Designing building installing and testing tec nolog solutions Support Graduates will likely start off as a junior member in a team, assisting senior colleagues in their work and picking up essential skills on the job in the first few months of employment. You may be asked to work on one small aspect of a big project, manage only one client account, or perform a specific function in one particular technical area.

Gradually, your responsibilities will grow, and you can progress as a specialist in a specific function or a particular industry.

The frequency of your travels, hours, and pace of work are very roledependent. Those in consulting roles are often required to travel to meet clients on very short notice, on a very fastpaced schedule. The technical team, on the other hand, tends to have a more stable schedule and is less mobile, but when things go wrong, all-nighters can be expected.

Diverse opportunities

Incredibl fast-paced However, the speed at which technology evolves is extremely fast, and while some may see this as a positive life-long learning opportunity, others may get weary of the rapid changes. Some roles may have lifestyles that can wear some individuals down too (e.g. consultancy is fast-paced will require plenty of travelling).

Skills required in IT services Commercial awareness ommunication and interpersonal skills eam orking abilities Abilit to prioritise A ention to detail atience

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IT & Tech | Areas of work

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IT

elp businesses safeguard t eir I s stems and observe regulator compliance it local regulations

T

he industry – which focuses on assisting their clients with specialist expertise and advisory services – typically offers their know-how in several areas, such as audit, tax, accountancy, consulting, law, corporate governance, corporate finance, and risk assessment.

Among some of the most recognisable professional services firms that you can find in Singapore include BDO, EY, Deloitte, KPMG, and PwC – all of which are organisations well-known for offering assistance when it comes to compliance with various legal requirements related to accounting and business processes.

Career overview With IT and data management now playing a big part in their clients’ daily operations and business strategy, organisations in this sector have also expanded their expertise to include technology.

Typical services include: IT audit: IT professionals assess the client’s IT systems to determine its effectiveness and how well it integrates with the business. They will usually focus on issues, such as possible security risks and how IT can help increase the company’s efficiency.

IT governance: This service involves the checking of the organisation’s IT systems to make sure that they’re operating and complying with Singapore’s legal and accounting regulations.

I pro ect reassurance IT professionals assess the risk probability of an IT project before a client implements it, and then advises the organisation on ways to manage or mitigate it.

Security and privacy: This area includes checking the client’s IT systems for security threats and crisis management in case of the presence of any attacks.

Career highlights Graduates who join professional services firms usually do so through a specialist graduate programme where you’ll be assigned to a team or a project from the start. Mentoring is likely to help you acclimatise to the work culture, and most of your skills will be picked up during your training on the job and your exposure to different experiences through various assignments.

Your work will involve a lot of clientfacing as you’ll be working onsite. You will also work alongside a multidisciplinary team. Additionally, you may have to work closely with the client’s in-house IT department or the organisation’s IT users while you assess the risks and develop recommendations to improve their systems.

As you progress in your work, you may want to pursue an internationally recognised professional certificate for information systems auditing, control, and security – such as the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA),

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Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) certifications.

Pros and cons iring but e citing career The constant travelling involved in the job may get tiring for some individuals.

However, IT professionals working in this industry find excitement in being able to work in a variety of organisations and sectors.

There are also plenty of networking opportunities, so if you enjoy interacting with people while handling technical responsibilities, this job is for you

Skills required in professional services IT umerac and anal tical skills cellent communication and interpersonal skills eam orking abilities Commercial awareness Adaptabilit Awareness of the latest industr regulations and services

IT & Tech | Areas of work

TECHNOLOGY CONSULTING

elp clients navigate t roug business obstacles b introducing I solutions and strategies

hile “tech start-up” is the common buzzword of the industry these days, venturing into any kind of businesses that involves introducing or implementing technology in the real world can be daunting.

For this reason, businesses – even successful ones – will need consultants or industry experts who can advise on the best IT strategy and solution for their clients.

Career overview There are various ways to classify the nature and services of a technology consultancy firm, but most of them will fall into one of the following five categories: IT strategy and design: Where consultants match their clients’ existing technology to their business strategy in order to help them stay relevant in the industry.

I operations and management Where consultants work on “renovating” and upgrading a client’s existing IT and business processes to improve performance.

Enterprise architecture: Where consultants help an organisation draw up an IT strategy roadmap, vision, corporate technology standards, and a core technology catalogue to guide its growth in the future.

Sourcing: Where consultants help streamline a client’s operations by assessing and advising if a corporation should outsource its IT functions.

Integration Where consultants assist clients with complex business problems via IT software solutions, whether it involves creating tailored or commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) IT solutions.

Career highlights Employers generally start their graduate recruits out with project support and analytical roles, where they look for information and analyse data to contribute to the projects that are handled by their assigned team.

Once you have gained enough experience, you may then be put in charge of a client or a function – e.g. reviewing/designing/building a system before being placed in a leadership position within five years or so, where you manage a major transition project or a small project.

Alternatively, you can also progress by specialising in certain functions to become an industry expert, or by becoming part of the senior management to manage people instead.

Work will involve you being the middleman between your clients and your firm, as well as technical work such as building, installing, and testing systems on behalf of your clients.

Projects tend to be client-centric, so you may find yourself spending quite a chunk of your time travelling and working onsite.

Pros and cons ide range of opportunities As a technology consultant where work is project/client-based, you’ll be exposed to a lot of different industries and companies, which promises variety and plenty of learning and networking opportunities.

Many employees also relish the wide range of opportunities for career development, where you can opt to develop your technical skills to become an expert or to manage your own team. ork-life balance Some might find the constant travelling go beyond the usual nine to five as well, so it might require some compromise on work-life balance.

Skills required in technology consulting illingness to learn ersuasion and presentation skills Commercial awareness

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IT & Tech | Areas of work

WEB DEVELOPMENT AND E-COMMERCE

our focus ill include building a strong and reputable online and eb presence for a business

T

he internet business sector – focused on developing products and services for online consumers – has grown in size and importance to the extent that most major organisations are not considered complete without an online presence. It is dominated primarily by two major players: financial services businesses and online retail stores.

For financial services businesses, the internet delivers a win-win situation that benefits both the banks and their clients. Users will be able to perform basic banking tasks (e.g. monetary transfers, bill payments, etc.) round the clock without being physically present at the bank, and banks are also able to save on certain operational costs, such as processing fees.

Likewise, retail businesses also reap cost savings when they shift their operations online, enabling them to offer more competitive prices to consumers. Online systems also help retailers manage their supply chains more efficiently.

Career highlights Given the high level of interest in e-commerce and the online marketplace here, there are plenty of recruitment opportunities in this sector. However, they are often not publicly advertised, especially for tech start-ups.

Most start-ups in the e-commerce industry tend to start out small, so they usually hire through word-ofmouth, recommendations, or internship conversions. In other words, it might be a good idea for you to start job-searching during your time in university, take up an internship and then convert into a fulltime position.

Web development opportunities are also often available in larger, more established organisations, although the recruitment process may be considerably more formal and structured. Rotations are the norm before you are assigned to a position that you’re most comfortable with, and it may take three to twelve months, depending on the arrangement of the company.

Pros and cons allenging and fast-paced If you thrive in a challenging and fastpaced environment, this industry is for you. You will be able to see almost immediate results, and many in this industry take pride in knowing they have transformed the way people trade and transact, besides the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology.

That said, dealing with the rapid changes in technology and business processes can be tiring after a while.

Issues such as cyber security risks, and cybercrime are also constant threats that you will be expected to handle.

Skills required in web development and e-commerce Commercial awareness Awareness in latest changes in regulations and trends Adaptabilit An eye for detail Abilit to deal it ambiguit

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Engineering | How to Get Hired

GETTING AN IT & TECHNOLOGY GRADUATE JOB ere are some must-kno s to elp ou plan for our career in t e I and tec nolog industr

iven the widespread application of IT in a broad range of industries, graduates are not limited to working with IT-based organisations or software development houses and consultancies.

Financial services and manufacturing companies, for instance, are heavily reliant on the use of technology, and will typically invest in an in-house team to help them maintain the company’s IT infrastructure. In an effort to transform herself into a knowledge-based smart nation, Singapore will need the help of talented IT personnel to help her sustain its technology movement.

Work experience Recruiters hire talented graduates from a variety of backgrounds. Work experience, though not necessary, may greatly improve your chances at securing a position. Additionally, it does not have to be computing-related experience, as work experience in any form testifies to your transferable skills – something that IT employers look out for when hiring.

Most large organisations, such as Microsoft, IBM, and Google, have graduate programmes and training schemes that help graduates pick up the necessary technical and soft skills. On the other hand, smaller businesses may provide mentorships.

Application process More often than not, you’ll be directed to an online application system, although some employers may still

request for a C and cover letter. Like most recruitment processes, graduates will have to go through a series of interviews.

There may also be further forms of assessments, such as group exercises, presentations, or programming tests, to determine your level of experience with C , C or .NET, for example. There is generally no one fixed recruitment period for IT professionals because of how it overlaps with other industries.

For this reason, the best way to keep tabs on recruitment cycles is to check each organisation’s recruitment schedule instead.

Technology internships and graduate programmes within financial organisations, particularly major

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investment banks and accounting firms, tend to have early application deadlines.

In contrast, IT organisations often hire throughout the year.

Qualifications and skills Employers hire from all disciplines but a qualification in computing-related fields, including computer science, IT, and computer engineering is necessary for graduates looking to apply for technical positions such as software developer, programmer, and systems analyst.

Graduates with relevant knowledge,

Engineering | How to Get Hired

Why work in IT? Most, if not all, employers need technologists

“

Work experience in any form testifies to your transferable skills – something that IT employers look out for when hiring.

“

including programming languages (e.g.

C , C , Java, Linux/Unix, .NET, etc.), will find plenty of job opportunities even during an economic downturn.

Besides programming languages, core technical skills needed for this sector are operating system expertise, network and infrastructure knowledge, and software development skills.

Positions in hardware development and research and development may require graduates with qualifications in physics or electronics engineering.

Graduates from a non-IT-related background need to display a keen interest in IT to pursue career opportunities in the industry. Such graduates are often hired for roles in consultancy or business analysis, where

they use broad technical knowledge and commercial awareness to help clients improve their IT systems and achieve their business goals. There are also corporate roles such as marketing and finance.

In addition to technical skills and good business acumen, employers also require graduates to demonstrate several soft skills: Teamwork and interpersonal skills Good communication skills Organisation and planning skills Problem-solving ability Commercial awareness Highly motivated and adaptable

Training and development opportunities

Nowadays, you’ll rarely come across an employer that doesn’t require IT personnel. Businesses with a small IT function may only need one or two employees, while big businesses may need a team of up to and over one hundred, but the crucial point here is that tech vacancies exist across a range of industries.

Technology is always developing The retail sector is a prime example of the evolution of technology. A decade ago, consumers didn’t have the luxury of being able to shop at most stores at the click of a button.

Ongoing improvements and changes in technology mean graduates seeking careers in IT can look forward to a varied career and opportunities to learn new things. reat gro t opportunities

Graduate programmes will familiarise you with sector knowledge, technical proficiency and basic professional skills such as communication, presentation, and negotiation.

Graduates hired directly into a specific role will receive on-the-job training and be able to pick up specialised skills and in-depth knowledge. For example, a junior developer will pick up the necessary programming language and technical skills required when he/ she dives straight into designing new and maintaining existing software products.

IT companies generally do not have a structured training plan due to the unpredictable nature of the industry.

However, precisely due to how fast technology evolves, IT employers are immensely aware of the value of training, and are often willing to invest in their employees.

IT employers are known to be extremely generous in providing training, opening up a wealth of growth opportunities and a range of interesting career paths for graduates. Graduates can make use of the training provided to specialise in a particular area before moving up to another role, or to switch specialisations to gain wider exposure.

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Engineering | How to Get Hired

CHOOSING THE RIGHT IT & TECHNOLOGY CAREER AND EMPLOYER ere s a range of roles and industries t at I graduates can go into but ic one s ould ou ero in on

hile the sector may be dominated by several tech giants – such as Google, Apple and Microsoft – there are plenty of diverse roles that IT graduates can turn to for job opportunities, including those in non-IT sectors.

To be a prudent job seeker, you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons before applying to companies. Not only will it help in your decision-making, you can also make use of your research to impress recruiters and improve your chances at the job.

Consider the following points in your search:

1. Potential employers Many IT graduates typically find employment with the following type(s) of recruiters: ec nolog solutions providers e.g. Hewlett Packard, SAP, Oracle I services organisations e.g. Fujitsu, Infosys elecommunications companies e.g. SingTel, StarHub Technology consultancies e.g. Accenture, TCS Singapore

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IT graduates can also lend their expertise to roles in other sectors, such as finance and professional services: Investment banks e.g. BNP Paribas, J.P. Morgan etail banks e.g. Barclays Investment management rms e.g. Aberdeen Asset Management Insurers e.g. Aviva Ltd. Accounting rms e.g. EY, PwC etailers e.g. Amazon

Engineering | How to Get Hired

“To be a prudent job seeker, you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons before applying to companies.

“

Retailers in particular are in great need of talented technologists as they explore e-commerce options, investing heavily in various aspects of online and mobile shopping, like security and digital currency.

IT graduates can also find opportunities in media, games development, and public services organisations alongside smaller employers like specialist software houses and niche consultancies.

2. Type of work It is also best to narrow down your career options by considering the scope of responsibilities you’re willing to take on. For instance, how much coding or technical reasoning are you willing to be involved in? Would you prefer to work solely in the technical area or with a mix of commercial functions? If your answer is the latter, then IT consulting might be for you.

Alternatively, if you’re interested in tasks that mostly involve coding or programming, then your best bet will be technology solutions providers.

Don’t completely rule out non-IT companies, though some of them may be looking to develop their own software or applications, such as online retailers. These jobs typically fall under IT engineering or software development.

On the other hand, if you have a preference for daily troubleshooting and long-term projects, you may prefer working with an IT services provider or be part of an IT support team in a nonIT firm.

A good way to discover your preference is by exploring the graduate programmes offered by employers as these programmes usually rotate you across different roles and departments.

Also, part-time jobs can help you explore your options.

highly dependent on your role and the firm’s requirements.

Be sure to consider how you feel about moving around in the long run as well. While it may sound fun to be able to travel and meet new people, you may have to make sacrifices with regards to your free time and personal life.

3. Mobility

All employers will ask for hard work and dedication, but you may be required to do more at smaller companies or startups due to its leaner workforce. Late nights can become a regular occurrence, especially when faced with many project deadlines. It’s common to be engaged in tasks that are completely out of your job scope. It is thus crucial that you do your research on the pace of work and culture of each organisation before applying for the job.

If you’re passionate about your work and think you’ve got what it takes to adapt to the steep learning curve, then a start-up or smaller company may be suitable options for you. Startups and smaller companies can be a great training ground for gaining crucial skills and experience, and give you the opportunity for early responsibility.

While most technology jobs are deskbound, some may require you to travel far and often – and this can greatly influence your job preference and satisfaction.

If you’re someone who prefers to stay put in the office, then a technical role such as developer or software tester will be right up your alley. On the contrary, IT consultants are almost always on their feet, travelling from one client base to another. Graduates in IT services may also spend the occasional week at their client’s premises.

Business and management roles (such as project management) typically falls somewhere in between the two and will be less hectic. That said, this is

4. Time and dedication

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Engineering | How to Get Hired

PERFECT YOUR IT & TECHNOLOGY CV mplo ers notice

hile many large IT employers use online application forms, some still prefer the personal touch of a C and cover letter, particularly smaller organisations recruiting for specific technical positions.

Tailor your CV for each graduate job Your C should always be tailored for each graduate job you apply for.

Recruiters will quickly pass over a general C for all seasons’ that isn’t properly targeted.

The best C s have a clear and logical structure. You need to capture the reviewer’s attention with facts and information that show you meet the minimum requirements and have the right skills for the job.

Outline of CV structure for IT jobs For a graduate technical C you could use the following structure: Personal details, such as name and contact details. ducational background and academic details You may wish to list the names of key modules you have completed on your degree course that are particularly relevant to the job.

Basic information on relevant courses ualifications you have completed in addition to your university studies. elevant tec nologies and skills including brief information on your level of experience.

Supporting information, including work experience, relevant projects and general skills that support your application.

en a is ell-structured and ell-t oug t-out

urt er interests such as activities that showcase your general skills and show that you are a well-rounded applicant.

Pro tip: Use bullet points to organise your information and keep your points clear and concise.

Highlight your technical skills On your C , include key technical skills (such as programming languages, pla orms, and systems) that are relevant to the job, but do more than just list them. Indicate your level of ability and include brief information on how you have applied each skill.

Use examples from university, work experience and home projects. If you include links to web projects, make sure the content of such sites is suitable for viewing on a company’s network Not all computer science and technical degrees cover the same content, so it can be helpful to provide brief information about modules and projects that you have completed, particularly if they are relevant to the job.

Promote your personal interests People tend to neglect the personal interests part of their C , but this is the only section where recruiters can get to know you. Recruiters expect a C to really show how much you love the tech industry. They put as much, if not more, emphasis on reading this section as the education section on a C . You should use this to show them how passionate you are.

C s that include things like hackathons, codejams and meetups

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are the ones that grab some recruiters’ attention. You should also include any online courses and any tech blogs you read.

All of that is as important as your degree. What you do in your own time tells them a lot about your natural motivations. These activities are the things that nobody tells you to do, so seeing this is as vital as seeing what you studied.

Mention your soft skills While technical skills and aptitude are obviously essential for a technical job, graduate employers view behavioural competencies with equal importance.

Recruiters will want to see that you have the ability to: communicate well work with others complete tasks on time adapt and pick up new skills quickly think commercially be innovative If you have examples of when you have done a job well or solved a problem in an innovative way, include a brief example on your C or in your cover letter. Your interests and activities outside work are also useful indicators of how well you will fit into a team.

Engineering | How to Get Hired

Sample CV D D MAMA

Mobile: 8754 4708 Mobile: 8754 4708

Email: mandy lee@gmail.com il.com Email: mandy lee@gma I A I I I A Programming ing mm Progra Java, Javascript, C, C , C , , C, C , C , ript Javasc Java, PHP, OPL, CSS, Ruby, ASP. , OPL, CSS, Ruby, ASP. PHPNET NET

Databases ses Databa , MySQL, Server, Server , SQLSQL MySQL rbase InteInterbase

MAI A A I I MAI A A Software development Software development Problem solving Problem solving Project management Project management Object-oriented programming ing Object-oriented programm

ce roso MicMicroso erPoint, Powce el, Exc , ess AccAccess, Excel, PowerPoint, rd WoWord

et ork construction & et ork construction & admin , dows Server 2008/2012 Winadmin ge han Exc on, configuratiServer 2008/2012, AD Windows Linux OS Exchange ver,configuration, SerAD Server, Linux OS

Database administration Database administration Graphic design Graphic design Strategic planning Strategic planning admin Network construction & Network construction & admin

port hnical supsupport TecTechnical ting duct testesting ProProduct gramming Pro Programming allation dware inst Har Hardware installation

D A I ersit D A I apore niv ms ing c ons omputer cience Information stems ingapore niversit rmation ste nce itit Info c ons omputer cie – Achieved First Class degree ree – Achieved First Class deg – Included a one-year placement ExxonMobil onMobil cement atatExx – Included a one-year pla A evels a es Institution A evels a es Institution hnology (A) – Maths (A), English (B) and and Info Information Technology (A) rmation Tec – Maths (A), English (B) I I lacement I upport ec nician onMobil ear lacement ne- ear onMobil neI upport ec nician Supported a wide and varied client base 2018 nt baseoperational issues Worked closely with suppliers to resolve ied clie Supported a wide and var e operational issues resolv to rs Tested products for functionality and efficiency plie Worked closely with sup cy efficiensystems nality and Installed and configured computer hardware and IT software Tested products for functio and IT software s tem sys are dw har er put availability to internal and external users Monitored IT networks to com maintain Installed and configured users to internal and external ilability in ava Troubleshot desktop PCs, laptops mobile devices maintaand Monitored IT networks to ices , laptops and mobile dev Troubleshot desktop PCs A A olunteer at ingaporere Disabled ellos sip ip abledello support olunteer at ingapo Dis financial s for businessefor Supported fundraising pusheshes byby phoning businesses financial support g local phoninlocal Supported fundraising pus users service Helped organise and attended forfor service users r events d outdooevents ndeoutdoor Helped organise and atte events Designed, created andand distributed flyers events rs for flyefor distributed Designed, created

-

-

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INTERESTS INTERESTS Mobile device applications s nomise, Book It Mobile device application tablets: Be Productive, Eco phones for android Designed and developed three basic apps fors android phones andand tablets: Be Productive, Economise, Book It app ic bas ee thr ped elo and dev edPlay Designin (available Store) (available in Play Store) 45 times.

Combined, they have been downloaded 1,345 d 1,3times. n downloade Combined, they have bee References available on request. request.

References available on

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COVER LETTER TIPS FOR THE GRADUATE IT & TECH SPECIALIST A number of recruiters across t e I sector re uest a cover le er as part of t e application process ead our tips on at to include in ours

M

any IT employers request a cover letter along with a C as part of the online application form. This is an additional opportunity for you to showcase your skills and enthusiasm, as well as highlight specific points that may not come through on your C .

Here are some tips and advice on what you should do to sell your experience and skills, and in a few paragraphs, convince the recruiter that you really want the job.

1. Thoroughly research the employer Before you start writing your cover letter, spend a good amount of time reading up on the company you’re applying to. You should research its business strategy, culture, company values, and familiarise yourself with the list of products and services it provides.

You can do this by looking at the employer’s website and or on graduate job portals with employers’ information, such as gradsingapore.com. It would also be a good idea to reflect on the relevant work experience, presentations you’ve attended, conversations you’ve had with employees and recruiters in career fairs, or to speak with friends who have done a placement there.

2. Be selective and don’t cram It may be tempting to fill your cover letter with all your technical skills, achievements and examples from university, work and elsewhere. Avoid doing this as your cover letter should not exceed one page or three to four paragraphs.

Be selective about which information you choose to include. Pinpoint the top three or four attributes that the employer seeks. For example, these could be a genuine interest in technology, practical knowledge of databases and programming, and excellent communication skills.

3. Include examples

Include examples from your academic, work and personal life to prove to recruiters that you have the skills, qualities and experience they’re looking for. If they seek a graduate who’s interested in pioneering technology, for example, and you attend fairs and conferences to find out what’s new in the tech space and blog about it, mention that.

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Or perhaps you have examples of when you have done a job well or solved a problem in a smart or new way. Your interests and activities outside work are also useful indicators of how well you will fit into a team.

4. Explain why you have chosen that particular employer Remember to include the reasons why you have chosen this specific employer – and avoid clich s, such as ‘you are a world-leading company’. Your employer research is critical here, as you will be able to make specific points about the company’s culture, strategy, or any opportunities for career progression.

For example, perhaps the organisation appeals to you because it constantly works on cutting-edge developments and this will enable you to apply and hone your technical skills. Including this will show recruiters that you want to join the company as opposed to just getting a job.

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5. What goes into a good cover letter?

Check out this sample cover letter and the points included in it that make it an attention-grabber.

Dear Mr Tan, Please consider my application for the customer support technician position at Innovation Technology Group, as advertised on gradsingapore.com. My conversations with current graduates at your recruitment drive in February this year have reinforced my interest in the organisation and cemented my belief that I have the technical skills and personal attributes that the group is looking for. I enclose my C for your consideration.

Through my four-year degree, which comprised a one-year placement as an IT support technician at ExxonMobil, I have developed a practical understanding of key programming languages and databases, including PHP, Ruby and MySQL, as well as network construction and administration. At ExxonMobil, I worked closely with suppliers and a varied client base to overcome operational obstacles, and gained experience solving customer issues and providing first-level analysis.

I resolved 88 percent of the cases I handled on the placement.

I have also demonstrated, outside university and formal placements, that I have a genuine interest in computer programmes and cuttingedge technology. I have designed and developed three mobile phone applications, which have been downloaded a combined 1,345 times since they were uploaded on Google Play in January this year. This also proves that I have the creative and design skills that you seek in a graduate recruit. My stint as a volunteer at Singapore Disabled Fellowship, where I worked in a close-knit team to organise fundraising events, shows that I can work effectively with others to achieve groupwide objectives.

Address the recipient by his or her title and surname. If these aren’t stated on the job ad, contact the employer and ask.

State clearly which position you are applying for.

Show that you have made the effort to find out about the company.

Mention academic and practical experiences that relate to the role.

Highlight the technical skills the employer seeks.

Include the results contributions you made.

of

the

Non-academic and non-IT experiences should be included if you’ve developed relevant transferable skills.

I am keen to discuss this opportunity and my experience with you in person, and am available for an interview at any time. I look forward to your response.

Prove that you’re passionate about IT and technology.

Yours sincerely, Mandy Lee

Link your skills and experience to the employer’s requirements.

State your availability for an interview.

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TECHNICAL INTERVIEWS FOR GRADUATE IT & TECH JOBS at s ould ou e pect at a tec nical intervie for a graduate tec nolog ob A graduate so are engineer and anal st programmer s are t eir takes on t is

unal is a software engineer and Peter is an analyst programmer.

Both tackled technical interviews and successfully secured their first graduate jobs in IT. What are the secrets behind their success? Here are some of their interview techniques.

What technical interviews did you go through when applying for graduate jobs? unal Most of my applications involved only one stage of technical interview, while a few others took two rounds. These interviews were mostly conducted by senior technical people and occurred after initial screening exercises or at the same time as the assessment period.

Peter: I had technical interviews with three employers, all of which were for software engineering positions. They typically followed a non-technical inter view and were conducted by the people I would have worked with.

How did you demonstrate your technical knowledge and skills?

Kunal: The technical interviews usually started with an analysis of the skills I had mentioned in my C and included further questioning to find out about my level of experience and expertise related to a particular skill (e.g.

C skills). This was followed by a test of basic logic and computing skills (e.g. write an algorithm to sort an array), and problem solving (e.g. finding errors in a program).

Peter: I was asked to do two types of task. The first involved responding to an open-ended problem, such as: I want a piece of software to store a user’s appointments and display them in a diary. How would you go about it?’ I used a whiteboard to give an overview of how the system would work and to explain technical details, such as data structures and class layouts. These tasks can seem simple, but they usually have hidden complexity.

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The second type was more hands-on. For example, I had to create a piece of software following the specification of an imaginary client. My advice: read every part of the specification so that, unlike me, you don’t find that the last part requires a re-design of the entire system.

How did you prepare for graduate technical interviews? unal I concentrated on strengthening my concepts and foundations, since I believed these would be the key areas I would be tested on. I practised a few common programming paradigms and problems and also prepared for a few advanced programming scenarios.

Peter: I set myself an exercise to write a simple software application in the programming languages I was being assessed on, to refresh my memory on the basics.

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Kunal’s top tips for graduate technical interviews How did you deal with tricky questions?

Remember that interviewers are assessing your knowledge and not aiming to demoralise you.

Get a firm grasp on your basics and fundamentals.

unal The key to dealing with tricky questions is not to panic. You will almost certainly hit upon a tricky question during the interview, but more often than not, the solution lies in something rudimentary and basic.

For example, at one interview I spent quite a while thinking of advanced object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts to find a solution to a question, but actually the solution was embarrassingly simple. The interviewer reassured me that I wasn’t the only candidate to falter on that question.

Peter: I learned to be disciplined and think about the task before speaking or coding, and to explain my thought processes. Interviewers rarely look for walking reference books, and working logically to provide a partial answer is better than giving up altogether.

I also learned that finishing every part of an exercise is a bonus, but it’s rarely the main objective.

A technical interview tests your technical abilities, but your ability to plan and analyse are equally important – skills that are hard to demonstrate on a C or in a regular interview.

Try to relax and be yourself.

Don’t pretend you know more than you do or act overly smart.

If you don’t know something, say so rather than make up an answer. Ask the interviewers for their solution; it not only helps you gain knowledge, but also shows your enthusiasm to learn.

Confident yet friendly body language is important: your ability to solve problems under pressure is also under the microscope.

Be friendly and polite and give the interview your best shot.

Peter’s top tips for graduate technical interviews When you are doing a software engineering task, ask yourself questions such as ‘does my software have a clear architecture?’ and ‘how can it be expanded in the future?’ Demonstrating these kinds of considerations can do as much for you as clever coding.

Remember that the interviewer isn’t trying to catch you out. Show off what you know, be honest about the things you don’t and, if it’s the right job for you, you’ll do fine.

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ASSESSMENT CENTRES FOR GRADUATE IT & TECH JOBS no

A

ic e ercises and tests di erent I graduate emplo ers use for t eir assessment da s and at t e are looking for

ssessment centres are a regular feature of the graduate recruitment process. Employers bring together a group of candidates who complete a series of exercises, tests and interviews that are designed to evaluate their suitability for jobs and roles in their organisation.

The group setting makes it much easier for recruiters to assess how well you work with others, how you influence and persuade, how others respond to you and how you react to different situations. And it’s also much easier for you to showcase a broader range of skills and competencies than you would be able to demonstrate in an interview.

For this reason, they are a much fairer and more effective selection method.

Typical assessment tests for graduates

Group exercises: show you’re a team player

Graduate employers design their own assessment centres to test for skills and aptitudes that are right for their own organisations, but they typically contain similar exercises. Aside from interviews, expect to do a combination of:

Group exercises are used to test your communication and problem-solving skills, and to ensure that you can work effectively in a team. They include discussion groups, exercises that involve role-playing to a specific brief and, most commonly, working through a jobrelated scenario or case study.

You need to support the group in completing the task that has been set while also promoting yourself. The best way to do this is to show yourself to be a good team player – flexible, full of ideas but still willing to listen, and help expand the ideas of others.

group work exercises presentations aptitude and psychometric tests case studies linked to the job function Ensure you showcase your commercial awareness, for example by considering the business context of a case study task and the commercial implications of your proposed solution.

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Engineering | How to Get Hired

Presentations are about clear communication At some assessment centres you will be asked to give a presentation, usually to a mixed group of candidates and assessors. Here are a few ground rules: If you have a free choice of topic, choose something that you can talk about naturally and easily; don’t choose a topic just because you think it will impress the interviewer.

A structure is helpful to prevent your mind from going blank and will help the audience keep track too.

Use whatever form of notes you feel comfortable with, but never speak from a script.

Don’t attempt to fit in too much information or your audience will switch off. Five minutes is only enough time to present four big ideas or messages.

Much of the message of your talk will be conveyed non-verbally, so your body language can make a huge difference to your presentation.

You may be invited to use a flipchart or PowerPoint slides – use these to your advantage to support and back up your presentation.

If you are asked to put together a presentation on the day, include time for a run-through in the time allocated for preparation.

Have you got the aptitude to do something new?

Many graduate employers use psychometric tests during recruitment as they give some quantifiable measurement of whether or not you possess certain aptitudes and abilities essential for the job. You may already have taken psychometric tests as part of the application process, but recruiters may do a double check at assessment centres.

Abilit tests assess general intelligence and skills that someone with your level of education should possess. These are most likely to be numerical or verbal reasoning tests. Expect to use complex information, in the form of words, numbers and diagrams, to solve problems using logical or lateral thinking.

Aptitude tests assess your ability to learn something new.

Employees are increasingly expected to be flexible and adaptable in the workplace, so those who show ability to develop new skills quickly are in high demand. If you are from a non-technical degree background and have applied to work in a technical role, you may sit a programming aptitude test, for example.

Personality tests assess your typical behaviour and preferred way of going about things when presented with different situations. There are no right or wrong answers: honesty is the best policy.

Forget survival of the fittest; you could all be winners Always remember that you are being assessed against the employer’s criteria and not against the other candidates. You need to find a way to work together with your team members to achieve the goals and tasks set. Turn up with an open mind and be ready to get involved. It’s possible for everyone on an assessment day to walk away with a job.

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TECHNICAL SKILLS NEEDED IN IT & TECH TO SEAL THE DEAL ead on for some essential tec nical skills ou s ould develop to improve our c ances of ge ng t e ob

I

f you’re aiming for a tech-heavy graduate job, such as software developer, software tester or network engineer, you’ll need to ensure that you have sound knowledge of programming languages and other technical skills that employers want.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to land a less technical role as a business analyst or technical sales executive, you may not be expected to handle backend processes or engineer products from scratch. However, good technical understanding of the company’s products and services will improve your ability to manage projects, handle clients, and help you perform well on the job.

Developing and demonstrating your capacity for the following skills will thus boost your chances of getting a job offer regardless of your chosen line of work.

1. Coding/programming From C to Python, knowing your programming languages is essential for your job application. The ideal level of literacy is dependent on the role and company you’re applying for, as different organisations may have varying requirements.

Keep in mind that even if your degree is in computer science, it’s unlikely for you to learn everything you’ll need to get a job. Research on what skills you’ll need for the types of IT jobs that interest you and invest your own time outside of school to develop them.

Even if the role you’re applying for may not necessarily need you to do any actual coding, understanding the principles behind it will go a long way in helping you perform well in your career in IT and tech. Knowing how to relate and communicate with programmers on their terms is a plus as well.

Languages you can explore include C, C , C , .NET, Python, Java, HTML5 and open source knowledge.

2. Big data & data management/analytics Simply put, big data refers to the massive amount of data that businesses cull from websites, apps and hardware, and determine how it can be interpreted and used.

For this reason, developing data management skills can be beneficial as you’ll be able to help companies turn their big data into valuable information for value-added services to their customers. Superior data management knowledge can also help businesses observe and predict future consumer trends.

Data management skills go beyond using different software to analyse data. You may also be expected to know how to develop a good tracking system, guarantee data integrity, as well as perform basic database design and planning.

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PHP

C++

Java

Engineering | How to Get Hired

3. Data visualisation

5. User experience (UX)

Data visualisation is a branch of visual communication, and helps people interpret data via visuals. It involves understanding a variety of things: the data that you are trying to convey, such as its size and cardinality; how your audience consumes visual information; and the visual that best serves your purpose.

Someone with data visualisation knowledge does more than just plug in numbers into pie charts and graphs.

They will also explore new ways to help them simplify and communicate complicated trends or results obtained from the analysis of a company’s big data for the decision-makers. Clear representation of relevant data doesn’t just allow them to comprehend the data quickly, but also helps them identify patterns and emerging trends.

Having good UX understanding goes beyond just understanding the consumers’ needs, values, abilities, and limitations. It also involves knowing how to use design to improve the way customers interact with a product or service.

The quality of the customers’ UX is also greatly impacted by factors such as usability, brand consistency, and aesthetics, so doing research on these can help you perform better at your job.

You should also keep up with the latest user trends and concepts, such as the recent trend of gamification where businesses like Samsung, Waze, and even the World Bank make use of games to provide value-added services to their consumers.

4. Needs analysis Businesses in the IT sector that can cater to the constantly-evolving needs of their customers are the ones that will stand the test of time. Knowing this, employers value job seekers who can help them gain a comprehensive understanding of their customer’s needs, whether through surveys, questionnaires, interviews, or quick chats with customers.

Some employers also welcome graduates who can help them understand their employees better and preserve their job satisfaction level.

Through tools such as organisational analysis, work/task analysis, and person analysis, you can help employers find out what makes their employees tick.

A graduate with good needs analysis skill will know how to match different needs assessment models to different situations or industries. They will also know how to phrase their questions to retrieve the desired information, especially in survey forms and questionnaires.

Pro tip: Go the extra mile According to recruiters of IT companies, graduates who are successful in graduate recruitment processes have often used their own time to improve their technical skills. Such candidates demonstrate strong capacity and initiative for selfdevelopment.

Aside from possessing extra skills, recruiters noted that successful candidates do the following: Read up on current affairs and news affecting the industry Get involved with clubs/ societies related to their specialism Gain work experience through internships and work placements Have personal projects or hobbies that involve programming/scripting Participate in hackathons Make contributions to open source projects

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SOFT SKILLS FOR IT & TECH Impressive tec nical skills are great to ave but I recruiters look for ellrounded graduates it t e necessar so skills for t e ob

S

ome IT companies look for obvious skills such as knowledge of C , JavaScript or .Net, but many others have more surprising requirements.

Technology recruiters have been known to look for creativity, the ability to be selfcritical and the ability to help colleagues with their challenges.

These can all be categorised as soft skills, which can be defined as skills that aren’t technical, specialised or specific to that particular job; they are often to do with how you relate to other people, so there is considerable overlap with what people often call interpersonal or people skills.

how technical your role is, “youNoarematter performing it as part of a wider

Why you need soft skills for IT graduate jobs

IT systems are only relevant in a business context so IT professionals need the ability to communicate well with people at all levels in an organisation, from help desk assistants and PC end users to company directors.

It’s important to be able to listen and understand, as well as explain technology at an appropriate level for the audience. In client-focused roles, IT professionals must also communicate clearly with clients to understand and define system requirements.

“

Read any job advert for an IT graduate scheme or job. The call for soft skills and commercial awareness are very likely to feature just as much – or more – than technical understanding.

This is because no matter how technical your role is, you are performing it as part of a wider business, whether that means collaborating with colleagues or gathering a specification from clients.

Here is a round-up of key skills that are required for almost all IT graduate schemes:

business, whether that means collaborating with colleagues or gathering a specification from clients.

01 Communication

02 Planning and organisation The IT sector is a project-focused industry. Good planning and organisation skills are essential for graduates entering the tech business, in order to manage tasks on different projects with different deadlines and competing priorities.

Effective planning makes it possible to anticipate problems and challenges and transform them into positive opportunities.

Demonstrate our planning and organisation skills b

Demonstrate our communication skills b

Showing that you can put structure to a task or project.

Keeping verbal and written communication clear, concise and confident.

Highlighting how you scope out an activity and allocate time to individual tasks.

Showing you understand your audience and can tailor your communication to them.

Showing how you anticipate challenges and issues that could arise and plan contingencies.

Showing you can listen to and consider the views of others.

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SOFT SKILLS

05 03 Drive, motivation and enthusiasm Drive and motivation are essential for working in this incredibly fastpaced industry. You need to enjoy taking on new challenges, pushing boundaries and looking towards the future. Graduate recruiters warm to enthusiastic candidates because they know that enthusiastic people are motivated people.

D e m o n st rate o u r d r i ve motivation and ent usiasm b Showing you have the determination to achieve an end result.

Demonstrating that you can keep your optimism and enthusiasm even when things get tough.

Showing that you can bounce back from set-backs.

Knowing what makes yourself tick and what types of task and activity you most enjoy doing.

Teamwork

04 Problem-solving To work in IT, you need to have the ability to define problems in a timely manner, identify the root causes, and then gather relevant information to find appropriate solutions.

But problem-solving goes beyond resolving just technical issues. You may also need to suggest enhancements to existing procedures and processes to deliver improved services, a better product and most importantly, satisfied clients.

Demonstrate our problem-solving skills b Displaying that you can take a logical and analytical approach to problem solving.

Teamwork is essential for sharing knowledge, establishing and building relationships and supporting all the people involved on a project.

Te a m w o r k requires interpersonal skills and at times, leadership qualities so that you can consider and respond appropriately to the behaviour and motives of others, adapt your personal style accordingly, or step out in front to bring others with you.

Demonstrate our team ork skills b

graduate

Showing that you can build and maintain positive working relationships.

Demonstrating how you share information with others; support others and show respect for alternative views.

Showing that you can view problems from a number of angles.

Showing how you have contributed to keeping projects on track and to achieving a final goal, working sensitively and cooperatively with others.

Demonstrating that you can anticipate potential pitfalls and act to prevent them from happening.

Showing how you have considered and identified what motivates others and how you have led by example.

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GETTING AN IT INTERNSHIP OR PLACEMENT et organised to bag ourself an industrial placement or interns ip

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any employers offer paid internships or placement years in IT-related roles. Internships typically last between six and twelve weeks and are designed to fit into the long vacation, often (but not always) between your penultimate and final year at university.

Some universities also have a designated placement or professional attachment year as part of their degree programmes. Although there are courses that are not designed this way, your university might let you take time off to do one upon request.

Why do an IT placement?

An internship or placement can help you to: show employers that you are serious about your career explore a particular career option before committing to it increase your understanding of topics you study on your degree develop technical, business and interpersonal skills in a workplace setting get exposure to challenges and projects that will give you something to talk about in your applications and at interviews.

Where to find an IT placement

What about non-IT placements?

Large employers tend to advertise their internships and placements widely; you can seek them out using the job search function on gradsingapore.com.

They often have part of their company website dedicated to intern (and graduate) recruitment.

Smaller employers typically have less time and budget to spend on internship recruitment. Try keeping tabs on their websites or by making speculative applications. Alternatively, you can always go to your university’s career services, where you can get connected to internship opportunities.

IT employers are looking for graduates who have a mix of technical and nontechnical skills and competencies.

During the recruitment process for your graduate job, you will be expected to show recruiters and interviewers that you possess the non-technical attributes that they’re looking for – using real-life examples.

Work experience gained in a non-IT capacity can enable you to prove that you have these attributes. So, don’t limit yourself to just IT-related work placements.

Being selective is vital The three or four years you spend doing your degree are precious – you have to use this time wisely to ensure you’re employable upon graduation.

Should you decide to step outside the IT arena to gain some experience, it’s essential you choose an internship or placement that will definitely develop the transferable skills and competencies that IT employers seek.

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Determining the value of non-IT placements A variety of internship and placement opportunities can be found at companies across a range of sectors; these could be customer-facing, editorial, sales or marketing roles, as well as many others.

To determine whether a non-IT placement will help you to develop useful and transferable skills, find out precisely what your responsibilities and objectives will be. For instance, being charged with resolving customer queries would be far more useful than photocopying and filing. Make sure you read the job description, ask the recruiter additional questions if need be and liaise with former interns if you know any.

Engineering | How to Get Hired

What to do if you can’t get an IT internship If your applications have been unsuccessful or you have left it too late to apply, there are other ways to make yourself an appealing candidate.

A formal IT internship is just one way to develop the skills and experience employers want.

Here are other options you can consider:

• IT temp jobs Small – and medium-sized employers sometimes have paid temporary positions suitable for students, even if these aren’t labelled as ‘internships’.

You can look for such roles by searching directly on employers’ websites, and submit a speculative application with your C and a strong cover letter explaining why you chose that particular company.

• Learn a new programming language One key problem for IT graduates is that the programming languages they’ve learned at university may not match up with those that employers actually need.

If you end up with a free semester break, use it to your advantage. Research those employers that interest you and find out which programming languages they typically seek.

Once you’ve identified any skills gaps, find a way to plug them. Try online tutorials or download opensource software and play about. Even better, once you’ve mastered a new programming language, find yourself a project to apply it to.

• IT work shadowing If you can’t find paid work in IT, consider lining up a few days’ work shadowing.

While not as impressive as an internship, work shadowing will still show employers that you’ve been proactive and gained a feel for what the IT careers that interest you might involve.

• Start your own IT project Don’t get fixated on work experience as the only means of impressing recruiters.

The key is to have experiences worth talking about to draw on during job applications and interviews – but these don’t have to come from working in someone else’s business. Seek out opportunities that will let you use your IT skills to bring about an improvement.

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CONSIDERING A POSTGRADUATE DEGREE IN IT & TECH raduates from non-tec nical degrees can get tec nical skills and computing kno ledge t roug a postgraduate I conversion course

P

ostgraduate IT conversion courses provide a grounding in the basics of IT and computing for graduates who haven’t studied computer science at degree level. They are typically a yearlong taught masters course, although it is possible to do diplomas.

Why graduate employers like converts to IT More often than not, the combination of the technology skills gained through a conversion masters and the general competences developed through a first degree in a different subject area gives graduate applicants a breadth of experience and a skill set that are very attractive to graduate employers in IT. Technologists need to possess strong people skills, business acumen and understand the diverse needs of IT users, as well as having a deep technical knowledge. Conversion graduates frequently display these highly soughtafter.

You can gain extra employer appeal by seeking out a course that will expose you to IT and computing in a commercial context through a placement or project work with an employer. At the very least, you will need to keep up to date with the latest technology developments in the industry, and link what you’re learning to what’s going on in the commercial world of IT.

Are you ready to take the postgraduate path to your career in IT? To get the most out of a postgraduate conversion course you need to give some thought to what you want to do at the end of it. Conversion courses are intense. You’ll be mastering a completely new discipline in a relatively short time, so you need to be motivated.

Researching the IT business sector and listing the main employers that interest you is a good way to start. Take a close look at the different roles offered by graduate IT employers and identify which ones interest you.

This will give you an idea of the skills and competencies you will need and it will help you to compare the content of postgraduate conversion courses so that you find the programme that suits your career aims.

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Choosing the right IT conversion course IT conversion courses vary in focus and content. An MSc in computer science’ or computing’ will typically cover core computing principles and be heavier on programming, development and networks.

An MSc in information technology’ could focus more on building IT applications within business and society.

Both types provide invaluable skills but one may be better suited to your career intentions than the other.

Look carefully at the content and key modules when comparing courses.

While you’ll want to be challenged by your postgraduate studies, why struggle with loads of programming if that’s not your long-term IT interest?

Engineering | How to Get Hired

To maximise the benefits of converting to IT you also need to choose the right place to study. Different institutions will have different emphases and provide different learning environments, so you will need to decide what suits you best. isit the departments, and talk to students and staff – this is a good way to assess a course’s quality. Your conversion course is an investment in your future, so you need to find out how you can benefit from it.

If your aim is to boost your employability, make sure you find out what previous students have gone on to do and in which areas of IT they typically found work.

Make sure you meet the requirements for the course you want to study Check the minimum requirements of postgraduate conversion courses carefully. You need to make sure that your undergraduate degree will allow you entry onto the course and that your degree classification meets the minimum requirements.

While many courses accept graduates from all disciplines, those that have a deeper technical element may only accept graduates coming from numerate or technical/scientific undergraduate degrees.

If you have any prior experience in computing or any IT-related work experience, mention this in your application along with the strength of your mathematical and analytical skills.

This will help admissions tutors assess your suitability for the course.

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Conversion graduates frequently display highly sought-after traits.

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Choosing the right place to convert

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IT & Tech | Features

TOP THREE TRENDS IN IT AND TECH FOR GRADUATES TO KNOW ingapore s mart ation initiative means t e countr is focused on t e development and pervasive adoption of digital and smart tec nologies

Trend #1

Cloud Computing

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his is not a new trend, but with the adoption of cloud services surging for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), cloud computing is still making waves in the industry. After all, SMEs make up about 99 percent of companies in Singapore and contribute almost half of the country’s gross domestic product.

Because of this, according to top consultant firm KPMG, pla orm-as-aservice is predicted to be the fastest- growing cloud computing, soaring from 32 percent in 2017 to 56 percent in 2020. This means the industry can expect more intense competition, more consolidation among cloud service providers, and lower prices for small business and enterprise users.

In layman’s terms, cloud computing refers to storing and accessing data as well as programmes on the Internet instead of a computer’s hard drive. The cloud refers to the Internet. This allows individuals to access their companies’ digital resources online from just about anywhere in the world that has Internet connectivity, which is an important aspect in this increasingly globalised world.

Singapore has already emerged as one of the biggest adopters of cloud technology in the Asia Pacific, and cloud computing is seen as an integral cog in Singapore’s Smart Nation plan. The industry can expect cloud computing to quickly be a central component in a majority of companies in the next three to four years.

What this means for IT graduates Since most of the jobs in cloud have simply been taken up by employees already working in IT, there has not really been a huge chasm of demand for people with a cloud skill set. In addition, SMEs that adopt cloud computing would no longer have a need for an internal IT department. Most cloud computing systems come with its own after sales services, and make companies less reliant on its own IT department to maintain and fix issues.

But this is the age for digital innovation, so demand is still high for IT graduates specialising in cloud computing. Most of the jobs will require a profound knowledge of specific technologies, such as Open Stack, Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services. Ideal cloud-computing candidates should also be adept in several programming languages and frameworks, such as Chef, Python, Perl, Java, and Ruby on Rails.

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It is almost impossible to learn them all, but focus on a couple of skills that are most popular. Amazon Web Services is still likely to be a major cloud player in the next few years, but because the industry is so dynamic with new entrants regularly joining the fray, there may be a shift in dominance within the cloud scene.

IT & Tech | Features

Trend #2 Big Data

The word is that data is the new oil of the digital economy, and it does not take much to see why. Companies like Facebook and Google dominate the digital sphere because they mine millions of their users’ online habits, and use them to gain advertising revenue. They track the news we click, the searches we make, and even how

long our cursor hovers in a particular section of the webpage. Considering Mark uckerberg, Larry Page and Sergey Brin are now billionaires, big data is a lucrative business if a company knows how to make full use of it.

But the industry is not just about getting advertising money. With today’s digital culture generating massive amounts of data, companies also use this data to gain insight into customer behaviour, learn more about their workforce, improve decision-making, and drive growth.

What this means for IT graduates More companies are delving into big data, even SMEs. The Singapore government has set aside S 80m over the next four years under an SMEs Go Digital Programme to help local companies with more advanced needs

- such as data analytics and artificial intelligence.

In tandem with the government’s support, demand for such major datacentric roles has increased by 50 percent in Singapore over the last two to three years, and will likely continue to increase together with wages for jobs like data scientists and data analysts.

However, the focus on big data is not uniform across all sectors, with telecommunications, IT development, life science and banking services employing most of the data specialists.

Candidates who are keen on specialising in big data typically have a background in computer science or mathematics. However, it takes more than just tracking and gathering large amounts of data. Companies need their employees to have the business acumen to connect data with actions that will boost the companies’ operations and profitability.

Trend #3

Cybersecurity The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) suffered a cyber-attack in early 2017 that caused the leaking of about 850 national servicemen and MINDEF personnel’s personal details, such as their NRIC numbers, telephone numbers, and birth dates. While the attack was planned with the intention of gaining access to classified military data, the hackers failed to do so since MINDEF’s internal system is separate from the public terminals.

Still, this incident is only one in several cases that occurred in Singapore in the years. According to security services provider, Quann, and research firm, IDC, up to 91 percent of Singapore companies are still in the early stages of building a proper security system. In addition, more than half or 54 percent of the respondents did not have a security operations centre to monitor their networks and security devices for any suspicious traffic.

The cybersecurity landscape will change as the industry is listed as one of the emerging growth sectors

in Singapore’s digital economy.

According to Channel NewsAsia, the local cybersecurity market is expected to generate 2,500 jobs by 2018, and reach S 900m by 2020. In addition, the government is pumping more than S 16m into the country’s cybersecurity research and development to strengthen the sector.

What this means for IT graduates The government’s investments mean job seekers can see a strong focus on recruiting and training skilled individuals who are looking to pursue cybersecurity as a career option, especially within the public sector. MINDEF, for example, will train full-time national servicemen who have an aptitude for cyber security to be a cyber defender in the regular service, with a new short-term contract scheme.

With the law of supply and demand at work, IT graduates, who start in the cyber security field, generally receive a starting salary that is 10 to 15 percent

higher than their peers from other faculties, according to IT security firm CyberArk. For those looking to take up a cybersecurity-focused role, look out for the following key phrases in the job description: penetration testing, malware testing, threat intelligence, security monitoring, security risk, and security compliance.

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IT & Tech | Features

IDEATING DESIGN FOR BUSINESS Danielle Chan brings creative solutions to clients through design with IBM IX, IBM’s digital agency.

Danielle Chan

2018: Joined IBM IX as a Business Transformation Consultant – Design Associate, after graduating with a Bachelor of Social Science in Communications and New Media from the National University of Singapore.

My role in a nutshell My job is a mixture of design and consultancy which requires me to create design solutions for clients to meet their business goals. My daily responsibilities include user research, user experience and user interface design, and project management.

Getting the role The interview process involved multiple phases – a phone interview, an online IQ test, a video interview, a group case study activity and a one-on-one interview. The group case study and the one-on-one interview were scheduled on a day that I happened to be overseas.

I flew back earlier to attend them, but it was all worth it The trickiest part of the selection process was definitely the group case study as we had to work together with people we had just met, to come up with solutions and presentations within three hours. It was rushed but it pushed us to think on our feet and work cooperatively.

What keeps me going I like what I do each day – guiding clients to design solutions that help fulfil their business needs. I am also exposed to

projects from different industries. Most importantly, working with my team is an enjoyable experience.

Currently, the most challenging aspect of my job is to ensure that I am learning and applying what I learn everyday. It is important that we do not start a new job with the mentality that we know how to do certain things based on past experiences, as each day is an opportunity for improvement

My happiest moment at work My biggest achievement so far was facilitating a workshop with my colleagues for our clients. It was interesting to be able to discuss and explore different ways to ideate with the clients and find out more about their perspectives.

Training and support IBM IX provides a lot of training for us to ease into our job roles. We have online learning tools as well as yearly trainings to learn new skill sets from trainers and senior consultants. My most memorable experience was a one-week training trip in Malaysia with my peers.

Work-life balance I usually end work on time but on some days, I will choose to stay later to complete my work. It is about time management and how much effort you are willing to put in. I love that our culture is very open and people are very friendly and helpful. Within the first month, most of the seniors will introduce themselves and guide us around in IBM.

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“

It is important that we do not start a new job with the mentality that we know how to do certain things based on past experiences, as each day is an opportunity for improvement!

“

Career Highlights

Advice to graduates Make use of internships to gain experiences; you will learn a lot from the application of knowledge and working in teams. Taking initiative and putting in extra effort to learn more about what design entails would also help. There are many free resources available online

IT & Tech | Features

CREATING THE FUTURE THROUGH CONSTANT LEARNING Noor Mazlina

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Unlike being in school, learning on the job is a continuous process that allows you to be more productive.

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Career Highlights 2018: Joined IBM Singapore as an Application Developer, after graduating with a Diploma in Business Information Systems from the Republic Polytechnic

My role in a nutshell As an Application Developer with IBM Singapore, my work involves system analysis, data analysis, as well as assisting in logic development, application development coding, project documentation and technical support.

Noor Mazlina Binte Hajasheik Allaudin relishes the opportunity to be part of big and future-oriented ventures, developing applications with IBM Singapore.

Getting the role

Training and support

I first learned about the opening through an e-mail when I was still studying at Republic Polytechnic. After submitting my resume to IBM’s career portal, I was contacted for an initial casual interview, followed by another interview the week after.

During the second interview, I was asked several questions. Most of the questions were based on my resume, about my internship, skills and knowledge. After the interview, I was asked to do an aptitude test before I was accepted for my role.

The trickiest part of the process was the interview – I had to be on my toes to answer the questions professionally.

I think what set me apart from others was my honesty and earnestness.

When I first started, I was assigned a buddy who helped me with the setting up of the essentials that I would need.

During the first month, I was given responsibilities and brought up to speed on the project. I also learned about the programming language used and went through an online class which helped me get a clearer picture of the project.

What keeps me going

Advice to graduates

As this is my first job, I am learning new things every day at work, including soft skills, technical knowledge and programming etiquette. Most importantly, I get to be part of something big and futuristic. To me, the most difficult part of the job is keeping up with my colleagues who are very experienced in this field.

Work smart and hard on your goals and you will achieve them.

Work-life balance My working hours are from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm. IBM is an amazing place to work at – there is a lot of space for you to grow and everyone is very willing to help. Unlike being in school, learning on the job is a continous process that allows you to be more productive.

My happiest moment at work My biggest achievement was when I was able to help with the system development. I also felt a sense of accomplishment when I received compliments for fast turnaround for client queries.

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EMPLOYERS Learn more about the leading employers with vacancies and internships in the STEM sector.

A APA CO. LTD ................................................... 94 CapitaLand Limited ............................................ 94 Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd............................... IFC 95 Cognizant Technology Solutions ........................ 95 Continental Automotive Singapore Pte Ltd ....... 96 Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies (CSIT) ..................... 96 Cyber Security Agency of Singapore .................. 97 DSO National Laboratories ................................ 97 GlaxoSmithKline Pte Ltd ............................. 99 98 Income....................................................... 2,3 98 Jan de Nul ........................................................ 100 Micron Semiconductor Asia Operations ................................. 101 100

Ministry of Defence ................................ 104 102 Ministry of Home Affairs ................. 93, OBC 102 Ministry of Education ............................. 107 105 nuTonomy Asia Pte Ltd .................................... 105 OCBC Bank ............................................... IBC 108 SAF Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I)............... 108 Siemens Pte. Ltd .............................................. 110 Smiths Group ................................................... 110 Singapore Police Force .................................... 111 Tata Consultancy Services ............................... 111 advertisement; IFC inside front cover; IBC inside back cover; OBC outside back cover

Employer Directory Listings

AZAPA CO. LTD.

AZAPA was founded by a group of engineers from the engine control software development department of Toyota in 2008.

Our R&D division is focusing on advanced technologies innovations such as autonomous driving, system architecture design and control development for leading automotive manufacturers and major industrial players.

Normally, we start a client’s project by cocreating the proposal with our distinct ideas and expanding their horizons. In this sense we set our unique brand archetype as “Magician”.

As a venture company, our corporate culture is very flexible compared to other Japanese companies. Out of 20 members in the Tokyo R&D office, we have 5 non-Japanese engineers including 1 NUS PhD graduate, demonstrating

our certain level of diversity. Additionally, unlike other Japanese corporations, we apply performance-based salary system. Having these features, we are able to offer you a comfortable environment to concentrate on the R&D work.

New engineers would start working in the control development team or model-based design team to understand AZAPA’s developing process and to obtain basic skills. In terms of on-the-job training, we have a one-month training programme called AZAPA University to help freshmen start working smoothly.

Job Roles • Control Software development engineer • Model-Based development engineer

Nishiki 2-4-15, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi, JAPAN Tel +81-52-221-7350 Web http://www.azapa.co.jp/recruit/ index.html Email saiyou@azapa.co.jp

Sectors • Engineering, Design, and Manufacturing • IT and Technology • Scientific Research and Development

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Minimum requirement Degree

Diploma

Number of employees 100 – 500 employees

Application periods Graduate jobs: All year round Internships: All year round

CapitaLand Limited

CapitaLand is one of Asia’s largest real estate companies. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, it is an owner and manager of a global portfolio worth over S$92 billion as at 30 September 2018, comprising integrated developments, shopping malls, lodging, offices, homes, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and funds. Present across more than 160 cities in over 30 countries, we focus on Singapore and China as core markets, while continuing to expand in markets such as Vietnam and Indonesia.

Our competitive advantage is its significant asset base and extensive market network.

Coupled with extensive design, development and operational capabilities, we develop and manage high-quality real estate products and services.

We also have one of the largest investment management businesses in Asia and a stable of five REITs listed in Singapore and Malaysia – CapitaLand Mall Trust, CapitaLand Commercial Trust, Ascott Residence Trust, CapitaLand Retail China Trust and CapitaLand Malaysia Mall Trust.

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Working at CapitaLand provides you the opportunity to work alongside a vastly talented international workforce, while you gain access to skills and development programmes aimed to promote continual learning.

GRADUATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (GDP) • Length of programme: 21 months • Number of rotations: 2 • Length of each rotation: 9-12 months • Eligibility: Minimum Degree with Distinction/2nd Class Upper Honours/ Magna Cum Laude or equivalent General Track (All Disciplines) • Degree required: Open to all disciplines • Rotations to businesses: REIT, Funds, Real Estate, Hospitality Technical Track (Architecture/Engineering) • Degree required: Civil Engg, Electrical Engg, Environmental Engg, Mechanical Engg, Architecture • Rotations to functions: Project Management, Design Management

168 Robinson Road, #30-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912 Tel +65 6713 2888 Web capitaland.com/careers

Sector • Property and Real Estate

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Minimum requirement Degree

Diploma

Number of employees 10,000 – 50,000 employees

Employer Directory Listings

Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd

Changi Airport Group is first and foremost a service company. We operate Singapore Changi Airport, the world’s most awarded airport, and help develop and manage airports worldwide. Our people are our most important asset in our mission to be the world’s leading airport company, growing a vibrant air hub in Singapore and enhancing the communities we serve worldwide.

airport community. With a set-up of multiple businesses, we present challenging work and diverse opportunities for our employees to further their personal and professional growth. Also, we provide a platform for employees to develop, see through their ideas and contributions and make an impact to our organisation and the communities we serve locally and globally.

We aspire to build a company where ordinary people achieve extraordinary results. Our people have a passion for service and are committed to teamwork, integrity and excellence. Working together with our colleagues and partners to achieve the best outcome, we deliver innovative services and create a world-class experience for our customers.

Areas of Specialisation • Civil Engineering • Mechanical Engineering • Electrical Engineering • Systems Engineering • Industrial Engineering • Construction Engineering • Engineering Design and Construction • Operations Research

Changi Airport Group offers a unique work environment in a global, vibrant and exciting

Singapore Changi Airport, PO Box 168 Singapore 918146 Web careers.changiairport.com

Sectors • Hospitality, Leisure, and Tourism • Logistics, Transport, and Supply Chain

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Minimum requirement Degree

Diploma

Number of employees 1,000 – 10,000 employees

Application periods Graduate jobs: All year round Internships: December to February

Cognizant Technology Solutions

Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant has made a dramatic impact in the technology arena. We started as nothing more than an idea in 1994.

By taking a unique approach to technology, we’ve helped many of the world’s biggest organizations transform for the digital future since then. It didn’t take long for the industry to pick up on our successes – by 2011, we were already being recognized as a Fortune 500 company. Not bad for a company that many regarded as a digital upstart. We’re also consistently listed as being amongst the most admired companies in the world.

Today, we’re proud to say that our unique, industry-based, consultative approach is helping clients envision, build and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at www.cognizant.com or follow us on Twitter: @ Cognizant.

Areas of Specialisation • Digital Business • Digital Operations • Digital Systems and Technology To apply:

1 Changi Business Park Crescent, Plaza 8@CBP Tower A #07-04/05/06, Singapore 486025 Tel +(65) 6812 4044 Web https://careers.cognizant.com/ studentandinterns/global/en/ Email CampusAPAC@cognizant.com

Sectors • Banking and Financial Services • Consulting • Investment Banking and Investment Management • IT and Technology

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Minimum requirement Degree

Diploma

Number of employees More than 100,000 employees

Application periods Graduate jobs: Now till Aug 2019 Internships: Now till June 2019

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Employer Directory Listings

Continental Automotive Singapore Pte Ltd

With sales of 44 billion in 2017, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide and currently employs more than 240,000 employees in 61 countries.

As a partner of the automotive and commercial vehicle industry, Continental Automotive Group develops and produces innovative products and systems for an automotive future, where cars provide individual mobility and driving pleasure consistent with driving safety, environmental responsibility and cost-efficiency.

Singapore R&D Centre served as a major engineering resources and competence pool for the growing demand of engineering capacities in Asia.

WHAT WE SEEK? Motivated employees are the key to Continental’s success. Beyond job specific know-how, we need people with drive, creativity and strong adaptability to create values to our dynamic business.

TRUST – PASSION TO WIN – FREEDOM TO ACT – FOR ONE ANOTHER are our CORE VALUES and we want to LIVE IT! WHY US? Engineer change and be part of something greater. Continental offers multifaceted career opportunities on a global scale and diverse career-tracks catering to competences of individual. Our employees will experience exciting job challenges, supportive and conducive work environment with continuous learning opportunities that will realise their full potential.

80 Boon Keng Road Tel +65 6580 0000 Web https://www.continentalcorporation.com/en-sg Email Automotive.sg@continentalcorporation.com

Sector • Engineering, Design, and Manufacturing

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Minimum requirement Degree

Diploma

Areas of Specialisation

Number of employees

• Automotive Technology

1,000 – 10,000 employees

Applications are open to STEM students and other related courses of study.

Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies (CSIT)

We are an agency in the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) that conducts R&D in infocomm and infosecurity technologies.

Areas of Specialisation

CSIT has a strong focus in cyber security, data analytics and information technology.

• • • • •

In our efforts to develop robust solutions for Singapore’s security needs, CSIT leverages on commercial expertise and works closely with local research institutions, defence R&D and support organisations, and startup companies.

We nurture technical talents in the following areas to meet Singapore’s security needs: Cyber-Technology Software Engineering and Analytics Comms-Technology Systems and Network Infrastructure Crypto-Technology

CSIT Building, Science Park 2, 30 Science Park Road, Singapore 117512 Tel +65 6412 7218 Web www.csit.gov.sg Email hr@csit.gov.sg

Sectors • IT and Technology • Public Sector

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Minimum requirement Degree

Application periods Graduate jobs: All year round Internships: All year round

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Employer Directory Listings

Cyber Security Agency of Singapore

Established on 1 April 2015, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) is the national body overseeing cyber security strategy, operation, education and outreach, technology and industry development. CSA provides dedicated and centralised oversight of Singapore’s national cyber security functions, and engages partners to ensure the holistic development of Singapore’s cyber security landscape. It is managed by the Ministry of Communications and Information and reports to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Areas of Specialisation Various roles in cybersecurity. Examples include roles in • • • • • • •

Cyber Threat Analysis and Intelligence Penetration Testing Incident Response Malware Analysis Digital Forensics Consultancy Industry Development

5 Maxwell Road, Level 3 Tower Block, MND Complex Singapore 069110 Web https://www.csa.gov.sg/careers https://www.careers.gov.sg Email csa_recruit@csa.gov.sg

Sectors • IT and Technology • Public Sector

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Minimum requirement Degree

CSA offers exciting opportunities for individuals to be part of our dynamic, multi-disciplinary and committed team shaping Singapore’s cyber security landscape.

Diploma

Number of employees 100 – 500 employees

DSO National Laboratories

Defence research and development (R&D) is at the heart of what we do at DSO. As Singapore’s largest national defence R&D organisation, DSO is entrusted with the critical mission of developing technological surprises to enhance Singapore’s defence capabilities. From research to systems development, our defence engineers and scientists push the boundaries to develop game-changing technologies and solutions that are not available in the market, or not available to Singapore.

DSO also invests and explores emerging technologies to ensure the nation’s defence and national security capabilities are futureready. With more than 50 research areas across the domains of air, land, sea, space and cyberspace, DSO shapes the future of defence with our imagination and dare-to-do spirit in the relentless pursuit of the next big idea.

Areas of Specialisation • Aerospace • Algorithm Design • Artificial Intelligence • Behavioural Science • Communications • Cryptology • Cyber Security • Data Analytics • Digital Electronics • Electromagnetics • Electronics Design • Embedded Systems • Material Science • Mathematics • Mechanical Design • Operations Research • Physics • RF and Microwave Electronics • Robotics • Signal Processing • Software Engineering and more...

12 Science Park Drive, Singapore 118225 Tel +(65) 6776 2255 Web https://career.dso.org.sg/careeropenings/index.html Email campusrelations@dso.org.sg

Sectors • Engineering, Design, and Manufacturing • IT and Technology • Scientific Research and Development

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Minimum requirement Degree

Diploma

Number of employees 1,000 – 10,000 employees

Application periods All year round

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Employer Directory Listings

GlaxoSmithKline Pte Ltd 23 Rochester Park Singapore 139234 Web www.gsk.com/careers Email sg.campus-recruitment@gsk.com GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer.

We have three global businesses that research, develop and manufacture innovative pharmaceutical medicines, vaccines and consumer healthcare products. Our goal is to be one of the world’s most innovative, best performing and trusted healthcare companies.

We aim to bring differentiated, high-quality and needed healthcare products to as many people as possible, with our three global businesses, scientific and technical know-how, and talented people.

Future Leaders Graduate Programme (FLP): If you’re a graduate with the talent and ambition to lead others, this is a great opportunity to build leadership skills and start your career with one of the world’s leading healthcare companies.

We’ll tailor your training and development to suit your expertise and ambition, as well as our business needs. During this two to three-year programme, you’ll experience different aspects of your chosen business area and learn how other areas of our business work.

There’s no limit to how far you can go with us – it’s up to you to prove yourself.

Applications are open to STEM students.

Sectors • Engineering, Design, & Manufacturing • Healthcare & Pharmaceutical • Logistics, Transport & Supply Chain • Scientific Research & Development

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Number of employees Over 100,000 employees around the world

Application periods FLP: Applications open in September 2019.

Internships: Applications are open all year round.

Our values and expectations are at the heart of everything we do and help define our culture – so that together we can deliver extraordinary things for our patients and consumers and make GSK a brilliant place to work. Our expectations are courage, accountability, development and teamwork.

Income Web income.com.sg Sector Income was established in 1970 to provide affordable insurance for workers in Singapore.

Today, two million people in Singapore look to Income for trusted advice and solutions when making their most important financial decisions. Our wide network of advisers and partners provide life, health and general insurance products and services to serve the protection, savings and investment needs of customers across all segments of society.

Right from the start, Income was made different.

Our social purpose of maximising value for our policyholders defines us as a social enterprise as we continue to make insurance accessible, affordable and sustainable for all.

In 2017, Income had over $36.3 billion in assets under management. Our financial strength and diversified investment portfolio is reflected by our strong credit ratings which underpin the delivery of our commitment to customers.

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Income’s corporate social responsibility initiative, OrangeAid, is committed to empower a better future for children and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds.

At Income, we are “In With You” on Performance, Growth, Innovation, and Impact. These attributes reflect what we promise as an employer and made us a strong brand as an Employer of Choice.

For more about Income, please visit www. income.com.sg.

Job roles • Specialist : Actuarial, Risk Management, Investment, Finance, IT • Generalist : Operations, Underwriting, Product Development, Corporate Support, Marketing

• Financial Services and Insurance

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Minimum requirement Degree

Diploma

Number of employees 1,000 – 10,000 employees

Accepted degree disciplines • All disciplines

Application periods Graduate jobs: Jan to Dec Internships: Jan to Mar

Open

discovery Exciting minds

with our Future Leaders graduate programme gsk.com/careers

Employer Directory Listings

Jan De Nul

Shaping water and land. From complex offshore services for both fossil and renewable energy sectors to large dredging and reclamation project at the edge of water and land to all possible civil and environmental works onshore. Thanks to the continuous investment of people and own equipment, and in cooperation between the different departments, Jan De Nul Group studies and executes complex multidisciplinary projects from A to Z. A total package, time after time, and in a sustainable way.

Jan De Nul group is constantly looking for engineers, both experienced and graduates, who are willing to work worldwide. We offer an intensive training course of 4 weeks after 1 year of experience on site.

Job Roles We are constantly looking for operational civil and mechanical engineers to fill positions as superintendents all over the world!

We are looking for people who want to work abroad, in a rotation system. You will be working for two months on site, and have one month of vacation.

Tragel 60, 9308 Hofstade-Aalst Belgium Tel 003253737698 Web http://jobs.jandenul.com Email HRAdmin@jandenul.com

Sectors • Construction and Civil Engineering • Energy, Oil and Gas, and Utilities

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Minimum requirement Diploma

Number of employees 1,000 – 10,000 employees

Application periods Graduate jobs: https://jobs.jandenul. com/en/jobs Internships: https://jobs.jandenul. com/en/stage

Micron Semiconductor Asia Operations

Memory is at the heart of technology innovation and data intelligence, empowering breakthroughs that are changing the way the world works, plays and communicates. We aren’t satisfied with delivering memory that just fills a need — we are driven to create technology specifically designed to enable our customers to realize their fullest potential.

From medical research and space exploration to artificial intelligence and autonomous driving, we continuously rethink how things could fit together better and how our imagination and technology can continue to enrich the world.

Micron knows that innovation comes from having a diverse team with distinct experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds.

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We attract the top talent in the regions where we operate, hiring men and women who share our passion for accelerating the transformation of information to intelligence. Micron believes in fostering a supportive work environment where team members grow, thrive, engage in meaningful work, and bring their best selves every day. We also believe in supporting the communities where our team members live and work through our philanthropy and people.

For Micron, doing business better means doing business right. Our day-to-day operations wouldn’t be possible without a commitment to conducting business with integrity and a proactive approach to environmental stewardship and sustainability.

1 North Coast Drive, Singapore 757432 No. 1 Woodlands Ind. Park D, St. 1, Singapore 738799 990 Bendemeer Road, Singapore 339942 Web micron.com/careers

Sector • Engineering, Design, and Manufacturing

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Minimum requirement Degree

Diploma

Number of employees 10,000 – 50,000 employees

Micron, the intelligent choice.

Set your career in motion with Micron and help shape the future of data intelligence — and the world.

Join Us! micron.com/careers Š 2019 Micron Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Micron, the Micron logo, and Intelligence Accelerated are trademarks of Micron Technology, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Employer Directory Listings

Ministry of Defence Web https://www.mindef.gov.sg/dxo Email dxo@defence.gov.sg Sector DXO. Defence Executive Officer.

Defence Technology:

• Public Sector

As a non-uniformed defence professional, you will work alongside other DXOs and military personnel who share the same passion for defence, each armed with capabilities from a diverse line-up of disciplines. With your unique expertise, you will contribute to the security of our nation in ways that no one else can.

Technology Development, Future Systems Development, C4/ Information Technology, Cyber Security

Jobs available

Logistics

Minimum requirement

Come discover a different line of defence. Be a DXO.

Doctrine & Plans Development, Training, Safety & Systems Review

Here are some areas you can explore as a DXO:

MINDEF recruits for a variety of job areas.

For STEM students, relevant areas may include • Data Analytics and Visualisation • Cyber Security and Information Technology • Logistics

Corporate Governance & Management: Human Resource, Data Analytics & Visualisation, Finance, Corporate Services & Organisation Development, Internal Audit, Legal Defence Policy & Communications Defence Psychology & Allied Health:

Research Training & Safety:

Depending on the student’s interest and aptitude, they may consider applying for other job areas as well.

Graduate job Internship

Degree

Diploma

Application period Graduate jobs: All year round (refer to the DXO website or Careers@Gov for the latest available job opportunities) Internships: Registration opens in February for the May-July internship run, and in September for the Dec-Jan run. Refer to the DXO website for more details. Only open to students who are not in their final semester of study.

Defence Psychology, Paramedical, Counselling

Ministry of Home Affairs

The Home Team is the umbrella of different agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

It is a community forged by more than 23,000 members who come together to track Singapore’s growth and play an integral role in ensuring the safety and security of the country.

The Home Team is committed to developing and honing your leadership potential. You will be put in charge of complex assignments and be exposed to a diverse range of career opportunities and experiences conducive to professional and personal growth.

The Home Team is currently welcoming individuals to fill the positions of Civilian Officer and Uniformed Officer. The Home Team offers rewarding and challenging careers to talented individuals seeking a leadership role in keeping Singapore safe and secure.

Areas of Specialisation • Home Team Uniformed Services Officer • Home Affairs Senior Executives • Home Team Specialist Officer • Commercial Affairs Officer

As a Home Team officer, you will share a common mission and have unique opportunities to be involved in challenging security issues that the nation encounters. You will play a pivotal role in executing law initiatives for the betterment of the general community and your loved ones.

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Applications are open to STEM students.

For more information and available Science and Technology job opportunities, refer to Careers@Gov.

New Phoenix Park, 28 Irrawaddy Road, Singapore 329560 Web www.mha.gov.sg/careers Email MHA_HTSC@mha.gov.sg

Sector • Public Sector

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Minimum requirement Degree

Diploma

Number of employees 10,000 – 50,000 employees

Application periods Graduate jobs: Online applications via Careers@Gov are accepted year-round.

Profile

AN ANALYTICAL PERSPECTIVE

LIM CHEE KIAT DESIGNATION/ROLE: Manager (Resource Allocation & Optimisation), Joint Manpower Department (JMPD) EMPLOYER: Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor of Engineering (Industrial & System Engineering) with Honours, 2011

The highs and lows

My job involves analysing manpower data to support data-driven manpower planning and policy formulation. I also use data analytics tools to enhance productivity and develop analytical capabilities within the Human Resource (HR) community.

MINDEF empowers Defence Executive Officers (DXOs) to self-initiate job rotations. I am in my second posting now.

I started my career as an analyst in the Defence Finance Organisation (DFO), primarily to support long-term budget planning. I was given the opportunity to study the sustainability of our defence expenditure and develop a framework on the allocation of budget resources to meet key objectives. Thereafter, I chose to go to JMPD to broaden my understanding of how MINDEF/SAF operates as a whole, beyond the realm of finance.

I like having the opportunity to influence key policy decisions in MINDEF. A challenge is the need to manage the expectations of our stakeholders of having perfect models for analytical purposes. Nevertheless, this has trained me to be cognisant of our findings and be able to translate them in a relatable manner so that they are easily understood by stakeholders.

So far, my biggest achievement was to be part of a cross-departmental project team which reviewed existing budget planning parameters to ensure sustainability in our defence spending.

In 2018, I was awarded the Defence Management Group Excellence Award.

How I got my job I applied for the DXO position with MINDEF through the Careers@Gov portal. The selection process includes an aptitude test, an interview with the hiring managers and a unit preview.

For my subsequent transfer to JMPD, I had one interview with the hiring manager. The most challenging part of the process was the interview. It was challenging because I had to think on my feet to tackle some unexpected answers.

I also had to relate my experiences to demonstrate that I was a good fit for the job. My advice is to come prepared and be keenly aware of what you can bring to the table.

Skills and knowledge I recommend learning VBA coding to enhance your productivity of using Microsoft Office at work. Additionally, skills in specialised software such as Microsoft PowerBI and Qlik are useful to trawl through large data sets with ease, draw correlation and find insights more effectively. Python is a good programming language to venture into the field of big data analytics.

Work-life balance MINDEF has a flexible work-time policy and this allows me to meet my family commitments. The typical reporting time for employees is from 8am to 5.30pm. However, depending on one’s commitments, we can choose a different reporting time, such as from 8.30am to 6pm, or 9am to 6.30pm.

My office works closely together as a team and we help each other out when one of us has to attend to urgent family matters. My bosses have also been supportive.

Some advice

“

“

My company and my job

Spend time to identify your strengths.

Decide on a job that utilises your strengths and matches your passion.

Spend time to identify your strengths.

Decide on a job that utilises your strengths and matches your passion. I believe that this step will take you far in your career.

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Air Engineering & Logistics Department

On secondment Defence Technology Collaboration Office

Industry & Resources Policy Office

Employer Directory Listings

Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education (MOE) is ranked as one of the world’s best-performing school systems and named ‘Top Graduate Employer in the Public Sector’ since 2010 by GTI Media.

At MOE, we have a strong and dynamic team of educators, as well as executive and administrative staff supporting our education network in Singapore.

Areas of Specialisation Education Officer / Teacher Teaching as a career is an exciting journey filled with challenges and rewards. You will play a pivotal role in equipping children with the knowledge and skills they need, grooming them into well-rounded and responsible citizens of tomorrow.

As our teachers – like the students they groom – are talented individuals with different aspirations, they are provided with the opportunity to tap into their fullest potential with the three career tracks available:

• The Teaching Track provides professional development opportunities for teachers who are keen on further developing the pedagogical capability of the teaching force.

• The Leadership Track grooms leaders, such as Principals in schools and Directors in the Headquarters, for the Education Service.

• The Senior Specialist Track allows teachers who are interested in specialised areas to use their knowledge and skills to break new ground in educational development.

Management Executive • As a Management Executive, you will have excellent career opportunities in areas such as policy formulation and implementation, organisational administration and operations both at the Ministry’s headquarters (HQ) and in schools.

1 North Buona Vista Drive, Singapore 138675 Tel +(65) 6872 2220 Web www.moe.gov.sg/teach Email contact@moe.gov.sg

Sector • Teaching and Education

Jobs available Graduate job

Minimum requirement Degree

Diploma

Number of employees 10,000 – 50,000 employees

Application periods Teaching jobs: 15 May – 4 Jun 2019; 7 Aug – 27 Aug 2019. Please visit our website for the latest information.

Non-teaching jobs: Ongoing. Please visit our website or Careers@Gov to see the vacancies available.

nuTonomy Asia Pte Ltd

nuTonomy aims to be the first company in the world to launch an autonomous taxi system, and we are building up an awesome team to make this goal a reality. We are developing the firstof-its-kind complete solution for providing pointto-point mobility via large fleets of autonomous vehicles. This includes software for autonomous vehicles, smartphone-based ride hailing, fleet management, and tele-operation. The company’s software has been tested extensively on public roads in the U.S. and Singapore.

We offer a unique opportunity to work closely with experts from a wide array of backgrounds, to create ground-breaking technology with potential for huge impact. As a result of our tremendous potential, we were acquired by Aptiv (Formerly known as Delphi) in 2017, a wholly owned subsidiary.

With our continued growth in Singapore (and the rest of the world), we are recruiting across a range of disciplines. Come talk to us if you are one of the following: • Backend software engineer • Frontend software engineer • C++ specialised software engineer We are hiring for 6 to 10 engineers across multiple teams, and if you’re looking to get involved with an industry that is going to change the future of transportation, there’s no better time than the present!

Job roles • Backend Software Engineer • Frontend Software Engineer • C ++ Specialised Software Engineer • Software Development Interns

3 Fusionopolis Way, #15-20 Symbiosis, Singapore 138633 Tel +65 9180 9306 Web www.nutonomy.com/careers/ Email Chloe.ong@nutonomy.com

Sectors • IT and Technology • Scientific Research and Development

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Minimum requirement Degree

Number of employees 500 – 1,000 employees

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Profile

NURTURING OTHERS My company and my job

Skills and knowledge

As educators, we are responsible for the character development of our students, as well as enabling them to be ready for the future through our lessons and daily interactions with them. A typical day of lessons starts at 7.30 in the morning and ends at 3 in the afternoon. The rest of the day is spent on lesson preparation, at CCAs or in meetings.

I lead students through logical reasoning and problem solving daily. On top of content knowledge, good communication and interpersonal skills are also imperative for a teacher.

How I got my job There was one round of interview and an aptitude test when I entered NIE. As a teacher, we must believe that every child wants to and can learn. We should constantly reflect on how to improve.

The highs and lows

CAI SIMIN DESIGNATION/ROLE: Subject Head (Mathematics) at Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road) EMPLOYER: Ministry of Education (MOE) QUALIFICATIONS: BSc in Applied Mathematics, National University of Singapore, 2006; Postgraduate Diploma in Education, National Institute of Education, 2007; MEd in Educational Assessment, Nanyang Technological University, 2016

The biggest motivation for me is knowing that I am making a positive difference in my students’ lives.

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“

“

The biggest motivation for me is knowing that I am making a positive difference in my students’ lives. It may not be immediate, as I have had students who messaged me years after graduation to update me that they are doing well. My biggest challenge is having to relate to students who come from different backgrounds and some with special needs. Having taught in schools with different student profiles, I have learnt to adapt to various learning needs through the years.

Work-life balance I am a mother to a pair of twins who are about one year old. Work-life balance is very important to me as I look forward to spending time with my boys after work, and during the school holidays. It can be achieved if we plan ahead of time. As a teacher, there are clear structures like a fixed timetable of classes so we are able to prepare lessons in advance. Regular CCA sessions and staff meetings are also engagements which we can work into our routine.

Some advice Be committed to your values, while relying on past data and experiences to make sound decisions.

Employer Directory Listings

OCBC Bank 65 Chulia Street OCBC Centre Singapore 049513 Web www.ocbc.com/group/careers/ OCBC Bank is the longest established Singapore bank. It is now the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets and one of the world’s most highly-rated banks, with an Aa1 rating from Moody’s. Recognised for its financial strength and stability, OCBC Bank is consistently ranked among the World’s Top 50 Safest Banks by Global Finance and has been named Best Managed Bank in Singapore and the Asia Pacific by The Asian Banker.

Whether you are an IT expert, engineer, a math whiz, or a people person, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to succeed. No matter where you see yourself in the future, we want to help you get there.

We provide career mobility opportunities across our different business units, subsidiaries or even country offices; from Consumer, Corporate and Private Banking, to Treasury, Securities, Insurance or Investment Management.

innovation and encourages continual learning and development.

We want you to enjoy and take pride in your work, be passionate, driven and have fun - after all, joy does bring out the best in people. And we want nothing less.

Areas of Specialisation • Graduate Talent Programme • FRANKpreneurship Internship Programme • Security Operations Centre (SOC) Analyst – Command Centre (Cyber Security Operations Centre) • Data Analyst • Mobile Developers • Personal Financial Consultants • Financial Protection Specialists • Business Development Managers • Customer Service Executives

Sectors • Banking and Financial Services • Insurance and Risk Management • Investment Banking and Investment Management • IT and Technology • Management and Business • Retail and Merchandising • Sales

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Accepted degree disciplines All disciplines

Number of employees 10,000 – 50,000 employees

We are committed to creating a conducive work environment – one that is inclusive, welcomes

SAF Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) The SAF Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) has transformed the SAF into a networked and knowledge-enabled force. Our mission is to operate the networks that provide the SAF with its edge in information superiority.

As you progress in a rewarding career with the SAF, you will have the opportunity to attain sponsorship for degree and post-grads programmes, professional certifications, and develop your command and leadership skills, as a military professional.

As a Military Intelligence Expert in C4I, you will develop specialised skills and deep operational knowledge, leveraging sophisticated systems and technology to provide superior intelligence that will shape the outcome of the information battlespace.

Job roles

As a Cyber Defender in the Command, you will develop strong skill and competencies in the areas of cyber-security monitoring; threat assessment and incident response; vulnerability audit and penetration testing; malware analysis and cyber forensics.

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Senior Military Intelligence Expert (MIE) As a Military Expert in SAF C4I, you will develop deep professional expertise in key military domains, such as technical, engineering, cyber and intelligence. It will be a career full of opportunities, as you employ your deep specialisation to maintain our operational edge in the information battlespace.

SAF CMPB #01-66 3 Depot Road Singapore 109680 Email c4icareer@defence.gov.sg

Sector • Public Sector

Jobs available Graduate job

Minimum requirement Degree

Diploma

Number of employees 1,000 – 10,000 employees

Profile

CHALLENGING PROJECTS AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

JOLENE POH DESIGNATION/ROLE: Information Security Specialist EMPLOYER: OCBC Bank QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor in Computing, National University of Singapore, 2014

My company and my job

The highs and lows

I spend my day-to-day on research and exploring how new digital technologies can be applied to business needs, as well as reviewing existing information security standards and tools. I also work closely with users across departments and crossfunctional teams, understanding their products and processes, identifying risks and challenging gaps to ensure that our security solutions can add value to our business. I am thankful for great team members who stick together through thick and thin.

I love the speed and agility that my job requires. If you are not always in a ready state to do something, it might be too late when the situation demands for it.

I love how this job provides you the relevant support and guidance to bring you closer to your goal – always helping one another to challenge the status quo. We spend several hours a day to understand something new, then develop and implement an idea not knowing if it will work out. But we constantly challenge ourselves to break barriers.

How I got my job

How has my IT degree helped in my Banking Career?

I decided to apply for a job in a bank after studying IT for seven years. I had no prior experience to banking, but went ahead to apply to the Young Bankers Graduate Programme, now known as the Graduate Talent Programme. We had a few stages of interviews with HR and line managers – and I remember one of the questions was “Tell me a scenario where you solved problems, and how did you overcome them?” The funny thing is, we solve problems every day in our daily lives and there are so many to pick from, but I guess I’ve encountered a few memorable ones that might have landed me where I am today.

Programming and analytics have taught me to think logically – this has enabled me to analyse business challenges in a structured manner and to propose best-fit solutions.

Work-life balance I have the habit of turning up an hour earlier for work, to soak in the morning peace and quiet with a cup of coffee. I also spend my weekends with people and things that I have less time for on weekdays, and to fully rest and recuperate to be ready for the next week of challenges. This is a journey that we should pace ourselves for.

Some advice

“

“

Integrity is key. If you commit to something, follow through on that promise. There will always be room for improvement. Take time to understand your own priorities and talents. Every individual is unique.

If you commit to something, follow through on that promise.

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Employer Directory Listings

Siemens Pte. Ltd. 60 MacPherson Road, Singapore 348615 Web www.siemens.com.sg/careers Email recruitment.sg@siemens.com Siemens is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 165 years. The company is active in more than 200 countries, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization; and employs around 360,000 employees.

Established in Singapore since 1908, Siemens is one of the largest European companies here with five companies and employs around 2,000 people. We have contributed to many of the country’s key infrastructure projects, and have been setting the pace of growth and development for this island-nation with cutting-edge solutions and technologies.

Please visit our website for more information – www.siemens.com.sg

At Siemens, we are on a constant search for bright and innovative minds to fill our ranks.

If you are a fast learner, creative, able to work with multi-cultural and multi-discipline teams and have a strong desire to be a winner, we dare you to test your limits with Siemens.

Areas of Specialisation • Engineering • IT • Data Scientist / Data Analyst • Project Management

Sectors • Engineering, Design, and Manufacturing • Healthcare and Pharmaceutical • IT and Technology

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Minimum requirement Degree

Number of employees More than 100,000 employees

Smiths Group Web https://www.smiths.com/ careers/early-careers-at-smiths Email earlycareertalent@smiths.com Smiths Group is a global technology company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Our vision is to build Smiths Group into one of the world’s leading technology companies.

We apply leading-edge technology to design, manufacture and deliver innovative solutions that meet our customers’ needs. Our products and services – often hidden from view – touch the lives of millions of people every day.

With 22,000 people in more than 50 countries, we offer opportunities as diverse as our workforce. We seek our future leaders and provide them the development tools and opportunities they need to make them – and Smiths – successful. People are our one true source of sustainable competitive advantage and we are building a learning organisation that attracts, retains, develops, engages and inspires the very best talent.

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Job Roles • Fluid Engineers • Software Engineers

Sector

To apply:

Jobs available

• Engineering, Design, and Manufacturing Graduate job Internship

Minimum requirement Degree

Number of employees 1,000 – 10,000 employees

Employer Directory Listings

Singapore Police Force

As a Direct-Entry Inspector, you will play a major role in ensuring Singapore’s safety and security. You will prevent, deter and detect crime through leading investigations and be involved in community policing, operations and organisational management. A career with the SPF is challenging and your potential as a professional enforcer of the law will be developed to overcome such challenges.

Training Direct-Entry Inspectors are required to undergo a 9-month residential training programme at the Home Team Academy. The training equips you with the knowledge and skills required to perform your duties and covers both physical and classroom training – from police defence tactics to weaponry and leadership skills.

Postings Direct-Entry Inspectors can look forward to regular job rotation that offers opportunities to explore various roles within the SPF. Your career will follow a well-structured track that grooms you for future command appointments.

• Frontline Policing – As a Ground Response Force Officer, you will partner the community in our fight against crime.

• Investigation – Thereafter, you will be posted to Land Divisions as an Investigation Officer (IO), where you will solve a wide spectrum of crimes, establish the truth and set wrongs right.

• Command – After your IO stint, you will be posted to a Neighbourhood Police Centre as a Team Leader, where you will lead a team of purpose-driven officers to make Singapore the safest place in the world.

• Staff – As a Staff Officer, you will plan and implement policies to support frontline operations and develop the Force’s long-term capabilities. You will also be exposed to a wide range of planning and management duties.

Job roles • Public Service / Law Enforcement / Police Officer (Direct-Entry Inspector)

Home Team Career Centre, 178 Neil Road, Singapore 088889 Tel 1800-352-0000 Web www.police.gov.sg/career Email spf_career@spf.gov.sg

Sector • Public Sector

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Minimum requirement Degree

Diploma

*Diploma holders will join us as a Direct-Entry Sergeant and foundational postings may vary

Number of employees 10,000 – 50,000 employees

Application periods Graduate jobs: Ongoing Internships: Ongoing

• Applications are open to STEM students.

Tata Consultancy Services

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is an IT service, consultation and business solution organization that has partnered with many of the world’s largest businesses in their transformation journeys for the past fifty years. TCS offers a consulting-led, cognitive powered, integrated portfolio of business, technology and engineering services and solutions. This is delivered through its unique Location Independent Agile delivery model, recognized as the benchmark of excellence in software development.

TCS has over 417,000 of the world’s best-trained consultants in 46 countries. The company generated consolidated revenues of US $19.09 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, and is listed on the BSE (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange) and the NSE (National Stock Exchange) in India. For more information, visit us at www.tcs.com.

Job Roles • Software Engineer • Software Engineer Intern • Marketing Intern

51 Changi Business Park Central 2, The Signature 05-00, Singapore 486066 Tel +65 6661 6569 Web www.tcs.com Email Singapore.careers@tcs.com Facebook @TataConsultancyServices Twitter @TCS LinkedIn Tata Consultancy Services

Sector • IT and Technology

Jobs available Graduate job Internship

Minimum requirement Degree

Diploma

Number of employees More than 400,000 employees globally

Application periods Graduate jobs: March 2019 - March 2020 Internships: March 2019 - March 2020

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unlockin knowled e, stren th, rowth among raduates

&

@gradsingapore

WE SEE YOUR PASSION

AND AMBITION

WE SEE YOU We see you Whether you’re an Engineering major, IT expert, Math whiz, or a people-person, we see each of your individuality and potential to shine with us. The first step in your career is one of life’s important milestones let us help you maximise your potential to reach new heights of success.

Uncover your potential with us

How to apply?

The following opportunities are available for students from all disciplines:

All applications should be submitted online via our

FRANKpreneurship (Summer Internship) Calling all penultimate-year undergraduates! Ever wondered what it takes to ideate on real business problems and see your solutions come close to fruition? FRANKpreneurship will provide you with the resources to help you do that!

What is life like at OCBC?

Graduate Talent Programme Specially designed for high-achieving graduates like you, this structured rotation programme will help you build a strong foundation in banking.

career website at www.ocbc.com/careers.

Hear from the people of OCBC themselves!

Jolene Poh, B.Com “I gained valuable insights through the customised rotations and trainings. The extensive interactions that I gained working with colleagues from various levels have helped me to steadily grow into the roles and responsibilities I was given.”

Colin, B.Eng “Seeing my projects coming to fruition and reaching millions of consumers island-wide, I am proud and honoured to be able to make a difference in the banking industry.”

Other Opportunities • Personal Financial Consultant • Financial Protection Specialist • Business Development Manager • Customer Service Executive

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