gradsingapore Internship Guide 2022

INTERNSHIP C A R E E R

The complete guide for Internship Seekers MCI (P) 080/09/2021

G U I D E

2 0 2 2

CONTENTS

CONTENTS 3

Getting Started

..................................3 Get a Taste of the Working World ................................... 4 .................................................. 6 How to Use This Guide .................................................... 8

Aiming for an Internship

10

Why You Should Do an Internship .................................12 How to Get an Internship .............................................. 14 Discovering Hidden Internships .....................................16 Choosing the Right Internship .......................................18 Doing an Internship Outside Your Field of Study ...........20 To Be or Not to Be a Graduate Intern? ..........................22 Where Else Can You Find an Internship? .......................24

How can you survive intern? Flip to page 56 to

Applying for an Internship

26

Your Internship Resume ................................................ 28 .....................30 Perfect Your Pitch .......................................................... 32 ..........................34 .......................................... 36 Email with Elegance....................................................... 38

Turn to page 46 to check out some common internship interview questions.

.................40 A Quick Checklist ........................................................... 42

Internship Guide 2022 | 1

CONTENTS

Acing Your Internship

43

Employer Listings

73

Before the Big Day ......................................................... 44

......................................................................... 74

.....................46

Central Provident Fund Board .......................................74

................................48

............................................ 77

How to Ace Your Internship Interview...........................50

Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) ..........78

.......................................52

............................................. 78

Preparing for Your First Day ........................................... 54 Surviving Your First Day as an Intern .............................56 How to Become a Star Intern ........................................ 58 What Should You Do at the End of Your Internship? .....60

62

Industry Sectors

Page 62 introduces you to a variety of sectors to explore.

........................63 Arts and Design ............................................................. 63 Banking and Financial Services ......................................64 ......................................... 64 .................................................................. 65 ...................................................................... 65 ....................................................................... 66 Engineering, Design and Manufacturing .......................66 Fast-Moving Consumer Goods ......................................67 ....................................67 ....................................68 Investment Banking and Investment Management ......68 IT and Technology.......................................................... 69 ................................................................................ 69 .................................................. 70 Property and Real Estate ............................................... 70 .................................................................. 71 ...................................................... 71 ...........................72 Uniformed Services ....................................................... 72

2|

Internship Guide 2022

Interested in knowing more about some internship employers? Turn to page 73 for details.

GETTING STARTED

GETTING STARTED: A WORD OF ADVICE If you want to start building your resume while you’re still in school, taking up an internship may be just what you need.

T found in an internship.

career!

The

Team

Find out how to ace an interview on page 50. page 62 onwards. page 34 page 73

Internship Guide 2022 | 3

GETTING STARTED

GET A TASTE OF THE WORKING WORLD you study. Here are some options you can consider.

Career and recruitment fairs

Insight programmes

Personal projects

Competitions

Internships

Placements

in the third year.

4|

Extracurricular activities

Open days

Shadowing

Gap years

Part-time jobs

Volunteering

Internship Guide 2022

WHERE WILL YOUR

CURIOSIT Y TAKE YOU?

how to build an impenetrable cyber system

Your search - how to build an impenetrable cyber system - did not match any documents.

Suggestions: • • • •

Go to outer space and ask the aliens for answers.

Go into cryogenic sleep until someone else figures it out.

Go to the Birthplace of Knowledge and dig for an answer.

Find your own answer at DSO National Laboratories.

GETTING STARTED

ACTIONS OVER YOUR YEARS Students generally intern during their freshman and penultimate years. Read on for a general guide on how to take up internships, part-time jobs and additional projects while you’re still in

Freshman year Term 1 •

•

•

•

Term 2

•

• •

• • •

• for internships or graduate jobs.

•

•

6|

Internship Guide 2022

page 62

GETTING STARTED

Penultimate year Term 1 • •

university and other event organisers.

•

•

page 50

•

Term 2

found on page 58 •

page 52

• year.

page 34 •

•

• graduate internships.

•

Internship Guide 2022 | 7

GETTING STARTED

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE 01 Aiming for an internship

02 Applying for internships

03 Acing the internship interview

04 Industry sectors

8|

Internship Guide 2022

We brew fresh career advice for you.

Be in the loop and subscribe to our newsletters to receive the best career tips.

Create your free account now at

AIMING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

AIMING FOR AN INTERNSHIP While internships are a great way to gain relevant knowledge, experience and skills, they also allow you to dip your feet in the pool and discover you can see yourself working in.

10 |

Internship Guide 2022

Create your free account now at

AIMING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

WHY YOU SHOULD DO AN INTERNSHIP D

uring the hiring process, employers often look for evidence that a candidate is able to deliver, and work experience is typically what they refer to as the best evidence of your skills and suitability for the job role.

With that in mind, undertaking internships and work placements are an relevant work experience, so start early and plan ahead to gain the right range of skills to help you meet your career goals!

There are also plenty of other

To gain relevant skills

To better understand yourself

Work experience will help you develop the skills necessary for the workplace, including crucial and transferable skills

While internships are a great way to gain relevant knowledge, experience and skills, they also allow you to dip your feet in the pool and discover whether the field is truly something

picked up through real-life exposure and experience. For instance, you can develop...

Communication skills

some of them to help you maximise your •

tasks within the industry.

Moreover, an internship will give

clients.

Organisational and management skills

knowledge and technical skills learnt in school can be applied in a work

time

• By managing tasks to meet deadlines.

Teamwork skills • From experience working with team members. all experiences within the workplace as You should also consider the type of skills and experiences you wish to gain and before you start your internship will help

12 |

Internship Guide 2022

all, the experience can give you an

as well as what you can improve on.

AIMING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

To get your foot in the door An internship gives you the chance to get your foot in the door of the company and industry you want to work in. If you perform well, you may even be asked to

members as it saves them the hassle of familiarising new hires with the work environment and culture of the for the company.

from your fellow interns and go beyond employers.

To broaden your network

long run as well.

For instance, you may be invited to join company or industry events. So make the and interact with during such events can become career mentors or even references when you start looking for a graduate job in the future.

Internship Guide 2022 | 13

AIMING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

HOW TO GET AN INTERNSHIP internship opportunities.

W

ith as it is, internships have become a popular avenue for students and graduates to get the work experience and skills needed for that extra edge in dream internship can be stressful and

Before starting the search

Identify your goals and interests

smart move. process easier for yourself!

a clear idea of what you want to get out of it. So instead of applying for one

you would like to focus on.

For example, a mechanical engineering student interested in pursuing a

needs.

Prepare your resume

You can include some modules or areas of study that make up your current much about you. Instead, come up with a carefully curated list of subjects or modules that you excel in and are relevant to the role.

14 |

Internship Guide 2022

AIMING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

Starting the search

Visit your campus career centre

there.

Because careers advisors on campus can tell you what internships and placements to start prepping and planning ahead for your internship and career.

Network Networking will not only be helpful in your search for an internship opportunity, but for a graduate job in the future as well.

you can join networking events that include alumni from your school.

Apply speculatively

openings on job portals.

Remember – following up is imperative!

learning about the world of work and being in the world of work.

Internship Guide 2022 | 15

AIMING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

DISCOVERING HIDDEN INTERNSHIPS W

hen it comes to advertising

smaller companies may not have the budget for it. On the other hand, some employers may not need to take in large numbers of students as interns. such employers are against the idea of having interns on board. They may be amenable to taking on one or two they may also be open to the idea of having students on board to shadow professionals at work. them through research, and sending in can get started.

STEP 1

STEP 2

Identify prospective employers

Craft your speculative application

LinkedIn are two primary tools you can use to help you in your search.

Use search engines to learn more

connected with on LinkedIn is someone who makes hiring decisions, you can always drop them a professional message to ask for the specific

forget about online press releases and

email address.

by looking up department heads or managers working in the companies

person in charge, be sure to update your

them to ask about possible internship graduated seniors who are currently in. You can get in touch with them to ask if their employers are open to taking interns.

16 |

Internship Guide 2022

You can use the content of your structure it:

AIMING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

STEP 3 • Address the recipient by name, instead of using “Dear Sir/Madam”.

• If you were asked to send your application to an email address, make sure to also ask for the name

Follow up on your application

Don’t forget to attach your internship resume to your email.

employer about a week or so after

email. Otherwise, you can call the to.

urgent need for the employer to bring on interns.

•

•

on the employer by highlighting why you chose to apply to them.

Showcase your knowledge on what

decided on whether to recruit you as an intern, the call will remind them to expedite the decision-making process.

its business.

•

can bring to the table, and emphasise how you can contribute.

Internship Guide 2022 | 17

AIMING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

CHOOSING THE RIGHT INTERNSHIP

I

n the last lap of your degree or diploma, professional internship that counts

be spending 10 precious weeks to half a year with a company, so make the best placement for yourself!

Seek advice from your seniors Seniors in your course are the best people you can ask regarding can not only recommend the types of companies suitable for your interests,

Find a company that’ll help you grow

know what your intern experience will be like at a certain company than to ask someone who did before you?

allows you to pick up and apply the skills

Apply to multiple companies

areas of interest that you wish to grow

Rejections or getting no replies are common when it comes to internship are many student candidates applying

improve your skills over the course of its that by the end, you can see where you are in terms of mastering these skills.

18 |

Internship Guide 2022

internship openings.

The key is to apply to as many companies as possible and state your interest in doing an internship with them. Read up on relevant companies and organise your shortlist during the sent out.

Your research will later come in handy

AIMING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

Talk to people in the industry

Attend career fairs If you want to check out a wide range of

personal network or someone you met while exploring potential career some experience, or experts in their

get to talk with as many employers as

as you can about their company and forget to always bring copies of your resume to give to them too! Update your

where you wish to do your internship, be it locally or abroad, if you have an opening and are willing to travel in this climate. It could be your best chance to get your foot into a dream company or on it!

on top of the hard copies given to the recruiters you met.

Internship Guide 2022 | 19

AIMING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

DOING AN INTERNSHIP OUTSIDE YOUR FIELD OF STUDY Experiment with your interests and passion

20 |

Internship Guide 2022

AIMING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

Acquire new skills Such internships will increase your knowledge and enhance your skill sets beyond your course of study.

Although learning something new is always hard, persevere and make good use of the opportunity during

Feel free to plot the dots on your canvas by pursuing your varied interests!

Strengthen your resume career.

for you, and look for meaning in everything you do!

Internship Guide 2022 | 21

AIMING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

TO BE OR NOT TO BE A GRADUATE INTERN? A

The pros: Why you should do it

dive straight into the deep end of the professional pool…or is it?

If you lack work experience, employers may be hesitant to hire

to the industry or role, what if the role is to start from the shallow end and dip your feet by taking up a graduate many benefits to doing an internship after graduation, there are also drawbacks you have to consider.

To get your foot in the door Employers may be hesitant to provide Providing you with an internship may be more favourable for your employers as it gives them an accurate assessment of Think of this as a long-term strategy: apply as a graduate intern, and give the internship your all to leave an exceptional impression on your employers. If you succeed, and the at the end of your internship! graduate interns to be converted into full-time hires if they perform well.

In fact, many employers find former interns to be a “safer bet” as compared not only have prior experience with the company, but also already understand the office culture on top of having time staff, the experience will look great on your resume, and you can use the experience as a stepping stone to explore opportunities with other walk away with the relevant skills, not to mention positive testimonials and

22 |

Internship Guide 2022

You can expand your professional network An internship is a golden opportunity alongside professionals in the industry, but also get to learn about what they do. You may even get the chance to get to know them personally, which can be helpful for your future job search!.

To maximise your internship experience, participate in as many networking events as you can and make best version of yourself forward. For all you know, a person you introduce yourself to at one of these events may put yourself out there, and be on the radar.

Making a positive impression is a good start, but making a lasting impression is something you should aim by adding the people you network with them a personalised message to thank insights with you too.

AIMING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

For an insider’s point of view An internship will help you discover the kinds of roles in the industry that will best align with your personality, skill set and even your long-term career goals.

The cons: What you should consider The pay

the exposure you were promised, you can ask your manager or co-workers to assign you tasks more relevant to help you grow professionally, and may also impress your manager and permanent role.

manager who has rich experiences to share with you. available. You may not always be assigned a mentor explicitly, but you can always ask someone friendly in the you may have about the industry or workplace, or share some work life stories with you.

Avoid grilling a co-worker or manager

expenses, it may not be a good idea to pursue an internship.

You also have to think about the commitments you have. Did you take up family need your financial support?

simply treated as cheap labour. Interns are protected under the Employment Act just like other employees under a be made to work more than 44 hours a week, or more than 88 hours over to demonstrate that you value the also important to stand your ground if

The role

lunches, gatherings and networking graduate recruit on a training scheme.

trick is to strike a balance between knowing your rights and doing your job as an intern.

key industry skills.

Internship Guide 2022 | 23

AIMING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

WHERE ELSE CAN YOU FIND AN INTERNSHIP? Send in your application

aving studied hard over the past get a taste of corporate life through an internship. But before applying, get to

Although this may sound a little far-

land an internship that resonates with your passion and liking!

forget the necessities, such as your resume and other application forms!

interest.

Networking events new people, grab the chance to meet others who are already in your chosen field. Be sure to mingle with those individuals in key positions such as managers, directors, or even chief Make an effort to talk to these the workforce with you or have been there for some time, and gain fresh job market and new knowledge about the sector, ranging from employer On occasion, even as you form your these events, offers may be made for internship positions in a desired company. Never underestimate the power of these networking events, so

24 |

Internship Guide 2022

research on the company before applying to ensure you know what the latest developments and projects are, important to familiarise yourself with the right procedures in regards to sending in an application to show your seriousness about securing the internship. By the same token, ensure you clear up any doubts about the to avoid any mistakes.

AIMING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

Word-of-mouth

higher as well.

Conclusion The

process

of

obtaining

an

important pointers to help you land one that suits you!

Internship Guide 2022 | 25

APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP Read the internship description as advertised and treat it like the holy grail.

26 |

Internship Guide 2022

APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

YOUR INTERNSHIP RESUME No relevant work experience? Here are some suggestions on how to beef up your resume.

C

28 |

Your goals and objectives

Internship Guide 2022

APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

Relevant skills

Achievements and successes

Related projects

Internship Guide 2022 | 29

APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

WRITING A COVER LETTER FOR YOUR INTERNSHIP some tips on how to craft a cover letter that can grant you a golden ticket to an internship.

1. Be succinct and

2. Demonstrate your competence

30 |

Internship Guide 2022

3. Show your enthusiasm

4. Do a thorough check

APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

Internship Cover Letter Sample

Internship Guide 2022 | 31

APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

PERFECT YOUR PITCH Using good, concise English is the key to getting your message quickly across to recruiters.

U

Written communication 101:

The Ultimate Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s Simple but clear

1 . Use headers and bullet points

3 . Be active

2 . Keep it short

4 . Be direct

managed at work now also

32 |

Internship Guide 2022

APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

Checklist

Don’ts

1 . Write long paragraphs and sentences

2 . Be long-winded

inspiring

3 . Use a passive voice

hardworking

4 . Pad

to be managed.

Internship Guide 2022 | 33

APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

THE ART OF THE SPECULATIVE APPLICATION If your speculative application begins with “Dear Sir/ Madam”, it may well have started with the words “Please ignore this email!”

D

1 Draw up a shortlist of employers

34 |

Internship Guide 2022

APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

2

Prepare to apply speculatively

Other reasons why you should apply speculatively

3

Make contact personal

5 Follow up

4 Stay focused but open-minded

Internship Guide 2022 | 35

APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

TACKLING ONLINE APPLICATIONS Online application forms work like precision tools for recruiters, allowing them to sift through

Show,

1. don’t just tell

2.

Shine like a STAR

Tasks Results

36 |

Internship Guide 2022

APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

Write each

3. answer afresh

4.

Check, check, check

Internship Guide 2022 | 37

APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

EMAIL WITH ELEGANCE email medium with elegance!

1. Use an appropriate email address

3. Address your email to the right person

2. Write a clear subject line

4. Keep your message brief and professional

38 |

Internship Guide 2022

APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

5. Check for errors

7. Follow up promptly

6. Manage your email

signature

Internship Guide 2022 | 39

APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

MANAGING YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE AS AN INTERN 1.

Decide what you want to achieve on LinkedIn

2.

Exhibit desired skill sets

“I am a team player driven to deliver

+

40 |

Internship Guide 2022

APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

3.

Highlight what makes you an asset

4.

Translate your skills into value

5.

Show recruiters what’s next

Internship Guide 2022 | 41

APPLYING FOR AN INTERNSHIP

A QUICK CHECKLIST to make sure you have everything!

1. Your resume Ensure it’s updated with your relevant skills, projects, achievements and successes.

2. Cover letter Don’t be afraid to get others to look through it for a second perspective!

3. Keep it clear and simple Make sure your resume and cover letter are easy to read and free of mistakes.

4. Cement yourself digitally

5. Apply!

There’s no one correct way to apply, so apply speculatively, online and directly!

42 |

Internship Guide 2022

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP As an intern, you’ll be embedded in a network of professional contacts while being the most junior, so make sure to learn something from everyone you meet.

Internship InternshipGuide Guide2022 2022 | 43

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

BEFORE THE BIG DAY down the run-up to the interview into a series of manageable chunks to prepare yourself.

Quick grooming tips For gentlemen • The clean-shaven look is always a safe bet. Get rid of any stubble or wispy facial hair.

• Keep your hair neat and make sure that your fringe doesn’t spill past your eyebrows.

• Don’t be afraid to accessorise. Go for a solid watch or a •

44 |

Internship Guide 2022

For ladies • Keep your nails in neutral or natural colours – glaring colours or designs may unnecessarily distract interviewers.

• Make sure to style your hair so that it stays in place and out of your face.

• If you plan on wearing jewellery and make-up, keep things subtle and simple. You want your personality – not your accessories – to shine through!

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

One week before

2 hours before

10 minutes before

Start by getting the dress code right

Depart for your destination

Meet and greet the interviewers

Objective: Look the part of an impressive candidate.

Your interview is a chance to show how this includes your appearance. Take a look at the recruiter’s website for clues consider to be appropriate business wear and copy them. Err on the side of formality if you’re unsure – it’s always underdressed. and pressed. Be sure to cover up any

working against you when you need to get somewhere in a hurry? This isn’t a good day to test that theory! Leave early to ensure

the same as arriving late.

30 minutes before Arrive at the premises and get comfortable with your surroundings Objective: Reduce your anxiety and get into a positive frame of mind.

free.

The night before Prepare everything you’ll need in advance Objective: Have everything you’ll need ready so you don’t rush the next day.

before your appointment will give you to where you’re supposed to be with the

Objective: From the very start, treat the interview as if it’s a meeting between two parties, not a one-way interrogation.

how the interview will be structured.

Commonly, the interviewers will begin with an overview of the company and the internship role you’re being interviewed for. This preamble is the most “nonenjoy it and take the opportunity to ask

Crunch time Demonstrate your skills!

Objective: Use your innate skills and what you’ve learned through this guide and other sources.

you’ll come across at the interview. Draw up a mental list of things you like so far about the place – it could be the colour

you can do the job and whether you have

• Prepare and hang up your interview stress out about what to wear.

and focus your mind on that. This will help calm you down.

• Pick a handy, compartmentalised document bag or folder to store your for easy access.

•

copies of your resume on good, solid paper. You never know if unannounced!

• Get a good night’s sleep to ensure that you’ll be well-rested when the morning comes. You’ll want to be as sharp and alert as possible in the interview room.

You may also be given a short test to depending on your role. This may be to

20 minutes before Introduce yourself and break the ice Objective: Get used to talking in your new surroundings by striking up a conversation with someone who works for the employer but won’t be interviewing you.

of your preferred working style. It’s likely that you’ll be informed of this ahead of If you’re applying for a graduate internship, the assessment process might be more extensive and carried out separately in an assessment centre.

your arrival. He or she may ask you to sign in before taking you to the visitors’ area. should be towards anyone you come into contact with in the building, be it the cleaner or the CEO.

Internship Guide 2022 | 45

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

COMMON INTERNSHIP INTERVIEW QUESTIONS know how to answer? We have you covered.

Q

interviews a student or graduate will go through as they

Doing the proper prep work won’t only help you get over

2.

Why did you apply for an internship with this company?

Similar questions: “What do you know about our company?” and “How do you relate to our company values?”

To help you, we’ve prepared a list of common interview

employer. Your response should demonstrate that you’ve done

recruiters in the process!

1.

Tell me about yourself

Similar questions: “Why do you want to work here?” and “Why should we hire you?”

your interviewers already know, such as your name and age.

Your answer should sell your strengths and show your

• Your year and course of study • Your career aim or the career path you are interested in • Your interests or hobbies, if they’re relevant to the job scope • Your reason for applying to the internship

can talk about how you intend to pursue a career in the same line relevant work experience. where you’ve honed and developed technical skills that’ll be You can even go the extra mile by talking about how your business degree has made you more commercially aware of the industry, and how you can contribute business strategies and ideas to the IT company you’re applying to.

46 |

Internship Guide 2022

to get an in-depth understanding. If the employer maintains a presence on social media, follow their accounts to get the latest news. With enough research under your belt, you should be able to connect the dots by aligning your work goals, style and personality to what the company stands for, or how you can relate to its business. how they relate to your career aims and interests. What’s their vision and mission, and how do they relate to your own strong corporate social responsibility branding and is a strong advocate for animal rights, you can win your interviewers over Your research will show your enthusiasm and reassure your interviewers that you’re truly interested in the company, and will also win you generous brownie points.

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

3.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Similar question: “Give me two positive and negative adjectives that you would use to describe yourself.”

Here’s an example of how you can come up with an answer using this approach:

but also risk revealing traits that may jeopardise your chances

• I was President of the Music Society on campus, and was in

than judging your weaknesses.

experienced a major hiccup on the day of the event when one of the judges who was supposed to be on the judging panel informed us that he couldn’t make it at the last minute.

about the skills and traits you possess that are relevant to the to highlight as employers generally like candidates who are

• Task We had only two hours to inform the contestants of the change, update the emcee’s script for the event and edit the PowerPoint slides that were supposed to show pictures of the judges against the backdrop of the stage.

But when it comes to talking about weaknesses, students and graduates alike tend to make the mistake of nervously

• I delegated the last-minute tasks according to my team

Worse, the blunder of using a weakness that would directly impact your work performance in the job role.

to make sure that the emcee was informed of the change. I assigned the PA system team to ensure that the picture of the absent judge was removed from the slideshow.

Since we were a lean team, I personally took on the task to gather all the performers on stage to inform them of the last-

about it. about your weaknesses and then follow your statements by

the PowerPoint slides and emcee script to make sure they were all updated.

you can talk about how you don’t have the best memory and

• Results

so that you won’t forget them.

but because the last-minute tasks were delegated well and everyone did their part, the event went smoothly. Our audience was very happy with the event, and the contestants were

4.

Tell us about a time when you had to situation

Tip

you face. The focus of your answer should be on your

Similar question: “Give me an example or a situation where you encountered a challenge.”

strengths, and is also meant to understand how you would interviewers can predict how you would handle a workplace

always use the STAR approach to structure your response: •

your interviewers.

• Task: What were your goals?

• • a good light.

Internship Guide 2022 | 47

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

BODY LANGUAGE TIPS FOR INTERVIEWS During interviews, you’ll be evaluated not only by what you say – but by your body language as well.

N

more than you think. While you shouldn’t panic and over-rehearse, do remember

Mouth

internship, that is.

• Smile naturally. Don’t overdo or fake it.

Eyes •

•

but don’t stare.

• Maintain a decent level of eye contact throughout the interview. If you struggle with your gaze slightly above their eyes.

• In a panel interview, make sure to alternate eye contact with all of your interviewers, but always look back to the person you are addressing.

•

some breath mints before you head in.

• Be aware of your tone of voice.

There’s no point in saying you are passionate about something • Excessive lip-licking is a no-no.

Put on some lip balm just before the interview to keep them from cracking if you need to.

• Avoid breathing from your mouth. Heavy breathing isn’t •

eyelashes!

•

Posture • No slouching! Sit up straight to

Hands •

impression of yourself. as dry as possible – especially at the end, as it’s your last impression!

•

• Square your shoulders and raise your head to give a more selfassured and reliable quality.

• • Stay comfortable. Don’t be afraid

crushers.

• Gesture appropriately to emphasise your answers: right hand for receiving info.

the interview, but avoid excessive • Mirror your interviewer’s posture

• Don’t crack your knuckles. It’s a bad habit anyway.

• Avoid signs that show you’re nervous, such as tapping your

48 |

Internship Guide 2022

solidarity between the both of you.

•

interest in what your interviewers are saying.

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

A study at Harvard Business School tells us that our average communication consists of

55%

body language 38%

tone of voice 7%

words

Calm those nerves!

language the most is your nerves. You can mask them slightly by going into an examples and stories about how you’re ready for the job. But if you don’t calm yourself before the session starts, your away!

You might go into defensive mode and end up crossing your arms, let all everything and throw the interviewers you’re faking it, so stay away from that. right in with the team, so take a few deep breaths before walking through the door, relax and remember to stay professional.

Major tips

Internship Guide 2022 | 49

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

HOW TO ACE YOUR INTERNSHIP INTERVIEW before walking through that door.

Y

form and sent your resume and

you want to intern at. Before long, your wish came true: you’ve received a call to schedule an interview with your

What to expect from your internship interview

Everything has been smooth sailing so far, and your interview’s the last hurdle that’ll make or break an employer’s decision to take you on as an intern. Don’t make the mistake of

applying for, you may have one or multiple interviewers

by thinking that recruiters expect less applying for is only short-term!

On their part, some employers see interns as future investments that may shown in a study conducted by CNBC. In that study, it was found that in the

Depending on the internship

managers from the relevant experts from the related area of work, or a mixture of all.

Most interviews are made order. However, your responses try to learn as much as they can about you.

employees. As such, there are certain levels All in all, it’s important that you do to expect before you walk into the interview room.

Internship Guide 2022

employers than to demonstrate that you’ve done your research and show up at the interview prepared, so don’t hesitate to show your understanding of the company and its culture!

teamwork, you can use this knowledge to your advantage and demonstrate your personality, skills and experience to complement Another important thing to keep in mind when it comes to interviews is that you have to show how the internship will

as long as they are relevant and appropriate. Typically, there’ll also be a chance for you to ask interview.

50 |

How to shine in your interview

– no employer wants their intern to regret their internship because they discovered too late that it won’t enhance their career!

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

Do’s Typical interview questions

How to appear professional

It’s not uncommon for bigger employers to conduct two rounds of interviews when

One of the key considerations employers have is whether or not the person they’re going to hire can behave appropriately and professionally in the workplace. This is especially important if your role involves

with usual standard interview tends to be more technical, conducted by a line manager.

Questions generally revolve around: • Why you’re interested in the role you applied for • Your competencies •

the role

• Previous relevant experiences • “How would you react if this •

“Tell me about the skills you

partners, or suppliers.

You can prove that you’re yourself professionally simply by dressing appropriately for your really go a long way!

Also, greet your interviewer eye contact and smile sensibly throughout the interview. Some polite small talk with your interviewers is a good idea too, as it’ll help create a more amiable and pleasant atmosphere. topics such as the weather or your journey to the interview venue. Avoid personal stories, such as your wild night out – even if your interviewer appears to be

•

•

employer, role and industry prior to the interview. and prepare responses with examples and any work experience you have.

• •

prepared in advance.

• Be polite to everyone, including the cleaners!

•

your interviewers.

Don’ts • Give monosyllabic answers. If you get an your feet and use a relevant example.

•

joking and your interviewers are You’re here for professional reasons,

•

media. A study by CareerBuilder showed 65 per cent of employers check candidates’ social media accounts to see if the jobseeker presented about an interview online can be another company, they may decide not

Internship Guide 2022 | 51

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

BOUNCING BACK FROM REJECTION Nobody likes being turned down from a promising internship. Flip this negative into a positive and make it worth your while.

H

that you did everything perfectly right up to the interview.

determining the real reason behind your results, and the only person keeping count of

1.

Dealing with rejection

2.

Ask for feedback

The most important rule about dealing through several rounds of interviews from overthinking about the reason are just not in your favour – for instance, there may have been an overwhelming number of equally excellent candidates applying for the same internship. Stay

coming out short, ask the interviewer for feedback and decide how best to tweak

to gain relevant work experience.

anyway as you never know when you’ll don’t be overly persistent if recruiters take a while to respond or don’t get back to you at all.

52 |

Internship Guide 2022

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

3.

Trust the system

4.

Move forward

Once you’ve fully come to terms with dwelling on something that isn’t within your control will only do you more harm as a learning experience and let it hone decision – it’s possible that you simply

in the game. At this point, you should be armed with a stronger resume, more adept at handling interviews and a more

landing an internship is necessary, as it’s common for an applicant to receive

and excellent interviewing skills alone aren’t enough to secure an internship;

shortcut, so you might get accepted for

for the company.

Be humble and take this as an

in the door. Have faith that your tenacity

analysis on the type of role and work environment you’re best suited for. on the recruitment process and some

Also, keep in mind that it’s more than likely your friends are going through the same experience – sharing your feelings don’t be discouraged if your peers get

to recruiters at your next interview. With with the right role for your skills and personality!

instead.

If you’re in need of guidance, don’t shy away from seeking the counsel of your school’s career advisors. Their pool

Internship Guide 2022 | 53

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

PREPARING FOR YOUR FIRST DAY internship.

A

yourself that coveted internship.

Congratulations! Pat yourself on the back for a job well done, but remember, day approaches, you can expect to break stomach.

It’s completely normal to get those impression from the start so you can set the stage for a successful internship understanding a few key workplace basics can go a long way in helping you achieve that.

The day before • Get to know exactly where you’ll be based and where you need to report to on your a bad impression if you assume that you’re working from home when you’re actually •

underprepared!

•

parking passes.

• •

when applying for the internship, it’s good to tune in to the company’s latest news. You done so already.

•

•

54 |

Internship Guide 2022

money, some snacks and a notebook with a pen. Bring along a blazer or jacket in case the

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

While at the workplace • •

so do it well.

• extension numbers. Keep it accessible by the phone for easy reference.

•

•

your input would be welcome or if you’re expected to sit and observe. This is the perfect about what the company does.

•

•

•

lunch costs at your workplace. Even if you do, the extra cash will come in handy if your colleagues decide to take you out to a restaurant or café instead of the nearby hawker centre for lunch. ready to leave. Always ask if there’s anything else they need you to do for the day – don’t internship.

to network and gather as much experience as you can. You never you set may eventually lead to company!

Internship Guide 2022 | 55

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

SURVIVING YOUR FIRST DAY AS AN INTERN I

t’s the moment you’ve been looking

Are you excited about your new role, yet nervous about adapting to pointers for a smooth Day One.

1 Dress well

Translate that to your internship, and it

for employees and interns at the very

day is important as it contributes to the image your colleagues will form of you.

Take pride in your appearance at work

your role, company policy, procedures as

Neutral colours also count towards a professional image. Most importantly,

Internship Guide 2022

Pay attention to

Legendary costume designer, Edith Head, once said, “You can have anything

to your work tasks and assignments.

If you’re unsure about the dress code of your workplace, it’s always safe to

56 |

2

Listen intently and jot down important notes such as contact details, useful key facts and other relevant sure about something, don’t be afraid to clarify your doubts.

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

3

4

Get to know your colleagues

Mastering the systems

You won’t be able to survive in your workplace if you don’t get to know

Some companies might have their own

most, not only as project or assignment

to-day work, so you’ll have to learn how to navigate them. While your colleagues are teaching you the ropes , take notes for reference in the future. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you’re unsure or have

well.

Get to know each of them by name, working with most closely or needing help from for crucial needs. Usually, your colleagues will want to engage you more during lunch, so if you’re asked to have your break together with them, say yes!

forget

about

observing

workplace

Good luck and just do your best!

Internship Guide 2022 | 57

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

HOW TO BECOME A STAR INTERN Life as an intern isn’t a bed of roses – you’ll have to prove yourself despite your

Y

ou managed to sail through your interviews with your dream employer, and received

be a star intern to increase your chances how you can stand out.

1

Put in the hard work

As an intern, you need to be extra assignments, so prove to your superiors that you’re capable of the tasks assigned.

Value the opportunity to work handson in your chosen environment. Although an intern’s pay is usually meagre, the experience gained helps you learn a lot more about yourself professionally and

3

Solve and minimise problems

2

Take on challenges

with your internship company, start by making sure there’s such a possibility the tasks assigned to you and more.

Keep a lookout for areas where you propose new assignments with your boss or manager. Ask for more challenging tasks if you’re up for it.

4

Learn from your mistakes

Mistakes are a part and parcel of life – unknowns, but don’t feel embarrassed about asking your colleagues or superiors about anything related to the job. enough to solve your problems on your help.

Clarify

how

to

use

a

certain

is to always ask your colleagues or your superiors if you’re unsure – two heads are you may end up with errors. At the same give a bad impression, so be sure to note it down as soon as possible.

If you encounter a roadblock in your work, you can come up with a few manager, who can help you decide on

58 |

Internship Guide 2022

an intern, there’ll be mistakes that you are bound to make as compared to your colleagues who’ve been working for years.

Don’t worry if it happens – it’s okay to make mistakes so long as you’re willing to accept and learn from them. That alone already shows your responsibility, a crucial skill that’s valued in the workforce. So be brave enough to admit to your mistakes and move past them

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

5

Bond well with your team

No man is an island, especially in the workplace. As an intern, you’ll be embedded in a network of professional contacts while being the most junior, so make sure to learn something from everyone you meet. Develop good that you can work on projects together ability to mingle and interact with people also key to your professional growth.

6

Seek feedback

As your internship progresses, you’ll want to know that you’re making progress and are on the right track.

Asking for feedback is the easiest way to and how else you can improve yourself professionally.

Consult your supervisor and colleagues, and listen to their guidance and advice. Weekly feedback sessions will help you monitor your progress and development, and will come in handy when you have to write a report to summarise your experience.

Summary It should be obvious by now that a star intern is one who takes charge seeks to solve problems. This intern is also a valued contributor on the team, instead of someone who needs hand-holding.

Go the extra mile to prove yourself, and if you’re the right

Internship Guide 2022 | 59

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AT THE END OF YOUR INTERNSHIP? out of your internship in the long run, even beyond your last day.

Y

ou’ve learnt important lessons, forged invaluable

your co-workers and bosses is just a few days away.

How do you draw your internship to a graceful close and put your work experience to good use? How do you ensure you can make the most of the contacts you’ve made? internship on the right note.

accomplishments and what you’ve learnt

This is important, both for your self-awareness and your milestones and what you’ve done throughout your internship. These are great points to talk about with Write them down in detail before your internships ends if there’s anything that slipped your mind. Do remember to include these key points in your notes: • What you worked on • Who you worked with • Training received • Skills learnt as possible. You may include names of people, projects, note – whichever is applicable – and any relevant numbers.

Moreover, if the company permits it, you can also get links to

Also, take note of any feedback you’ve received, especially praise. These can earn you brownie points if you

60 |

Internship Guide 2022

ACING YOUR INTERNSHIP

Update your resume and

Follow up on suggestions

After taking down what you’ve done and achieved you progress in your career, such as introducing contacts accurately transfer your notes. your updates public so that you can increase your visibility accomplishments you’ve realised! More importantly, you’re making recruiters on LinkedIn aware of your experience.

to it!

Your window of opportunity to follow up on new contacts shrinks every passing day. Besides, introducing And although background reading isn’t quite as pressing, back in touch with a soon-to-be-ex-colleague and say you found it helpful.

employer as a referee

of their referees. So in the midst of your internship, don’t forget to check if your employer’s willing to provide a reference for you when you apply to future jobs or internships. it’s all right to add them to your resume as referees and if they’re comfortable with providing their contact details

Keep in touch

Before you leave, think about who you would want to stay in touch with – they may be colleagues who’ve helped you, or others who might be willing to do so in the future. Ask them if they would like to stay in contact.

If they are, you can exchange email addresses or connect via LinkedIn. may eventually fail to keep in touch. Do make a concrete plan to follow through on your commitment to avoid this.

You may also ask if they’re willing to leave a

an email list of the people you requested to keep in contact with during your internship. Instead of dropping them an

refresh their memory of you too!

Internship Guide 2022 | 61

INDUSTRY SECTORS

INDUSTRY SECTORS Get to know your industry A-Z

Accounting and Financial Management ............................ 63 Arts and Design .................................................................... 63 Banking and Financial Services ......................................... 64 Charities and Social Services.............................................. 64 Construction ......................................................................... 65 Consulting ............................................................................. 65 Education .............................................................................. 66 Engineering, Design and Manufacturing ........................... 66 Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) .............................. 67 Healthcare and Pharmaceutical ......................................... 67 Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism........................................ 68 Investment Banking and Investment Management ........ 68 IT and Technology ................................................................ 69 Law......................................................................................... 69 Media and Advertising ......................................................... 70 Property and Real Estate..................................................... 70 Public Sector ......................................................................... 71 Sales and Marketing ............................................................ 71 Scientific Research and Development ............................... 72 Uniformed Services ............................................................. 72

62 |

Internship Guide 2022

INDUSTRY SECTORS

Accounting and Financial Management Getting an internship is an excellent

Internship hunting tips

with no shortage of openings from private and public sectors alike to choose from. On top of being able to pick up valuable skills and experience

•

interns at the end of their contract.

•

Most popular employers

KPMG EY

When:

An overview

Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer

Did you know?

Arts and Design Singapore has established itself as a gateway to Asia’s arts and design

Internship hunting tips

•

(MNCs) who’ve taken note are using its unique and strategic location to further their expansion into Asia.

An overview

•

•

Did you know?

Internship Guide 2022 | 63

INDUSTRY SECTORS

Banking and Financial Services services industry is one of the top in the world. But with the emergence of compliance and risk have taken on

Most popular employers

•

Internship deadlines

An overview

Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer

Did you know?

Internship hunting tips

•

Charities and Social Services non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and philanthropic foundations in the

Did you know?

and provide support in achieving

meet public needs.

An overview Internship hunting tips

•

•

64 |

Internship Guide 2022

INDUSTRY SECTORS

Construction Although the construction sector experienced project delays throughout 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent border

Did you know?

housing and healthcare institutions. towards

environmentally-sustainable

Internship hunting tips

contributions as well.

An overview

Consulting how

organisations

Most popular employers

can

improve

Did you know?

or position in the market before implementing a plan to help the client achieve their goals. While most end solutions for a range of business

Internship hunting tips

EY

• An overview

KPMG • Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer

Internship Guide 2022 | 65

INDUSTRY SECTORS

Education Singapore’s education industry is primarily run by the Ministry of teachers can be employed by private

Did you know?

school centres and local and private and real-world exposure – such as parent and classroom management – are highly critical in assessing one’s suitability.

An overview

Internship hunting tips

•

•

•

Engineering, Design and Manufacturing A thriving sector with a strong local supplier base and vast connectivity to the

Most popular employers

Did you know?

3M growth areas include biomedical and and

precision

engineering.

Other Internship hunting tips

growing green economy.

•

An overview

•

66 |

Internship Guide 2022

Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer

INDUSTRY SECTORS

Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)

Nestlé

highly in-demand and are sold detergents and plastic goods.

An overview

Most popular employers

Internship hunting tips

•

•

Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer

Did you know?

Healthcare and Pharmaceutical

Most popular employers

One of Singapore’s hallmarks is there are three regional healthcare provision systems spread out islandwide to facilitate integrated healthcare delivery. Several top international private healthcare providers have also established operations in Singapore to

Internship hunting tips

•

• An overview

Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer

Did you know?

Internship Guide 2022 | 67

INDUSTRY SECTORS

Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism

Most popular employers

Contrary to what people might think plenty of internship opportunities.

These range from hotel management as the government revives the domestic human resources (HR).

An overview

Internship hunting tips

•

•

Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer

•

•

Did you know?

Investment Banking and Investment Management the safeguarding and maximising of

Most popular employers

Did you know?

corporations or individuals. Contrary degree isn’t necessarily required to enter this sector as the relevant skills can be acquired – you just need a strong

Internship hunting tips

• An overview

•

•

When:

68 |

Internship Guide 2022

Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer

INDUSTRY SECTORS

Most popular employers

IT and Technology Did you know?

hub is evident – with many leading technology companies making it a key node in their global network.

An overview Internship hunting tips

IBM

Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer

Law Suitable for those who’re passionate

Did you know?

is also becoming increasingly important for medium to large Internship hunting tips

energy and commercial contracts will also help you progress in your

•

• a second class honours law degree

•

Singapore Bar. An overview

Internship periods

Internship Guide 2022 | 69

INDUSTRY SECTORS

Most popular employers

Media and Advertising Internship hunting tips

internships across platforms such as

•

can be further broken down into •

market research.

An overview

Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer

Internship periods

Did you know?

Property and Real Estate from sales and rental to property management and consultancy

Most popular employers Did you know?

working with clients interested in development.

An overview

Internship hunting tips

•

•

•

•

70 |

Internship Guide 2022

Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer

INDUSTRY SECTORS

Most popular employers

Public Sector public sector employs an estimated

Did you know?

ministries and more than 50 statutory training opportunities and job security.

Besides policy planning and frontline Internship hunting tips

professional capacities.

•

An overview

• Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer

• Internship periods

Sales and Marketing promoting a business and its products maintaining customer relationships. On Internship hunting tips

strategies that cater to the demands of the market.

An overview

•

•

•

Internship periods

• Did you know?

•

Internship Guide 2022 | 71

INDUSTRY SECTORS

Most popular employers

As the government has been committed to investing substantially has since become one of the world’s

Did you know?

Nestlé

environment and renewable energy remaining hot topics even in the of the world’s leading medical device and pharmaceutical companies maintain bases in the country. The biotechnology sector is growing as well.

Internship hunting tips

• Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer

An overview

•

Internship periods

Uniformed Services internship that gives you the satisfaction of serving your country.

The defence forces also welcome people from all academic disciplines to develop and gain experience in a variety of areas.

An overview

Internship hunting tips

• •

•

• Did you know?

72 |

Internship Guide 2022

LISTINGS

EMPLOYER LISTINGS BDO LLP ............................................................................................74 Central Provident Fund (CPF) ..............................................74,75 DSO National Laboratories (DSO)............................... [5],76,77 The Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA)............................................IFC,78,79 Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).............................................78

Internship Guide 2022 | 73

LISTINGS

BDO LLP

Established in 1972 and a member firm of BDO International since 1979, we offer a full range of services including audit, corporate finance and risk advisory.

Our clients are from most fields of business in Singapore and include subsidiaries of multinational corporations, public and private companies operating in diverse industries, including transportation and publishing. Some of our clients are well-known, while many are medium-sized emerging businesses.

Our size is at its optimum, it is large enough to enable us to provide the full range of world-class services and at the same time allows clients to benefit from our breadth and depth of expertise as the world’s fifth largest accounting network.

Simply, our services begin with your needs.

Whether you are a start-up or an established enterprise looking to take the next step up, we are well equipped to assist you from ground level to the highest stratosphere of success.

INTERNSHIP APPLICATION BDO provides a culture that emphasizes career growth, professional development, collaborative culture, workplace flexibility and global opportunities. If you believe you have the right values and attitude in wanting to be part of our big BDO family, send in your detailed resume and a recent photograph to career@bdo.com.sg.

INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS • Accountancy • Finance • Business Administration

• IT and Technology

• Data Analytics

• Mathematics

• Economics

• Social Sciences

• Law

600 North Bridge Road, #23-01, Parkview Square, Singapore 188778 Tel [+65] 6828 9118 Web https://www.bdo.com.sg/en-gb/ careers Email career@bdo.com.sg @BDOSingapore @bdo-singapore @bdoaccountant @ BDO Singapore

Sectors • Accountancy and Financial Management • Banking and Financial Services • Consulting • IT and Technology

Number of employees 50,000 – 100,000 employees

Find out more at

Central Provident Fund Board

The Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board helps four million members save for their retirement, healthcare and housing needs. As the trustee of the nation’s retirement savings, we serve CPF members knowing that we make a difference. As long as you have the passion and commitment to serve the public, you will find your niche in our big family that consists of more than 50 departments in the following job families • Agency Services • Customer Service • Enforcement • Information Technology • Management of Schemes • Policy and Corporate Development

INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION CPF Board offers internship programmes to both university and diploma undergraduates from all disciplines. Besides being exposed to work in the Board, interns will also learn the following under the guidance of a mentor:

Singapore

Sector

• Role of the CPF Board’s Departments, their relationships and how they contribute to the overall strategic objectives of the Board.

Number of employees

If you have the passion and commitment to serve the public and want to gain first-hand experience of working in a public service agency, apply for an internship with us.

CPF Board Internship Programme

Find out more at

Internship Guide 2022

Location

• Role of the CPF Board and how we work towards our mission of enabling Singaporeans to have a secure retirement;

TITLE OF INTERNSHIP

74 |

238A Thomson Road, Novena Square, Singapore 307684 Web www.cpf.gov.sg/careers Email hr@cpf.gov.sg @CPFBoard @cpf_board @CPF Board

• Public Sector 1,000 – 10,000 employees

Internship application period Applications are accepted all yearround

Open to undergraduates from Polytechnic

University

INTERN PROFILE

A DAY IN THE LIFE 8:30 AM 12:00 PM

Lee Wei Jun

JOB:

EMPLOYER: 2:00 PM

QUALIFICATIONS:

10:00 AM

2022.

“

I FOCUS ON DELIVERING COMPELLING AND EFFECTIVE NATIVE EXPERIENCES BY SIMPLIFYING ON PLATFORMS SUCH AS FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, YOUTUBE AND TELEGRAM.”

6:00 PM

Internship Guide 2022 | 75

LISTINGS

DSO National Laboratories

DSO National Laboratories (DSO) is Singapore’s largest defence research and development (R&D) organisation.

specifically designed for the individual, tailored to your skills and learning requirements, so you get an enriching internship experience.

Undertaking indigenous development of advanced defence and weapon systems for the last 50 years and counting, we provide the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) with the superior technological edge in the battlefield.

While our primary focus is to support the SAF, DSO also extends its defence R&D capabilities to support homeland security.

MEANINGFUL, NOT MENIAL.

Join us and be a part of more than 1,600 defence engineers and scientists transforming ideas into reality and pushing the boundaries of science and technology across the domains of air, land, sea, space and cyberspace.

Not only will you be learning from the best mentors in their respective fields, you’ll also be applying your newly-acquired knowledge on actual projects and make a real difference in the world!

JOB OFFER, NOT JOB REFERENCE We acknowledge the talent our DSO interns possess. That is why so many of our current staff are former interns, and we remain committed to tendering more job offers moving forward. At DSO, today an intern, tomorrow an employee.

TAILORED, NOT TYPICAL. We want to ensure every intern gets the most out of their internship. Every DSO Internship is

Find out more at

Create your free account now at

Find out more at

76 |

Internship Guide 2022

12 Science Park Drive, Singapore 118225 Tel (+65) 6776 2255 Web https://www.dso.org.sg/ Email campusrelations@dso.org.sg @dso.sg @ discoverdso @DSO National Laboratories

Sectors • Engineering, Design and Manufacturing • IT and Technology • Scientific Research and Development

Number of employees 1,000 - 10,000 employees

INTERN PROFILE

A DAY IN THE LIFE 8:30 AM 1:00 PM

Ng Kah Wer Lindon

JOB: EMPLOYER: QUALIFICATIONS:

3:00 PM

11:30 AM

“

6:00 PM

AS AN INTERN, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON CYBERSECURITY.

Internship Guide 2022 | 77

LISTINGS

Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA)

The Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) brings you to the forefront of cybersecurity, digital transformation and engineering. From working on software development and systems integration to unmanned technologies and artificial intelligence, you can have an impact on Singapore’s defence.

INTERNSHIP APPLICATION

Achieve your fullest potential with opportunities to build your technical expertise and hone your competencies in diverse domains. You can also expect an immersive learning experience, where you will work with bright minds and collaborate with global industry experts.

INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Applications are accepted year-round.

Learn more about DSTA on our website. You may email us at internship@dsta.gov.sg or hrjobs@ dsta.gov.sg if you have any enquiries pertaining to internship or careers.

Accepting interns from: • Engineering • IT and Computer Science • Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences • Business

1 Depot Road, Singapore 109679 Web https://www.dsta.gov.sg @SingaporeDSTA @ SingaporeDSTA @DSTA Email internship@dsta.gov.sg hrjobs@dsta.gov.sg

Sectors • Engineering • IT and Technology

Open to undergraduates from Polytechnic

University

DSTA is recognised as one of the top 10 employers in the Engineering & IT sector, where our engineers and IT professionals work alongside procurement specialists to deliver state-of-the-art capabilities for Singapore’s peace and security.

Internship opportunities and a meaningful career await you.

Find out more at

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

A Foreign Service career is more than just a job. To be effective, Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) need to have a good grasp of world affairs and a firm understanding of Singapore’s position.

An exciting career of unparalleled opportunities on the frontline of global development awaits. For those of you who are up for the challenge, come join us at MFA!

As a FSO, you are Singapore’s bridge to the world.

You will be involved in the formulation, review and implementation of policies related to your assigned portfolio. You must be versatile, be able to analyse issues critically, strategise and achieve outcomes.

You need to be able to persuade and assert, and cultivate good interpersonal relations while keeping Singapore’s interests at heart.

INTERNSHIP APPLICATION Apply online at Careers@Gov. Applications open in the third quarter of the year. Visit our website for more details.

With 50 Overseas Mission around the world, a career with MFA offers unique opportunities and rewards. Throughout your career as a FSO, you will alternate between Singapore (HQ) and our Overseas Missions. Depending on your competency and inclination, you can develop your career in either the Functional and Corporate track or the Political and Economic track. As you progress within the Ministry, a series of varied and enriching assignments and milestone programmes will groom you for future leadership roles.

78 |

Internship Guide 2022

INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS • Accounting • • Business Administration • • Economics • • Engineering • • Finance • • Humanities, Art and • Social Sciences

IT and Computer Sciences Law Maths Sciences Social Work Teaching and Education

Find out more at

1 Sherwood Road, Singapore 248163 Tel +(65) 6379 8000 Web www.mfa.gov.sg/career Email mfa_career@mfa.gov.sg @mfacareers @mfa_sg @Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore

Sector • Public Sector

INTERN PROFILE

A DAY IN THE LIFE 8:30 AM

12:30 PM

Shane Chan Shun Jie

JOB: 10:30 AM

EMPLOYER:

1:30 PM

QUALIFICATIONS:

“

THE VIBRANT AND INNOVATIVE CULTURE, AS WELL AS A CONSTANT PUSH FOR TECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS, MEAN THAT YOU GET GOOD EXPOSURE TO VARIOUS TECHNICAL AREAS.

6:00 PM

Internship Guide 2022 | 79

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

FLICKING FROM THE BACK

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.

GTI Media Singapore would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the 2022 issue of gradsingapore’s Internship Career Guide!

Chief Editor Elliyani Mohamad Ali

Getting Started

3

Editor & Editorial Sarah Si, Dawn Yip A’liah Abdul Rahim Ron Ong, Joey Ng, The GTI Media sales team

Aiming for an Internship

10 Isaac Hee

Applying for an Internship

26

Acing Your Internship

43

Industry Sectors

62

GTI Asia Pte Ltd (Company number: 200301978M) 2 Sims Close #05-07 Gemini@Sims Singapore 387298 T+(65) 6294 6505 F +(65) 6294 1043 Printer Times Printer Pte Ltd 16 Tuas Ave 5 Singapore 639340 © GTI Asia Pte Ltd, March 2022 reproduced by any means including, but not limited to, photocopying or storage in a retrieval system in any form

Employer Listings

73 does not necessarily imply that such views are shared by

80 |

Internship Guide 2022

2023