Talent Development Programme (TDP

The Talent Development Programme (TDP) is a structured in-house internship offered by the SIM Learner Advisory & Career Centre. Launched in January 2015, TDP has seen more than 200 interns go through the programme, with many graduating and moving on to the corporate world.

In TDP, we aspire to empower our interns with skills and competencies vital for the corporate environment through numerous projects and initiatives. With a structured development plan comprising of workshops, networking opportunities and onthe-job training, we give them a headstart and prepare them for the working world, as well as help them expand their professional networks. TDP is also a platform for likeminded interns to have a collective experience to learn and grow together.

Essentially, we aspire to create an enriching journey for all interns to learn, discover and hone themselves for the dynamic working world ahead. With the TDP experience, our interns have successfully secured internship and full-time jobs in many prestigious organisations, such as Facebook, TikTok, the National Youth Council, L’Oréal, Cognizant, DBS, Shopee, PwC, Marina Bay Sands, and many more.

Headquarters

The Headquarters Cluster focuses on the aspects, namely Human Capital Development and Marketing Communications.

The Human Capital Development aspect consists of management of TDP interns in respect of their deployment, development and welfare.

Key responsibilities include: • Recruitment and selection of new interns • Organise and execute orientation programmes of new interns • Oversee and implement training programmes • Plan career development and progression of interns • Manage the overall welfare of interns

Marketing Communications

The Marketing Communications aspect focuses on the strategic objective of delivering marketing plans for the Career Connect Office.

Key responsibilities include: • Carry out marketing campaigns for the office • Create marketing collaterals for career initiatives • Management of Career Connect social media platforms • Outreach to engage SIM students with the office’s initiatives

Business Development

The Business Development Cluster works closely with various stakeholders, including potential work employers and Career Champs. With this engagement, the cluster serves as a bridge to value add Career Connect initiatives.

Key Responsibilities: • Engage with potential employers • Management and development of Career Champs • Plan career events such as career talks and company visits.

MIRA RANI DAS

Operations Associate at Storm2 Previous Role in TDP: Youth Director, Intake 16 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Economics and Management SIM-UOL Class of 2021 SIM EDGE Award Recipient

Audit Associate at Ernst & Young Previous Role in TDP: Deputy Youth Director, Intake 12 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Accounting and Finance SIM-UOL Class of 2021

“I am deeply grateful to have chanced upon an internship with TDP, which allowed me to work remotely amidst the pandemic. It undeniably equipped me with relevant skills for me to apply and excel in the working world, and moulded me into a more confident individual. TDP has an array of rich experiences and learning opportunities for interns to tap into. From the planning and execution of Career Fairs, to learning effective marketing tools, to even conducting industry and market research, interns are well-guided by highly experienced and professional staff. There is also career progression, where interns who are recognised for their hard work and leadership get promoted. Joining TDP has opened plenty of doors for me – I had the opportunity to network with employers from reputable companies across several industries, as well as attend various skill courses such as Data Analytics. Moreover, I had the chance to forge friendships with likeminded individuals.

All in all, TDP allowed me to excel in my academics during my undergraduate studies, and also primed me for the workforce. I cannot imagine my university life without TDP, for my career successes today are largely due to my growth there. Joining was one of the best decisions I have made!“

POH WEI WEN

“My experience in TDP was a positive and memorable one. Throughout my internship, I had many opportunities to step out of my comfort zone and gain various exposure to different industries and employers. This allowed me to keep up with the current trend of skills demand in the professional world.

Because TDP equips interns with relevant and advanced careers skills by providing trainings, and public speaking and leadership opportunities, I gained a competitive advantage over my peers. Furthermore, TDP is an ideal platform for students who are still in the midst of their career exploration and preparation.

My advice for all SIM students is to always be eager to learn new things, even when you are still studying. Start preparing for your future career early, and think of what skills are necessary for a career that you want, instead of waiting until you graduate. Cheers!“

MAX ONG

Audit Associate at Ernst & Young Previous Role in TDP: Officer, Intake 17 Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) SIM-RMIT Class of 2021

“During my time with TDP, I had multiple opportunities to lead teams to manage events, such as Young Graduate Career Forum, and the annual DREAMS Career and Internship Fair. Through such experiences, I learnt how to manage teams and projects using various project management tools, like Trello, to navigate the hurdles of meeting the needs of various stakeholders. Besides learning project management skills, I had the opportunity to meet motivated and career-minded students who guided me in using various digital marketing and video editing tools, such as Canva and DaVinci Resolve, to create digital content for TDP’s various social media platforms. Additionally, my fellow TDP interns gave me valuable feedback that helped me improve my interpersonal skills, which also instilled a drive in me to be a better version of myself.

TDP was an enriching experience for me to broaden my horizons. I wish all potential TDP interns to seize any opportunities they have, and continuously grow and learn to be a better version of yourself!“

LI LIN

Analyst, People Team at Shopee Previous Role in TDP: Deputy Youth Director, Intake 17 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Business and Management SIM-UOL Class of 2021

“TDP provided me with the opportunity to gain invaluable exposure to different aspects of Human Resources (HR), Marketing and Event Management. The programme’s flexibility allowed me to acquire and apply problem-solving skills in the domain of my choosing, and many of these skills are transferable, as I discovered when I transitioned into the working world.

Through the various projects, I learnt about what it meant to take ownership of projects, as well as hone my communication skills and leadership abilities. More importantly, the guidance of both the staff and my seniors in the programme provided a supportive and conducive learning experience for myself and other interns.

It was definitely a fruitful internship experience, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to continuously seek growth and improvement. When opportunity presents itself, do not be afraid to go after it!”