3 minute read
Web Development and e-Commerce
Focus points include building strong and reputable online and web presences for businesses.
The internet business sector, riveted on developing products and services for online consumers, has grown in size and importance to the extent that most major organisations aren’t considered complete without an online presence. Although there are other players, the field’s still dominated primarily by financial services organisations and online retail stores.
The internet delivers win-win situations to financial services firms that benefit both bank and client, serving as a platform for users to perform basic banking tasks like bill payments and monetary transfers at any time, while allowing the bank to save on operation costs such as processing fees.
Similarly, retail businesses reap cost savings when they shift their operations online, enabling them to offer consumers more competitive prices. Online systems have also helped retailers manage their supply chains more efficiently and effectively.
Career overview
Given the high level of interest in e-commerce and the online marketplace here in Singapore, even pre-pandemic, recruitment opportunities are plentiful. However, they’re not often publicly advertised, as is the case for many tech start-ups.
As most start-ups in this industry usually hire through word-of-mouth, recommendations, or internship conversions, graduates get a headstart in job-hunting while in university and pick up internships will have an edge when pursuing a full-time position.
Web development opportunities are more often available in larger, more established organisations like Amazon, Shopee and Lazada, though the hiring process may be more structured and formal. Rotations are the norm before newcomers are assigned to a position they’re comfortable with, and may take anywhere between three to 12 months, depending on the company.
Career progression can be ensured with SkillsFuture, where there’s an option to upgrade present skills, increasing competency and productivity in this sector, as well as other related fields.
Trends and developments
With a variety of grants and initiatives rolled out over the past few years to transform Singapore into a vibrant global e-commerce hub despite strong competition, retail e-commerce is set to boom under the Economic Development Board’s “Industry 21” blueprint, with the adoption of an internationallylinked e-commerce infrastructure and harmonisation of cross-border laws and policies.
The numerous support schemes geared to drive e-commerce adoption among start-ups also paid off almost overnight when Covid-19 hit Singapore’s shores. The next big trend in this industry, though, is looking to be social commerce and shoppable posts, where users can buy products directly off social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.
Web development, on the other hand, will continue supporting e-commerce growth with chatbots and progressive web applications (PWA). Single-page apps (SPA) have also made a return to the limelight with the advent of crossplatform apps.
Blockchain has made its mark too, having quickly become indispensable to decentralised file storage, protection of intellectual properties and even supply chain auditing.
Pros and cons
Fast-paced and challenging
Those who thrive in such an environment will be able to see results almost immediately, and many in the industry take pride in transforming trade and transactions on top of having the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology.
However, on the flipside, having to endlessly deal with rapid and unrelenting changes in technology and business can wear down even the best after a while, just as much as handling constant threats such as cybercrime and cybersecurity risks can.
Required skills
• Commercial awareness • Always abreast of latest changes in regulations and trends • Adaptability • An eye for detail • Ability to deal with ambiguity effectively
ENGINEERING
Responsible for innovations such as computers, smartphones and even bridges and hot showers, the world will be a vastly different place without engineers and feats of engineering. But before taking the leap into the industry, do some essential reading in the pages ahead.
Sector Essentials
Engineering: A Beginner’s Guide........................ 68 Top Three Trends in Engineering for Graduates to Know..................................... 70 Find Great Graduate Jobs in
Areas of Work
Aerospace Engineering ...................................... 74 Automotive Engineering .................................... 75 Chemical Engineering ........................................ 76 Construction Engineering .................................. 77 Control Engineering ........................................... 78 Defence Technology ........................................... 79 Electronic Engineering ....................................... 80 Energy (Oil and Gas)........................................... 81 Energy (Power Generation) ................................ 82 Engineering Consultancy.................................... 83 Engineering Design and Construction ................ 84 Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) .............. 85 Food Manufacturing .......................................... 86 Materials and Metals Engineering ..................... 87 Pharmaceuticals Engineering ............................. 88
