Geography Majors Tea

The Majors Tea is a key student outreach event in NUS Geography’s calendar. Three alumni returned to the department to share their experiences navigating the job market as recent graduates. The invited guests were Mr Gordon Oh (Arts and Social Sciences ’21), a Nature-based Solution Analyst at Adatos.AI; Ms Kamarunnisa Ismail (Arts and Social Sciences ’20), a Planner in Strategic Research, Urban Redevelopment Authority; and Mr Nadi Chan (Arts and Social Sciences ’18), the Co-Founder and Director of Foreword Coffee Roasters. Drawing on experiences spanning the public sector, private enterprise and entrepreneurship, the alumni shared about the value of gaining various work experiences through short-term assignments, the benefits of doing extracurricular activities, and how a Geography degree enabled them to synthesise different types of knowledge. Students attending the event asked how Geography has helped alumni respond to the increased emphasis on sustainability in different sectors, and the myths regarding Geography graduates in the job market.

A new component at the event also focused on the significance of doing an honours thesis and embarking on geographical research, allowing the alumni speakers to share their personal experiences of these aspects. The segment was particularly inspiring as Mr Oh had won the Tan Huat Neo Best Thesis Prize and Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award in 2021.

17 February 2023

Attended by 42 people, the Majors Tea included prize-winning activities, such as a quiz on the alumni speakers and a lucky draw. Since the late 1990s, NUS Geography has invited outstanding alumni to share their experiences with current students at this annual event. “It’s good to be back at NUS to share my experiences with the department,” said Ms Kamarunnisa. “I found similar sessions helpful as an undergraduate, and I hope that the current batch gains a better understanding of the various options and career paths available to them.”

This year’s Majors Tea was particularly notable, as an undergraduate commented, “It was very heart-warming to see everyone interact and spend time together after COVID-19! The event also allowed alumni to provide us greater insights and valuable knowledge about the working world.” A big thank you to the alumni for being so generous with their time and supporting this event. Many thanks to the Special Projects Committee of the NUS Geographical Society for their help in organising yet another successful Majors Tea.

Seminar Rooms Lavender Basil

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