dReam Alumni Magazine March 2016 Issue by Republic Polytechnic, Alumni Services

Issue 38 l March 2016

Career Fair 2016

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CONTENTS 03

Together We Can Achieve

Checklist for for Checklist Big Interview theTogether, Big Interview we can achieve

Thus far, Kerstin has sold around 90 notebook bottles. But she hopes to expand her online business onto a larger platform so that more people can purchase her product. “There are challenges definitely, but it is manageable,” Kerstin said. “I count myself fortunate unlike other students where they need to work long hours to support their family as well, so I have nothing to complain but be thankful and grateful about what I have.”

04 Min Woon Jie

Re from the

publican

Pulsating Proposal at South Canteen Post

Make Your Mark by Upgrading Yourself! Muhammad Nur Arif Suaini, 23 Founder of Predix Productions

Money Sense: Losing Your Job

year is set to be hectic for Muhammad Nur Arif Suaini. The 23-year-old’s photography and video production pany, Predix Productions, has received over 20 wedding bookings thus far – an impressive feat considering the pany was formed a year ago.

tarted the company after last year’s IGNITE! Music Festival where he led a team to publicise the event. He then ded to take the risk and registered his business. “When people started paying for our services, I realised that this is he beginning and that more will come,” said the third-year Mass Communication student.

It’s Good to be Back

aced many challenges when the company first started, especially getting clients to trust his new company. But he ed on his close friends for help and Predix Productions soon built connections with more people and organisations.

y personal sacrifices were also involved. Arif, who is now interning at MediaCorp, reaches home late at night every and will spend his remaining hours attending to Predix’s affairs. He sleeps around four hours a day. “No matter how it gets, you just have to know why you’re doing it. Then the struggles won’t matter anymore,” Arif said.

Striking Out on Their Own

pletely student-run, the company uses all its profits to pay its crew and to purchase new equipment. “I don’t see a t in bringing the money home because I’m still going to use it back on Predix to make it better,” said Arif. The pany recently spent $5,000 buying a new camera and lens.

des new equipment, Arif and his crew will need to juggle filming and photographing two weddings in a day on e weekends next year. “We’re not booked every weekend but (for) very heavy periods along the year,” he said. “I’m still king how we’re going to manage two weddings in one day. But we’ll figure something out. We always do.”

Checklist for the Big Interview

It’s FREE and it’ll last you a lifetime! 5 Ways to Stay Connected Kerstin Ong Jing Rong, 18 Selling water bottles on Instagram

Calendar of Events

nitially felt carrying a water bottle was “a burden” as it did not match her outfit. Now, Kerstin Ong Jing Rong is trying nvince her peers that bringing a water bottle around could be fashionable too.

8-year-old started an online business to sell notebook bottles – rectangular flat-pack water bottles – in October. The ness fulfils her two goals of being a national athlete and earning extra money to purchase new equipment.

online business also serves Kerstin’s hectic schedule where she has to balance studies and track and field training.

he online business) is less tiring than working part time and this helps me in getting more rest, compared to having need to stand all day in a retail shop,” said the second-year Sports and Leisure Management student. Among the tment of water bottles available in the market, Kerstin decided to sell notebook bottles as she felt the shape was ue and could be conveniently placed in bags. “I drink a lot of water,” she said. “I just thought it would be good to a bottle which looks good.”

Nailing that job interview can be very pressurising on a person, especially when there are many other candidates vying for the same position. You need to find ways to stand out from the rest and convince the company that Tanyou Lijue,are 24 worth employing. Owner of online pet accessories shop, Your Best Friend How do you 03do that? 04 When Ms Tan Lijue started online pet accessories shop Your Best Friend last year, many – including her parents – were

againstbest the idea. Look your

and engaging. Make good use of the opportuni show that you have done your research. Preparing the right clothes for the interview may “They think it is risky,” she recalled. “They say: ‘You have a degree, why not just go out and look for a job?’ But I think if I sound trivial a favourable firsttime impression is people might think that why are you still doing this and you’re old don’t dobut it when I’m young, next when I’m old, Practice makes perfect already? So it’s a bit and of a juggle.” undeniably important, donning a professional Practise with friends or on your own in front of outfit can help you secure that. Check your wardrobe Centre of Enterprise and Communication is now on Ms Tan, who graduated from Republic Polytechnic in 2011 beforemirror. she wentRole-play to obtain Bacheloras in it Business isauseful coversManagenot only to make sure you what is to appropriate. Anew skills when she first started School ofhave Management Communication ment at RMIT University, had pick and up several her business. The sole proprietor had to answering design abut website, set up online payment platforms and source for products. questions but also non-verbal inter conservative safe combination for the interview When I received news that MOE has approved the name change for CEC to School of like shaking hands and smiling. Look out for m Management and Communication on 9 October me a while to accept that this includes a tie with long sleeve(SMC) shirt, pants 2015, andit took leather “Nobody spoon-feed if smooth you start own business,” said Msalso Tan.bearing “It is details all your own of whether want u is for real aswill the process seems a(you) bit too withyour no difficult questions asked and but critical likeintegrity the way you sit,you words shoes in for men and a blouse, knee-length skirt top management of MOE has after the recent general election. tomind do itthat or the not.whole You have to push yourself to changed do it.” and too often (e.g. “actually”, “basically”) and subt covered shoes for ladies. The news also came in quite timely as we celebrated the 3rd anniversary of the formation of CEC. actions that you may not even be aw distracting The 24-year-old said the made idea of starting Your Friend wasout due to her love for animals. “When I was young, my house is Looking back, we have indeed great progress over Best this period: rolling 3 new full-time If you like, some perfume ordiploma, deodorant sparingly moreapply like a zoo,” added. “I have rabbits, hamsters, certificate fishes and diplomas, 1 part time she diploma, 1 specialist thedogs, first diploma-plus in tortoises. Most of the pets you name it, we might International Business, and numerous national competitions for secondary schools. We also set up have it at home.” to keepthe yourself fresh. However, take care not to Don’t Media Lab which became a key focal point for DMC students to engage the industry onlet manythe small things trip you up overdoprojects, it. Ladies should put on some make-up to look renovated the Market Research Lab to enable more effective learning for DCBR students Prepare a portfolio photocopied Ms set Tanupisthe starting to see Live theLab fruits of herforlabour. Your Best Friend 1,600 followers of on original Instagramand and the number and SOCIAL’UTION @ SCAPE DSEM students work with has socialover enterprises. more mature professional, buthas avoid it to on. of visitorsand to the business’ website beencaking increasing in recent resumes, months. certificates and documents. Compan One noticeable hallmark of CEC was our incessant engagement of industry not only through the

usually send an email beforehand to inform yo

modules IIP butmoral also through staff from and student projects. This has helped our students Ms Tan and receives support her sisters, whom she credits for theirtobusiness advice and support. She now has her Arm yourself with information achieve 06 authentic learning and build confidence in them on their professional ability to handle 08 what they need but it is always good to have a

sights on growing her business. thatagree in the near will also have my own office, because now I’m any kindset of industry projects. I am sure many“Iofhope you would with me future that youIhave operating from home. hope to have front, where I can actually bring witnessed a signature breathI of confidence andstore “can-do” attitude which pervades all the CEC my pets to work,” said Ms Tan. students and graduates.

currently

Information is power when you want to fight a good extras. Also, have them properly organised, fil war. In the lead up to the interview, you should have labelled. Check out the interview location befo gathered some background orandkept I must attribute all of the above toinformation both the academic admin staff of CEC who truly sharedpunctuality a because is paramount. After all, yo vision and spared no effort in wanting to value add to our students’ learning and making abreastcommon of news that may concern the organisation. want to get lost and arrive late on the sure that they have a bright future ahead when they graduate from us. We leavewouldn’t behind precious angst, tears joy in CEC and look to an even more exciting journey ahead to Learn memories, more about theand work culture orforward get some day! You should plan your time well, giving you build a uniquely special school with its feet on the future. insider tips from employees, if you know any. 15-minute leeway before the actual interview t Together, we can achieve.

When preparing a list of frequently asked interview Warren Wang questions, get help from people with experience. Director, School of Management and Communication Brainstorm possible responses and include detailed examples of your past experience and highlight the strengths, skills, values and interests involved. Along the way, generate some questions for the interviewers too. Insightful questions on career advancements, job performance evaluation and employee communication are always enlightening

This article was reproduced with the permission of JobsCe BrightMinds, Singapore’s #1 Online Job Portal as voted by students, and we trust that you have found it useful. The c cannot be reproduced, modified or further circulated with prior written consent of JobsCentral.

Remember that the job interview is like your passport to t company and thus it is essential that you prepare for it the you can. Here’s wishing you all the best in your career!

For more career tips and over 1,000 fresh graduate job lis from top companies, visit rp.jobscentral.com.sg now!

in has experienced various challenges in her business. For example, she is worried that the retail price of $14.90 may n that she may incur losses. There are also inventory issues – such as being saddled with unsold water bottles – to be erned about. She works around the issue by giving the less popular water bottles to friends or customers who hase a lot of bottles.

Publisher Office of Student and Graduate Affairs Republic Polytechnic 9 Woodlands Avenue 9, Singapore 738964

Editorial dREam. An RP Alumni Magazine. Everything starts from a dream. dREam is a quarterly publication to keep graduates informed about the happenings in RP, continued education, career opportunities, networking sessions and more, in the hope of achieving their aspirations. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed or implied in dREam are those of the authors or contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited. Copyright © Republic Polytechnic

Editor Nurhadi Khan B H K Designer Konclave Studios

Editorial Alumni Student

Kelda Chua, Woon Jie Min, Nur Zalikha Khamis

General Enquiries Email dream@rp.edu.sg Enquiries www.alumni.rp.edu.sg Facebook www.fb.com/alumniRP

Editor’s note Hello 2016! It signifies new beginnings and exciting new events. Once again we were humbled by your presence (more than 500 alumni came back!) for Open House 2016 and we were glad to see you guys enjoying yourselves. For those of you who participated in the recent Graduate Employment survey 2015… Thank You! The employment rate in 2015 remained high at 89.9% for fresh graduates, and 91.5% for post-NS graduates. Finally Congratulations to our GES 2015 Lucky Draw winners! Our Alumnus Mr Tay Yu Xiang Marc Class of 2013 (SEG) who won a MacBook Pro w/retina 13-inch 128gb HDD and Alumnus Mr Ho You Jin Eugene Class of 2013(SEG) who won a Creative D80 Portable Wireless Speaker. For more information on the Press Release, you may log on to www.polyges.sg. Oh yes… do stay check out our brand new Alumni Portal @ www.alumni.rp.edu.sg.

Keep your profile current! Just drop us an email at www.alumni.rp.edu.sg with your NRIC/FIN, and most upto-date personal particulars; we promise not to send you Nigerian bank transfer requests, lame forwarded jokes or chain letters.

Do your prefer to receive your dream in hardcopy Simply login to Graduates’ Portal at www.rp.edu.sg/grad to indicate your preference under your personal profile now! (applicable for local addresses only)

Together, we can achieve

Centre of Enterprise and Communication is now School of Management and Communication When I received news that MOE has approved the name change for CEC to School of Management and Communication (SMC) on 9 October 2015, it took me a while to accept that this is for real as the process seems a bit too smooth with no difficult questions asked and also bearing in mind that the whole top management of MOE has changed after the recent general election. The news also came in quite timely as we celebrated the 3rd anniversary of the formation of CEC. Looking back, we have indeed made great progress over this period: rolling out 3 new full-time diplomas, 1 part time diploma, 1 specialist diploma, the first diploma-plus certificate in International Business, and numerous national competitions for secondary schools. We also set up the Media Lab which became a key focal point for DMC students to engage the industry on many projects, renovated the Market Research Lab to enable more effective learning for DCBR students and set up the SOCIAL’UTION Live Lab @ SCAPE for DSEM students to work with social enterprises. One noticeable hallmark of CEC was our incessant engagement of industry not only through the modules and IIP but also through staff and student projects. This has helped our students to achieve authentic learning and build confidence in them on their professional ability to handle any kind of industry projects. I am sure many of you would agree with me that you have also witnessed a signature breath of confidence and “can-do” attitude which pervades all the CEC students and graduates. I must attribute all of the above to both the academic and admin staff of CEC who truly shared a common vision and spared no effort in wanting to value add to our students’ learning and making sure that they have a bright future ahead when they graduate from us. We leave behind precious memories, angst, tears and joy in CEC and look forward to an even more exciting journey ahead to build a uniquely special school with its feet on the future. Together, we can achieve. Warren Wang Director, School of Management and Communication 03

Pulsating proposal at South Canteen Like many budding romances in Republic Polytechnic, this one began with furtive glances across the corridors of E3. She was from the School of Health and Leisure (SHL) and he was from the then Centre for Culture and Communication (now renamed School of Management and Communication) and they were in classrooms just opposite of each other. Mr Shivabala Mahendran finally mustered enough courage to ask Ms Vinitha Mukunthan for her number. Fast forward to a sweltering Sunday on November 8 and Mr Shivabala, 24, was down on bended knee asking Ms Vinitha, 24, to marry him. “I have been planning this proposal for months now. I knew I wanted to propose in RP so I roped in my friends from the Indian Cultural Group to help me plan and execute it,’’ said Mr Shivabala who graduated from RP five years ago with a Diploma in Communication and Information Design (DCID). And what a show it was. His friends started the process with a Bollywood-inspired dance and they then re-enacted the couple’s memorable moments in school. The whole set-up took three hours to get going: there were cameras, videos, music and even a red carpet.

Wang, fully supported this request, which started the ball rolling actually. We were also very grateful to have the support of OSG (Office of the Student and Graduate Affairs). Without them, this would not have happened too,” said Ms Chan. “After all, how many couples can meet, fall in love, and propose (and be proposed) in the same place? There’s got to be something special about RP.” When Ms Vinitha arrived, the couple took a nostalgic tour of the places that held special memories for them – from E3 to Nanyang Café before they finally ended up at South canteen – where they hung out the most after class. It was here that Mr Shivabala uttered that question every girl dreams of: “Will you marry me?’’ “I’ll have to think about it,” Ms Vinitha teased. It was Mr Shivabala who got emotional at the end of it all. What makes them tick? “I love that she challenges me. I would say that our relationship is quite playful,’’ said Mr Shivabala, who is about to pursue his degree. For Ms Vinitha, it is being able to find a partner who accepts her warts and all. “It’s difficult to find a friend in a partner. I can speak to him about anything and everything, and I know he wouldn’t judge me,” said Ms Vinitha, who is about to finish her degree at Edith Cowan University. In a year’s time, the couple will proceed to Registry of Marriages, where they will make the marriage official. Ms Vinitha said she did not know the proposal would be in RP, even though she “secretly wished” for it to take place there. “The proposal was really sweet,” she said. “Nothing could have been better than going through the iconic moments of how we started off. Those memories will always be special.”

And because they met in the first year during their first semester, he even called down his former lecturer during that year, Ms Chan Yen Ting, to be in the re-enactment as well.

Mr Shivabala added: “RP has given us so many wonderful memories, so it will always have a special place in our hearts.”

“We were lucky that our Director of CEC, Mr Warren

Article by: Nur Zalikha Khamis from the Republican Post.

We recently caught up with Ms. Lin Wan Xian, a Republic Polytechnic alumnus, who graduated with a Diploma in Information Technology in 2009 and Bachelor of Science in Finance from SIM University (UniSIM) in 2014. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get to know how she is coping. Why did you choose this particular course of study and why at UniSIM? After completing my diploma, I decided to pursue a career in the financial industry and felt there is a need to have the qualification and industry-relevant skills in finance. Therefore, that led me to take up a BSc Finance from UniSIM. What appeals to me about the programme was the high academic standards and flexible learning environment, which allowed me to study and work at the same time.

Please share your education and career path thus far. ie. where you have worked and currently working, positions held, and previous educational qualifications.

The diploma is not relevant to the degree I pursued in UniSIM. Due to my interest in finance, I have decided to pursue a career in the financial industry and take up a degree in finance as I believe it would provide me with the necessary skills and knowledge for professional growth.

How has the UniSIM degree programme helped in securing your current job and the scope that you are currently covering?

I majored in IT in Republic Poly. Upon graduation, I have worked in various industries â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ranging from healthcare to statutory boards. My interest in finance motivated me to study BSc Finance at UniSIM. I am now working in a bank and it has made me realise that this is the industry where I could uncover my potential to the fullest.

The current role requires one to be knowledgeable in the types of financial instruments in the market. Relevant experience is also required. As I was not in the financial industry, my degree actually helped me to secure the job. My degree equipped me with the relevant knowledge and enabled me to confidently explain to my clients the different banking products and the returns and risks. Such information is very important to clients to be able to make an informed decision.

What are your future plans after graduating from this programme and what advice would you give to those who want to pursue their studies while working?

Has the UniSIM programme given you any advantage in career advancement or in the type of projects you are given to do? If yes, please share how it has done so.

I aim to gain relevant experience through my current portfolio. My goal is to move on to a management role within the next 3 to 5 years. To those who wish to pursue part-time studies, it is definitely not easy to juggle between work and studies. However, if you are willing to put in the effort and hard work, it can be done.

What is your current job title and job scope? I am currently a Personal Financial Consultant with one of the local banks. I advise clients on their financial plans and share with them instruments that would help them yield higher returns from their savings. I also aspire to provide more value to my clients with the knowledge I have attained through my studies.

Is the diploma you have obtained from RP relevant to your current job?

Is the diploma relevant to the degree that you are currently perusing with UniSIM? If no, why did you chose to switch?

No, I studied IT in RP. However, as technology is becoming to be one of most important tool in today's world, regardless whether it for our living lifestyle or for work, this course has equipped me with the knowledge on how I can make full use of it.

Yes. The courses such as equity securities have enhanced my basic knowledge in finance. I believe the knowledge gained would be useful as I continue to build up my expertise and experience.

Any words of encouragement to prospective students who are keen to further studies? Stay focus and work hard, eventually you will reach your destination and achieve your goal.

SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme Logistics is your right choice!

Planning to look for a job in the logistics sector after your graduation? SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme (ELP) for Logistics is your right choice. This programme is targeted at fresh diploma graduates* to develop skilled workers for the future of Singapore. SOME KEY FEATURES OF THIS PROGRAMME INCLUDE: • 12 months Work-and-Study Progamme with full-time employment • 4 days work, 1 day study (full salary and benefits of a full time staff) • Obtain a Specialist Diploma in Supply Chain Management (SDSCM) at the end of this programme • ELP-SDSCM graduates are entitled to credit recognition when they enroll to UniSIM’s BSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management • Programme is only eligible to Singaporeans and PRs • Sign-on incentive of $5,000 (for Singaporeans only) If you are interested in the programme, please email your resume (or enquiries) to Help-SkillsFuture-Logistics@rp.edu.sg Please indicate your citizenship and NS status (eg. Pre-NS, NS Men, NA). For more information on the programme, please visit http://www.rp.edu.sg/skillsfuture-elp

* Fresh graduates are defined as those individuals who are hired by participating companies within 12 months after their graduation from the polytechnics (based on the graduation date as stated on the Diploma certificate). For male participants who need to serve National Service (NS), the 12-month period will start from their operationally-ready date (ORD).

Open House 2016

Career Fair 2016

Money Sense: Losing your Job Losing your job can be a traumatic experience. Retrenchment can happen for all kinds of reasons, for example, when economic times are bad or your employer’s business is performing poorly or for reasons more specific to the person concerned.

Having some emergency savings will help tide you over the period of unemployment. Whether you have emergency funds to dip into or not, here are some ideas that may help you through this period: •

•

Draw up a budget for necessary expenses and stick to it to better manage where the money is going. Cut out all unnecessary spending like eating at restaurants and taking taxis. Be prepared to make changes to your lifestyle. It can be hard to assess how long the period of unemployment could last. If it looks like it could be a long time, you may need to make more drastic changes. If you find that the cost of maintaining a car and the car loan repayments are a drain on your savings that can be used to meet your living needs, do examine whether there are any penalties or costs if you redeem your car loan. If the proceeds from selling your car are likely to be insufficient to cover your car loan, do ask your lender what your options are. You may want to reprioritise your financial goals too. If you are deciding between saving up to pay for your children’s further education in full, or saving for your retirement, don’t forget that your children have the option of applying for student loans. Stop using credit facilities which incur high interest charges if you are unlikely to keep up with repayments. Try to stay on top of all your debt repayments. You may find that you need to restructure some of your debts. Approach your lenders quickly to do this. Go to Credit Counselling Singapore for assistance in debt management if you require more help. If you have life insurance policies, do ask your financial adviser representative what options you have. You may be able to take a premium holiday or take a loan against your policy’s cash value (if any) and this will pay for the premiums to keep your policy in force, although interest will be charged. But these are short term measures and you should not rely on this for a long period. Ask your financial adviser if you can convert your policy to a fully paid up one or reduce the

•

sum assured. If you do not take up these options and stop paying the premiums, it could lead to a termination of your insurance coverage. If you apply for coverage later, you may have to pay more, or even be ineligible depending on your health. Take a look at your investments and see what can be easily liquidated without penalty or too much cost if you need access to funds. If you cannot afford to lose money, now may be the time to liquidate riskier assets.

These measures may seem tough at first sight, but they can help manage your finances over this tough time. When you find employment again, make sure your priority is to rebuild your emergency savings. Always aim to keep 3-6 months of your income as savings at all times. Government assistance: Some of us may not have existing savings or assets to rely on. If you need help and assistance, you can approach the Community Development Councils (“CDC”) for the following: •

Employment Assistance The CDCs can assist you in needs assessment, career profiling, training opportunities and job-matching to help you find suitable jobs.

•

ComCare ComCare provides social assistance to low-income individuals and families. Depending on your needs and eligibility, you may receive short or medium-term temporary help or fee subsidies for children from low income families who are placed in childcare, kindergarten or student care centres.

If you need help, you can call ComCare Call at 1800-222-0000 or go to the Community Development Council (CDC), Citizens’ Consultative Committee (CCC) or a Family Service Centre (FSC) near you. The above information is prepared in collaboration with the Central Provident Fund Board, Ministry of Social and Family Development and Credit Counselling Singapore.

It’s Good To Be Back!! REFLECTIONS 2015 is Republic polytechnic’s Annual Community Arts Festival, bridging the community through the arts. At its 9th instalment, this year’s festival encompassed the theme, ‘Our Stories’. This year, the highlights of the festival included MUSIC, FUN & FRIENDS, World Drum Night III - ConstellAsians and ETHINKBEATS featuring Gamelan Asmarandana. It was a privilege to be part of this year’s REFLECTIONS together with my juniors and alumni of String Ensemble. Every chance to perform is always a learning experience to help every member grow in different areas. String Ensemble kick started the festival at Woodlands Regional Library together with Republic Polytechnic’s Guitar Ensemble GENRE and Magic IG. I look forward to performing with Strings in the coming years and continue to see the IG grow and achieve greater heights. Thank you TRCC for always providing opportunities to learn and grow even after graduating! - Article by Kelda Chua, Alumna of 2014

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Muhammad Nur Arif Suaini, 23 Founder of Predix Productions Next year is set to be hectic for Muhammad Nur Arif Suaini. The 23-year-old’s photography and video production company, Predix Productions, has received over 20 wedding bookings thus far – an impressive feat considering the company was formed a year ago. Arif started the company after last year’s IGNITE! Music Festival where he led a team to publicise the event. He then decided to take the risk and registered his business. “When people started paying for our services, I realised that this is just the beginning and that more will come,” said the third-year Mass Communication student. Arif faced many challenges when the company first started, especially getting clients to trust his new company. But he tapped on his close friends for help and Predix Productions soon built connections with more people and organisations. Many personal sacrifices were also involved. Arif, who is now interning at MediaCorp, reaches home late at night every day and will spend his remaining hours attending to Predix’s affairs. He sleeps around four hours a day. “No matter how hard it gets, you just have to know why you’re doing it. Then the struggles won’t matter anymore,” Arif said. Completely student-run, the company uses all its profits to pay its crew and to purchase new equipment. “I don’t see a point in bringing the money home because I’m still going to use it back on Predix to make it better,” said Arif. The company recently spent $5,000 buying a new camera and lens. Besides new equipment, Arif and his crew will need to juggle filming and photographing two weddings in a day on some weekends next year. “We’re not booked every weekend but (for) very heavy periods along the year,” he said. “I’m still thinking how we’re going to manage two weddings in one day. But we’ll figure something out. We always do.”

Kerstin Ong Jing Rong, 18 Selling water bottles on Instagram She initially felt carrying a water bottle was “a burden” as it did not match her outfit. Now, Kerstin Ong Jing Rong is trying to convince her peers that bringing a water bottle around could be fashionable too. The 18-year-old started an online business to sell notebook bottles – rectangular flat-pack water bottles – in October. The business fulfils her two goals of being a national athlete and earning extra money to purchase new equipment. The online business also serves Kerstin’s hectic schedule where she has to balance studies and track and field training. “It (the online business) is less tiring than working part time and this helps me in getting more rest, compared to having the need to stand all day in a retail shop,” said the second-year Sports and Leisure Management student. Among the assortment of water bottles available in the market, Kerstin decided to sell notebook bottles as she felt the shape was unique and could be conveniently placed in bags. “I drink a lot of water,” she said. “I just thought it would be good to have a bottle which looks good.” Kerstin has experienced various challenges in her business. For example, she is worried that the retail price of $14.90 may mean that she may incur losses. There are also inventory issues – such as being saddled with unsold water bottles – to be concerned about. She works around the issue by giving the less popular water bottles to friends or customers who purchase a lot of bottles. 12

Tan Lijue, 24 Owner of online pet accessories shop, Your Best Friend When Ms Tan Lijue started online pet accessories shop Your Best Friend last year, many – including her parents – were against the idea. “They think it is risky,” she recalled. “They say: ‘You have a degree, why not just go out and look for a job?’ But I think if I don’t do it when I’m young, next time when I’m old, people might think that why are you still doing this and you’re old already? So it’s a bit of a juggle.” Ms Tan, who graduated from Republic Polytechnic in 2011 before she went on to obtain a Bachelor in Business Management at RMIT University, had to pick up several new skills when she first started her business. The sole proprietor had to design a website, set up online payment platforms and source for products. “Nobody will spoon-feed (you) if you start your own business,” said Ms Tan. “It is all your own integrity of whether you want to do it or not. You have to push yourself to do it.” The 24-year-old said the idea of starting Your Best Friend was due to her love for animals. “When I was young, my house is more like a zoo,” she added. “I have rabbits, dogs, hamsters, fishes and tortoises. Most of the pets you name it, we might have it at home.” Ms Tan is starting to see the fruits of her labour. Your Best Friend has over 1,600 followers on Instagram and the number of visitors to the business’ website has been increasing in recent months. Ms Tan receives moral support from her sisters, whom she credits for their business advice and support. She now has her sights set on growing her business. “I hope that in the near future I will have my own office, because now I’m currently operating from home. I hope to have store front, where I can actually bring my pets to work,” said Ms Tan.

Checklist for for Checklist the Big Big Interview Interview Nailing that job interview can be very pressurising on a person, especially when there are many other candidates vying for the same position. You need to find ways to stand out from the rest and convince the company that you are worth employing. How do you do that? Look your best Preparing the right clothes for the interview may sound trivial but a favourable first impression is undeniably important, and donning a professional outfit can help you secure that. Check your wardrobe to make sure you have what is appropriate. A conservative but safe combination for the interview includes a tie with long sleeve shirt, pants and leather shoes for men and a blouse, knee-length skirt and covered shoes for ladies. If you like, apply some perfume or deodorant sparingly to keep yourself fresh. However, take care not to overdo it. Ladies should put on some make-up to look more mature and professional, but avoid caking it on.

and engaging. Make good use of the opportunity to show that you have done your research.

Practice makes perfect Practise with friends or on your own in front of the mirror. Role-play is useful as it covers not only answering questions but also non-verbal interactions like shaking hands and smiling. Look out for minute but critical details like the way you sit, words used too often (e.g. “actually”, “basically”) and subtle but distracting actions that you may not even be aware of.

Don’t let the small things trip you up

Information is power when you want to fight a good war. In the lead up to the interview, you should have gathered some background information or kept abreast of news that may concern the organisation. Learn more about the work culture or get some insider tips from employees, if you know any.

Prepare a portfolio of original and photocopied resumes, certificates and documents. Companies usually send an email beforehand to inform you of what they need but it is always good to have a few extras. Also, have them properly organised, filed and labelled. Check out the interview location beforehand because punctuality is paramount. After all, you wouldn’t want to get lost and arrive late on the big day! You should plan your time well, giving yourself a 15-minute leeway before the actual interview time.

When preparing a list of frequently asked interview questions, get help from people with experience. Brainstorm possible responses and include detailed examples of your past experience and highlight the strengths, skills, values and interests involved.

This article was reproduced with the permission of JobsCentral BrightMinds, Singapore’s #1 Online Job Portal as voted by tertiary students, and we trust that you have found it useful. The contents cannot be reproduced, modified or further circulated without the prior written consent of JobsCentral.

Arm yourself with information

Along the way, generate some questions for the interviewers too. Insightful questions on career advancements, job performance evaluation and employee communication are always enlightening

Remember that the job interview is like your passport to the company and thus it is essential that you prepare for it the best you can. Here’s wishing you all the best in your career! For more career tips and over 1,000 fresh graduate job listings from top companies, visit rp.jobscentral.com.sg now!

It’s FREE and it’ll last you a lifetime! – brought to you by Graduate Services, Republic Polytechnic alumni@rp email – Your complimentary, lifelong email account that immediately identifies you as a member of the Republic Polytechnic community! Evoke your sense of pride and belonging to Republic Polytechnic by using an alumni@rp email accountalumni@rp uses the email address format userid@alumni.myrp.edu.sg and helps you stay connected with your friends long after you have graduated. It is your gateway to maintain strong bonds with other alumni and also serves as a lifelong connection between you and your alma mater. • Large storage size for email (10GB for Outlook Live) • Password-protected 25GB online storage through Windows Live SkyDrive • Office Live Workspace - room for more than 1000 files

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2016 CALENDAR OF EVENT

MARCH

April

Event: Graduates' Night Venue: Republic Polytechnic

07 - Event: RPAC Meeting Venue: Republic Polytechnic

*ACE@RP Programme TBC Specialist Diploma in Mobile Applications Venue: Republic Polytechnic

14-15 - RP Orientation Programme Venue: Republic Polytechnic NTU Centre for Continuing Education 31-01 - Event: Critical Thinking for Innovative and Peak Performance Venue: NTU@one-north campus, Executive Centre

Specialist Diploma in Sports and Exercise Science Venue: Republic Polytechnic Event: RPAC Meeting Venue: Republic Polytechnic

May

NTU Centre for Continuing Education 03-04 - Event: Critical Thinking for Innovative and Peak Performance Venue: NTU@one-north campus, Executive Centre

01 - Public Holiday: Labour Day 03-10 - Graduation Ceremony Venue: Republic Polytechnic 12 - Event: RPAC Meeting Venue: Republic Polytechnic

NTU Centre for Continuing Education 22-23 - Event: Facilitative Leadership skills Workshop Venue: NTU@one-north campus, Executive Centre

21 - Public Holiday : Vesak Day

25 - Public Holiday : Good Friday

23-28 - Event: Momentum Dance Festival Venue: Republic Polytechnic

NTU Centre for Continuing Education 28-29 - Event: Practical Business Finance for Non-Financial Executives Venue: NTU@one-north campus, Executive Centre

NTU Centre for Continuing Education 30-01 - Event: Using Linux for the Internet of Things Venue: NTU@one-north campus, Executive Centre

NTU Centre for Continuing Education 31-01 - Event: Software Optimism for Embedded Systems Venue: NTU@one-north campus, Executive Centre

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dREam Dec15 Contest Winners Wong Soo Lin Daniel // S***6445A To participate, simply email your answer to dREam@ RP.edu.sg with your name, NRIC, and Club Republic membership number. 16

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