NTU NBS 2019

NBS C@R4R GUID%

2019

Nanyang Business School MCI (P) 111/09/2018

SINGAPORE

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NBS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SERVICES | 3

A Message for Our Students Let us be the accelerator in your career journey.

O

n behalf of the entire Undergraduate Career Services team, I am delighted to present the 8th edition of the Career Services Guide.

At NBS, we are constantly pushing the boundaries of how Career Services can help undergraduates realise their aspirations. Our focus is on empowering you to better understand yourself and capitalise on our resources and network to achieve your dream job.

• Contents of Career Foundations Modules – AB1000 and AB2000 – are assiduously revised every semester to ensure you are job-market-ready.

• Senior Career Fellows have been hired to meet your ever-growing demand for career discussions. They are a talented team of experienced and trained coaches ready to provide you with the expertise, insight and coaching you need to take that next step.

• We have further extended our global outreach and partnerships to bring more overseas internship opportunities to you. 2018 saw a record number of about 160 NBS students heading abroad for internships. It has been a journey of self-discovery for them and we have definitely witnessed a quantum leap in their maturity level upon their return from their time abroad.

Contact Us Nanyang Business School Undergraduate Career Services 50 Nanyang Avenue, S3 Building, B3A-03 Nanyang Technological University Singapore 639798

Phone: (65) 6790 4899 / 6790 5612 E-mail: nbscareerservices@ntu.edu.sg

The transition from university to employment can be daunting, especially in uncertain economic times. It is tempting for undergraduates to jump onto the job bandwagon without first asking, "What am I actually looking for?"

We recommend that you lay the groundwork by understanding more about the various industries that you feel passionate about and the types of roles available within these industries.

Looking ahead, it seems that companies have a strong preference for candidates with four key attributes - global operating skills, agile thinking, digital knowledge and relationship building skills. Offering these skills definitely puts you at an advantage in the job hiring process. While you do not need to have all four skill sets to thrive in your career, the more you possess, the higher the premium you can command in the market.

I am grateful for every NBS alumnus featured in this Guide. You will find their words of wisdom to be both practical and useful. While studying, why not connect with them on LinkedIn? It will pay lasting dividends in your student and professional life. Many of them are accomplished professionals from diverse fields, and you will be surprised by how eager they are to coach and mentor you.

We hope that you will get the best out of your NBS education and are served effectively by Career Services. Your early and frequent engagement helps us tremendously in creating better career prospects for you, your peers and future NBS undergraduates.

Linda Ong Foong Ming Director, Undergraduate Career Services

www.nbs.edu.sg

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

4 | NBS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SERVICES

Our Students

NBS students are highly valued for their analytical acuity, resourceful creativity, as well as their firm grounding in the fundamentals of their discipline. They also demonstrate strong adaptability, leadership qualities, as well as the ability to work effectively in a team.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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NBS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SERVICES | 5

With over 4,000 students in a vibrant setting, life in NBS doesn't stand still.

Jump in and find out how dynamic, cheerful and jovial our students are.

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NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

6 | CONTENTS

INSIDE THIS GUIDE NBS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SERVICES 3

A Message for Our Students

4

Our Students

10

NBS – Our Port of Call

12

Planning Ahead: A Year-By-Year Guide

14

Why Career Planning Should Start as Early as Year One

15

Making Career Services Work for You

16

Getting to Know NBS Career Services

20

Introducing Professional Coaching (by Senior Career Fellows)

22

10 Common Questions Students Ask Us

23

What Students Say About Career Services

24

Specialisations and Your Career

27

Moral High Ground

28

Highly Educated and Mobile: Highered’s Global Outlook for NBS Students

14 A TASTE OF THE WORKING WORLD 30

Exploring Internships

34

Venturing Beyond Borders: The Wilmar Internship

42

Global Internships

50

Entrepreneurship and Impact Investing in India

52

Excelling through Mentorship

56

Three Enterprising Ways Millennials Can Zigzag to Success

YOUR ACTION PLAN

62

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

58

Emerging Skills for the Future World of Work

60

Network Your Way to Success

62

Promoting Your Brand during Networking

64

Top Three Things to Look for in a First Job

65

Résumé Writing

70

Elements of a Cover Letter

72

Email Etiquette

74

Five Steps to a Great Interview

78

Asking the Right Questions

79

Dress Your Way to Success

82

Create Your Confidence

84

What You Must Know to Ace the Assessment Centre

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CONTENTS | 7

Produced by

56

(Company number: 200301978M)

1 Lorong 2 Toa Payoh #05-04 Yellow Pages Building Singapore 319637 Tel +(65) 6294 6505 Fax +(65) 6294 1043 www.gtimedia.asia NBS Career Services Consultant Thomas Seet Editor Candice Leow Editorial Candice Leow, Loh Supei Design & production Nurul Huda Abd Razak, Charlene Wong Advertising Ron Ong, Terence Teo, the GTI Media sales team

89 NBS ALUMNI 86

The Power of the NBS Alumni Network

88

Alumni Affairs Office

89

Presenting Our Distinguished Alumni

96

An Alumnus Shares His Story

Marketing & distribution Cheryl Tan, Tang Weishan, Shirlyn Ting Publisher Isaac Hee International managing director and co-founder Adrian Wood Printer Times Printer Pte. Ltd. 16 Tuas Ave. 5, Singapore 639340

© GTI Asia Pte. Ltd, November 2018

100 JOBS AND INTERSHIPS

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NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

Be vigilant and safeguard our position on the global stage. Advance our interests around the world. Our Singapore, our frontline Join the Foreign Service.

FOREIGN SERVICE CAREERS A career in MFA is a unique lifestyle, with assignments in Singapore HQ and our 50 Overseas Missions. It requires intellectual rigour, analytical thinking and excellent communication skills.

Be on the frontline of global developments as a Foreign Service Officer.

Depending on your competency and inclination, you can develop along these career paths: • Functional and Corporate • Political and Economic Join us in flying the Singapore flag high.

Discover a career with global reach at

www.mfa.gov.sg /career

10 | NBS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SERVICES

NBS – Our Port of Call

N

BS is consistently counted among the world’s top-tier business schools. We are one of the most established and comprehensive providers of business and management education in the AsiaPacific.

NBS is committed to providing you with an education that is both world-class and relevant. Our academic rigour is globally accredited while strong industry ties underscore the practical relevance of our programmes.

Our graduates are highly sought after by the world’s top employers for their analytical acuity and resourceful creativity. They are highly valued for their adaptability, leadership qualities and the ability to work effectively in teams. Many go on to become outstanding corporate leaders, as CEOs, CFOs and directors at the world's leading banks, accounting firms and other major organisations.

Chua Jie Xuan

(ACBS, Class of 2018) I was looking out for a vibrant campus life when selecting which university to pursue my undergraduate studies in.

Considering that I would be spending four years in the school, I wanted an environment that was both exciting and intellectually-stimulating.

In this aspect, NTU stands out with ample opportunities to participate in hall activities, as well as the numerous clubs and societies one can join. A few of my closest friends today are from the same club which I joined. Looking back, the four years I spent in NBS were exceptionally fulfilling. If I had to make a choice again, I would still choose NBS in a heartbeat.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

Ai Lingfeng

(ACBS, Class of 2018) One of the best things about studying in NBS is the vibrant campus life that every student can take part in. Be it participating in hall activities, joining a sports club or even an investment club, there is something for everyone.

My experience being part of a student club EXCO has been extremely valuable. There, I honed my leadership and communications skills, both of which I feel have been crucial during my 4 years in NBS. NBS definitely provides excellent opportunities for students to learn beyond the classroom and I am glad to have made the most out of it!

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NBS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SERVICES | 11

Pauline Chua

(ACBS, Class of 2019)

Chua Chia Ying

(ACBS, Class of 2018) Two reasons why I chose to study in NBS: (1) Ensuring Career-Readiness (2) Immersive Experience.

I am most thankful for the support that NBS offers to students in internship sourcing as well as the flexibility to take on internships of different nature. After several and diverse

internship stints, I gained a better understanding of where my career interest lies.

Participating in student club activities and competitions as well as an overseas exchange programme took my learning beyond the classroom.

NBS offers a truly immersive experience like no other!

Jaclene Liew Kar Hui (ACBS, Class of 2018)

Being a top-tier business school, NBS is recognised internationally and known for its rigorous curriculum. I was drawn to NBS because of the opportunity to pursue a holistic education. From participating in USP to URECA, NBS has provided me with ample opportunities to expand my thinking and learn beyond the curriculum. I wanted to challenge myself by learning from some of the world’s best professors in their own fields and growing into a person who cares about issues beyond my own field.

Looking back at my years in NBS, I wouldn’t have chosen otherwise.

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I really enjoy NBS’ seminar-style learning because I’ve gained a lot from working and interacting with my professors and peers. On top of theoretical knowledge, we also research on projects with reallife case studies and application, which really prepares me for my future work life. I specialise in Human Resource Consulting (HRC), and am fortunate enough to serve as an EXCO in the HRC Club where I was personally mentored by a professor to organize HR events and liaise with distinguished companies to attain internships for our fellow NBS peers.

Through this experience and NBS Career Office’s networking events, I’ve forged life-long friendships and am prepared to begin my career journey. I hope your time in NBS would be just as enjoyable, and I look forward to seeing you around in school!

Glenn Tan Yong Jia (ACBS, Class of 2019)

I chose to study in NBS back in 2013, and would definitely choose it again if I were to go back in time. In a short span of four years, I was offered the possibility of two degrees, one minor, eight actuarial papers, four internships, a semester-long exchange in South Korea, a community of friends, and tons of learning opportunities and experience.

There is not much more I would expect from a university programme. All these would not have been possible without NBS' strong and recognised academic programme, accreditation, partnerships, and established career services.

Dickson Ng

(ACBS, Class of 2021) I am delighted and enthused to commence my journey in NBS! I eagerly wait to jump onto the vast opportunities for internships offered by NBS, anchored by the depth of lectures, mentorship and networking sessions that I am certain will help build a firm foundation for my future career.

I look forward with anticipation to start my voyage in the corporate world, fulfilling my greatest potential and to shine in my next four years in NBS and beyond.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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Planning Ahead: A Year-By-Year Guide Make full use of your time at NBS by starting your career planning journey from Day One.

Get Started Early

T

hinking about your career path from Day One as a freshman means you have more time to review it as you go along.

YEAR 1: FRESHMAN YEAR

• Speak to us. Make one-on-one appointments

with Career Services to get started on career

planning and internship sourcing.

•

Attend networking events and industry talks

for first-hand knowledge of roles and work culture.

• Come for “Brekkie with Career Services” – regular get-togethers with your career advisers.

• Take part in CCAs to discover your interests and develop as a person.

• Consult faculty and seniors on choosing majors, modules and CCAs. • Use this career guide to think through your choice of specialisation.

• Tap on career profiling tools such as the Knowdell Career Card Sorts and Harrison Assessments, which help you identify career choices based on motivations and work task preferences.

• Participate in summer programmes such as Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Banking Connections and Citibank’s Banking 101.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

www.nbs.edu.sg

NBS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SERVICES | 13

YEAR 2: PENULTIMATE YEAR

• Review and follow up. Check off the list for what you did in Freshman Year, and pick up where you left off.

• Level up! Pick up new skills based on the field you

would like to enter.

•

Meet your career coaches at Career Services to

spruce up your application documents and interview skills.

• Attend industry-sharing sessions co-organised by Career

Major Selection & Professional Attachment

Services and the Marketing, Actuarial Science and Banking & Finance clubs, where seniors share on summer internships.

• Browse the CareerFIT portal for internships, workshops and talks.

• Go for CEO Global’s The Way to Success (TWTS), a five-week

NBS Undergraduate Career Services assists penultimate students in making key decisions of choosing a major and applying for professional attachment

workshop to enhance your employability and social responsibility.

• Boost your resume. Get involved in community services and CCAs. • Go on an overseas exchange. Employers value candidates who can get out of their comfort zones into new markets.

• Do a LOA internship over one semester, giving a prospective employer to assess your suitability over a longer service period.

Graduation Nears

Whether you are looking for your first job, or considering postgraduate studies or a LOA internship, we hope to help you make a smooth transition.

YEAR 3-4: FINAL YEARS

• What else have you not done in your first two years for career planning? Here’s your last chance to tick them off.

• Update your resume. Make an appointment for our review of it.

• Visit CareerFIT frequently for full-time postings and internships.

Take note of application deadlines.

• Sign up for our Networking Skills workshop conducted by a professional image consultant.

• Consult us on managing your offers.

• Network with NBS alumni through Mentor Fresh by Career Services. You can also seek mentoring from industry professionals through external programmes such as UBS-

NBS Female Mentoring, J.P. Morgan-NBS Female Mentoring and Citibank Mentoring.

• Join our Learn Over Lunch talks to explore career options.

• Volunteer as a Career Ambassador with us to help your peers with career guidance.

• Attend NTU Career Day and NBS Career Day on campus to meet employers who are keen to meet you.

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NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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Why Career Planning Should Start as Early as Year One

L

ooking back, career planning should be undertaken as early as possible in university life. Unfortunately, I didn't do a summer internship in my first year as I had to undergo a shoulder surgery then. However, right from the start, I knew I wanted to be in the finance industry due to the influence from my family members while growing up.

In year two, I was fortunate enough to secure a summer internship at Alto Partners. This boutique multi-family office is run by an exmanaging director from a global investment bank.

I was involved in raising capital for a couple of start-ups. This role afforded tremendous clientfacing opportunities and I interacted actively with the founders of the start-ups, many of whom had investment banking backgrounds themselves.

This internship further reinforced my decision to pursue a career in investment banking.

To gain further exposure, I took a LOA internship at Apollo Global Management in the first half of 2017. This American private equity firm offered enormous learning possibilities.

During my stint, I worked on more than 10 deals, evaluating financing opportunities for LBOs, asset acquisitions, restructuring, and growth. This further strengthened my financial knowledge and technical skills.

Having narrowed my focus on investment banking, I spent more time reading and preparing for interviews, while reaching out to seniors for advice and tips. Going for interviews honed my interview skills and prepared me for future interviews. My efforts ultimately paid off when I landed an investment banking internship.

To do that, I took another LOA in 2017.

In a nutshell, it will never be too early to start planning your career path. Talk to seniors if you’re unsure about what you want. Once you’ve figured it out, be persistent, stay focused, and make it happen.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

Joel Law Wei

ACBS, Class of 2019

www.nbs.edu.sg

NBS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SERVICES | 15

Making Career Services Work for You

M

any NBS students go through three to four years of university without ever setting foot in the Career Services office. Yet, outside of curriculum time, many students spend numerous hours seeking internship and job opportunities that may be available exclusively through NBS. The mission of NBS Undergraduate Career Services is to impart skill sets and offer services that will facilitate your career development and job search process. This ranges from assessing your abilities to handling job offers. Do not overlook this opportunity; it could mean passing up the job of a lifetime. Together with Career Services, you can achieve your dream job.

Develop Relationships

Find a career adviser and get to know him or her. Aim to meet your adviser at least several times throughout your career development process. Appointments are a great way to stay motivated and accomplish career-related tasks.

Your NBS career adviser will listen to your concerns and give objective advice. You can always bounce ideas off him or her, which will help you think through your options.

Furthermore, when specific job opportunities come in, career advisers often alert students whom they know well and think might be a good fit with the positions. Remember, the more you share about your skills and goals with the adviser, the more they will be able to assist you.

Attend Events

We spend the bulk of our time planning events with you in mind. A few examples that students have found particularly useful are mock interview days, networking events, resume workshops as well as career talks. Given that there may be a number of programmes going on that may be beneficial for you at any point in time, make sure that you are kept upto-date by logging in to CareerFIT or checking your email regularly. Finally, as you attend programmes, ask thoughtful questions to make the most of what you are learning.

Don’t Be a Stranger

Your relationship with Career Services does not have to end on your convocation day. We offer services for alumni similar to those for students. If you have not found a job or even formed a plan by graduation, you are still able to meet with advisers, use CareerFIT and attend events.

www.nbs.edu.sg

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Getting to Know NBS Career Services We’re here for you…

T

he competitive nature of today’s job market would mean that qualified applicants like yourself are pitted against many others in the search for employment. Standing out from the crowd will help you gain entry into a career that fits your personality. A mix of hard and soft skills ensures the ability to survive and thrive in your field. Educational qualifications alone can no longer guarantee career success.

NBS Career Services is here to translate your NBS experience into the right job fit amidst a constantly changing and evolving corporate landscape. We ensure students get the best start in their career journeys.

Our mission is to see our students fully engaged with their career exploration in a manner that enhances their undergraduate experience – a combination of a quality education and positive career development will help you fulfil your aspirations and contribute to society.

We offer a wide variety of services to help you navigate your way through your career. Thoughtfully created, these offerings will benefit you from the moment you enrol in NBS, right through your final year.

AB1000

is a half-day seminar

designed exclusively for first-year students as they embark on their university education. Combining hands-on approaches and class discussions, this workshop seeks to teach and address issues such as résumé-crafting, and to help students build useful skills for the workplace. This sets a stable foundation that enables a firm start to a good career after graduation.

Although possessing solid credentials and relevant technical skills are fundamental requirements in the corporate world, we believe that knowing yourself is the first step towards finding a good job fit. These are among the critical issues addressed by the seminar.

Career Foundations - AB 1000

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

AB2000 prepares students further for

Career Foundations - AB 2000

the workforce by placing a greater emphasis on matching career interests with employer offerings.

The five-week seminar comprises topics ranging from sourcing internships, to performing well

at interviews, and professional behaviour at the workplace. Together with students, we brainstorm key questions about careers: Is this the company where I want to spend my working life? Am I willing to contribute and succeed in this role?

What do I expect from my prospective employer? Every question you ask puts you that much closer to being a good employee in a new job.

With the right job fit, you will be able to explore, develop and uncover your true potential and capabilities. Graduates who assimilate better at the early stages of their career are better able to perform and grow.

CareerFIT

(Powered by Simplicity) Exclusive to NBS students, this one-stop portal makes event registrations, internships and job searches time-efficient, easy and convenient. Students can upload their résumés and submit applications in just a single click.

One-to-One Career Discussion During scheduled appointments, you can share your career interests

with our specialised team of career advisers, who will recommend strategies and help you develop a plan to reach your goals. You can also get expert advice on issues such as your job search, résumé and cover letter writing, professional development and etiquette, and salary negotiation. The one-on-one consultations are approximately 30 minutes long and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. All information exchanged between students and career advisers are completely confidential – you are welcome to ask anything.

www.nbs.edu.sg

NBS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SERVICES | 17

A seasoned trainer, Ms Shirley Han, teaches students in AB2000 on personal branding and networking skills.

Brekkie with Career Services Facilitated by a group of career coaches, Brekkie with Career Services is a fun and informal sharing session. This is a great way for you to discuss possible solutions for issues such as identifying a specialisation, exploring career interests, or seeking an internship or job. Look out for our upcoming session!

Skills for Internship and Job Search Throughout their studies, students are also encouraged to pursue experiential learning opportunities. Our role is to ensure resources are in place to facilitate this endeavour so that students can develop and enhance their skill sets.

Résumé and Cover Letter Critique

– In an

increasingly competitive job market, a well-written cover letter and résumé will distinguish you from the pack. Besides oneto-one assistance with critiquing résumés, we also invite HR practitioners to conduct résumé workshops where students receive valuable tips on how to make their applications shine.

Mock Interview – This is a 30-minute session for students

to practise interviewing with experts and experienced interviewers. The session is recorded and a debrief is subsequently conducted during replay, enabling instant feedback in a safe and supportive environment. Through mock interviews, not only will students know what to expect in real job or internship interviews, they acquire confidence and are more comfortable on the actual day.

Video Interview – Having gained popularity in recent

years, video interviews allow recruiters to filter through candidates at an early stage of the application process. To get students ready for the session, NBS Career Services has subscribed to SONRU, a video job interview service.

www.nbs.edu.sg

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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Make a connection Throughout the year, we organise networking events to bring employers and students together. Students may bring along updated copies of their résumés to these networking events.

Networking is more than just a firm handshake, introducing yourself and being seen – it is an integral part of any job search process. One needs to develop a clear presence that is relevant and compelling to the people who are making hiring decisions.

In NBS, our students are trained to build a personal brand based on an authentic character proposition that differentiates them from their peers. This happens as early as their first year; we share with students basic tips for them to stand out from the clutter.

Have your business cards with you at all times in your left pocket. Keep the cards that you collect in your right pocket. It is very unprofessional to fumble through a pile of cards trying to find one of your own.

Know who you are, and be comfortable describing yourself. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Chang Shui of NBS. I am a double-degree student and my career interest lies in management consulting.” Or “How do you do? I’m Iris Chua and I lead the HR Consulting Club in NBS. Our Club organises mega competitions twice a year.” Be sure to introduce yourself in a confident and calm manner. You want others to ask you questions and you want to be remembered.

Always have appropriate conversation starters. You can do so by staying up-to-date on current affairs. This way, you’d still be able to keep the conversation flowing after the introduction. Do note that it is wise to avoid discussing politics and religion.

Salary Negotiation Students may hesitate to negotiate for a better remuneration package for fear that their actions will prompt the prospective employer to move on to the next candidate. In fact, some employers are open to negotiation and do respect candidates who are aware of their professional worth.

We offer appropriate advice to students on how to handle this sensitive issue. Indeed, one of the most overlooked salary negotiation tips is to make sure to let employers make the first offer; it is preferable to push off any mention of salary until a job offer is firmly secured. At that point, it will be much easier to negotiate since you will know that the company wants you on board. On your part, you must display enthusiasm about the position offered. Be sincere and smile to show the employer that the only thing stopping you from taking the job is the compensation.

It is important to note that pay levels may be fixed or lack flexibility – depending on a firm’s practices. Under such circumstances, do not despair. Instead, enquire on potential career progression within the firm and eventual pay increment.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

Boost Your Likeability At Career Services, “stay in touch” is more than just an expression.

Over 1,000 NBS students head for their professional attachment every summer. In the midst of their internship during the May to July period, they are invited to the Boost Your Likeability programme to chill out with Career Services and alumni over drinks and food. This is one of the ways Career Services connects with students and learn about their internship progress – what excites them about being part of the summer internship, and how their internship experience prepares them for their future careers.

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NBS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SERVICES | 19

Internship Boost, an exclusive event where students enjoy light-hearted conversation with alumni.

Learn Over Lunch (LOL) The LOL series is organised throughout each semester where our alumni are invited as guest speakers to share their post-graduation experiences. Chosen across different fields and industry sectors, these alumni will regale students with tales of their corporate journeys. Students will get a sense of what’s on the minds of our nation’s corporate elites.

Cheers to Corporate Life Making the transition from campus life to the corporate world entails some degree of anxiety and stress for the graduating cohort. While internships and attachments have given you a preview of life in the competitive professional world, working in formal office settings can be markedly different from being a student in business school.

“Cheers to Corporate Life” is specially tailored

by Career Services for graduating students immediately after their final examinations. We bring seasoned alumni to share tips on how to cope with a corporate environment, as well as what to watch out for as a working professional.

The #GetReal Series Case Workshop The Case Workshop is a four-hour workshop where students get to crack complex management cases while working in small groups. Class sizes are deliberately limited to allow for maximum interactivity.

Throughout the session, our trainers will encourage students to adopt the appropriate techniques for solving cases and avoid committing common mistakes made in case interviews. Live cases are also introduced in the workshop, where students get to play the role of an interviewer to gain deeper insight into what employers really look for.

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This is a graded component of a compulsory academic module for all first-year students at the Nanyang Business School. We invite industry experts to deliver a wide range of career-related topics to students. Subsequently, students will write down three key takeaways and two actions they will take within specific time-frames from the respective #GetReal session they attend.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

20 | NBS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SERVICES

Introducing Professional Coaching

By Senior Career Fellows

T

he final stretch of your undergraduate life is arguably the toughest part of your journey with us. You will take everything that you have learnt over the past few years, compress it into your resume and cover letter, and fight for the chance to build a meaningful career.

This entire process is understandably gruelling, and will subject you to a fair amount of anxiety, fear and self-doubt. Talk

things through with us.

NBS Career Services has appointed Senior Career Fellows who can help you work things through at any stage of the job search process. If you feel any sort of uncertainty about your future, sign up for a coaching session with us.

Our Senior Career Fellows Ronnie Tan – Head, HR Business Partner, GRAB Cheryl Liew – Certified High Performance Coach | Bestselling Author | Keynote Speaker | Advisor to C-Suite Leaders | Entrepreneur Miia Lankinen – Coach | Facilitator | HR consultant | Former Global Head of Talent for Tech & Ops, Standard Chartered Bank Alvin Ng – General Manager, GE Digital Southeast Asia Uche Ezichi - Career Coach for INSEAD, London Business School, J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

www.nbs.edu.sg

NBS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SERVICES | 21

During the 60-minute session, our experienced coaches will ask powerful and probing questions, offer different perspectives, and help you feel more confident about what you want from your career and your life. Everything discussed will be confidential as your coach will always have your best interests at heart.

We believe that coaching can put you on more solid footing — not just with a well-crafted résumé and a suitable career path, but also with a mindset that helps you understand that the career path of today is not as direct as it might have been in the past.

Feedback from Students Goh Duo Geng

(ACBS, Class of 2018)

Consultant, Bain & Co My coach was very approachable and he managed to engage me on a myriad of discussion topics in a very candid, no-nonsense manner. He was able to shed key insights on issues such as integrity, family, work-life integration and managing office politics and gossip. His session made me feel more ready to enter the corporate world.

Genesis Toh Shih Ian (ACBS, Class of 2018)

Management Associate, Singtel With his wealth of experience, my coach provided insightful and practical advice for anyone interested in the tech sector. He is very sharp and never fails to ask astute questions that point me in the right direction. At the same time, he is really open and straight to the point.

Through this coaching session, he introduced a few interesting roles in the tech sector that complements my strengths and interests. More importantly, he gave me practical career guidance and self-improvement tips. I will highly recommend anyone interested in the tech sector to give his career coaching session a go!

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10 Common Questions Students Ask Us We answer commonly asked questions about the career planning process and life post graduation.

1.

What can Career Services do for me?

We can discuss various career and specialisation options with you. We can also give your résumé and cover letter a boost, as well as provide tips to enhance your interview skills.

2.

How do I find the ideal career?

Spend time thinking about your personal values, interests, personality and skills. Dig deeper into specific areas of your career interest. Leverage on the expertise of our career advisers and engage them in your career planning process.

3.

How do I find an internship or job?

Conscientiously refer to the listings on CareerFIT and do not be afraid to cold call or email targeted employers.

You can also leverage on your network – seniors, friends, family and alumni. To increase your chances of getting hired, it is crucial to develop an effective résumé and to put your best effort in preparing for the interview.

4.

Why should I attend career-related events?

Attending such events helps you achieve many things: gain pertinent information (corporate culture and industry knowledge of your target companies), job leads and referrals from industry insiders. You will miss out on many opportunities if you fail to build your network through our events as they were organised with you in mind.

5.

Would you recommend a LOA (leave of absence) internship?

Yes, you will reap tremendous benefit by undertaking a longterm internship (six months to a year). The type of tasks assigned will be more varied. You will also be able to learn more about your field of interest and gain more in-depth industry knowledge.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

6.

How do I prepare for an interview?

Extensive research on the company and job role is a must. You can also sign up for mock interview sessions through Career Services to gain confidence. It is also recommended for you to recollect your past experiences to use as examples during the interview.

7.

How do I handle multiple rejections from employers?

Do not let rejections paralyse or hinder your job search efforts.

Instead, stay resilient and tenacious. Let rejections fuel your determination and you will be able to learn a lot from your experiences.

8.

Is salary negotiable?

In most cases, there is room to negotiate for a slightly higher salary. That said, be prepared to defend your proposal.

Employers do not consider being a fast learner or a high GPA as valid reasons for requesting a higher salary. Instead, you should support your request with relevant, work-related skills and potentially providing positive benefits to the company.

9.

How can I figure out what to do after graduation?

As you work through the job search process, drop by Career Services to ask questions, and to discuss the obstacles, challenges and possibilities of life after graduation. We will help you discover your goals and assist you throughout the process.

10.

I wish to pursue a postgraduate degree.

What should my next step be?

We can connect you to faculty members in the MBA and MFE offices. You can also gather information from related websites and professional associations. When evaluating your options, consider admission requirements; programme emphasis; ranking and accreditation; tuition and living costs; as well as the availability of Career Services support for post-graduate employment.

www.nbs.edu.sg

NBS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SERVICES | 23

What Students Say About Career Services Thank you Career Services for making our undergraduate experience an enjoyable one. You have opened doors for me and many others. We really appreciate your tremendous impact on us.�

- Leonard Ong (BA, Class of 2019) Leonard Ong (left) at NBS Career Day with Professor Robert Kennedy (Dean, NBS) and Thomas Seet (Assistant Director, NBS Career Services)

Jain Atishay

(BAF, Class of 2020) NBS Career Services plays an essential role in helping students achieve the goal of securing a job right after, or in some cases, even before graduation.

Not only do they tell you about the latest industry trends, the career advisors can help you to find out your strengths and weaknesses for you to choose a path that suits you best. They also instill in you the motivation and reason to step out of the comfort zone and be ready for the real world.

As an international student coming from India, NBS Career Services helped me to understand the Singapore job market and the expectations of employers for graduates and interns. In addition to the workshops and networking events, they also provide dedicated career discussion and advice. Most importantly, all students can leverage upon the prestigious NBS alumni network, so that we can learn from their experiences and prepare ourselves better for the future.

www.nbs.edu.sg

Leow Hoan Shi

(BUS/MFE, Class of 2020) NBS Career Services has given me many opportunities to understand different career options available for me and also better prepare me for job interviews. What I like most about NBS career services is the dedicated and passionate team members who are very approachable!

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

24 | NBS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SERVICES

Specialisations and Your Career An objective guide to help students choose their specialisations wisely instead of conforming to popular myths and word-of-mouth.

WHAT SHOULD I SPECIALISE IN?

S

electing one out of the six industry-specific specialisations offered by NBS seems an impossible challenge – they are constantly updated and rejuvenated through collaborations with leading organisations and professional bodies to meet evolving industry needs.

Hackneyed as it sounds, choose the specialisation you are truly passionate about. An aptitude for that particular specialisation is an added bonus. Rushing into a programme simply because “it has better prospects” or “guarantees a stable job” may risk burning you out in the long run as it is misaligned with your goals and interests. Abandon the misconception that specialising in a specific area will automatically land you a career in related fields.

Read on for some guidelines to help you identify, evaluate and narrow down your choices when choosing a specialisation.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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NBS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SERVICES | 25

Gather intelligence Read and scrutinise

Know thyself Discover yourself Reflect on your experience (school activities, vacation work, leisure, community services, etc.) thus far and ask yourself the following questions: What have you enjoyed most? What were your takeaways? These questions allow you to gain a deeper introspective understanding of yourself.

Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses • What are your innate abilities?

• What do you seem to excel in?

• What skills do you possess?

• What accomplishments are you most proud of?

Accomplishments underline your abilities and skills – which are reliable indicators of your potential to take initiative and solve problems.

Both the NBS website and brochures available at the Undergraduate Programme Office (UPO) describe each specialisation in detail. Note down modules (detailed syllabi and course descriptions are easily available via a simple search) that appeal to you.

Consult and consider Arrange for consultations with associate deans and directors of respective majors. Additionally, get your seniors to share about their classes and experience in their chosen specialisations.

Reach out Our mentoring programme and alumni events are excellent platforms for you to interact with NBS graduates and learn more about the range of career possibilities offered by each specialisation.

Be scientific Standardised psychometric assessments such as the Harrisons Assessment and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator enable employers to scientifically profile your personality and determine if you are a good fit for their team. It may also help determine the specialisation that would suit you best.

Examine your priorities • What do you strive for?

• Does job security matter to you?

• Do you prefer stability over flexibility?

• Can you handle a volatile workplace that keeps you on the edge constantly? Do you thrive when working independently, or do you prefer to work in a team?

Seek help If you’re still unsure, don’t hesitate to find a mentor, and ask for help from a broad range of people. Self-perception can be biased and the opinion of others could help us correct personal misconceptions.

Keep in mind: feedback should not be construed as criticism – use it constructively.

Making your decision

• Specialise in ACS if you relish the idea of crunching numbers and solving complex problems.

• Specialise in HRC

if you have excellent organisational and communication skills, and enjoy working with other people on a daily basis.

• Specialise in BAF

if you are a highly analytical and systematic person with a penchant for the wheeling and dealing of financial products.

• Specialise in MKG if you enjoy interacting with people and communicating ideas.

• Specialise in BA if you are good at spotting trends and

transforming big data into a powerful and predictive strategic asset.

Still clueless? Don’t worry – simply make an appointment with NBS Career Services. Our friendly and experienced staff members are always happy to help.

www.nbs.edu.sg

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26 | NBS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SERVICES

What should I minor in?

Accountancy or Business combined with MFE (Master of Science in Financial Engineering) Take a minor to gain an edge in your graduate job search.

With the option to declare a minor in either Strategic Communication or Risk Management and Insurance, NBS students can now enrich their core disciplines by taking a complementary discipline or diversify their current degree by taking courses in an unrelated area.

The unique blend of a basic degree with a minor has gained popularity amongst NBS students as they will be better equipped to assume roles that require a diverse skill set. Today’s competitive job market requires graduates to possess knowledge beyond their core disciplines as challenges faced at work may involve solutions of a multidisciplinary nature.

Your minor & career options

Take up a minor in Strategic Communication if you have the

knack for persuasive storytelling, enjoy generating new ideas and structures, and engaging stakeholders at all levels.

Equally essential is your creativity and critical thinking skills to expound and execute communication strategies that resonate with the organisation’s goals and mission.

Career options include roles in public relations, marketing, advertising and human resource. Graduates with a stronger focus on social media or web development have the option to join the rapidly growing world of digital media.

Take up a minor in Risk Management & Insurance

if you wish to help businesses handle inter-related risks (such as investing money, buying equipment and hiring talents), many of which are exacerbated by globalisation and technology.

Career prospects are exceptional. You will acquire a wide range of transferable skills sought after by major organisations including, but not limited to, airlines, shipping companies, banks, brokering and underwriting service providers.

Through this integrated programme, students will gain more advanced knowledge and insights into the world of finance; all within the span of four years.

Undergraduates can expect to learn to apply sophisticated engineering tools to solve real-life financial problems. The combination of a basic degree and a master’s degree can be an amazing career multiplier. Thanks to its multidisciplinary nature, your career can gravitate towards quantitative roles (banking, private equity, fund management and hedge funds) and functional areas (algorithmic trading, portfolio management, strategy consulting and valuation).

Is there a direct connection between majors/minors and careers?

A common misconception amongst NBS students is that employers hire candidates according to their specialisation.

In reality, many hiring managers actually show a preference for candidates from diverse backgrounds as they are better able to offer varied ideas.

Many NBS graduates have successful careers in areas that have no relation to their undergraduate major.

We have witnessed successful placements of THM and HRC graduates in risk management firms and private banks, ACS graduates in investment banks, and MKG graduates in finance roles. Similarly, many accountancy graduates found jobs in FMCG and consulting fields.

Although students from the same major may pursue certain ‘typical’ jobs, your major does not predetermine your future career path.

A business degree is designed to expose undergraduates to a broad range of topics for entry into a wide variety of careers. All employers look for both hard and soft skills.

These also happen to be the cornerstones of a business degree.

Take up a major and/or a minor that interests you and be involved in projects and experiences that stimulate your intellectual curiosity, hone your communication skills and offer some exposure to quantitative analysis. CCA experiences such as case competitions (business case, marketing, tax, stock and forex challenges, etc.), community service and internships can also help you build up workplace awareness and skills.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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Moral High Ground

N

BS students are expected to act in a sensible manner that maintains the interests and welfare of the university, as well as the reputation and standing of the business school.

Once you have accepted an internship or fulltime offer (verbally or in written form), you should honour your commitment and decline all other options – whether pending or otherwise. It is the only right thing to do. Notify other employers that you are no longer available for consideration. They will understand and appreciate your gesture.

By conducting yourself honourably and ethically at the outset, you set the right attitude for a lasting career ahead. Make the most informed decision you can, stick with it and make the best of that opportunity. Use this as a precedent for similar dilemmas in the future.

Backing out from your commitment to accept another position represents a breach of agreement. If you choose to renege on your acceptance to pursue a different offer, there are significant repercussions: • You will be issued a Letter of Reprimand by NBS Deanery. This letter will be kept in our internal records and will be taken into consideration

by NBS should there be any future inquiries into your professional conduct as well as in determining your eligibility for any future academic recognition and awards.

• Your CareerFIT account will be disabled. This will bar you from registering for all internship/job positions as well as all career-related events.

• What goes around, comes around. Information is shared among recruiters more regularly than you think – especially for those within the same industry. By reneging, you would have “burned a bridge” with that employer and the contacts that you developed within that organisation. You may also strain the ties between the school and the organisation, compromising the opportunities available for students in the upcoming batches.

• Reneging will put your reputation at risk. It may even become part of your personal brand if classmates, faculty members, and fellow interns cast doubts over your professional ethics and commitment to an organisation. Be mindful of your personal brand today and it will pay off down the road.

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Highly Educated and Mobile: Highered’s Global Outlook for NBS Students The team at Highered shares insights into student job search engagement in 2018

A

ccording to UNESCO Statistics, more than 7 million students will be studying abroad by 2020. While at first this prediction seems shocking, it should come at no surprise when considering Singapore. As a nation known for its multicultural makeup, Singapore’s growing student population is focused on broadening horizons and experiencing new cultures by obtaining international academic experience. It would make sense that these highly educated and remarkably mobile individuals have a global mindset when searching for professional experience as well.

Location

16%

Field of study

Company

45%

17%

Sector

22%

How EFMD Students prioritised their job search

Meanwhile, companies are competing for quality and diverse talents by widening their search to all over the globe. This opens up a world of opportunity – quite literally – for for NBS students. So where in the world do students want to go next?

Highered Global Student Survey

Students are increasingly turning to Highered, the global career service platform provided to EFMD member schools*, when looking for work experience abroad.

Highered supports international student job placement efforts by providing internships, graduate, and full time positions from major corporations around the world. Launched to over 400 schools across 88 countries, Highered has a total of 60,000 registered users within the whole network.

To further support and understand the global student perspective, the team at Highered recently conducted a survey where students of the network responded to questions regarding their job hunt. The survey results allowed us to evaluate the types of positions, companies, and sectors that are most attractive to EFMD students and we learned how students are focusing their job search. Students from 60 different nationalities, representing 400 EFMD schools, completed the survey.

According to the global student survey, it was found that 60% of students look for jobs all year round and apply to relevant positions on an ongoing basis. Interestingly, 65% of students were looking for jobs both inside and outside of the country of study.

Students also responded in the survey that they prioritised their job search first by the field of study (45%), then by industry (22%), next by company (17%), and lastly by location (16%). This tells us that students are willing to move – wherever geographically – for the right opportunity.

Highered has simplified the process of finding international job opportunities for students. The platform has made their search journey a lot easier and faster.”

- NBS Undergraduate Career Services

*Highered – EFMD Global Career Services was launched in Feb 2017, designed to support and enhance career services initiatives for placing students internationally. Corporations looking to join the EFMD network may email to highered@efmd.global.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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NBS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER SERVICES | 29

UNITED KINGDOM

Top 5 Companies Searched

NETHERLANDS GERMANY

UNITED STATES SPAIN

AUSTRIA

CHINA

1. Nike 2. Société Générale

ITALY

3. IFC-World Bank 4. L'Oréal 5. Unicredit

Top Countries Searched by Nanyang Technological University Business Students

NBS Student Insights

Launched just six months ago to NBS, over 250 NBS students are already actively using the Highered platform and viewing positions daily. Upon further analysis of platform engagement of NBS students, we see that students are expanding their job search beyond borders. In fact, 96% of position views were for jobs outside of Singapore**. These ambitious individuals are not wasting time either – check out where in the world they are looking for their next big opportunity!

Energy Healthcare

5%

Consulting

3%

6%

Technology

Consumer Goods

35%

14%

Manufacturing

15%

Of the positions viewed by NBS students, over half were related to the Consumer Goods sector (35%) and the Financial Services sector (22%). Major companies of interest contributing to these sectors consisted of global companies such as Nike and Societe Generale. Top countries of interest included leading powerhouse economies like China, the United States, and Germany.

Highered’s mission is to help students find awesome jobs globally.

If you haven’t already accessed the platform yet, login and activate your account today to start searching for your next international experience. Where in the world will you go next?

The simple interface of Highered platform makes it easy to use.

Additionally, the descriptions on the companies and positions are both informative and helpful.”

- NBS student opinion

Financial Services

22%

Top searched industries

Contributed by:

Kendall Brown and Emily Noack Highered - EFMD Global Career Services highered@efmd.global

**Source: Highered Student Analytics Dashboard

www.nbs.edu.sg

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Exploring Internships Discover the different internship opportunities available to you.

D

o you often find yourself making career decisions based on word-of-mouth, common stereotypes and secondary sources of information (i.e. the internet)? Rather than relying on others, why not experience it for yourself by having a go at an internship during the summer/winter breaks? Not only will it help you make a more informed decision, you will also have extensive networking opportunities to widen your web of professional contacts.

An increasing number of students are voluntarily completing multiple internships during their undergraduate studies as many see the value of getting an early taste of the cut-and-thrust of the corporate world.

There is no “one-size-fits-all” timeline for internships at NBS. However, here are some options you can explore:

Summer Internships

As part of their degree programme, penultimate-year students will undertake a ten-week professional attachment (May to July). For double degree students, this will take place in their second year.

Long-term Internships

DOs & DON’Ts OF AN INTERNSHIP DOs

• Be clear about your goals and understand what you hope to get out of this experience.

• Be ethical. Clock in the required hours as stipulated in your contract. Complete the entire duration of the internship you are committed to.

• No job is beneath you. Appreciate the opportunity and do your best regardless of the role.

• Be enthusiastic. Employers value interns who are willing to take on challenging assignments.

• Work closely with your mentor – he/she can be a sounding board for your ideas.

• Ask questions and seek clear directions, but pick the right moment to do so.

• Meet regularly with your mentor. Keep him/her informed of your progress.

• Take initiative. Think “outside the box”, and you will be noticed.

Another option which has gained popularity amongst NBS students is the six-month internship (January to June and July to December).

One of the tangible benefits of a long-term internship is the ability to participate in projects and see them through from start to finish.

Application for Leave of Absence (LOA) must be submitted to our Undergraduate Programme Office in order for students to undertake this internship.

• Cultivate relationships with colleagues at all levels. They will become part of your network.

Winter Internships

DON'Ts

• Leave a good and lasting impression. Your goal should be to leave with tangible results.

• Don’t expect internships to be handed to you. Internships are a privilege, not a right.

• Don’t expect all internships to be structured.

You may only be assigned ad-hoc projects.

Students going for overseas exchange in semester two of their second academic year must complete their professional attachment during the December/January period. This is provided that their term abroad starts late, allowing them sufficient time to complete a winter internship before departure. The required duration is typically eight weeks.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions whenever you encounter difficulties.

Part-time Internships

• Don’t be late for work. Punctuality is both professional and paramount.

Students may elect to intern a couple of days per week during the academic year. This requires them to carefully plan their course schedules so that they fulfil such internship commitments. Parttime internships can help students defray their college expenses, optimise their time, and soak up as much working experience as possible.

• Don’t take leave. You may not be entitled to the benefits of full-time staff.

• Don’t leave on time. Employers notice interns who go the extra mile.

• Don’t ignore deadlines. Deliver good quality work – even under demanding deadlines.

• Don’t be negative. Don’t complain and be disrespectful.

• Don’t act like you know it all – you don’t.

• Don’t burn bridges – you may need to cross them one day.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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Alethea Tan Shi Qi (ACBS, Class of 2019)

Intern, Enterprise Development Group Temasek International Given that I am able to graduate comfortably by the planned graduation date, I thought to myself: Why not do a LOA internship? There is much more learning and self-discovery that an internship can provide!

School offers a great foundation and theoretical basics. However, you will only truly learn to apply what you have been taught when on the job, as divergence from theory is common, especially in today's economy. Internships can also give you better insight into all-important questions: Do I really see myself in this career in X number of years down the road? You may not get an answer but you will get some clarity.

Yap Tun Yee

(MKG, Class of 2019) Intern, L'OrĂŠal

With most internships being only 10 weeks long, interns rarely get to see the full campaign being rolled out during the course of their internship. I wanted to witness the fruits of my labour translate into an actual campaign so that I can see the results and make improvements for future campaigns. A six-month internship would allow me to gain such exposure and get a full 360 experience of working life. I hope that this unique exposure will push me to further heights for my future aspirations.

Charissa Goh Pei Xia (BAF, Class of 2019) Investment Intern, Tradably As a student, I had a nagging concern that I was good in theories but poor in application of skills. The real world was so much more than copying formulae and tackling examinations. I wanted something more fulfilling to justify my university education.

I also felt that a typical 10-week internship was not sufficient for me to translate my on-job learning into actions and applications. With a short 10-week internship, I would not have much time to contribute my skills to the company, as I would have to return to school right after having adapted to the environment and the industry. Thus, I felt taking a LOA would be the best decision.

www.nbs.edu.sg

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Muhammad Fa’eez Bin Yasir (BAF, Class of 2019)

Intern, Corporate Finance Lazard Asia It took a leap of faith for me to do something not many others have done. The easier way to go about my university life would be to take the ordinary path, graduate in three years, and explore potential career paths from then on. However, doing so means I would be rushing my career decisions and might not start out in a field that I am really interested in. As we all know, it takes strong justification to switch from one field to another once you’re in the workforce.

I have come to realise that the path that most people pursue may not necessarily be

the optimal path for me. It is perfectly fine to take a detour off the ordinary path, given that you are aware of your capabilities, purpose in doing so, and the consequences of making certain decisions.

Personally, I find that it is justifiable to set aside a year to fully understand yourself and decide if you would like to pursue a certain role.

I am not sure if it would pay off, but whether or not it does is beyond the matter. All I can say is that my internships so far have been nothing short of pleasant – I spent a fruitful winter in PwC’s Restructuring Advisory team covering distressed transactions, followed by a LOA internship in Fundnel, a fintech startup that facilitates venture capital and private equity investments into early and growth stage companies, and now I’m looking forward to spending another 6 months with Lazard’s Investment Banking team to work on Southeast Asian M&A transactions. If you are considering a gap year, do your research, keep an open mind, weigh your options, and more importantly, don’t be afraid to take the road less travelled!

Lim Jiing Wei

(ACBS, Class of 2019) Intern, Securities Division Goldman Sachs I did a part time internship in Lumen Capital while studying and went on to take a leave of absence (LOA) to pursue a semester internship at Goldman Sachs.

I decided to do so as I wanted to find out what I would like to pursue for a long-term career and an internship is the best way to find out what a job really entails. When deciding a career path, I feel that it is most important to recognise what you like and do not like, as well as what you are good at.

Figuring that out as an intern would prevent me from accepting an ill-fitting job upon graduation, saving time down the road. The most valuable skills that I have gained from my internships would be the ability to communicate with superiors and colleagues in a professional setting, as well as building a network of contacts. Overall, I believe nothing can substitute experience and internships are a great way to figure out what you want for a long-term career.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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Aloysius Lee Bing De (BAF, Class of 2019)

Intern, Private Equity, Dymon Asia Capital Taking up a LOA was one of the best decisions I have made to broaden my professional experience in the marketplace. I was fortunate to have been accepted into Dymon Asia's Private Equity department, a department that I would consider to be my ‘dream internship’. When the opportunity came, I grabbed it without hesitation. I knew that while the LOA would result in graduating later, it would also greatly enhance my attractiveness to future employers as someone who has a robust internship background.

Through the internship, I gained a much deeper understanding of what a ‘buy side’ firm is like and what goes through their investment thought process when it comes to making investment decisions. When my colleagues and mentors knew that I was going to extend and continue my summer internship with them, they showed greater interest in me and let me in on more deals to gain the true insight of the business and this allowed me to build a deeper connection with them.

Lenard Lee Teik Zen (ACBS, Class of 2021)

Special Situations Investment Intern, Apollo Global Management LLC Taking a gap year was not pre-planned, neither was it a decision made on a whim.

I had applied through NBS CareerFIT for a few internships as I didn’t want to waste my holidays. As luck would have it, I managed to secure two internships with Dragonfly LLC and Apollo Management, both of which required a LOA. It was not an easy choice and I took the plunge after much consideration and from seeking feedback from others.

I may not be qualified to make a comparison between a semester-long internship and a summer internship, which is a shorter 10-week programme. However, in my opinion, semester-long internships offer better opportunities for the following:• Take on Real Responsibility – Semester internships often exist as firms have a true need for additional help, which means interns get to shoulder more responsibility and do real work, and in turn learn more.

• Build a Network and Vital Soft Skills – Semester internships offer the opportunity to gain soft skills required to navigate a real workplace environment, and a chance to build strong relationships with fellow colleagues.

• Get the Internship You Want – It is no secret that getting a summer internship is extremely competitive. On the other hand, semesterinternships are relatively less competitive and are just as valuable an opportunity to build a stronger resume.

During my internships, I had the chance to travel overseas, attend client meetings frequently, and communicate with top management. All of these were unexpected opportunities.

In my pursuit of a career in banking, the internships that I have taken truly opened doors to the industry. This is especially so as banking requires relevant work experience due to its competitive nature.

To sum it up, I wish to share some takeaways with fellow students. Always be intellectually curious and take the initiative to learn. Do not be afraid to ask questions! In particular, ask questions when the answers are not readily available. Making mistakes is fine – everyone makes them – but most importantly, don’t make the same mistake twice.

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Venturing Beyond Borders: The Wilmar Internship Gain global insights and a once-in-a-lifetime experience with Wilmar’s overseas internship.

G

iven the tough job market today, having global work experience under your belt will undeniably give you an edge over other candidates. Coupled with the opportunity to widen one’s horizons and explore uncharted territories, it is no wonder that the KKH Scholarship is highly sought after by NBS students.

Generously bestowed by Mr Kuok Khoon Hong (Chairman and CEO of Wilmar), the named KKH Scholarship has benefitted 95 undergraduates thus far. This year saw another 13 deserving NBS students being awarded the prestigious scholarship.

Aimed at fostering the entrepreneurial spirit and global mindset of our undergraduates, the S$10,000 award comes with a ten-week summer internship at Wilmar’s international offices. During the internship, students are assigned to various departments, including finance, supply chain, marketing and human resources.

As Asia’s leading agribusiness group, Wilmar has strong footholds in some of the fastest growing consumer markets in the emerging world. As such, its internship opportunities expose students to highly unique places such as the Asian cities of Ahmedabad, Gresik, Nigeria and Yangon, as well as African countries such as Ghana, Ethiopia and South Africa. The exposure to different cultures and environments are largely in line with the scholarship’s aim to widen the global horizons of students.

Wilmar Internships 2018 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Choong He Rong Samuel BAF, Class of 2019

Lagos, Nigeria

Ahmedabad, India Koh Yu Feng ACBS, Class of 2020 Teo Chee Chong MKG, Class of 2019

Yangon, Myanmar

Dexter Soong Weng Wei MKG, Class of 2019

Lye Zi Hui MKG, Class of 2019

Peng Jiangpeng HRC, Class of 2019

Phuan Qi Wen Clarissa ACC, Class of 2019

Accra, Ghana

Gresik, Indonesia

Leong Hau Xiang ACBS, Class of 2019

Jocelyn Teo Kai Ting MKG, Class of 2019

Woodmead, South Africa

Chua Zhikai Basil ACBS, Class of 2020 Lou Che Wei ACC, Class of 2019

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

Jolynn Ng Meow Hwee ACC, Class of 2019

Pasir Gudang, Malaysia Ng Khoon Hwee ACBS, Class of 2020

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A TASTE OF THE WORKING WORLD | 35

Rigorous selection process

It is no mean feat to stand out in a pool of over 100 applicants – candidates are chosen based on their ability and willingness to take risks. In addition, they must be approachable and sincere, with a strong sense of integrity and respect for confidentiality.

A thorough understanding of Wilmar – its business operations, corporate values and working style – is a must.

Sun Yining, Group Head, Human Resources at Wilmar, was pleased with the quality of NBS candidates. “It was another batch of strong candidates that we interviewed this year. They presented well and were very well prepared. It was great to see the enthusiasm they had for an overseas experience. The past interns received extremely good feedback from our local offices, mainly because they went with open minds and worked hard.”

The eight-year partnership between Wilmar and NBS Career Services is warm and steadfast. The long-standing relationship is congruent with NBS’s mission to broaden the multicultural horizons of its students and to expand their global knowledge of the business world.

Undoubtedly, the competition for Wilmar’s scholarship is likely to heat up further in the coming years. NBS students are increasingly seeking overseas internships in order to embrace another culture in-depth and to gain an edge in the competitive job market.

Angela Lim of Wilmar Human Resources at the Pre-Departure Briefing

More than just another internship

In today’s globalised world, a premium internship in emerging markets will certainly add more lustre to one’s resume. Such valuable exposure and experience will serve as a compelling testimonial to a candidate’s ability to adapt and work with people from diverse cultures.

Wilmar’s internships enable students to gain critical life skills beyond the classroom. The opportunity to venture out of their comfort zones will strengthen their character, widen their horizons and shape their aspirations. There is no better catalyst to change their perspective on life and incubate ideas than to mingle with the locals and witness first-hand the different business operations in their respective postings.

Congratulations to the recipients of the KKH scholarship 2018 – look forward to a fruitful journey of self-discovery and ten weeks of eye-opening experiences! If you wish to widen your horizons or are simply looking for a unique internship experience, do look out for the next application cycle in 2019.

Pre-Departure Briefing by Wilmar Singapore, led by Jeremy Tan, Group Head, Human Resources

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GLOBAL EXPERIENCE Teo Chee Chong MKG, Class of 2019

Ahmedadab, India I was given the opportunity to intern with Adani Wilmar this summer and it was an unforgettable experience. This was mainly because I was out of my comfort zone for the past 10 weeks but nonetheless I have learnt a ton of things. Allow me to share three key learning pointers: 1. Relationship is key. Together with the Area Sales Manager (ASM), we visited the distributors and the shopkeepers in both the rural as well as urban markets. During the visits, I saw for myself how maintaining a good relationship with the shopkeepers can actually help generate more sales.

As the shopkeepers trust the ASM, he is able to easily convince them to take up new products to put on display in the store.

2. Understanding of the market. There is a Hindi saying, “Koskos par badle paani, chaar kos par vaani” which translates to: The language and taste of water changes every few kilometres. The Indian market is highly diverse, rich with different cultures and languages. To capture the Indian market, it is important to understand varied consumer needs and preferences across the different regions in India – this is the greatest challenge most companies will face when entering the Indian market.

3. Alignment of goals and sharing of information. For an organisation of great magnitude and a large workforce, it is important that everyone within WIlmar work toward a common goal and know the business well. This was one thing I observed in Wilmar. Everyone sang the same song, no matter which state we were in, no matter which department we were at. AWL has done a great job in this aspect. These lessons are important for me as an aspiring entrepreneur and I truly cherished the opportunity given.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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Ng Khoon Hwee

ACBS, Class of 2020

Pasir Gudang, Johor, Malaysia I was fortunate to land an overseas internship with Wilmar International via the Go Southeast Asia Award from Enterprise Singapore. The award aims to match students with Singapore companies that have operations overseas.

Under this Award, I was offered a rotational internship with Wilmar International and was subsequently sent to Malaysia.

The internship exposed me to the upstream and downstream activities of the palm oil industry by rotating me among various departments through its supply chain. Through this experience, I realised that although the industry may not be the most alluring one to be in, it is undoubtedly very profitable.

During site visits to manufacturing plants, I witnessed how their working environment, though not the most glamorous and flashy, continued to maintain an operational and functional efficiency that allowed the full utilisation of the entire palm fruit. For instance, apart from producing key products such as palm oil and palm kernel oil, the by-products were also used to make animal feed and biofuel which powered the entire plant.

Finally, apart from gaining work experience, be prepared to gain a few pounds as Malaysia is definitely a food paradise.

Summer is the season of durian!

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Peng Jiangpeng HRC, Class of 2019

Lagos, Nigeria Nigeria is blessed with good climate and geology. Annual precipitation is about 3,000 mm for the nation. Direct equatorial sunlight speeds up the rate of evapotranspiration and rain cloud formation resulting in higher precipitation. Coupled with great soil conditions, palm fruits harvest extremely well in the Southern regions of Nigeria.

Wilmar’s sound understanding in the excellent geographic conditions of Nigeria led its first plantations about eight and a half years ago in the Southern regions of Calabar. Operations followed right after, from factory production (supply chain), to back-end office functions (sales, marketing, finance, human resources) and front-end sales distribution, and finally to consumers directly. In short, we called it the business of palm oil from Plantation to Plate.

During my 10-week stay, I picked up the languages of the three major tribes – Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa. Noticing my love for the Nigerian culture, my colleagues became more open to me. In fact, things are shared and move more easily when people trust you as a person. The relationships formed in the office are based mainly on how much they appreciate you and not purely based on job positions.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

Soong Weng Wei Dexter and Peng Jiangpeng

Wearing the same costumes and speaking the same languages, though simple, drives the key message of cultural appreciation, which is sometimes more effective than hierarchical-based leadership.

I cherished my time and friends in Africa – one of the most meaningful periods of my life. Someone once said, if you have to visit two continents in your lifetime, visit Africa twice. I second that.

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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Samuel Choong

Accra, Ghana

Leong Hau Xiang

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Yangon, Myanmar

Lye Zi Hui and Phuan Qi Wen Clarissa

Woodmead, South Africa

Chua Zhikai Basil and Lou Che Wei

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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Gresik, Indonesia

Jocelyn Teo Kai Ting and Jolynn Ng Meow Hwee

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Global Internships

W

hile any internship can add credibility to your resume, some may prove to be more worthwhile than others. Have you considered the idea that maybe the best internship opportunity is waiting for you outside the boundaries of Singapore?

Over 160 NBS students have gone abroad for their internships in 2018. By venturing into an entirely unfamiliar culture, they have pushed the boundaries of what they were capable of. It is a perfect way for them to proactively tackle the cut and thrust of corporate life that they will eventually experience upon graduation.

An internship abroad can be both personally rewarding and beneficial to your career. You can build lasting friendships with people of different nationalities. More importantly, you get to establish valuable business contacts that can help you elevate your career goals to a global level.

A resume complete with an internship abroad will help you stand out among the crowd. Your experience will convince recruiters that you are adaptable, culturally sensitive and unafraid to step outside your comfort zone – qualities that will take you far in the professional world.

We present testimonies of NBS students who took up the challenges of internship abroad in 2018.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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Equity Investment Internship Anand Rathi Financial Services Mumbai, India

Ashi Parekh

BAF, Class of 2020

Anand Rathi Financial Services is one of the top names when it comes to private wealth management in India. Efficiently handling portfolios valued at US$5 billion, it truly abides by its slogan – “Private Wealth Management: Uncomplicated”. During my stint, I learnt the importance of keeping track of global news which is essential in volatile markets. I understood the basic gist of portfolio restructuring for optimising clients’ returns as well as providing recommendations and assistance with monitoring products held by HNI clients. Overall, it was delightful experiencing the work culture, educating myself on PWM and making great memorable friends!

Digital Marketing Internship PT Trans Retail Jakarta, Indonesia

Muhammad Asyraf Bin Ismail MKG, Class of 2019

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Studying marketing in NBS has made me realise how connected the world is and would continue to be.

Furthermore, in the age of Industry 4.0, automation is a global threat to our jobs. With Singapore being just a ‘little red dot’, I recognised the need to be flexible and adaptable to be constantly moving across different geographical markets in the future – thus my interest in seeking overseas internships.

In 2017, I interned in a small start-up in Ho Chi Minh City.

It made me yearn for another overseas internship but with a much larger organisation.

Indonesia is a massive market, thus positioning and targeting is key for a large company's marketing efforts.

My aim is to seek answers on how a company can maintain a consistent brand that customers could identify with, in spite of language and cultural differences among the diverse locals. Hopefully my internship with PT Trans Retail could provide me with an insight.

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Investment Internship Point72

Lim Yu Xin

ACBS, Class of 2019

New York, United States My internship experience in Point72 started out with two weeks in the United States where we got to visit both the New York and Connecticut offices. We interacted with interns going to different offices not only through attending intensive modelling courses and doing group stock pitches together, but also through fun events such as golfing at Chelsea Piers. My rotation was in the Hong Kong office under a Portfolio Manager covering the Australian market.

The resources and learning opportunities available at the firm were immense and even as an intern, I got to determine how steep I want my learning curve to be. My time at Point72 was a truly global experience and an eye-opener indeed.

Consulting Internship BayCurrent Consulting Tokyo, Japan I had the wonderful opportunity to do an internship in Japan. It was my first internship overseas and I was anxious about working in a foreign culture, not knowing what to expect. However, my worries were unfounded as the team there was very welcoming and friendly, ACBS, Class of 2019 treating us as one of them. It was an eye-opening experience. I learned about the nuances of the Japanese working environment such as having to greet everyone we passed by even when meeting for the first time.

The company provided a holistic learning experience for us. Entering with almost no knowledge on consulting, the learning curve for me was steep. However, my mentor was patient and continuously provided me with valuable guidance to complete the tasks efficiently and effectively. Through this, I have learnt a lot more about the management consulting industry. The most appealing part of this industry is that consultants are constantly required to apply critical and logical thinking efficiently.

Foo Chuan Mao

In addition to work, BayCurrent Consulting organised events for interns such as bringing us out for nomikai and also a day trip to Asakusa and Odaiba to experience living in Japan.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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Digital Trust Consulting Internship Fujitsu Tokyo, Japan If you are deliberating about whether to click “apply” on that overseas internship opportunity, wait no further! Just click it!

I was sent to Fujitsu in Tokyo for five weeks. During my time there, I did lots of soul-searching and selfdiscovery. It was a time to experience, learn, absorb and recuperate. Experiencing work cultures of other countries through an internship is really a valuable ACBS, Class of 2020 experience that will not come by again easily.

I learned that there are many wonderful facets of culture that cannot be assimilated overnight.

In Japan, 平和 or peace is paramount whereas for Singapore, money and efficiency is pivotal. I really enjoyed my time in Japan, amidst the flurry of complex work tasks, bright streets at night and picturesque sights. I promise you, it will be a trip that you won't regret.

Hunter Ng

Global HR Planning Internship Sumitomo Electric Osaka, Japan

Chen Yihen

ACBS, Class of 2020

Being able to live and work in Japan for 10 weeks was a dream come true for me! Even though there were many challenges working in a foreign country, especially with the culture and language differences, it was extremely rewarding as I made many new memories and international friends.

Finance Internship Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Our experience at Etihad Airways was a very memorable one. We had a first-hand opportunity to work on cross-functional projects with direct, tangible impact on the business.

Through our stint here, we gained an insight into the complexity of the aviation industry, as well as a better appreciation of the immense scale of Etihad’s operations. We are proud and grateful to have been a part of Etihad’s diverse workforce, with colleagues who have been very welcoming and supportive. The past two months at Etihad broadened our horizons, and developed us both personally and professionally.

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Xie Hao

BAF, Class of 2020

Lew Yi Jie

ACBS, Class of 2021

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Logistics Internship Mainfreight

Kathleen Ho

New Zealand

ACC, Class of 2019

Despite an unconventional internship in supply chain and operations, I had tremendous fun and I learned so much about the industry, business operations and its people. Most importantly, it was a journey of self-discovery. Although I was mainly working in the logistics department, I had the opportunity to see the entire transport operations involving sea and air.

It was amazingly fulfilling because I had a culturally diverse experience working abroad.

Internship, Humanitarian Affairs Asia United Nations Bangkok, Thailand

Adele Eyu Jia Ying MKG, Class of 2019

It has been a highly gratifying journey for me at United Nations. As part of the organizing committee for the University Scholars Leadership Symposium, I was amazed at the amount of details that went into managing this event. This week-long conference brought together 1,000 of the world’s most promising leaders to Bangkok. I learned so much by listening to humanitarian speakers and life skills coaches as well as networking with UN delegates from all over the world.

Marketing Internship CustoMem Ltd London, UK This internship will certainly be the highlight of my time in NBS. CustoMem has been a wonderful place to grow in as I am treated equally and am given full responsibilities in marketing and communications.

I witnessed how open communication and a collaborative working culture are essential in bringing people of a common goal closer together.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

Riana Ong Wen Hui MKG, Class of 2019

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Project Management Internship, Innospace+ Shanghai, China

Tan Kyven

Interning in a foreign country has opened my eyes to a different culture and market. Through my experiences in Shanghai, I saw first-hand how dynamic and vibrant the Chinese start-up scene can be.

ACBS, Class of 2020

Tax Intern, Grant Thornton Dubai, UAE The one year spent in Dubai was an eye-opening experience for me, giving me more in-depth understanding of the culture in UAE. This internship has also enabled me to become more independent and to manage my expenses better. It has also allowed me to interact with people of various nationalities and expand my network of contacts. I would strongly encourage everyone to take up an opportunity to do an internship overseas.

Joseph Chew Wen Xuan ACC, Class of 2019

Consulting Internship, BayCurrent Consulting Tokyo, Japan

Han Zhong Liang BAF, Class of 2019

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This internship has definitely broadened my horizon.

I had the opportunity to work alongside a team of experienced consultants on two live projects.

I participated actively by assisting with the research work and presentation deck. My line manager also sat down with me regularly to review my progress and offer timely advice on areas of improvement.

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The Walt Disney World International Programme Orlando, Florida, United States

Tan Jia Yu

MKG, Class of 2019

Kevin Chua Jin Sheng

Ice Cream Parlour Magic Kingdom Disney internship cum cultural exchange program was an amazing experience. I got to interact and work with people from all across the globe, learning about the different cultures. I was able to create magical moments for guests, which is my favorite part of working at Disneyland. Being able to access the parks makes everything even better! Orlando Disneyland is filled with friendly and heartwarming people, a place full of joy and laughter, and a place I can never forget. Working in the happiest place on earth exceeded my expectations, and I especially cherish the friendships and memories made.

Quick Service Food & Beverage (Outdoor Food Vendor)

MKG, Class of 2020

It was an exquisite summer for me in 2018. I was one of the lucky few who participated in Walt Disney World’s International College Programme (ICP).

As an intern, I was given the unique opportunity to interact with coworkers and guests from all over

the world. This opportunity opened my eyes to how an international brand manages its people and operations. This internship was definitely one that was enriching and inspirational.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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Character Performer It was mind blowing to be able to count Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck as my “colleagues”. Being a character performer is a dream come true and it was extremely satisfying to create happiness and fun every day for not only others but for yourself as well. If you’re looking for a summer that gives you free entry to all Disney parks and offers you a unrivalled view to watch fireworks every single night with friends from all over the world, this is the summer experience for you. Two words – Magical Summer.

Attractions Cast Member My time in Orlando was inspirational, exciting and life-changing. It felt like a dream to be part of the Disney team who goes above and beyond to exceed guest expectations.

I have gained self-confidence by breaking out of my shell and doing things I never thought of doing

Tan Yue Ting

MKG, Class of 2020

Chua Merlin

ACC/MFE, Class of 2021

before. By interacting with cast members from all over the world, I was able to build transferrable skills such as problem-solving, effective team communication, adaptability and the ability to blend into a multi-cultural work environment.

I am definitely not the same person I was before the internship – I am more motivated to step outside of my comfort zone and experience what the world has to offer. I am so thankful for this opportunity and I encourage fellow NBS students to embark on this life-changing journey.

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Entrepreneurship and Impact Investing in India

Humayun Tomb in New Delhi.

Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus (Founder of Grameen Bank, Grameen Family of Social Businesses, and Yunus Centre)

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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Edward Yee (ACBS, Class of 2019)

H

ow did I spend my summer in 2018? From standing in the relentless heat, to pushing cars, to waiting for cows to cross expressways, I have experienced the beauty, grit, and wonder of India.

Every summer and winter over the past few years, I would hop out to explore the world. I’ve survived and picked up stories, sometimes by the skin on my back, such as standing on top of trains in Bangladesh, getting treated to beers by transgender sex workers in Vietnam, and partying with cartels in Mexico. Along the way, I was privileged to stay with hundreds of change-makers in slums, villages, and trains. Their amazing work inspired me to start Givfunds, where low-cost loans are extended to social enterprises at scale with a low 0-4% interest (Context: cost of capital in India is extremely high where banks give 6-10% interest on deposits). Our hope is to solve the lack of capital by lending to thousands of social enterprises across South Asia.

So, how did I land myself in India? It was on my previous trip where I serendipitously met my Indian cofounder on a third-class train cabin and have since got “stuck” there.

My summer here has been packed with 3 to 8 events and meetings daily, ranging from discussing legalities with lawyers to making deals with the largest social enterprise accelerators in the country to visiting social enterprises.

Another highlight was meeting Professor Muhammad Yunus again! I first met him two years ago in Bangladesh, where I spent a month learning about social enterprises.

I was inspired to start Givfunds after speaking with him. On Social Business Day 2018, exactly two years later, it felt like full circle, with me having founded Givfunds. It was also my second time celebrating his birthday.

However, the most fulfilling part of my time in India is hearing the stories of social entrepreneurs and supporting them through our loans. One example is Eleena. She works at the youth wing in Tihar Jail, the largest prison in South Asia where over 900 inmates convicted of rape, murder, and other crimes are housed. Far from being intimidated as the only female serving in this wing, her dream was to solve the jail’s biggest problem: high recidivism rates. Inmates there are not taught why what they did was wrong, and how to assimilate into society after their release. Eleena designed an innovative learning kit to rehabilitate these inmates, intending to sell it to the jail. This kit included inspirational cards depicting successful ex-convicts and an English teaching kit, which uses words that the inmates already know and are familiar with. For example, she would use the word “cocaine” to teach spelling, and educate them on the harmful effects of drugs.

Street Food Stands – by far the best place to snack and have meals.

Jaipur Rugs, a social enterprise which helps 40,000 artisans preserve their craft and earn decent wages.

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Excelling Through Mentorship Find a mentor to help you navigate your way through tricky career decisions.

T

he idea of entering the corporate world is often seen as a daunting experience, riddled with unknowns. Yet, this should not be the case. Mentors are an excellent resource that undergraduates can tap on to obtain a wealth of knowledge and support to succeed in the business world. Not only is mentoring a professional activity, it is a meaningful commitment that culminates in a trusted relationship. Developing a healthy mentor-mentee relationship is probably one of the most critical things a student can do to pave the way to his/her professional success. A mentor offers you wisdom, industry knowledge, support, empathy and respect.

He/she can also help you understand how your degree programme may best align with your career options.

Benefits of having a mentor A mentor can…

• Help you discover and define your career aspirations • Assist you in making career decisions when opportunities arise • Manage your expectations by evaluating your level of knowledge, skills and ability • Be a role model you can emulate • Connect you with the right people in the industry • Point out when you are off track and help you stay on course • Share stories about their own academic journey and professional experience • Act as a sounding board for you to express your concerns • Provide feedback in a way that will help you gain insights to further develop specific skills or qualities

DEFINE A HEALTHY MENTORMENTEE RELATIONSHIP Define clear goals Look inwards and evaluate yourself. Seek to identify your goals,

dreams and aspirations – then think about who would be the best to help you get there. With this in mind, you will be able to better conceptualise the type of mentor that you are searching for.

Next, consider the type of relationship you want by asking the following questions: • Are you looking for a mentor who can be actively involved in your career development or to merely act as your consultant?

• How much time and effort are you prepared to commit to the mentorship – once a month or every semester?

• What kind of guidance do you expect from your mentor?

Invest in the relationship Remember that this is a give-and-take relationship, and that favours are not a one-way street. A good mentor-mentee relationship adds value to the mentor as well. Mentors will have their own goals, and understanding what those goals are will get the mentorship off to a solid start.

Make yourself available for the mentorship – formally or informally. When allocated a prospective mentor, arrange regular meetings that are supplemented by email exchanges and phone

contact. You can meet over a meal or at a café that is conducive for exchanging ideas.

Be receptive to guidance and be willing to learn. Your performance will reflect the quality of the relationship that you have with your mentor, and careless blunders will undoubtedly make your mentor question your commitment to the relationship.

Clarify your expectations Identify what you expect from a mentor. From the onset, there should be mutual agreement on issues relating to time commitments and the areas that you wish the mentor can best help you with. Be sure not to overstretch your mentor by demanding too much time and attention or by becoming overly dependent.

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Tips on identifying the right mentor

Part ways if the fit is not right Periodically evaluate if your assigned mentor is right for you.

You should have a good grasp after several meetings as to whether the mentoring relationship is working out well. Ask yourself what you’ve gained in terms of values and knowledge, and what falls short.

It is natural for your goals and needs to evolve with the passage of time. Mentors who were previously right for you may no longer generate the same effectiveness or be as suitable. Changes in your career goals may also lead to a misalignment of interests between you and your mentor.

If you feel that it is time to go your separate ways, be upfront with your mentor. As mentors partake in this programme voluntarily, it is really important that you do not waste his/her time if you are not getting what you want from this relationship.

End the relationship amicably – through a courteous phone call or a face-to-face meeting. The bottom line is to be gracious and to emphasise the positive – tell your mentor what you have learnt thus far from him/her instead of focusing on his/ her shortcomings.

Do not let the end of the mentorship be the end of the relationship. Continue to stay in touch with the mentors who have positively impacted you.

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Consider your strengths and weaknesses, what you want to learn, as well as where you need to grow and be motivated in. The more you understand about yourself, the greater your odds of finding the right mentor.

Once you know what you really hope to gain from a mentor, you can begin your search. Look for someone who: • Has the appropriate experience in order to adequately offer you advice to meet your goals. They need not be from the same industry or professional field • Has an acceptable track record in the market in terms of knowledge and character • Exemplifies the traits and skills that you want to emulate • Is passionate and committed to a long-term mentoring relationship with you • Has a positive, upbeat attitude – someone who will invest in you and celebrate your success • Has the necessary communication skills to relate to you • Can speak openly to you instead of making you feel uncomfortable • Genuinely wants to watch you grow • Is prepared to offer honest and constructive feedback If you continuously seek to connect with others throughout your undergraduate days by attending networking events and career talks, you will cross paths with many people who will make great mentors.

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MAJOR SOURCES FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION The benefits that NBS students can gain from a good mentoring relationship are numerous. The key is to have the foresight and humility to ask for mentoring services. You will find plenty of accelerators in your life who can add value.

More importantly, you can take it upon yourself to add tremendous value for them. In doing so, you will ensure that you get the most out of the relationship and find success in your studies and future career. Here are the mentoring programmes available for you:

NBS Career Services Mentoring Programme Through “Mentors Rock”, Career Services connects you with over 200 NBS alumni mentors who can advise you on the working world and strategies for internship and job applications.

Separately, Career Services also offers “Mentors Fresh” exclusively for first year students. Under this initiative, groups of students are paired with alumni who have generously volunteered to guide you. Having been in your shoes, they have your long-term interests at heart. They also recall the invaluable support they received during their NBS days, and in the spirit of “paying it forward”, these individuals are willing to share their own experience and advice with you.

Alumni can also benefit from this programme. As young, capable and motivated students, you can bring a fresh perspective that will help your mentors discover new things.

Initiating a mentorship with someone senior and of a higher stature can be daunting, especially for freshmen. You may be intimidated and uncertain of how to approach your mentors during the first meeting. That is why Career Services will be around to facilitate every mentoring event.

Fan Fan (ACC, Class of 2017) Associate, M&A Transaction Services Deloitte & Touche Financial Advisory Services Normally, newbies in the corporate world walk around with a refreshing look and a ready-to-offer-help attitude. At the back of their mind, however, there are numerous challenges which make them anxious and confused. Some challenges are as small as finding a lunch buddy, while other challenges are more serious such as wondering if the career is the right one for them.

One and a half years ago, I was in the same position. Fortunately, I have several mentors whom I can turn to. Small catch-ups with a mentor from my department were the perfect source of “insider information”. For example, before a new project starts, I can learn about the working style of the manager in-charge. This aided me in effectively planning my weekday schedule, including personal appointments after work to avoid landmines.

Seniors from past internships or external networking sessions can also be mentors if we make the effort to stay connected with them.

They might be from another company or industry and thus able to provide valuable advice from an external point of view when we face challenges at work.

Lastly, to complete the picture, we may consider becoming a mentor. I was very delighted when I was approached to review a junior’s resume for the first time. Through interaction with juniors, not only could we provide them with guidance but also take the chance for selfreflection. This helps both the mentees and mentors to make career progress and in their personal development.

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UBS-NBS Female Mentoring Programme This programme seeks to identify potential female students with an inherent interest in the profit driven, front-office roles in banking instead of the less hard-line roles such as marketing and HR. Through one-on-one interactions between NBS participants and experienced bankers of UBS that stretches over a six-month period of five sessions, 10 mentees will get together with two mentors.

While the sessions may be informal, they aim at promoting personal growth by providing an opportunity for our female students and female bankers to exchange views on the challenges faced by women in the male-dominated banking industry.

Citibank Mentorship Programme Many NBS students have experienced this programme which connects freshmen to Citibank’s team of seasoned bankers. Mentors from various business functions in Citibank are matched to participants based on their business interests.

These functions include audit, compliance, business analytics, private banking, global markets, human resources, retail banking, operations and technology. As mentors, these bankers share business perspectives to guide mentees in career planning.

Harvard Business School Club of Singapore (HBSCS) Mentoring Programme This programme is held in partnership with the Harvard Business School Club of Singapore and has a holistic approach to the personal and professional development of NBS students over a six-month mentorship period. Mentees will meet with their assigned mentors on six different occasions to meet the following objectives: • Define personal success and build self-awareness • Develop an entrepreneurial mindset • Achieve innovative and lateral out-of-the-box thinking • Live in a cross cultural world with no boundaries • Understand business ethics, values and sustainability

Deloitte-NBS Female Mentoring Programme Two female accountancy students may be assigned to one female mentor from Deloitte.

The mentors comprise of Deloitte’s partners and senior managers. Over a five-month period, mentees will learn about how Deloitte supports the career growth of female employees. In addition, they will gain insights into the corporate world of accountancy.

Keith Looi Jie Yang (ACC, Class of 2020) Summer Internship GIC Through the HBS Mentorship Programme, I met like-minded peers as well as fantastic mentors who are both nurturing and inspiring. In our monthly meetings, we covered a broad range of topics across different aspects of life and career. I learned so much from everyone and discovered more about myself in self-reflection. One key highlight of the mentorship program was the exclusive office visits that our mentors were able to plan given their extensive networks. The office visits entailed an insightful sharing session by senior management of the firm who answered any questions that we had. I wholeheartedly recommend this mentoring programme to build lasting friendships with mentors and fellow mentees.

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Three Enterprising Ways Millennials Can Zigzag To Success

M

illennials could be called the Netflix generation, not because they bingewatch suspenseful shows but because their career paths tend to combine multiple storylines that unfold at a rapid-fire pace.

Rather than plodding their way up corporate ladders in a specific field, they tend to follow nonlinear paths.

Welcome to the new way of working, which definitely bucks your father’s habits. Contrary to popular belief, though, millennials aren’t job hoppers. They’re job hopers, striving to work in positions that dovetail with their innate skills, augment their already impressive bank of knowledge, and allow for a fulfilled life. According to Robert Half research, 75% of respondents ages 18-34 feel that playing industry hopscotch is a perfectly valid way to make a living.

The workers who want more

Consulting firms have long pondered just how far-reaching this novel way of viewing careers will be for both workers and their employers. Kerry Goyette is president of Aperio Consulting Group, which focuses on enhancing workplace dynamics. Goyette counsels business leaders on an emerging business landscape in which “employees will no longer put up with ‘bad bosses’ or conditions.”

In her experience, workers would rather take their talent elsewhere, especially when they have so many choices. A recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report showing the highest level of job openings since 2000 offers convincing evidence that job seekers now have the upper hand.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

Of course, this kind of mobility doesn’t come without its downsides.

Millennials and others who prefer to follow an episodic career track must prepare themselves for the outcomes of zigzagging between companies, such as not having access to benefits reserved for long-term employees, like significant 401(k) matches.

What does this mean? Everyone who devotes a lifetime to leapfrogging from one field to another should proceed with pragmatism. These three strategies will make moving onward and upward — and diagonally — as meaningful as possible.

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A TASTE OF THE WORKING WORLD | 57

1.

Keep learning nonstop

Chances are strong that, if you’re a millennial, you’re like the 87% of your generation who told Gallup they value education and development opportunities in a job. You may even be overeducated, possessing degrees you haven’t yet used. Consider that your secret weapon, not your downfall.

Ideally, you’ll gravitate toward employment that offers on-thejob training and skill development. At the same time, you should diligently stay up to date on industry trends or even pursue an advanced degree. The greater your mastery, the more transferable your skills will be, regardless of the types of positions you hold.

Plus, you’ll have a résumé and interview talking points that stand out from the multitude.

2.

Turn yourself into a brand

You’re probably already networking on social media sites, but you might not realize just how valuable your tweets, stories and videos can be. Personal branding has moved online. It’s time to think of yourself not just as a valuable individual with unique advantages for future employers, but as a fully functioning brand.

Make a point of returning to the Twitter account you left for dead five years ago or finally publishing interesting blog posts on LinkedIn. Answer Quora questions like a pro. Today’s employers actively trawl the web before making job offers, and they’ll see that everything you touch has the feel of your specific brand. That could make all the difference between hearing “Welcome aboard!” as opposed to “Sorry, not interested.”

3.

Maintain an entrepreneurial mindset

Think you might stay with your company for a while because you’re part of a thriving organization? That’s great, but don’t stifle your disruptive nature.

Constantly look for chances to reinvent yourself by changing departments or enhancing your role. The best businesses understand that to keep top players, managers must allow people to grow — and even pivot when necessary.

Alison Gutterman may not be a millennial, but her job trajectory mimics that of modern workers. She went from converting software to managing sales teams with direct reports twice her age, to developing social marketing initiatives for her brand, to leading her family business as the president and CEO of Jelmar, manufacturer of CLR brand cleaning products. “Business changes so fast today that we can’t expect a straight path to our goals,” she explains.

“Resilience is key to our success.”

Every generation makes its own waves, and millennials have caused a tsunami of creativity and innovation in work, life and everything in between. That’s a boon to companies that understand how to make the most of the changes and employees who are eager to command an adventurous career path.

Contributed by:

William Arruda, Forbes William is the co-founder of CareerBlast and

creator of the complete LinkedIn quiz that

helps you evaluate your LinkedIn profile and

networking strategy.

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NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

58 | YOUR ACTION PLAN

Emerging Skills for the Future World of Work We live in a rapidly-changing environment which calls for new skills to stay relevant and employed in the future.

B

ased on the report, Global Talent 2021, organisations worldwide and their leaders need to rethink and refine their hiring strategies in order to win great talent to their side. This report is produced by Oxford Economics in collaboration with Towers Willis Watsons, AIG, American Express, BAT, Centre for Effective Organisations (University of Southern California), Cummins, Coca-Cola, Edison International and the Organization of American States.

The global marketplace is expected to continue changing and evolving due to intense competition and technological breakthroughs. As the pace of change accelerates, organisations which move rapidly to address the shifting landscape will win the global competition for talent.

Looking ahead, organisations will have a strong preference for candidates with four key attributes – global operating skills, agile thinking, digital knowledge and relationship building skills.

Offering these skills definitely puts you at an advantage in the job search process. While you do not need to have all four skill sets to thrive in your career, the more you possess, the higher the premium you can command in the market.

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YOUR ACTION PLAN | 59

Upskilling should be a self-driven initiative. A multifaceted skill set is your career strength. It’s never too late to acquire a new skill.

As part of your career strategy, start with these four skill sets.

Cultural sensitivity Ability to manage diverse employees

Foreign language skills

Understanding international markets

Ability to work virtually

Digital business skills

Ability to use social media and “Web 2.0”

Digital design skills Understanding of corporate IT software and systems

inking

Ability to see the “big picture”

Ability to consider and prepare for multiple scenarios

on

ip sh

Managing paradoxes, balancing opposing views

Dealing with complexity and ambiguity

Innovation

ss sine skills u lb

2. D i

gi t

a

Ability to work in multiple overseas locations

e th l i g

3.

A

4. R ela ti

l

1. G lo

ba

lls sk i

building

Co-creativity and brainstorming

Relationship building (with customers, partners, government, etc.)

Oral and written communication

Collaboration Teaming (including virtual teaming)

Source: Global Talent 2021, Oxford Economics

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NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

60 | YOUR ACTION PLAN

Networking Your Way to Success

A

well-established network plays a huge role in propelling your professional development, and in increasing your visibility within your field. Given its importance, networking should be an integral part of your university life. Yet, many students often hesitate to network due to their lack of experience. Networking is a skill that develops with practice, so do not give up and do not be afraid to approach a potential contact. Generally, people enjoy sharing their experiences and their jobs, and one can easily get insights by talking to them.

Keys to Networking Be Clear

Focus on Quality – Not Quantity

One of the key purposes in networking is to get to know people who can provide valuable information regarding careers and leads.

To achieve this goal, you need to be clear about what you bring to the table.

To start off, know yourself – your experience and skills. Prepare and practise a concise, 30-second pitch of yourself. It should include the following elements – introduction, self-overview, Q&A, obtaining referrals and closing.

In a large group setting, walk around and meet people, but do not try to talk to everyone. It is better to have a few meaningful conversations than 20 hasty introductions. Do not cling to people you already know; you are unlikely to build new contacts that way.

Be Targeted Identify your network. While your first reaction may be that you do not know anyone, start by listing everyone you know – family members, friends, classmates, alumni, neighbors, etc. – who are potential prospects. Get involved in career talks and networking events organized for NBS students. These avenues are great opportunities for you to meet new people – you never know where you would meet someone who could lead you to your next job.

Be Professional Seek advice from your prospects – not for a job. Your meetings should be a source of career information, advice and contacts.

Start off the encounter with a firm handshake, eye contact and a warm smile. Focus on asking for one thing at a time. Remember to represent yourself with your best foot forward.

Be Referral-Centered The person you are networking with may not have an opening, but he or she may know someone who is hiring. The key is to exchange information and then expand your network by obtaining additional referrals each time you meet someone new. Be sure to mention the person who referred you.

Be Proactive Stay organised and track your networking meetings. Keep a list of your contacts and update it frequently with the names of any leads given to you. Send a thank-you note or email if appropriate. Ask if you can follow up the conversation with a phone call, or even better, with a more in-depth meeting in the near future

Be Dedicated to Networking Most importantly, networking should be ongoing. You will want to stay in touch with contacts over the long haul – not just when you need something. Make networking part of your long-term job search plan.

Be Resilient Avoid being disillusioned if networking does not produce immediate results or instant answers. Stay politely persistent with your leads and build momentum. Networking requires cultivation that takes time and effort to pay off.

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YOUR ACTION PLAN | 61

Questions to ask during networking meetings • What do you like most (and least) about your work?

• What type of skills do you need to thrive in this field?

• What are the challenges in balancing work and personal life?

• What advice would you give to someone trying to break into this field?

• With whom would you recommend I speak to? When I call, may I use your name?

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Do’s and Don’ts of Networking • Do keep one hand free from a briefcase or purse so you can shake hands when necessary • Do bring copies of your resume • Don’t tell them your life story; you are dealing with busy people, so get right to the point • Don’t be shy or afraid to ask for what you need • Don’t pass up opportunities to network

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62 | YOUR ACTION PLAN

Promoting Your Brand During Networking Here are tips to help you make your networking experience a more enjoyable one.

W

hen the topic of networking is broached, NBS students often respond with a sigh or a groan, accompanied by an emphatic “I don’t like networking”. Even the most outgoing and sociable students are uncomfortable with networking, yet, no one can undermine the importance of having a close and diverse network. It is essential to finding an internship or a job, and basically making things happen.

Your network is one of your most valuable career assets — it’s crucial for personal branding. This article offers tips to make networking a less stressful and more enjoyable experience.

Go prepared • Bring sufficient name cards and writing materials. Invest in a high-quality personal cardholder. Have a system that separates your own name cards from the business cards you receive, as well as an immediate grouping for interesting potentials.

• Be appropriately dressed for the occasion. When you look and feel good, your attitude shifts into a more confident and sociable state of being. If you’re plagued by nerves or shyness, tune in to your favourite upbeat songs on your way to the event.

• Practise your introduction until it sounds clear, concise, memorable and confident!

• Do your homework – know who is hosting the event. Anticipate the guests who will be attending.

At the event • Remember to smile and be yourself.

• Wear your nametag on the right and hold your drinking glass in your left hand. Keep your right hand free, clean, dry and ready to shake hands.

• “Work the room!” Adopt a host mentality. Introduce yourself.

Make appropriate eye contact and extend a firm handshake.

You can even introduce new contacts to people you may already know. If you are shy, ask someone to introduce you.

• When you leave, thank the host/hostess in person and part with a handshake. Be sure to send them a thank-you note.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

Take note • More focus on people, less on food. If you drink alcohol, stay well within your limits.

• Do not request for a business card from someone before introducing yourself and speaking to him or her.

• If a group is engaged in a conversation, wait for a suitable moment before joining them. When someone new joins your group, include them in the conversation.

• Make it a habit to address and remember people by name.

• Be attentive and genuinely interested in other people, but do not linger for more than 15 minutes with the same individual.

• Don’t use a sales pitch and hard sell yourself. Instead, adopt an intellectually curious attitude with the intent of discovering something new about other people, industries and perspectives. Treat furthering your business agenda as a follow-up activity.

MINGLING AT NETWORKING EVENTS What is an optimal distance?

An optimal distance enables you to shake hands easily and hear each other audibly, all while maintaining personal space.

When meeting someone for the first time, start with a comfortable space between you and the other person before working yourself into an arm-length distance. Avoid “elbow-length” distance as it is too intimate for business/career interactions and will cause the other party to feel awkward in your presence.

Avoid hogging anyone for more than 10 minutes at a networking event. It is acceptable to end a conversation as you mingle with people, but be sure to do so with tact and courtesy.

Engage in conversations Showing up at networking events is already half the victory. The other half requires the commitment to engage in conversations.

Learn to ask rather than talk about your interests. Be sincere in making acquaintances to learn new things and to discover common areas of interests. At social business events, refrain from getting too personal in your conversations.

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YOUR ACTION PLAN | 63

Rehearse these conversational starters you can use when connecting with new people: • How are you? What do you do? (Acceptable, elegant and official way to say hello to a stranger.)

• I have heard many good things about your company.

• How did you get started in your career after graduation?

• How many years have you been in this company?

(Name the person’s company.)

• How did you get into this line of work? (Name this work, e.g. brand management). That sounds very interesting.

Tell me more about…

Suggested ways to end a conversation: • I’d like to learn more about your internship programme.

May I know what is the best way to find out more? Can I call you next week?

• I’ve enjoyed talking with you. I hope to meet you again sometime.

• I’m glad we met. Hope to meet you again soon. Here are my contact details.

• Please enjoy the rest of the evening.

• What do you think are the biggest challenges our economy will face in the next XXX months/years?

• What advice would you give a penultimate year student keen to embark on…?

Follow up and follow through • The results of your networking efforts actually come from effective follow-up.

• Send a note within 24 hours after the event to the person who invited you, whether through email or a handwritten card. To make your thank-you notes memorable, mention something specific that you appreciate.

• Deliver your promise to contact those you met not more than 48 hours after the event.

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64 | YOUR ACTION PLAN SPONSORED CONTENT BY

Top 3 Things to Look For in a First Job Kickstart a successful journey ahead with the right job.

Y

ou’ve decided it’s time to think about what you want for your first job. But where should you even begin? Getting your first job right without knowing what to expect can be daunting.

To help you get started, here are three considerations you should make when taking your first step into the professional world.

We hope these tips will help you make a well-informed decision when choosing a career path to embark on. To learn how an affiliation to ISCA, the national accountancy body can help you achieve more as an accounting professional, visit www.isca.org.sg.

1. Future opportunities

Your first job is a stepping stone and how it pans out may pave the way for your career ahead. It is crucial that your first job offers you opportunities to advance further and help you achieve your longterm professional goals.

Research on the typical career progression pathways for the job you wish to pursue and in the specific field you want to work in. Alternatively, you can ask your recruiter about the kind of professional progression opportunities offered internally during the job interview stage.

You should also consider how the career path can widen your network of professional contacts (e.g. industry professionals and clients). They may potentially be able to open doors that will lead you to other career opportunities in the future.

Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants 60 Cecil Street, ISCA House, Singapore 049709 Tel: 6597 5533 Website: isca.org.sg Facebook: fb.com/isca.official For membership enquiries, please contact membership@isca.org.sg.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

2. Professional training and growth

Career progression doesn’t only mean rising through ranks of the corporate ladder, but also growing professionally through hands-on work experience and training.

Formal and on-the-job training as well as mentorships can help you achieve professional growth. As such, you should find out if your prospective employer will provide those.

Also, does your employer believe in showing and teaching graduates how to succeed at what they do? Or do they think that it is more effective for fresh recruits to learn on the job, by throwing them in the deep end and letting them swim on their own? These are questions you can ask your recruiter straight off the bat during your job interview so you know what to expect.

3. Broadening skill sets and boosting job prospects

While it is beneficial for you to hone your existing skill sets on the job, it is also key to think about building other transferable skills. Diversifying and developing your skills will help you become a well-rounded

and marketable individual.

This is especially important if you are looking to join another company in the future. Additionally, broadening your skill sets will allow you to discover career options outside your current field which you may not have been qualified for previously, due to the lack of certain skills.

One way for you to find out if your prospective employer or role will allow you to pick up other competencies outside of your current skill sets is to understand how teams work in the company.

Ask your recruiter if employees in different departments work independently or collaboratively. Exposure to cross-departmental tasks will allow you to learn different skills, whereas routine tasks may limit you to only one specific skill set.

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YOUR ACTION PLAN | 65

Résumé Writing Put your résumé at the top of the stack by following these tips.

A

lways a significant part of the job search process, a wellwritten résumé should not be underestimated. No matter what kind of job you are looking for, a clear and concise résumé will define your goals, emphasise your skills, highlight your accomplishments to potential employers, and facilitate the job acquisition process.

Crafting a résumé takes time and effort. Therefore, do not expect to hammer out an attention-grabbing résumé in an hour or two. Your résumé should reflect who you are, what you want, and how you can be a true asset to a business or organisation.

Résumés that stand out possess the following characteristics: • Highlight related achievements and significant contributions • Focus on the relevant skills and the requirements suitable for a specific position • Succinct, well-organised and easy to skim • Have flow, consistency and visual appeal

A good photo stands out

A picture paints a thousand words.

A résumé that comprises only words may look too intense and uninteresting; having a photo puts a face to the words. If your photo stands out, employers would take notice immediately.

Go the extra mile and procure a professionally-taken photo – not a selfie or an outdated picture. Photo attire should be formal and impressive – anything less could diminish your chances of securing the interview.

Stand out.

Get hired.

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66 | YOUR ACTION PLAN

Stick to one page

CONTENT AND SECTIONS OF YOUR RÉSUMÉ

The order and content of your résumé may differ from what is suggested below. However, adhering to the prescribed formats will allow employers to easily find the information they seek as these are somewhat standardised. A complete résumé includes the following:

Section headings Regardless of the résumé type you choose or the format you decide to use, there are four primary sections that make up a complete résumé, along with numerous subsections that can also be incorporated. The four sections are:

• Education – This should appear at the beginning of your résumé because it details your current pursuit and/or most recent significant accomplishment. Do not list your primary and secondary school education. You can include your overseas exchanges, scholarships, and academic awards. It is recommended that you state your latest and exact GPA.

• Work experience – This section will have much influence on prospective employers in determining your suitability.

Quantify your experiences – dollar amounts, numerical figures and percentages add credibility to your accomplishments.

Example A: Employers will be more convinced that you are an “effective leader” if you have “led a highly-charged team of 5 members, which resulted in a 30% increase in sponsorship funds” or “proposed measures which led our team to shorten average delivery dates by 30 days.”

However, do not exaggerate or over-claim your role.

Example B: If you claim that, “I was responsible for overseeing a US$200 million deal involving a major industrial conglomerate” during your internship in your first year, it just sounds too good to be true. Your prospective employer may contact your internship company to verify your job tasks and discover that you have exaggerated your role.

• CCAs

– Employers look for a well-rounded candidate with active participation in CCAs. Your activities exhibit your interests, motivations and skills (e.g. organisational, leadership, interpersonal, etc.)

• Additional information

– Your résumé can benefit from this section as it allows you to paint a complete picture of yourself. Employers screen candidates for their technical skills and language proficiency. Additionally, it is advisable to highlight hobbies and interests in your résumé if they reflect well on your ability to succeed at work.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

Sticking to one page does not mean minimising your page margins, or using a super-tiny font size to cram in all the details. As an undergraduate, your résumé should not go past one page. A lengthy résumé merely exposes your lack of editing skills.

A good résumé can explain everything in 30 seconds or less.

That’s approximately how long recruiters would spend scanning through a résumé to determine if you are the right candidate.

Your personal particulars Centralise your name at the top of the page in a font approximately twice the size of your contact details. Include only your mobile number and a professional e-mail address. Omit your age, gender, religion, race, nationality, political affiliations, and class of driving licence.

Reverse chronological order Your résumé communicates how your qualifications, internship experiences and CCAs have evolved over time. All these items normally begin with your most recent role.

Choose a date format and stick to it. You should use either month abbreviations or the whole word – do not switch back and forth. Just remember to be consistent.

Use verbs Compelling verbs like “created”, “produced” and “implemented” demonstrate that you are a capable, assertive and result-oriented candidate.

Avoid less assertive or weaker verbs such as “helped” and “assisted” as they may underestimate the responsibilities you undertook.

Instead of “Helped my internship supervisor to complete a research project”, you can state “Collaborated closely with my internship supervisor on a research project”.

Formatting Proper formatting allows employers to scan through the document effectively. Ensure that your formatting is clean and neat for ease of reading.

Opt for an easy-to-read font like Times New Roman or Arial, rather than a font with complex flourishes. You want your résumé to stand out because of its content, not because of an oddly chosen font.

Use space wisely. If you have numerous internship experiences and CCAs, do what you can to fit it in. You can consider dropping the font size in sub-sections or shortening some other sections of your résumé. No matter what, avoid squeezing too much onto a page by using smaller margins.

Standard margins are 1 inch all around. There must be sufficient white space. Do not fill up the entire page such that your résumé becomes unappealing.

Before clicking “send”, get help!

A fresh set of eyes is much more likely to spot discrepancies that you have missed out in your résumé. Send out your résumé only after it has gone through extensive proofreading. Enlist the help of your friends and career advisers.

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USE RESULT-ORIENTED STATEMENTS

Every line in the work experience and CCA section of your resume should be result-oriented. Result-oriented statements are the best way of communicating your achievements and your capabilities to any prospective employer. They underscore achievement, quantify performance, and show impact. Additionally, they are also amazingly easy to read and understand.

Result-oriented statements can be broken down into three components – Result, Situation, and Action.

Result: Always begin your sentence with the result. Quantify these results wherever possible, using percentages, dollars or volume. The types of results that you should showcase generally fall into one of the following categories: • Direct Financial Impact (i.e. cost savings or incremental revenue)

Additional Points: • Include industry terms where appropriate to demonstrate your depth of knowledge.

• Be careful not to be overly long winded. Result-oriented statements are snappy and concise, and should ideally be 1 line long.

• Do not badmouth others as it will reflect badly on you even if you aren’t lying. Always ensure that the tone of your statement is positive.

• Do not oversell – use words that best express the value you added without misrepresenting your contribution to the outcome.

• Operational Enhancements (i.e. improved efficiency) • Other (e.g. improved customer satisfaction, employee morale, etc.)

Situation: Next, give your result some context by explaining the situation in which the result was achieved. What is a situation, issue or problem that you faced? How did the situation develop? For example: identified problem areas to address a 25% drop in sales and 50% rise in negative customer feedback.

Action: With a complete picture of the situation and outcome, the reader would (hopefully) be sufficiently interested in the role you played.

Describe the specific actions you took to achieve an objective or solve a problem, with a focus on highlighting skills that are relevant for the job (e.g. technical skills, transferable skills, desirable character traits, etc.).

Example One As Business Manager in NTU Hall 6, my role is to source for sponsorships with my team members.

Actively canvassing for sponsors to roll out team-bonding activities through coldcalling and company visits.

Successfully raised SGD 5,000 from corporate sponsors including StarHub, Lufthansa and BreadTalk.

Example Two Planned weekly road shows to demonstrate product-usage for customers.

Executed four road shows per month and conducted product demonstration programmes.

Generated sales of SGD 12,000 per road show from about 100 customers per road show.

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68 | YOUR ACTION PLAN

Résumé critiques by experts

Recruiters comment on two actual résumés from NBS students to give you a better idea of what they look for!

Résumé A: Overall a solid and high-achieving résumé. Candidate uses bullet points to good effect.

Résumé A

With a GPA of 4.86, he would most likely have an academic achievement worth mentioning (e.g.

Dean's List).

As this is a strong résumé, GCE A Levels qualification is irrelevant and should be excluded.

Add a brief description on the organisations to attract international employers (e.g. "Quasigovernment agency managing GTP").

Should be removed as it does not belong in the job scope.

Germany-Singapore

Don't assume that your readers can understand such terms without any explanation.

Remove "Pending SemiFinal Results".

Elaborate your takeaways from the competition.

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Indicate total number of participating groups.

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Résumé B: An interesting resume – with variations.

• Quantified achievements/performance/accomplishments: Candidate tries to enumerate what he has done to showcase that he is meticulous and detail-oriented.

• Variation: The candidate has more than just academic and internship accomplishments. Interesting work experience makes for interesting interviews.

Résumé B

Move the description of company above “Project Leader

Elaborate on "SaaS".

Do not assume that your readers understand such terms.

Conjunct Consulting can be expanded as there may be social and heartwarming elements involved to make a good story.

Remove all full stops for descriptions. Be consistent.

Delete "Select" as it is unnecessary.

Do not name drop your competitors although it can be tempting to do so.

As Microsoft Office proficiency is quite common, you should highlight sought-after skills such as your knowledge of programming languages by putting them first.

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70 | YOUR ACTION PLAN

Elements of A Cover Letter Know what goes into a well-crafted cover letter, and distinguish it from a sloppy one that gets trashed.

Your Name Your Residential Address Your Contact Details (Email and Mobile Number) Date The Campus Recruiter Company’s Name Company’s Address

RECOMMENDED TEMPLATE – COVER LETTER A step-by-step guide

Dear Sir Re: Application for (Name of position / programme you are applying for) The introductory paragraph – brief and catchy – should contain a brief synopsis of who you are and why you are contacting them, and dazzle the reader with at least two specific reasons as to why you are courting his or her company. This seeks to demonstrate that you have done thorough research on the company and will induce them to read further.

The second and third paragraphs emphasise why you are an excellent fit for the position. List down the key attributes you possess and how it matches what they are looking for. Next comes your story. Feel free to shed light on a school project or your overseas exchange stint where you display a skill that can add value to the company. Remember to do it in a concise fashion. You can also explain how previous internships and work experience are relevant to the position that you are applying for.

In your final paragraph, inject a note of confidence, such as “I look forward to hearing from you soon”, while thanking the reader for reviewing your application.

It is not necessary to state how they can reach you as your contact details are already reflected above and also in your résumé.

“Dear Sir” should be used regardless of whether the recipient is male or female, as it is clean and not so busylooking.

If you’re worried about sending the letter to a female, take steps to identify the name of the recipient (e.g. the recruiting personnel’s name, etc.) and specifically address the letter to him/ her – Dear Mr. Lee or Dear Ms. Tan.

• The letter ends with “Yours sincerely”. “Sincerely” is the most neutral and most digestible of all the sign-offs.

Yours sincerely,

• Strictly speaking, “faithfully” is for formal letters. The word “faithfully” may come off as too formal and fusty.

Your name

• “Yours truly” and “Warmest regards” are usually unsuitable.

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Alexandra Chong 1 Jalan Tambur Singapore 303098 Phone: (65) 9066 2424 Email: alexchong@gmail.com

A SAMPLE COVER LETTER Entry level role in investments

8 August 2017 The Campus Recruiter XYZ Bank 456 Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 2 Singapore 089089 Dear Sir Management Associate Programme 2018 As a final-year student pursuing a business degree in banking and finance at Nanyang Business School, I am attracted by the learning opportunities of your Management Associate Programme – Investment Track. I am confident that my skill sets and passion in investments match the requirements for the programme.

Your track record of extensive deal flow in global investments is admirable. I am also impressed by your business strategies and astute management, which are key reasons why global rating agencies continue to reaffirm its credit standing. I hope to contribute to this legacy in your graduate programme while concurrently developing myself as an investment professional.

My interest in investments stems from the challenges it poses. As an analyst, I look forward to deepening my understanding about portfolio management and other aspects of the investment work at XYZ Bank. It also enables me to work and interact with the brightest people in the industry, and meet industry leaders in the early stages of my career.

Recently, I have completed an internship at a buy-side investment firm. During my stint, I was exposed to financial modelling, valuation and research-based tasks. I also gained valuable knowledge covering a wide range of sophisticated financial products.

With the varied, dynamic pace of work and the opportunities to interact closely with colleagues at all levels, the internship was incredibly satisfying. This positive experience has further reinforced my conviction towards a career with XYZ Bank.

As part of the Global Immersion Program, I spent six months in the University of Washington where I acquired life skills that could not be replicated in a classroom environment. While abroad, I represented NTU as a student delegate to the University of Dayton Redefining Investment Strategy Forum. This overseas stint has allowed me to experience a quantum leap in maturity.

Thank you for your consideration. I invite you to review my enclosed résumé, and would greatly appreciate an interview opportunity.

Yours sincerely, Alexandra Chong

Top 10 Cover Letter Blunders 1. Shows no knowledge of the role and the company

6. Self-centered rather than employer-centered

2. Addresses the letter to the wrong person or company

7. Looks unprofessional and/or informal

3. No date

8. Merely duplicates content from résumé

4. Spelling, grammar and punctuation errors 5. Use of bombastic words and an aggressive tone

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9. Too brief – Fails to add value to your application 10. Too lengthy – Your letter will be tossed out

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72 | YOUR ACTION PLAN

Email Etiquette Find tips on how to construct a professional email and enhance your job-searching journey.

A

s one of the most important communication tools in today’s workplace, an email allows for nearly instantaneous communication and is extremely helpful in the job search

process.

Though we spend countless hours writing and sending emails every day, not many of us actually practise proper email etiquette. As a result, you may be sending the wrong message without even realising it.

Our email style reflects our professional image – it pays to veer towards the formal side when sending emails to recruiters. This is regardless of whether you are following up after an interview or just forwarding your degree audit to a company.

Before constructing your next email to recruiters, be sure to observe the following:

Include a fitting subject header

The subject header is the first thing that your employer will see in your email. Use concise headers such as “Request for a change on interview date/time” or “Enquiry on application status after interview.”

The subject header must complement the email content. Do not write a catchy subject header to grab the employer’s attention, only to disappoint him with unrelated content. This is a sure way to bust your personal credibility.

Use proper salutations

Your salutations should always be formal and businesslike. Do not use frivolous expressions such as “Yo” or “Howdy”. It is recommended to use “Dear (name)”.

If your email is to a group of recruiters, it is better to name them all out or use “Dear Recruiting Team.” Avoid informal phrases such as “Hey you guys.”

Avoid unnecessary capital letters

Writing an entire sentence in capital letters is tantamount to yelling at the recipient.

Omit the cute stuff

“Emoticons” or “text lingo” are inappropriate and should be used for personal emails. In a professional environment, it is best to use words to convey your message.

Always sign your email

Include an email signature with your name and contact details. This allows employers to obtain your contact information easily. There have been past cases of employers wanting to get hold of candidates immediately, but were not able to find their mobile numbers as they did not have a signature set up.

Be prompt

Answer all email messages promptly (within 24 hours). Should you be unavailable, inform others by activating the auto-response feature.

Proofread

Before you press the send button, check for grammatical and spelling errors, flow and intent. Once sent, you have no control over who sees it or what happens to it.

Write complete sentences

Sending an email that says “sure” or “sounds cool” is inappropriate and contains insufficient information. Take the time to write what you need to say. Cut out acronyms and abbreviations.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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YOUR ACTION PLAN | 73

Example 1:

Submitting a job application Dear Sir, I am a penultimate year student at the Nanyang Business School. I wish to apply for a six-month internship with your firm.

Attached are my résumé and cover letter for your consideration. If you have questions or need more information, you may reach me through the phone number or email below.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely, Your full name Your contact details (email and mobile number)

Example 2:

Enquiring your application status It is reasonable to send this follow-up email one week after your application. This is a chance to reiterate your interest. Do not sound impatient and demanding.

Example 3:

Post-interview thank-you note Dear Sir, I greatly appreciate your time to meet with me last week.

Dear Sir, I recently submitted an online application for your Graduate Programme.

Allow me to reiterate my keen interest in this programme and assure you that I am an excellent match.

I look forward to talking with you about it when your company is ready to begin the interview process.

Yours sincerely, Your full name Your contact details (email and mobile number)

After learning more about your internship programme, I am even more certain of my desire to join your company. The well-structured programme – which inlcudes weekly 'Lunch and Learn' workshops conducted by senior management, and community service activities with summer interns – is particularly appealing to me.

I am very enthusiastic about the possibility of joining your team and would greatly appreciate a follow-up as you move forward with the hiring process.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely, Your full name Your contact details (email and mobile number)

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NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

74 | YOUR ACTION PLAN

5 Steps To A Great Interview Recruiters interview countless candidates everyday – set yourself apart by taking the following the steps.

Step 1: Research the company

Preparation will help you stand out from the competition. Therefore, it is important that you do some research on the company, the industry and its business competitors. This will enable you to speak knowledgably about the specific position and company you are interviewing with.

Step 2: Set the scene Enter with confidence

Walk with confident strides as you enter the interview room. Bring along three essential ingredients: a firm handshake, good eye contact and a genuine smile.

Be pleasant to the interviewer by greeting him/her: “Good morning, I am Jennifer Tan from the Nanyang Business School…”

Once you manage the first few moments well, you can’t go wrong.

The right posture Leaning back shows cockiness, while leaning forward projects antagonism. Opt for a neutral position, sitting tall as if a string were connecting your head to the ceiling. Next, plant your feet to the ground.

This will help you appear to be in control.

Y

our résumé has struck the right note with the recruiter. The company believes you could be the candidate they are looking for. What’s left is to convince them that you are a fit for its corporate culture, ethos, and working style.

Make the face-to-face interview conversational and engaging as you build rapport with the interviewer. The more natural a conversation is and the more comfortable interviewers feel around you, the better.

Many interviewers will begin the session by asking you to walk them through your résumé or share your most recent internship experience. Don’t stare at them with a blank look!

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

Active listening Be a good listener and respond at the appropriate time. Focus on the questions – don’t let nerves stop you from hearing what is being said.

If the interviewer looks for a specific example, you must spontaneously quote experiences from CCAs, school projects, voluntary activities, leisure or your home life. Do not start to formulate your answers in your mind before the interviewer finishes the question.

Speak with conviction Casual speech habits may dim your chances of landing that coveted role. Also, Singlish, acronyms, and slang terms may not be easily understood by your interviewer.

Don’t punctuate your sentences with words that lack conviction, such as “hopefully”, “perhaps”, “kind of”, and “sort of”. Additionally, word fillers like “um” and “ah” may infuriate the interviewer.

Generally, aim to be assertive, and begin sentences with phrases like “I am confident”, “I know”, and “I will”.

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YOUR ACTION PLAN | 75

Positive vibes Express your answers in an upbeat manner, even if your experience was a negative one. In this case, you can share your key takeaways and lessons learnt, and transform the story into a positive learning experience.

High energy Pump up energy levels with your presence. No company wants to meet a dull, distracted and boring candidate. You can perk up the interview and inject emotions into your words by varying your tone, pitch and rhythm.

Be enthusiastic If you are genuinely keen about the job, let the interviewer know.

Step 3: Ask the right questions

Towards the end of your interview, you will most likely be asked, “Is there anything you would like to ask me?”

This would be the prime time to pose thoughtful and sensible questions to show that you are curious and engaged. This will help connect you to hiring managers and decision-makers.

If you don’t have any questions, you risk coming off as indifferent.

Being inquisitive sets you apart from other interviewees.

Here are 10 questions you might consider asking: • Can you tell me how the role relates to the overall structure?

• What have you enjoyed most about working here?

Demonstrate your enthusiasm by asking questions related to the role, department, company’s business operations, values and mission. Be sincere – you will see and feel the difference in the interview room.

• How would you describe the company’s culture?

Silence can be golden

• What are the main qualities one must have to be successful in this role?

When a question catches you off guard, don’t panic. Take a moment or two to collect your thoughts and buy yourself time by asking, “Am I right to say that you meant...” or saying, “It’s a great question. Allow me to think for a moment.” Then give yourself a few extra seconds to do just that. It’s perfectly acceptable.

Beware of doing yourself down. If you don’t know the answer, don’t guess. Politely admit it. Assure the interviewer that it is in your interest to find out the answers and email him as soon as possible.

There is no RIGHT or WRONG answer to any interview question. The company wishes to ascertain the following: 1. Your reaction when the question is posed to you.

• To see how you behave under pressure/stress – are you easily rattled?

• What sets you apart from your competitors?

• It sounds as if the company has had a really interesting history.

Where do you see it going in the next three years?

• Do you offer continuing education and professional training?

• What are the training and development opportunities in your company?

• Do you encourage staff to take relevant professional qualifications?

• What support, if any, do you give to staff who take further professional qualifications?

If all the questions you have diligently prepared have been answered during your interview, don’t feel compelled to ask further. Instead, you can share with the interviewer(s) the following: • I found your website to be well-designed, comprehensive

• To see how quickly you think on your feet • To ascertain whether some weak spots were due to a temporary glitch or reflect a more pervasive problem • Whether you become hostile or defensive • Whether you take the opportunity to use your skills – analysis, persuasion, communication and calm reasoning – to offer plausible and convincing explanations 2. Your thought process and how you develop arguments to support your ideas.

3. Your area of interest, your behavioural competencies and your body language (which also alludes to how at ease you are with yourself).

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OR

and reader-friendly. It has been useful in helping me find answers about your organisation. Also, I met your business managers during the networking event at NTU and they had shared with me ample information about the organisation.

• I found the brochure of your MA Programme very informative and it addressed most of the questions that I have about the organisation and the rotational assignments given to me when I join.

OR • I was able to find out a lot from your career talk at NBS last month. I don’t think there is anything else I need to ask at the moment.

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76 | YOUR ACTION PLAN

Step 4: End an interview well

As soon as you realise that the interview is drawing to an end, you can prepare to deliver your closing statement.

Enquire about the decision-making process by asking about the next step as follows: “May I know what the timeline will be like for the selection of the candidate?”

OR “May I know when I can expect to hear from you?”

You should also thank the interviewers for their time and interview opportunity: “Thank you for taking the time to meet me today. It was great to meet all of you.”

Step 5: Follow up

With many candidates being interviewed, you need to keep yourself at the top of the interviewer’s mind.

Follow up with a thank-you email to HR for facilitating the process or to the interviewer(s) by the next business day. Keep your writing concise when you summarise your qualifications and reiterate your interest in the position.

Thank You Email Sample

Dear Mr. Johnson,

I appreciate the time that you took to share with me about the company and position in greater detail today.

My interest and enthusiasm for the MA Programme became stronger after learning more about it from the interview. I am confident that my skills and abilities will serve the company well if I am selected.

The professionalism and energy of the interview panel impressed me, and it would be a privilege to work with your company.

Please feel free to contact me if there is any additional information that I can provide.

Thank you again for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Regards, Jennifer Tan Mobile: 8090 1234 Final Year Student Business Analytics Nanyang Business School

Top 10 Interview Blunders 1. Arriving late

6. Using negative body language and posture

2. Inappropriate dressing

7. Displaying low energy

3. A bad handshake

8. Saying too little / talking too much

4. Displaying shallow knowledge of the company and the role 5. Sounding over-rehearsed and inauthentic

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

9. Not grabbing the opportunity to ask questions 10. Failing to follow up

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78 | YOUR ACTION PLAN

Asking The Right Questions

Y

ou have survived the ordeal of a job interview. You felt that you have made a good impression because you prepared for the interview and your answers were pointed and decisive. Overall, you believe you have portrayed yourself as an ideal candidate. Just when you thought it was all over, the recruiter sprang a surprise: “Do you have any questions?”

If you are caught off-guard and try to cover your mistake by asking a spur-of-the-moment questions, chances are you will damage your chances for a successful interview. Some recruiters eliminate candidates who do not ask the right questions. On the other hand, do not ask questions just for the sake of asking – make sure it is information that you need.

Prepare Questions in Advance

Come prepared with a list of questions for this crucial part of the interview.

Every question you ask should demonstrate your interest and reaffirm your knowledge of the company.

You should read materials related to the field to prepare. You can get information about new products or policies by surfing the employer’s website or by reading daily newspapers. It is appropriate to craft some questions based on you have read. Ask about management business strategies, latest products or potential growth areas.

Suggested Questions to ask • Ask specific questions about the position. You need to know the job scope to see if there is a fit between your interests, qualifications and the role you seek.

• Try to find out as much as possible about qualities and skills the recruiter is looking for in job candidates. Once you determine the necessary qualities, you can then explain to the recruiter how your background, experiences and capabilities relate to those qualities.

• It is appropriate to ask specific questions about the company’s training and development programmes if this information is not covered elsewhere.

• Ask questions concerning advancement and promotion paths available. Every company is different and most advancement policies are unique. Try to find out what the possible promotion path is to see if it fits your career goals. You may also want to ask about periodic performance evaluations.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

Questions to Avoid You must be aware what questions to avoid asking. You do not want to alienate the recruiter by putting him or her on the defensive.

The following areas are out of bounds: • Avoid asking questions that are answered in the company’s annual report or employment brochure. Recruiters are familiar enough with their own information to recognize when you have not done your homework. If some information in the annual report are not clear to you, by all means seek clarification.

• Do not bring up salary or benefits in the initial interview. Most companies recruiting are very competitive and will offer salaries and benefits in line with the market rates.

While the recruiters may choose to bring up the information, you should not initiate the topic.

• Avoid posing personal and irrelevant questions such as the interviewer’s academic credentials, religion, marital status, past work experience and so on.

• Do not ask questions that have already been answered during the interview. If you have prepared a list of questions and some of them have been addressed during the interview, do not repeat them unless you need clarification.

Final Advice

Remember to build rapport with the recruiter. One of the fastest ways to ruin this kind of relationship is by displaying ignorance and asking trivial questions.

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YOUR ACTION PLAN | 79

Dress Your Way to Success

Our models: Jocelyn Khoo Yu Xun (MKG, Class of 2019) and Chua Cheng Ying (MKG, Class of 2019)

Y

our personal brand paves the way to career success. Whether you are interviewing to be a banker, a marketer, or an accountant, your personal brand comes to life through the way you dress, behave and present yourself in front of others. It conveys your fit for the role you are interviewing for.

What is your current image and the impression that you portray as a young professional? Think about how you can enhance your professional image and personal branding. Professionalism is not limited to the knowledge, skills and abilities that you possess, but also expressed in the way you dress and carry yourself. Once you have found and created a suitable image and style that you are comfortable in, you are set for making great first impressions. Bear these 3Fs (Fit, Fabric, Fine Tune) in mind to dress your way to success for job interviews.

FIT - Style Tip #1

FABRIC - Style Tip #2

• Avoid bulky shoulder pads

• Wool – most versatile fabric

• Tapering torso

• Cotton – more pocket friendly

• Jacket length covering 3/4 of the rear

• Polyester – not recommended

• Shirt sleeve extending half an inch beyond jacket sleeve • Pants break on shoe line • Slim but not skinny fit

FINE TUNE - Style Tip #3 • Darker colours – Navy blue or charcoal grey • Solids over patterns

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NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

80 | YOUR ACTION PLAN

*Any outfit without a tie will not be considered as “Formal”

CASUAL

BUSINESS CASUAL

PROFESSIONAL

*Any outfit without a blazer will not be considered as “Formal”

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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YOUR ACTION PLAN | 81

Dressing Right

Practical tips to dressing up professionally Gents

Ladies

• Matching suit jacket and pants in a conservative colour (navy, grey or charcoal are recommended)

• Suit with either a matching skirt or pants • B louse that complements the suit (neckline no lower than collarbone)

• Long-sleeved collared shirt

• S kirt hem should be no more than two inches above the knees

• Conservative tie • P olished leather shoes with matching colours socks

Attires

• Leather belt to match the colour of shoes

• L ow/medium closed-toe heels or flats with neutral hose

• Well-groomed and short hair

• Neat, professional and polished

• Clean shaven

• Hair away from face

Hair

• Minimal jewellery: A small pair of earrings or a simple necklace

• Good-quality briefcase or portfolio to hold papers

Accessories

suityourselfsingapore

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suityourself.sg

• Professional bag or small purse

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NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

82 | YOUR ACTION PLAN

Create Your Confidence

F

or years, the common belief has been that the only genuine way to a more confident appearance was a more confident mindset. The technique known as “fake it till you make it” was just that — faking it.

But the latest research has shown that how we act can influence how we think — and in a very short time. This has led to the discovery of some brilliant confidence-building techniques for anyone about to deliver a presentation, attend a recruitment interview, a difficult meeting or even one of those networking functions that many people dread.

The research is all based on non-verbal power poses. These are the positions we assume in our attempt to look larger and more powerful. It’s a primitive instinct. In animals, you see it in the flattened neck of the cobra or the cat’s fur standing up.

In humans, you see it in the way some people stand and sit “tall” — and it has nothing to do with their height. Other, physically taller people will stand and sit hunched over — almost as it they’re trying to squeeze into a smaller space.

Look at any waiting room for recruitment interviews and you will see the two extremes. Some will be using all their space. Elbows are on armrests (if they have any) or even stretched across the backs of the seats either side. Others will be sitting as “small” as possible, arms inside armrests with most of their eye contact on the folder in their lap.

Professor Amy Cuddy of Harvard and Assistant Professor Dana Carney of University of California, Berkeley, conducted some intriguing research on the effect of non-verbal power poses.

They looked at the impact body language has on your feeling of confidence — not psychologically, but physiologically as determined by the levels of two key hormones: testosterone and cortisol.

Confident people have high levels of testosterone (the dominance hormone) and low levels of cortisol (the stress hormone).

Prof Cuddy and Prof Carney devised an experiment where some people were asked to stand or sit in high-power (larger) poses and others in low-power (smaller) poses for just two minutes.

After this short time, those in the high-power poses showed a 20 per cent increase in testosterone and a 25 per cent decrease in cortisol. Those in the low-power poses experienced a 10 per cent decrease in testosterone and a 15 per cent increase in cortisol.

Such a dramatic change from just two minutes — proving you can “fake it till you make it”.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

Here are three ways you can make it work for you: Own your space In the bus, train or taxi on the way to the meeting or interview, in the lift and in the waiting room, sit and stand tall, open out your shoulders, put your head up and initiate eye contact with others. Even if you don’t feel confident, act it, and you’ll soon start to feel it.

Take your time Confident people move more deliberately and slightly more slowly. As you move into the room, take steps that are just 2cm longer than your normal step. This will slow your walk down and make you look more confident. If you are about to give a presentation, use this technique as you walk to your speaking position, taking slow, deep breaths as you do so.

Be proactive If appropriate, take the initiative in the interaction. Hold out your hand first for the handshake. As you grab the other person’s hand, rather than stopping, keep moving forward another half step. This will make you appear more friendly and assertive.

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YOUR ACTION PLAN | 83

The more you can force yourself to take the lead, the more you are stimulating your dominance hormone and suppressing your stress hormone.

This works brilliantly in networking functions (where many people feel awkward) because all you have to do is act like the host. Approach people and introduce yourself, thank them for coming, offer to accompany them to the bar, introduce them to others (who you have just met).

You’ll feel more purposeful, the other guests — even the “real” host — will love you for it, and all the while, you’re driving your hormones in the right direction.

Before this research, if you had said you could make someone feel more confident in just two minutes, I’d have scoffed. Now, the proof is there.

Put yourself in the right position and your sense of power will build while your stress level goes down — instant confidence!

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Contributed by:

Kevin Ryan International Speaker & Trainer Training EdgeR International

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

84 | YOUR ACTION PLAN

What You Must Know To Ace the Assessment Centre Jonathan Kwan and Matthew Jurado from Kwantum Leap share some insights on handling assessment centres.

A

ssessment centres are one of the fastest growing ways of measuring an applicant’s hard and soft skills, and his/her personality fit for the job. The process typically lasts anywhere from half a day to multiple days, and consists of a collection of exercises ranging from computer-based psychometric tests to group case discussions.

Assessment centres give employers not only multiple data points, but also the opportunity to see if their candidates can really walk the talk in both individual and group-based activities. This assessment technique can now be found in almost all the industries across Asia and can be one of the trickiest to handle.

To help you stand out from the crowd, we want to dispel some of the common myths and emphasise the hard realities regarding assessment centres, starting with altering your mindset…

No one cares about the answer!

Most of us have grown up in education systems that are heavily centered on teaching you how to “get the answer” in the quickest and most efficient way. Follow the rubrics, use the trusted methodology, and you will get the highest mark. Unfortunately, the principles of assessment centre are designed to be exactly the opposite.

Throughout the day(s), employers want to get to know you better: how you think, break down problems, handle stress and uncertainty, and how you interact with others. Do you think broadly and try to consider multiple perspectives and options, or do you just charge towards the obvious solution? It is therefore wise to avoid putting excessive emphasis on “getting the answer”.

For some of us, it is also our natural tendency to sit and think in silence before engaging in conversation, especially at the workplace. However, during the assessment centres, assessors can only give you pointers based on what they see and hear. Learning to think out loud and to share your thought processes – especially when you’re stuck on a task – is crucial.

Additionally, too many candidates think that they have the best idea and proceed to spend the entire activity dominating the conversation, but the reality is it’s not just about what you say, but about how you say it. The things that will make you stand out include the way you disagree and try to influence your peers, and the way you try to engage in the discussion when everyone else is trying to talk at the same time.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

You CAN prepare

Many employers will tell you this: “Just be yourself and act naturally as it’s very difficult to prepare”. Truth be told, some scenarios used in role-playing sessions and case discussions may be related to the employer and/or pulled straight from today’s or yesterday’s headlines. Hence, the more you know about the topic, the better the chance you have in predicting the questions. For example, market entry strategy problems are one of the most common scenarios.

Should the company enter Myanmar? Should we invest in building a new mobile product?

The first area of preparation is to find out everything you can about the company as well as the industry. Have you at least read everything on their website? Did you read the first section of the annual report? Do you know the strengths and weaknesses of the company and all of its closest competitors? Are you a customer of their product/service? What are some of the major trends and challenges in the industry today?

This advice seems pretty standard, but you may take a long time to track down and to digest all the above information, so prepare ahead.

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YOUR ACTION PLAN | 85

Be yourself, really

It is common for candidates to try and behave in a way that they think employers would want to see during assessment centres.

However, one of the reasons for having multiple activities is for employers to see how you behave in various settings: in one-onone interviews, role-playing sessions, individual presentations, and group discussions.

So if you state during the one-on-one interview that your leadership style is to lead from the front, but end up fading into the background during the group discussion, this may affect your credibility. Hence, the best strategy is to be consistent and to be yourself throughout the process.

Play to your strengths

In the group case discussion – which is considered by many to be the most difficult activity – there are different roles that need to be filled. Should you always take a high profile role? Only if it plays to your strengths. Many believe that taking up a high profile role will lead to greater reward, but it only leads to heightened risks.

Before you decide which role to play, you need to be aware of what roles exist first. More importantly, find out what is expected of each role.

Some of the typical roles include the leader, facilitator, scribe, devil’s advocate, timekeeper, researcher/ fact checker, and contributor.

Let’s take the scribe as an example. Being the scribe means that you need to be capturing all the key points mentioned as the conversation flows. A good scribe doesn’t just write down things word for word; he/she needs to summarise the key messages succinctly and help to present ideas in a logical fashion, to surface inconsistencies, and to keep the conversation going.

In addition, being a scribe also means that you won’t have many opportunities to talk and contribute to the discussion. You may also run the risk of getting isolated from the team if you’re standing at a board away from the group.

After thinking through those points, is the scribe the right role for you? It is certainly a high profile and an extremely visible role, but consider your strengths instead. Do you prefer to talk or to think? Would you prefer to write or to contribute ideas to the team?

Analysing your strengths and determining the best role for yourself beforehand will give you a huge advantage during the activity.

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Get enough sleep

This is the one thing that everyone forgets to do the night before.

Adequate rest is important as assessment centres can be physically and mentally draining, even if it just takes up half a day. The lack of rest can affect your performance.

You must also keep in mind that everything is an assessment of you: from the moment you walk in, to the moment you leave.

This includes the breaks on the schedule. Employers will observe whether you only interact with them, or whether you mingle with your fellow peers as well.

Every candidate knows that they have to have their game face on when they enter the room, but it’s during the informal sessions when the great candidates are separated from the good.

It’s not the hunger games

One of the most common misconceptions about assessment centres is that it’s a zero-sum game – that ten of you might walk into the room but only one will exit victorious. Because of this notion, each candidate will enter the arena looking to battle and resorting to whatever it takes to stand out.

The reality is that employers are assessing you for a multitude of traits and your level of mastery for each of them. Hence, the process is more about measuring your capabilities against an absolute bar, rather than a relative one that compares you directly with your peers. Therefore, it is extremely likely for more than one person to pass the activity. However, it is also possible that no one ends up getting through.

For this reason, acting in a collaborative instead of a competitive manner could help you succeed in assessment centres. So relax, prepare ahead and strategise well.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Both Jonathan Kwan and Matthew Jurado are Gen-Y experts who focus on

coaching and developing the next generation of leaders. With international backgrounds in both investment banking and management consulting, they have advised thousands of candidates, schools and corporations.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

86 | NBS ALUMNI

The Power of NBS Alumni Network Maximise the value of your affiliation

T

he NBS Global Alumni Network is a large family that numbers over 49,000 around the world, with alumni located in nearly 90 countries spread across six continents. Within this global network, there is also a group

of NBS Alumni Ambassadors to facilitate enquiries coming from prospective students or businesss partners.

NBS organises many events for alumni to learn from and connect with business leaders. If you are based overseas, we work closely with NTU International Alumni Association and Circles to organise Alumni Get-Together in different cities too. Please look out for invitations to our events.

You are welcome to contact the NBS Alumni Affairs team at NBSAlumniOffice@ntu.edu.sg or have a chat with our NBS Alumni Ambassadors in the country you are in.

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

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NBS ALUMNI | 87

Our special guest, Han Hwee Juan (CEO Citibank Singapore) at an alumni networking lunch.

Professor Guido Gianasso, Associate Dean (Corporate Engagement and Relations), delivered a keynote address in NBS Focus Point (Hong Kong).

Organised by NBS Alumni Affairs, Focus Point is a regular series held overseas where our alumni and employer-partners are invited to attend.

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NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

88 | NBS ALUMNI

Alumni Affairs Office

From right – Teo Ai Ling, Jennifer Lee, Assoc Prof Chung Lai Hong, Assistant Dean (Alumni Affairs), Ahneesah Omar, Amanda Wang, Adeline Lim and Ann Ong

Contact us Alumni Affairs Office Nanyang Business School Nanyang Technological University 50 Nanyang Avenue, Block S3 Level B3B Singapore 639798 Tel: +65 6790 5715

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

|

Website: NBSAlumniOffice@ntu.edu.sg

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NBS ALUMNI | 89

Presenting Our Distinguished Alumni

N

BS alumni go on to do incredible things. Graduating with a degree from a top business school in Singapore carries a certain standing that opens doors and shows people what you’re capable of. These are just some of NBS’ amazing alumni, working in areas as diverse as banking, marketing, politics, and non-profit.

Here are some advices and words of wisdom that they have shared:

Dennis Hui Yat Keong ACC, Class of 2010

Blockchain Portfolio Manager Pro-Wrestler

Not only is Dennis the blockchain portfolio manager who focuses on the top 30 cryptocurrencies by market cap, he is also a pro-wrestler, coach and co-founder of the region's top pro-wrestling school. He has the following advice: • Your perspective is not the only one in the world. You will never be always correct; nor will others be always wrong. The sooner you can step out of your perspective and consider the viewpoints of others, the quicker you will find yourself winning people over.

This translates to performing well at job interviews, closing sales, and neutralising hostility – all necessary for successful living.

• There is no failure. There is only feedback. Reframe your mind. Every time you cannot meet a goal, it is because you're lacking a specific skill to bring you there. It is not a failure. It is merely feedback that you need to identify what that skill is, and acquire it. Don't stop for nothing till you've got what you want!

• You can become anything you want to be, but first, you must dare to visualise what that would be like. Be kind and encouraging to yourself. Live a life someone would make a documentary about!

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Gabriel Teo Kian Chong ACC, Class of 1988 Founding Trustee

Tana River Life Foundation, Kenya Gabriel is a former ASEAN scholar and an alumnus of Raffles Institution and Hwa Chong Junior College. He first arrived in Kenya for a holiday in 1990 after completing his final exams in NBS. That holiday, he says, gave him a glimpse into “a whole new world” and this experience evoked serious questions about the direction he was taking in his life. Nonetheless, he returned to Singapore, where he embarked on a career as a tax accountant over the next 5 years. However, the persistent nagging feeling that something was missing and that his life was destined for a different direction, became too hard to ignore.

Kenya beckoned. In 1995, Gabriel sold his car, gave all his furniture to the Good Shepherd Sisters in Singapore and returned to Kenya to seek his answers.

After volunteering with a medical missionary group and later the local Catholic bishop in Garissa in Northern Kenya, he eventually set up the Tana River Life Foundation – aimed at building individual lives, and thereby entire communities.

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He has three pieces of advice to help our young undergraduates remain true to their humanity, dignity, and integrity, and mature to become real men and women of substance: • Never put your learning into a box. Understand that a real education also forms our character and value system. Learning and acquiring knowledge is a journey that is neither confined to the classroom nor the marketplace. Learning opportunities are everywhere, even when we go on holiday. Don’t ignore anyone just because the person is less educated or economically disadvantaged, or from a different culture. We would miss half our opportunities for a real education if we did so. I have received some of my most important lessons in life from the less educated and economically disadvantaged.

• Never forget our personal history – how we started, who journeyed with us, and contributed in one way or another to where we are now. Living with humility and gratitude will keep us grounded so that we do not lose too much of ourselves in the world.

• Know yourself honestly and unashamedly. Recognise our real strengths as well as weaknesses, so that our strengths never become our weakness, and that our weaknesses may become our strengths.

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NBS ALUMNI | 91

Heng Yong Jie

ACBS, Class of 2016 Portfolio Solutions Team Credit Suisse

Heng Yong Jie joined Credit Suisse in 2016 on a graduate program where he spent one year on rotation in different parts of the Bank.

Currently, Yong Jie is with the Credit Suisse Private Banking Asia Pacific’s Portfolio Solutions team as a Portfolio Specialist. He focuses on assisting relationship managers with investment advice and portfolio construction for their clients’ portfolios across multiple asset classes. These include Discretionary Mandates for Ultra High Net Worth clients (whereby a client delegates investment decisions to the bank) and Advisory Mandates (whereby a client makes investment decisions with guidance from professionals).

Yong Jie has the following advice for our undergraduates: There has been too much emphasis on getting the ‘A’s in school, so I prefer to focus on the ‘Be’s’.

• Be thoroughly prepared before the interview, but be mindful of how you show it during the interview. While you want to demonstrate competency to your interviewer, most candidates inadvertently fall into the trap of over-exposing their flaws in an attempt to impress.

• Be real; be it during interviews, or at your eventual workplace. Authenticity is an understated trait these days. During an interview, most people neglect the fact that it is a screening process to select the most appropriate candidate. While you may be able to pull it off during the 30-minute interview and convince the interviewer that you are the perfect fit for the role, what matters at the end of the day is whether that role is really suitable for you. Most importantly, being real assures your prospective employer that they are hiring a human, not an Alexa.

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Kally Ooi (Deputy Director NTU, Development Office) with Henry Tan.

Henry SK Tan

ACC, Class of 1988 MD, Nexia TS (Singapore) Chairman, Nexia TS Shanghai (China)

Henry is the Managing Director at Nexia TS Public Accounting Corporation and Chairman of Nexia China, serving clients in the areas of mergers and acquisition, accounting and insolvency, and taxation advisory in Singapore and the region.

He assists companies in IPOs, M&A, business plans and fund raising. He is also on the board of these listed companies - YHI International, China New Town Development, BH Global Corporation and Yinda Infocomm.

He was from ACS and ACJC, and was awarded first class honours in Accountancy from NBS. He is a Fellow of Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and New Zealand and member of Mensa. Henry is a member of the Singapore Institute of Accredited Tax Professionals (SIATP), Institute of Internal Auditors and Singapore Institute of Directors, a Fellow of the Institute of Insolvency Practitioners of Singapore (FIPAS) and an Approved Liquidator registered with the Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), Member of ISCA Corporate Reporting Committee,

NBS CAREER GUIDE 2019

Council Member of ISCA, Chairman of Nanyang Business School (NBS) Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board, Chairman of Awareness Subcommittee on Sustainability Reporting of ISCA and Chartered Valuer and Appraiser. Henry has attended the Advance Executive Management Development Program at Beijing Tsinghua University.

He was the past regional chairman of Nexia Asia Pacific and board member of Nexia International Board. He was also the President of Entrepreneur Organization and Spirit of Enterprise.

Nexia TS is recognized as an established mid-tier local accounting firm and an independent member firm of Nexia International.

Henry has the following to share with students: • Be nice – no matter how long you are around someone, you should make every interaction a nice interaction. It shouldn’t be rocket science to learn basic manners and just being friendly to one another.

• Build your network – build your network throughout your time in NBS. Network on and off-line. Every day is a new opportunity to meet someone.

• Bring new skills – students must recognize the need to remain up-to-date with new technological developments. The days of learning how to do one job, sticking with it for 30 to 40 years and retiring with a desirable income are over. Evolving market environment necessitates calls for digital business skills to ensure you remain relevant and employable.

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NBS ALUMNI | 93

Ken Han

ACC, Class of 2011 Institutional Trader

Flow Traders Asia Pte. Ltd. Upon graduation, Ken joined Deutsche Bank Singapore as a graduate trainee in the Corporate & Investment Banking division. Having secured a regional sales role covering financial institutions for two years after the rotations, Ken moved to the Hong Kong office and was top in sales even as the most junior person in the team.

In 2016, Ken joined one of the world’s largest market makers in ETFs and Futures. He is responsible for the coverage of financial institutions across APAC. Ken is also a frequent panelist and presenter in various industry conferences across the region.

We know the never-ending list “Be driven, detailed, professional, a team player…” However, Ken wishes to share the two fundamentals for you to stay true to: • Be genuine, not only to the people around but also to our work and ourselves. There is no point in presenting a front to co-workers or clients since it will not last. They are the ones who help us in our careers, or build our character, so be genuine in what we do and promise. Take charge and have pride in our tasks since they represent who we are. Be true to what we are interested in as it drives our tenacity to excel.

• Be humble. There will always be something to learn and someone better out there. Be modest but also be confident to fight for what we are standing up for.

Stay genuine and humble – the rest will come.

Kuah Sue-Maine MKG, Class of 2011

Assistant Brand Manager Unilever

She is an enthusiastic and dedicated individual who is always up for a challenge! Sue-Maine joined MediaCorp’s Fresh Graduate Programme in 2011 and later ventured into the in retail and FMCG industries at WingTai and F&N Foods. She is now involved in brand management at Unilever.

Her advice to students is to have a founder's mentality no matter what the job role is.

• Be hungry. Don't conform to the status quo.

• Always be ready to learn from every task and opportunity presented to you!

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Muhammad Md Rahim BAF, Class of 2010

COO & Co-Founder Qiscus Pte Ltd

His firm specialises in enabling conversations in any applications - with chat and video call technologies.

One thing that I love is to challenge the norm. There are always better ways to accomplish our goals. There is no such thing as a bad idea – instead, they are just ideas yet to be polished. I am also deeply passionate about connecting and creating synergies between people and companies. This excites me and is one of the many things I love doing on day-to-day basis as the COO of Qiscus.

It is not a coincidence that connecting people and creating synergies are the underlying philosophy of Qiscus. We do this by enabling conversations in any application or platform through the use of chat and video call technologies.

His Advice: • Network – Build your network while in school. Don’t underestimate the importance of expanding your contacts beyond friends.

• Mentors – Find a mentor and proactively engage him or her. You should have questions to verify and validate with your mentor.

• Humility – You can learn from anyone. Without this mindset, you can’t go far in your life. An unpaid internship is a viable option to gain additional work experience before you graduate.

Tan Chin Kwang

Insurance Studies, Class of 1995 MBA, Class of 2000 CEO

Hyundai Insurance Brokers Chin Kwang is instrumental in developing business in Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines, Bangladesh and India.

Reporting directly to the head office in Seoul, he ensures that the Singapore office is well run and that his staff are motivated. He shared the following: Once upon a time, my FYP supervisor was an elderly Indian gentleman called Prof Asok Goenka. He was well connected and respected in the Indian insurance industry.

When I asked him what was his secret for being so successful in life, his advice to me was always stay clean and have integrity. Don't get involved in politics. Always have a positive mind and be generous and kind to people.

At that time, as a young undergraduate, I did not fully understand what Prof Asok was talking about. However, whenever I encountered countless challenges in my work life later on, I always kept his words in mind. Now that I am in a slightly privileged position to manage people, I fully understand his words and always keep them in my mind whenever I interact with others.

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NBS ALUMNI | 95

Lee ZhongWen

ACC, Class of 2008 Senior Investment Manager, Global Market Neutral Long Short Strategy Pictet Asset Management, London, United Kingdom

Prior to his current positon, ZhongWen spent seven years at Goldman Sachs Investment Partners across London and New York, most recently co-heading the fund’s investments across Healthcare. He started his career in 2008 as an Investment Banking analyst with Lazard & Co in London, before moving in 2010 to AnaCap Financial Partners to focus on Financials private equity across Europe.

His advice: • Invest in yourself. Read widely, embrace new experiences and difficult assignments.

• Stay grounded. In tough times, you’re not as bad as you think you are and in easy times, you’re not as smart as you think you are.

• Cultivate relationships. Focus on building permanent happiness. Make time for family. Maintain friendships. Spend time on your favorite hobbies.

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An Alumnus Shares His Story Joe Tan Yong Zheng (BAF, Class of 2018)

Management Consultant, QVARTZ

S

haring with our undergraduates the three lessons I learned from teaching children. I hope that you can apply them in your jobs when you graduate.

In April 2018, my co-founder Jern and I started JerryTree, an afterschool service in Bangkok, where we taught conversational English to children aged 4 to 14. I had the urge to pen down my thoughts because I have learnt so much from them.

Nanthawan Thamtherdthai (Jern) and Joe Tan Yong Zheng

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NBS ALUMNI | 97

1. Prioritise Effectiveness Over Efficiency

Children are more inductive than deductive. For them to learn to play the guitar, they will try many ways, often more than necessary, to pick up that skill. They will pick it up, strum it, and put it down.

Use another finger, strum it and pause. It is a marvel to watch them.

I think they just want to discover all the possible means to play the guitar and their mode of operation is to do everything and anything to learn how to play.

Adults, on the other hand, have been trained to be efficient problem solvers. In school and at work, we are bound by time and space to produce the best work. So, when a problem arises, we apply the frameworks we have been using to tackle it. Very often, we use the scientific method - build hypotheses, experiment, refine and

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conclude. So, to learn to play the guitar, we will try to do it efficiently - decompose what skills we need, watch a tutorial, practice, get a teacher, and practice again. While it is not wrong, this method doesn't allow us to know what are some of the other ways to learn to play a guitar. Thus, when we can play the guitar, we will assume we did all the right things.

But what happens when you can't play the guitar?

If the value of a fresh graduate is to inject new perspective in solving new problems, can you be certain that you have looked at all possible ways to solve it, or will you just aim for efficiency?

Secondly, can you be certain that what you are doing is right?

The example of learning a guitar may not be the best but my point here is to urge fresh graduates to focus on doing the right thing (so you can 'Thrive' or 'Survive') and beware of the Devil's trap - doing the wrong things efficiently (you might 'Die Quickly').

So, ask for more time if you need to step back and revisit those questions.

Manage the deadline with your superior. Do what you think is right, even if it takes more time and effort.

"Slow is smooth, smooth is fast" can't be more accurate in describing the learning and problem solving process of children and what we should do at work.

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2. Do it for yourself

A child grows by working and does not become weary in the process – his work increases his energy.

He also never asks to be relieved of his burden but simply that he may carry out the mission alone.

He does not develop into a man by planning, reflection, and rest but by active work. To me, it seems as if the child focuses on perfecting his inner life rather than to pursue any kind of external goals. And in the words of Cal Newport, author of So Good They Can't Ignore You, the child is a craftsman perfecting his craft.

On the contrary, an adult looks forward to the end of a working day because work makes him feel exhausted, unfulfilled, and invalidated. He tries to leverage on his social intelligence to get ahead instead of proving it with his craft. Whether he worries or look forward to the future, he will list out all concerns and agendas for the future but tend not to do any actual work in the present. Yet for those who do, they seem to be pursuing an external goal at the expense of their health and soul Are you working hard for yourself or the job? Are you focused on honing your craft or elevating your social status? Are you a theorist or a practitioner? Seneca, a famous philosopher once said, "Prove your words with things."

While we try to teach the children about life, they teach us what life is all about...�

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I know it can be tough to focus on just upgrading your competence in some organizations because popularity can sometimes be more important than actual competence. Since there is no way to gauge how good you are at first, managers often decide to work with a charming idiot than an asshole genius.Sometimes, it doesn't matter how good you are because people don't know you. But, would you rather be the guy that stood the test of time or the guy that gets ahead first? It may be a false dichotomy but I hardly doubt so because the skills and attitude required are very different.

So, focus on perfecting your craft and working hard for yourself. Forget about the world and just do it. And if you are really good, no one can ignore you.

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NBS ALUMNI | 99

3. Be imaginative

I have a student who is 11 years old. Let's call him Roy. He speaks decent English and we could always talk about games, movies and food. Once, he got excited and said some words in 'English' which I have never heard of. Later, his elder brother told me that Roy invented words, so that he can better express himself. I was blown away.

He invented 'Oof cake' which meant cakes that are very delicious.

So, whenever I ask him about food, he will always reply 'Oof cake'.

He also created 2 words that express his usual mix of emotions.

I regretted not taking notes of his invention.

This reminded me of a time when I had to design a new 2 x 2 matrix to present my findings. Maybe Roy and I were at a junction where we had to think outside the box and do something about it.

But some children prefer to draw. Maybe they have not learned the words to do so or maybe because they are not confident enough to express themselves through language. Nonetheless, you can find so much delight in discovering what they drew if you pay attention to it and ask. I shall point out one that left a deep impression on me.

A student of mine, age 5, drew a picture of my co-founder Jern and I. Pay attention to the shapes on our bodies – she drew a square for me and a circle for Jern.

Later, I asked her what those shapes are for. I know what a heart shape means but a circle and a square... Does it mean anything?

Jern told me that they might be the shapes from the Chinese coin.

They mean that we need to be round (adaptable) on the outside, and yet, be square (firm) on the inside. What an analogy by a 5 year old!?

These 2 incidents shook me and led me to this question, "How can I be more like them, to see and interpret things beyond what they actually are?"

Albert Einstein said that imagination was more important than knowledge. Marvin Bower, the creator of management consulting, said that if a consultant can't imagine, there's no use analyzing.

Jeff Bezos ensures that his time is only meant for imagining and inventing the future.

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Being imaginative allows you to ask more and better questions that mainly fall into 'why' and 'what-if'.

You might have heard of the Paypal Mafia, or the McKinsey Mafia. But there is actually a term less known called the Montessori Mafia. According to A More Beautiful Question by Michael Quinlan, they are a group of alumni students of a private school system, Montessori, who are running major companies in the tech sector.

Perhaps you could make a guess about who are these people?

Yes, they are Jimmy Wales of Wikipedia, Jeff Bezos of Amazon, and Sergey Brin and Larry Page of Google, just to name a few.

Marissa Mayer, former CEO of Yahoo!, said that "You can’t understand Google unless you know that Larry and Sergey were both Montessori kids... They’re always asking, why should it be like that?"

The power of asking the right question is also detailed in the book, McKinsey's Marvin Bower: Vision, Leadership, and the Creation of Management Consulting. When Marvin Bower shaped McKinsey, he wanted to avoid an institute that answers the wrong question. "The most frequent of failures in business is not people who answered the right questions incorrectly, but people who answered the wrong questions correctly."

I know that a good way to become unpopular at work is to ask, “Why are we doing this?” even though the question may be entirely justified. To question well, it’s necessary to stop working and start knowing.

Be a wild child and invent. Use your imagination to ask better questions. Ask 'why' and 'what-if' more during your project at work.

I hope the lessons that I learned from teaching children can help you in your work as a fresh graduate and beyond.

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Jobs and Internships

LEADING EMPLOYERS WITH VACANCIES AND INTERNSHIPS WHO WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

Employers BDO LLP ............................................................................................. [2] 101

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) ......................................................... [9] 112

Central Provident Fund Board (CPFB) .......................................... [103] 102

Schneider Electric ............................................................................... 114

CapitaLand .................................................................................. [IFC, 1] 101 Changi Airport Group ...................................................................... [105] 104 Great Eastern ................................................................................ [107] 106

Fidelity International ............................................................................. 108 Funding Societies ............................................................................... 108 Ginseng Capital .................................................................................. 108 International Air Transport Association (IATA) ................................. 109

Nexia TS ........................................................................................... 112

SMRT ..................................................................................................... 114 Scoot ............................................................................................. [8] 115

Singapore Airlines ............................................................................... 115 Singapore Police Force (SPF)...................................................... [IBC] 116

Training Edge ........................................................................................ 115

ImageWorks ..................................................................................... 109 ING Bank ........................................................................................... 109 Ministry of Education (MOE) ......................................................... [111] 110

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[ ] = advertisement; IFC = inside front cover; OBC = outside back cover; IBC = inside back cover

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BDO LLP

600 North Bridge Road, #23-01, Parkview Square, Singapore 188778 TEL + [65] 6828 9118 WEB www.bdo.com.sg EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES career@bdo.com.sg LOCATION

• Singapore – Bugis • International

BUSINESS FACTS

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

Our clients are from various fields of business in Singapore and include subsidiaries of multinational corporations, public and private companies operating in diverse industries.

Our optimal size enables us to provide the full range of world-class services. It also allows clients to benefit from our breadth and depth of expertise as the world’s 5th largest accounting network.

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

• Accounting • Business Administration • Finance • IT and Computer Sciences

CAREER SECTORS

• Accountancy and Financial Management • IT and Technology • Management and Business • Management Consulting

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Please send your detailed résumé and a recent photograph to career@bdo.com.sg.

CAPITALAND LIMITED

168 Robinson Road, #30-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912 TEL + [65] 6713 2888 WEB www.capitaland.com LOCATION

Global

BUSINESS FACTS

CapitaLand is one of Asia’s largest real estate companies. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, it is an owner and manager of a global portfolio worth over S$93 billion as at 30 June 2018, comprising integrated developments, shopping malls, serviced residences, offices, homes, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and funds.

Present across more than 150 cities in over 30 countries, the Group focuses on Singapore and China as core markets, while it continues to expand in markets such as Vietnam and Indonesia. CapitaLand’s competitive advantage is its significant asset base and extensive market network. Coupled with extensive design, development and operational capabilities, the Group develops and manages high-quality real estate products and services. It also has one of the largest investment management businesses in Asia and a stable of five REITs listed in Singapore and Malaysia – CapitaLand Mall Trust, CapitaLand Commercial Trust, Ascott Residence Trust, CapitaLand Retail China Trust and CapitaLand Malaysia Mall Trust.

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

All disciplines

CAREER SECTORS

Property and Real Estate APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Management Executive • Apply online at capitaland.com/careers • Shortlisted applicants will face group and individual interviews and an online test • Application period: Oct to Mar Internships • Please visit capitaland.com/careers to find out more about CapitaLand’s internship opportunities.

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CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND BOARD

238A Thomson Road, Novena Square, Singapore 307684 WEB www.cpf.gov.sg/careers EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES hr@cpf.gov.sg LOCATION

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

Singapore – Central BUSINESS FACTS

We serve more than 3.8 million Singaporeans, safeguarding our members’ savings and helping them to meet their retirement, healthcare and home ownership needs.

Our CPF schemes touch our CPF members across the various life stages, and we serve CPF members knowing that we are making a difference. As long as you have the passion and commitment to serve the public, you will find your niche in our big family consisting of more than 50 departments in the following job families: Agency Services, Customer Service, Enforcement, Information Technology, Management of CPF schemes, Policy and Corporate Development.

We believe in your potential, and the CPFB Academy will help you grow professionally in your career with us. We care for you and your family, and our warm and friendly culture will make you feel right at home.

• Accounting • Business Administration • Economics • Engineering • Finance • Humanities, Art and Social Sciences • IT and Computer Sciences • Law • Maths • Property and Built Environment • Sciences • Social Work • Teaching and Education

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Apply online at www.cpf.gov.sg/careers. Shortlisted applicants will be notified.

CAREER SECTORS

Public Service and Social Work

ON NATIONAL PAYOUTS NAME: Mark Ho DEGREE: Bachelor of Business, Nanyang Technological University ROLE: Senior Manager (Social Programmes & Transfers) EMPLOYER: Central Provident Fund Board MY JOB A core part of my work involves project management, where I oversee national projects, such as the GST Voucher and SG Bonus schemes. My work also includes procurement, working with IT to develop systems, performing system testing and managing daily operations to ensure that the Board pays out the money to Singaporeans in an accurate and timely manner. I work closely with stakeholders, external vendors and colleagues from various departments. I also supervise a team of four officers and guide them in their daily work.

HOW I GOT MY JOB I was an intern at the CPFB Finance Department where I had firsthand experience of the friendly and supportive work culture in CPFB. I went through a written assessment before a panel interview. I think being natural, genuine and confident, are essential qualities which the interviewer(s) look out for. My internship experience helped as well since it provided me with insights into CPFB before I went for my interview.

THE HIGHS AND LOWS The most challenging aspect of the job was the steep learning curve that I faced when I was tasked to implement a core component of a

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national project. Even till today, there are still a lot of uncertainties and complexities that come with large scale projects. However, I have learnt to take things in my stride, look at challenges in a positive light and enjoy the process.

Ironically, the most rewarding and motivating parts of the job are also the challenges. The successful implementation of the projects boosted my confidence. Being assigned to various projects also help to ensure that there is no boring day at work, and I can always look forward to something new to learn, understand and implement.

MY HAPPIEST MOMENT AT WORK The most rewarding project that I have worked on would probably be the SG Bonus project, because of the short implementation timeframe, large beneficiary cohort (2.8 million Singaporeans) and new requirements such as using PayNow as a payment method.

SOME ADVICE It is essential to be resilient and adaptable as our work involves a steep learning curve and unforeseen situations may happen which require you to accept and adapt to the changes. However, you can become stronger and more confident as you learn how to be adaptive, understand trade-offs, prioritise requirements, control changes and manage risks.

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CHANGI AIRPORT GROUP (SINGAPORE)

Singapore Changi Airport, PO Box 168, Singapore 918146 WEB careers.changiairport.com LOCATION

Singapore – East

BUSINESS FACTS

Changi Airport Group is first and foremost a service company. We operate Singapore Changi Airport, the world’s most awarded airport, and help develop and manage airports worldwide. Our people are our most important asset in our mission to be the world’s leading airport company, growing a vibrant air hub in Singapore and enhancing the communities we serve worldwide.

We aspire to build a company where ordinary people achieve extraordinary results. Our people have a passion for service and are committed to teamwork, integrity and excellence. Working together with our colleagues and partners to achieve the best outcome, we deliver innovative services and create a world-class experience for our customers.

Changi Airport Group offers a unique work environment in a global, vibrant and exciting airport community. With a set-up of multiple businesses, we present challenging work and diverse opportunities for our employees to further their personal and professional growth, providing a platform for them to develop and see through their ideas and contributions, making an impact to our organisation and to the communities we serve locally and globally.

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

• Accounting • Business Administration • Economics • Engineering • Finance • Humanities, Art and Social Sciences • IT and Computer Sciences • Law • Property and Built Environment

CAREER SECTORS

• Hospitality, Leisure, and Travel • Logistics, Transport, and Supply Chain

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Apply online at careers.changiairport.com

SOARING WITH CONNECTIONS NAME: Liau Ling Ying, Florence DEGREE: Bachelor of Business (Banking and Finance), Nanyang Technological University, 2007 ROLE: Manager, Passenger Development in Air Hub Development EMPLOYER: Changi Airport Group MY JOB As part of Air Hub Development, our division’s key mission is to grow passenger traffic through Changi Airport. On a day-to-day basis, I work closely with airlines, travel partners and national tourism organisations to explore strategic initiatives or implement joint marketing campaigns to promote travel through Singapore and Changi Airport.

At times, I could be overseas, mainly in China, to engage foreign stakeholders by participating in trade or consumer events, so as to increase Changi Airport’s mindshare as the excellent air hub of choice.

HOW I GOT MY JOB After being in the tourism industry for three and a half years, I had the opportunity to join Changi Airport Group, an organisation that manages one of the world’s best airports. I have not regretted my decision since.

I believe my previous experiences in the tourism industry helped to set me apart from the rest of the candidates, and provided me with relevant knowledge and networks.

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THE HIGHS AND LOWS In terms of the highs, I love the dynamism of the aviation and travel industry. Besides, my job brings vibrancy as I get to meet different people in the industry.

As for the lows, the biggest challenge for me on a daily basis is to manage both internal and external stakeholders with different objectives to work towards a common goal. Managing relationships are often the toughest.

MY HAPPIEST MOMENT AT WORK My happiest moment is when we succeed with our partners. One of my portfolios is to enhance air-sea connectivity for passengers.

There were a lot of challenges at the beginning as there was a lack of awareness of our new initiatives namely, shuttle services between Changi Airport and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, and ferry services between Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and Batam. After a year long of hard work, the ridership grew more than 50% year-on-year and the ferry services also achieved the break-even load factor.

SOME ADVICE You need a positive ‘can-do’ spirit to keep on trying and striving to do better each time. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are important too as we constantly interact, negotiate and collaborate with both external and internal stakeholders. www.nbs.edu.sg

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GREAT EASTERN FINANCIAL ADVISERS

1 Pickering St, Singapore 048659

WEB gradsingapore.com/graduate-employers/great-eastern-life-assurance-company-limited EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES career@greateasternlife.com LOCATION

Singapore – GE Central (1 Pickering St), GE Changi (200 Changi Rd), GE Westgate (3 Gateway Dr), GE House (49 Beach Rd) BUSINESS FACTS

For over a century, Great Eastern has been at the forefront of Asia's insurance industry, providing financial security and peace of mind to millions. A trusted brand, we continue to grow from strength to strength in an ever-changing increasingly competitive landscape.

With over S$60 billion in assets and around 4 million policyholders, we have three successful distribution channels – a tied agency force, bancassurance, and a financial advisory firm, Great Eastern Financial Advisers.

Great Eastern Financial Advisers is a trailblazer of excellence, delivering quality and differentiated customer proposition and continually striving to be the trusted and admired financial advisory firm in Singapore.

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

Accounting, Economics, Engineering, Finance, Maths.

CAREER SECTORS

Accountancy and Financial Management, Financial Services and Insurance, Management and Business, Sales.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Financial Planner Step 1: Introductory interview Step 2: Recruitment seminar Step 3: Candidate profiling Step 4: In-depth interview Step 5: Licensing application Corporate New Hire Step 1: Online application Step 2: Interview

ACHIEVING QUALITY LIFESTYLE NAME: Carynl Wong Weei Teng DEGREE: Bachelor of Accountancy, Nanyang Technological University, 2010 ROLE: Senior Financial Consultant EMPLOYER: Great Eastern Financial Advisers MY CAREER My career involves meeting people from different age groups, discussing and planning for their financial needs, while implementing solutions to help them accumulate wealth. The initial learning curves were steep and we had to put in hard work to brush up on rapport and presentation skills. We also have a “pay-it-forward” culture; once we are seniors, we spend time guiding and helping juniors to meet with their clients' needs. We also work closely with tertiary schools to provide internship opportunities and sponsorships.

HOW I GOT MY JOB I chanced upon this job and never looked back since. It was prior to graduation when I was already offered a job in one of the big 4 audit firms, Ernst & Young. I was still contemplating as I knew I wanted more than just a desk-bound job. Then my batch mate shared that with my sporty and dynamic personality, I am more suitable for something more challenging. The next thing I knew, I attended an interview and since then, had never regretted being in this profession.

THE HIGHS AND LOWS Rejections are the most difficult aspect to deal with. However, it trains my resilience to handle different types of people and situations.

The motivation to stay on in this business is the fact that my friends NBS CAREER SERVICES GUIDE 2019

and clients trusted me with their finances. I also have a fun-loving and supporting team that I can count on to share my difficulties and get advice. Our young and dynamic team attracted me to join inthe first place!

MY HAPPIEST MOMENT AT WORK Achieving a quality lifestyle and financial freedom brings me joy.

Being in this career has given me the opportunity to acquire financial assets and achieve my financial dreams at a young age. It means a lot to me because I come from a humble family and being able to provide my family with a better quality of life is something I wanted to achieve ever since I was a student.

SOME ADVICE Keep an open mind when you’re exploring your career options. This career has never crossed my mind before, and yet it has given me the freedom of time, financial independence and life experiences that I would never have gotten if I was in other careers. Participate in as many internships as you can so that you get different types of exposure and are able to narrow down on what you enjoy doing.

Enjoy what you do and you will never work another day in your life!

www.nbs.edu.sg

108 | JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS

FIDELITY INTERNATIONAL

FUNDING SOCIETIES PTE. LTD.

8 Marina View, #35-06, Asia Square Tower 1, Singapore 018960 TEL [+65] 6511 2200 WEB earlycareersatfidelity.com EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES mycareer@fil.com

Sunshine Plaza, 91 Bencoolen Street, #07-01, Singapore 189652 TEL [+65] 6221 0958 EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES info@fundingsocieties.com

LOCATION

BUSINESS FACTS

• Singapore – Central • International – Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Chile, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, UK

BUSINESS FACTS

Fidelity International offers world class investment solutions and retirement expertise. As a privately owned, independent company, investment is our only business. We are driven by the needs of our clients, not by shareholders. Our vision is to deliver innovative client solutions for a better future.

Our people are passionate, engaged, smart and curious, and we give them the independence and the confidence to make a difference. While we take pride in the excellence of our investment solutions and client service, we know we can always do better.

We offer internship and graduate opportunities across Asia offices.

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

All disciplines

CAREER SECTORS

Financial Services and Insurance APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Apply online through our website at earlycareersatfidelity.com.

LOCATION

Singapore – Central Founded in early 2015, Funding Societies is a licensed digital lending platform in Southeast Asia that connects small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with retail and institutional lenders. We have disbursed over S$250 million in loans across the region, and have also recently closed our US$25 million Series B led by SoftBank Ventures Korea. Funding Societies has expanded into Indonesia (where we are known as Modalku) and Malaysia, becoming one of the largest digital lending platforms in the region. Throughout our growth, Funding Societies-Modalku remains dedicated to the vision of funding underserved SMEs and improving societies in Southeast Asia. Check out our story: https://blog.fundingsocieties.com/our-story DEGREE DISCIPLINE

• Business Administration • Economics • Finance • Humanities, Art and Social Sciences

CAREER SECTORS

• HR and Recruitment • Management and Business • Management Consulting • Marketing, Advertising, and PR • Sales

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Please write in 500 words or less what your ideal career at Funding Societies would look like, and how you’d like to contribute to our Singapore business!

And email that directly to bernadette.cho@fundingsocieties.com

GINSENG CAPITAL

The Great Room, One George Street, #10-01, Singapore 049145 WEB www.ginsengcapital.com EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES Shannon@ginsengcapital.com LOCATION

Singapore – Central BUSINESS FACTS

Ginseng Capital is a full suite corporate finance advisor focusing on cross border mergers and acquisitions between Europe and Asia. The company covers key industries such as Fintech, Edutech, Medical Device, Travel and Manufacturing.

Interns will have the opportunity to gain a unique exposure to high level M&A transactions along with exposure to client / deal meetings. They are required to participate in various works along the full life-cycle of transactions, from origination to closing. This involves the preparation of presentations, valuation models and completion of other ad-hoc tasks.

Interns have to possess exceptional drive, maturity and dedication.

Above the norm autonomy is a must as well as the ability to learn quickly and efficiently. Past corporate finance experience is preferred, however not required. Prospective interns need to have a basic understanding of finance and some knowledge of accounting.

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

• Accounting • Business Administration • Economics • Finance

CAREER SECTORS

Investment Banking and Investment

NBS CAREER SERVICES GUIDE 2019

www.nbs.edu.sg

JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS | 109

INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION

80 Pasir Panjang Road, #20-81 MapleTree Business City, Singapore 117372 TEL [+65] 6499 2309 WEB www.iata.org/hc/pages/internships.aspx EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES ppdsin@iata.org LOCATION

Singapore – West (MBC – Labrador Park)

BUSINESS FACTS

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the trade association for the world’s airlines, representing some 290 airlines or 82% of total air traffic. We support many areas of aviation activity and help formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues. At IATA we provide a wide range of services such as Accreditation, Consulting, Business Intelligence, Statistics, Financial Services and others.

We are proud of being a Diverse & Inclusive Organization – we have people from all over the world working in our offices, and we extend this to our recruiting practices. Our people have the opportunity to extensively develop their knowledge in the aviation industry, their leadership and technical skills.

In our Singapore office, we are meeting the challenges facing commercial aviation in Asia-Pacific, one of the most exciting industries.

We also provide a unique opportunity for the best young talents interested in joining the Aviation industry and gaining international exposure through our Internship programmes (Undergraduate and Graduate).

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

IATA AIRLINE FINANCE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES thomasseet@ntu.edu.sg LOCATION

Singapore and International (various locations)

Develop your career and become a project team member in the area of Finance. Learn how your profile and analytical skill set can fit the needs of the airline industry, and gain valuable work experience at international airlines in Singapore and abroad!

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) partners with airlines and selected universities around the world, of which NBS is one, to offer internships in airline finance. 5-10 qualified NBS candidates are selected per year to do an internship with participating IATA member airlines such as Emirates, Swiss International Air Lines, LATAM, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways. A mentor is assigned to serve as the intern’s main guide for individual development and research support during the internship.

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

• Accounting • Business Administration • Economics • Finance • IT and Computer Sciences

CAREER SECTORS

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

• Accountancy and Financial Management • Hospitality, Leisure, and Travel • IT and Technology • Logistics, Transport, and Supply Chain • Management and Business • Management Consulting

IMAGEWORKS PTE LTD

ING BANK N.V. (SINGAPORE BRANCH)

Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance.

CAREER SECTORS

Accountancy and Financial Management, Hospitality, Leisure and Travel, Logistics, Transport, Management and Business, Management Consulting.

All our vacancies are published on www.iata.org and LinkedIn. The interested candidates have to submit their application online, along with their Résumé and Cover Letter.

100 Pasir Panjang Road, #07-04, Singapore 118518 TEL + [65] 6635 2788 WEB www.imageworks.sg EMAIL FOR INQUIRIES hr@imageworks.sg LOCATION

• Singapore – Central • Singapore – West

IMAGEWORKS is a leading image consultancy and training organisation that equips people to live out a brand identity for personal empowerment and corporate excellence. With extensive experience in facilitating personal branding, professional image, etiquette, networking, communications, service and employee engagement training programmes for corporate organisations and educational institutions, it has helped to elevate the brand image of many training participants locally and regionally.

Established in 1995, Imageworks is a SkillsFuture SG Approved Training Organisation and CliftonStrengths provider that has positively impacted lives and delivered noticeable results among an illustrious list of clients, particularly through its signature Branding Through People® programme.

BUSINESS FACTS

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Humanities, Art and Social Sciences, IT and Computer Sciences, Law, Social Work, Teaching and Education.

CAREER SECTORS

HR and Recruitment, Management and Business, Management Consulting, Teaching and Education.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

For internship and graduate opportunities, please email your CV with photo to hr@imageworks.sg. We regret that only shortlisted applicants will be notified.

www.nbs.edu.sg

1 Wallich Street, #12-01, Guoco Tower, Singapore 078881 WEB www.ing.jobs/Global/Careers.htm LOCATION

International (various locations)

BUSINESS FACTS

ING is a global financial institution with over 52,000 employees offering retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 40 countries.

In Asia Pacific, ING offers wholesale banking across 14 markets, namely Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

ING’s regional presence includes a 13% stake in Bank of Beijing, China; a 30% stake in TMB Bank, Thailand; a 3.74% stake in Kotak Mahindra Bank, India as well as wholly owned ING Australia that offers retail and wholesale banking services.

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

• Accounting • Business Administration • Economics • Engineering • Finance • Humanities, Art and Social Sciences • IT and Computer Sciences • Law • Maths • Sciences

CAREER SECTORS

• Financial Services and Insurance • Investment Banking and Investment

NBS CAREER SERVICES GUIDE 2019

110 | JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

North Buona Vista Drive, Singapore 138675 TEL + [65] 6872 2220 WEB www.moe.gov.sg/careers EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES contact@moe.gov.sg LOCATION

Singapore

BUSINESS FACTS

The Ministry of Education (MOE) is named ‘Top Graduate Employer in the Public Sector’ since 2010 by GTI Media. At MOE, we have a strong and dynamic team of executive and administrative staff and educators supporting our education network in Singapore.

Education Officer / Teacher: Teaching as a career is an exciting journey filled with challenges and rewards. You will play a pivotal role in equipping our children with the knowledge and skills they need, grooming them into well-rounded and responsible citizens of tomorrow. There are three career tracks available for our teachers to reach their fullest potential: Teaching Track, Leadership Track and Senior Specialist Track.

School Counsellor: As a School Counsellor, your primary role is to work with staff, students, parents, external professionals and community agencies to provide quality school counselling support for students’ mental health and social-emotional development.

MOE Kindergarten Teacher: As a Kindergarten Teacher, you will play a key role in providing our young with an enriched learning experience, nurturing their social skills and preparing them for lifelong learning. You will plan and deliver education programmes to help foster holistic learning and development for the children and be involved in parent and community engagement.

Management Executive: As a Management Executive, you will have excellent career opportunities in areas such as policy formulation and implementation, organisational administration and operations both at the Ministry’s headquarters (HQ) and in schools.

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

All disciplines

CAREER SECTORS

• Public Service and Social Work • Teaching and Education

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Apply online at Careers@Gov. Shortlisted applicants will be notified for interview(s).

INCULCATING INTEREST IN A LANGUAGE NAME: Choy Wai Yin DEGREE: Bachelor of Business (Banking and Finance), Nanyang Technological University, 2004 ROLE: Head of Department / Mother Tongue Languages EMPLOYER: Ministry of Education, North Spring Primary School MY JOB I head the Mother Tongue Languages Department of my school, which consists of Chinese Language, Malay Language and Tamil Language teachers. I set direction for the department, and plan and execute Mother Tongue Languages learning and cultural activities. When there are curriculum and assessment changes, I am responsible for leading and guiding teachers in adapting.

I foster strong partnerships with stakeholders, including parents to achieve the desired educational outcomes.

HOW I GOT MY JOB After graduation, I had a short stint in a bank before deciding to apply to be a primary school teacher. I was interviewed for a Chinese Language teaching position and the interview was conducted in both English and Mandarin. I believe my ability to speak Mandarin fluently helped me get the job. When the panel expressed doubts on my ability to commit to teaching, I asked for a chance to prove myself and 13 years has since passed.

THE HIGHS AND LOWS I like interacting with my students. I am motivated to help them love and learn the Chinese language in interesting and engaging ways. This is especially challenging, because in today’s society,

NBS CAREER SERVICES GUIDE 2019

English tends to be the predominant language spoken at home and in schools, so many of my students struggle with the Chinese language from young and lose confidence in learning it. I hope to help them discover their ability to master another language besides English.

MY HAPPIEST MOMENT AT WORK I am happy when I see my students grow up to be responsible people, striving towards their personal goals, leading a fulfilling life. I often teach the academically weakest in the cohort, so when my students pass their CL subject for the first time in their lives, I feel a great sense of satisfaction too. Being an HOD gives me the opportunity to plan meaningful programmes and groom dedicated teachers to impact more students positively.

SOME ADVICE Teaching is a calling. We need teachers who are passionate and committed towards the development of our students. This is a challenging job so what drives us is the devotion and responsibility we have to our students. If you think you are up for this challenge, do join us in making an impact on future generations.

www.nbs.edu.sg

Your classes may be forgotten.

Your lessons will never be.

Children don’t always remember what you teach them, but they never, ever forget who taught t h e m . Y o u m a k e a d i ff e r e n c e i n t h e i r l i v e s .

Forever. Interested in making that kind of difference? Join us. It all begins with a teacher.

Find out more at moe.gov.sg/teach

112 | JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

1 Sherwood Road, Singapore 248163 TEL + [65] 6379 8000 WEB www.mfa.gov.sg/career EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES mfa_career@mfa.gov.sg LOCATION

Singapore – Central BUSINESS FACTS

MFA is committed to the effective and timely formulation, implementation, and communication of policies that: • Uphold Singapore’s sovereignty • Promote a peaceful regional environment • Sustain Singapore’s relevance internationally • Expand Singapore’s political and economic space • Share our developmental experience as a responsible global citizen • Connect with Singaporeans travelling and living overseas, assist them in times of need As a Foreign Service Officer (Functional and Corporate), you formulate, review and implement policies that impact MFA’s vital operations. You are rotated to manage core functions in the following: • Consular: Provide assistance to overseas Singaporeans in distress • Protocol: Facilitate State formalities and courtesies • Human Resource: Attract and develop human capital • Corporate Affairs: Oversee organisational and resource management • Strategic Communications: Manage and shape media relations • Technical Cooperation: Share Singapore’s technical expertise with developing countries

As a Foreign Service Officer (Political and Economic), you will analyse, report and give policy advice on geopolitical developments concerning Singapore’s strategic interests. You could be deployed to manage bilateral or multilateral relations through: • Representing Singapore in visits, meetings, conferences and bilateral/ multilateral negotiations • Coordinating and deconflicting domestic and foreign policy interests • Organising incoming and outgoing visits • Preparing reports on political and economic developments of host country • Presenting and defending Singapore’s position • Networking to cultivate and maintain close ties with influential people The MFA Internship Programme provides interns insights into the life of a Foreign Service Officer. During your 4-week internship in Singapore or at one of our Overseas Missions, you can look forward to the following: • Dialogue sessions with senior diplomats and/or management • Meetings, conferences and seminars on foreign policy issues • Research assignments • Directorate or Mission-specific projects and events CAREER SECTORS

Public Service and Social Work APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Visit our website at www.mfa.gov.sg/career.

NEXIA TS PTE LTD

100 Beach Road, Shaw Tower, #30-00, Singapore 189702 TEL [+65] 6534 5700 WEB www.nexiats.com.sg/careers/career-opportunities EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES hradmin@nexiats.com.sg LOCATION

• Singapore – Central • International – Malaysia, Myanmar, China

BUSINESS FACTS

Nexia TS is founded in 1993 by Sitoh Yih Pin and Henry Tan and is recognised as an established mid-tier local accounting firm.

The professional services provided are in the area of external and internal audit as well as advisory in Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and China.

Our desire for quality has been recognised by clients and the accounting profession.

Nexia TS adopt an open-door policy where each staff is assigned to a counselling manager and director whom they can approach for advice in terms of work and personal growth.

Fresh graduates who are interested are welcome to join us. Wide range of training will be provided.

9

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

Accounting

CAREER SECTORS

Accountancy and Financial Management APPLICATION PROCEDURE

• Send in your updated résumé with a photo of yourself together with your certificates and transcripts to hradmin@nexiats.com.sg • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

NBS CAREER SERVICES GUIDE 2019

www.nbs.edu.sg

Banking & Financial Services

Graduate jobs, internships, and placements in banking and financial services!

Banking and financial services employer information and exclusive tips on how to get hired!

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Check out our brand-new banking and finance careers section today!

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114 | JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS

SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SINGAPORE PTE LTD

50 Kallang Avenue, Singapore 339505 TEL [+65] 6480 2000 WEB www.schneider-electric.com.sg/en/about-us/careers/overview.jsp EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES talent.acquisition@schneider-electric.com LOCATION

• Singapore – East (Regional Hub) • Singapore – West (Logistics Hub) • International – Over 100 countries

BUSINESS FACTS

Schneider Electric is leading the Digital Transformation of Energy Management and Automation in Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries.

With global presence in over 100 countries, Schneider is the undisputable leader in Power Management – Medium Voltage, Low Voltage and Secure Power, and in Automation Systems. We provide integrated efficiency solutions, combining energy, automation and software.

In our global Ecosystem, we collaborate with the largest Partner, Integrator and Developer Community on our Open Platform to deliver real-time control and operational efficiency.

We believe that great people and partners make Schneider a great company and that our commitment to Innovation, Diversity and Sustainability ensures that Life Is On everywhere, for everyone and at every moment.

If you're interested in evolving as a professional, we're keeping a seat warm for you. The choice is yours, and the possibilities are endless. Discover how our Great People make Schneider Electric a Great Company today!

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

• Accounting • Business Administration • Economics • Engineering • Finance • IT and Computer Sciences • Maths • Property and Built Environment

CAREER SECTORS

• Energy, Oil and Gas, and Utilities • IT and Technology • Scientific Research and Development

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Online Application: • For Graduates – Visit our website • For graduating students – Look out for our eDM on Assessment Centre registration for Graduate Programmes • For students – Look out for our internship eDM

SMRT CORPORATION LTD

251 North Bridge Road WEB www.smrt.com.sg/Join-us LOCATION

Singapore

BUSINESS FACTS

SMRT Corporation Ltd (SMRT Corp) is a public transport services provider. Our primary business is to manage and operate train services on the North-South Line, East-West Line, the Circle Line, the Thomson East-Coast Line (operational in 2019) and the Bukit Panjang Light Rail Transit. This is complemented by our bus, taxi and private hire vehicle services.

We have set our core values to be Integrity, Service and Excellence, and commit SMRT to providing safe, reliable and comfortable services for our commuters.

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

• Accounting • Business Administration • Economics • Engineering • Finance • IT and Computer Sciences • Law

NBS CAREER SERVICES GUIDE 2019

CAREER SECTORS

• Construction and Civil Engineering • Engineering, Design and Manufacturing • IT and Technology • Logistics, Transport and Supply Chain • Media and Advertising

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

For general openings: • Step 1: Online application • Step 2: Interview For SMRT Engineering and Management Associate (EMA) Programme: • Step 1: Online application (graduates@smrt.com.sg) • Step 2: Online test • Step 3: Assessment centre • Step 4: Final interview

www.nbs.edu.sg

JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS | 115

SCOOT TIGERAIR PTE LTD

65 Airport Boulevard, Changi Airport Terminal 3, #B1-17, Singapore 819663 TEL + [65] 6715 1450 WEB www.flyscoot.com/career EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES NoMondayBlues@flyscoot.com LOCATION

• Singapore – East • International – Scoot Network!

BUSINESS FACTS

Scoot™ is the low-cost, medium-to-long haul arm of the Singapore Airlines Group. Scoot took to the skies in June 2012 and merged with Tigerair Singapore in July 2017, retaining the Scoot brand and positioning it well for a new chapter of growth.

We want people with big smiles and even bigger personalities. People with passion – passion for travel, passion for people, passion for pushing boundaries. An airline with a different attitude. People with a different attitude.

Scootitude™.

If you think you have Scootitude and can handle the excitement and challenges ahead to grow with us, apply today! Receive information about vacancies and recruitment from Scoot Careers Facebook Page – "GOT Scootitude?"

SINGAPORE AIRLINES

Airline House, 25 Airline Road, Singapore 819829 WEB www.singaporeair.com/careers EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES employment_enquiries@singaporeair.com.sg LOCATION

• Singapore – Central (Sales Office) • Singapore – East (Headquarters and Training Centre) • International – Overseas stations

BUSINESS FACTS

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is a global airline dedicated to providing air transportation services of the highest quality. Committed to fleet modernisation, product and service innovation as well as market leadership, SIA has evolved into one of the world’s most respected travel brands.

We have many opportunities for fresh graduates with a good university honours degree from any discipline. At SIA, you may experience working in diverse functional job areas such as Sales & Marketing, Planning, Customer Experience, Customer Services & Operations, Flight Operations, Engineering and Finance etc. Join us and fly high as an airline professional today!

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, Finance, Humanities, Art and Social Sciences, IT and Computer Sciences, Maths, Property & Built Environment, Sciences, Social Work, Teaching and Education CAREER SECTORS

Hospitality, Leisure, and Travel, Logistics, Transport, and Supply Chain.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Submit an online application through our careers website www.singaporeair. com/careers

www.nbs.edu.sg

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

• Accounting • Business Administration • Economics • Engineering • Finance • IT and Computer Sciences

CAREER SECTORS

• Hospitality, Leisure, and Travel • Logistics, Transport, and Supply Chain

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Submit your application here: • flyscoot.com/ScootPilots • flyscoot.com/ScootCabinCrew • flyscoot.com/ScootCareer

TRAINING EDGE INTERNATIONAL PTE LTD

111 North Bridge Road, #08-09, Peninsula Plaza, Singapore 179098 TEL [+65] 6336 5804 WEB www.trainingedgeasia.com EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES enquiries@trainingedgeasia.com LOCATION

• Singapore – Central • International

BUSINESS FACTS

Training Edge® International offers a holistic range of cutting edge training and management consulting services to help organizations in the Asia Pacific Region optimize the development of their human capital.

Training Edge® International believes in providing integrated training solutions and world-class consulting services that will allow organizations including SMEs, MNCs and government bodies to develop their people and build systems to achieve business excellence.

Training Edge® International’s programs are designed to empower staff to learn, think and innovate. We adopt an experiential learning approach to maximize the training effectiveness of our programs. We specialize in customizing our programs to meet the specific needs of organizations, helping them to align the training objectives with their vision, mission and values.

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

• Business Administration • Teaching and Education

CAREER SECTORS

Teaching and Education

NBS CAREER SERVICES GUIDE 2019

116 | JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS

SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE (SPF)

Home Team Career Centre, 178 Neil Road, Singapore 088889 TEL 1800-352-0000 WEB www.police.gov.sg/career EMAIL FOR ENQUIRIES spf_career@spf.gov.sg LOCATION

Singapore As a Direct-Entry Inspector, you will play a major role in ensuring Singapore’s safety and security. You will prevent, deter, and detect crime through leading investigations and be involved in community policing, as well as operations and organisational management.

A career with the SPF is challenging, and your potential as a professional enforcer of the law will be developed to overcome such challenges.

Training: Direct-Entry Inspectors are required to undergo a 9-month basic residential training programme at the Home Team Academy. This basic training course equips officers with the knowledge and skills to perform their duties. The training will consist of both physical and classroom training – from police defensive tactics and weaponry to leadership skills.

Postings: Direct-Entry Inspectors can look forward to regular job rotation that offers them opportunities to explore various roles within the SPF. Their career will follow a well-structured track that grooms them for future command appointments: • Frontline Policing – As a Neighbourhood Police Centre (NPC) Officer, our new Inspectors will put their training to good use. They will watch over the community to keep crime at bay.

• Investigation – Thereafter, they will be posted to Land Divisions as Investigation Officers (IOs). IOs solve a wide spectrum of crimes and are pivotal in our fight against crime.

• Command – After their IO stint, our officers will be posted as Team Leaders in a NPC. They will lead a team of purpose-driven officers to achieve the SPF Vision – to make Singapore the safest place in the world.

• Staff – Our officers will provide support to frontline operations and develop SPF’s long-term capabilities. They will be exposed to a wide spectrum of planning and management duties.

BUSINESS FACTS

DEGREE DISCIPLINE

All disciplines Online application at Careers@Gov. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified.

INTERNSHIP/TRAINEE PROGRAMME Ministry of Home Affairs participates in the Internships@Gov Programme organised by the Public Service Division (PSD).

INTERNSHIP DURATION 6-12 weeks APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR PLACEMENTS/INTERNSHIPS For more information on the Internships@Gov programme and the application process, please visit www.careers.gov.sg/internships@gov or email internships@psd.gov.sg for enquiries.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

SERVE IN THE FORCE WITH HUMILITY AND SINCERITY NAME: Lee Yu Xian Lionel RANK: Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) DEGREE: Double Degree in Accountancy & Business ROLE: Investigation Officer EMPLOYER: Singapore Police Force MY JOB I am currently an Investigation Officer (IO) with the Singapore Police Force. As an IO with the General Investigation Squad, I work with my team to investigate crimes that are reported during my shift.

When a case is reported and an offence is deemed to have taken place, I take all the necessary steps to conduct a fair and thorough investigation, ranging from sourcing for evidence (CCTV, witnesses or victims) to preservation of the crime scene (lifting of DNA, dusting for fingerprints).

HOW I GOT MY JOB The selection process involves three main stages. The candidate undergoes a selection assessment and if shortlisted, an interview with the Assistant Director, Recruitment of Manpower Department. Secondly, the candidate will be put through a rigorous psychometric assessment. Lastly, the candidate will undergo a final panel interview. In my opinion, what set me apart from the rest of the candidates are my leadership qualities through positions which I have taken up before, such as Platoon Commander during National Service.

NBS CAREER SERVICES GUIDE 2019

MY HAPPIEST MOMENT AT WORK I feel a sense of satisfaction whenever I mete out justice against perpetrators, bring closure to victims and solve cases. My team and I worked on countless cases over the years but my most memorable case is that of an elderly woman who had gone missing. I managed to locate her and it was heartwarming to see her daughter hug her in relief. Knowing that I can make a difference in someone’s life through my duties helped reaffirm my career choice.

SOME ADVICE To be a Police Officer, one needs to be passionate and dedicated to serving and protecting the community. To all who aspire to join the Force, they should possess both traits of sincerity and humility – to be sincere in wanting to make a positive difference to the lives of people you meet, and to always have the humility to learn from your peers so as to become a better officer for the community you serve.

www.nbs.edu.sg

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&

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