Ambitious, earnest and raring to contribute to Singapore’s development? Look no further than the Energy Market Authority – the organisation that makes power its business.

By Casandra Wong

If you ask Tan Teck Hao to complete a difficult task, you can expect to see excellent results. As this motivated and dedicated high-achiever puts it, “When given the responsibility to do something, I’ll do it well.”

With a ‘never-say-die’ attitude inculcated in him, Teck Hao beat seven other shortlisted candidates during the final interview, to clinch the Firefly Undergraduate Scholarship with the Energy Market Authority (EMA), a Statutory Board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Teck Hao is currently in his first year of scholarship course, studying Bachelor of Science (Economics and Statistics) with the University College London (University of London), United Kingdom. He will graduate in the year 2012.

Who says you can’t make a difference while doing something you like? Here are two who found ways to turn their passion for helping others into a fulfilling career through MCYS and NCSS.

By Roland Tan

It may not seem like much, but it was a book called “One Child” by Torey Hayden that sparked off 21-year-old Annie Cheong’s interest in social work. That book tells the story of a teacher who gave hope to emotionally traumatised children through her perseverance and dedication.

Having read that book in her secondary school days, Annie has been active in social services, starting off as a volunteer before deciding to be part of the professionals in the social service sector. She took her commitment to help the less fortunate one step further after her GCE ‘A’ levels at National Junior College by applying for the VWOs - Charities Capability Fund (VCF) Social Service Scholarship offered by National Council of Social Service (NCSS). “I’ve always wanted to do social work. It was easy to decide as there are very few scholarships that offered such an opportunity,” quips the VCF Scholar, who is currently in her third year of studies at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

For one polytechnic student, the British Council helped make her dream of studying in the UK come true.

By Nabilah Husna A. Rahman

Growing up, Tee Ting Hui harboured a fascination with the UK, especially after seeing photographs of her cousins taken while they were there. Thus began her dream of studying in the UK, home to one of the world’s richest historical backgrounds and a plethora of cultures.

Known as an international cultural relations body for Britain, one of the British Council’s aims is to help bring students all over the globe together in an effort to strengthen cultural ties. For Ting Hui, the British Council assisted in making her dream a reality.

“British Council gave me the most useful advice, especially on module exemptions and culture in different parts of the UK. British Council has information on a wide range of universities, from which it is easier to choose the university that meets my criteria, academically and financially,” she recalls.

One LTA scholar shares his zeal for contributing to the improvement of Singapore's transport system.

By Lim Yan Wen

As a child, Ho Chin Ning had always been fascinated with the notion of transport. “I always wondered who determines the duration for the green man to appear and change, and now I know it's my colleagues at the Land Transport Authority (LTA),” says the 26-year-old.

Chin Ning's deep curiosity for all things related to transport turned out to be a major driving force behind his career choice. After being selected for the LTA scholarship, the Raffles Junior College alumnus proceeded to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Cornell University, followed by a Master of Science in Transportation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the space of four years.

Before you shudder upon hearing the word 'taxation', hear what two scholars from IRAS have to say about the organisation – it definitely offers more than just taxing work!

By Lim Yan Wen

If your knowledge about taxation is limited to the Benjamin Franklin quote “In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes”, it might come as a pleasant surprise that there is much more to the business of taxation in a modern economy such as Singapore's.

Just ask Accountancy graduate Linda Cheng. The 23-year-old, who graduated from the Nanyang Business School in Nanyang Technological University (NTU), chose the course based on advice from her cousins. “I have cousins who are auditors and they suggested that I could try this field, and I do not regret my choice,” the Raffles Junior College alumnus says.

Conceptualising policies, strategic planning and affecting lives – these are all in a day’s work for CPF Board scholar Mr Desmond Chew.

By Nabilah Husna A. Rahman

Every month, 34.5% of an employee’s salary is saved in their Central Provident Fund (CPF) account, from which they can withdraw from the age of 55. This retirement savings scheme has been allowing workers to seamlessly transit into retirement with financial stability.

Before the CPF Board was set up in 1955, Singaporean citizens did not have a mandatory savings scheme, putting the nation in the vulnerable position of possibly turning into a welfare state. Now, the much familiar CPF scheme has been developed to become the backbone of Singapore’s healthcare, housing and retirement systems, and is a key instrument for overall national growth.

One scholar attests how an EDB career has given him a diverse and challenging work experience.

By Joyce Lin

If there’s one thing an education in Engineering can give you, it’s being able to understand things better and gaining a strong foundation in analysis and logic, says Mr Ralph Foong, 33, Head of Transport Engineering at Economic Development Board (EDB).

After the ‘A’ levels, Ralph took up the EDB scholarship to further his studies in Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and completed his master’s degree at University of California, Berkeley.

Three students share their rewarding experiences at Shelton, where they are exposed to a cosmopolitan student population and internship opportunities in preparation for the real world.

By Becky Lo

From a very young age, Vanessa d/o Sundrasagar has always known that she wanted to work in the media industry. Thus, when she was looking through her options in furthering her studies, the diverse and challenging mass communications modules offered at Shelton College International immediately caught her eyes.

Set to take the infocomm world by storm are National Infocomm Scholars Yew Siong and Pamela, who will soon embark on exciting careers with Microsoft Singapore and Barclays Capital.

By Nabilah Husna A. Rahman

Attracting foreign investments, sustaining long-term growth, and enhancing global competitiveness – these are just a few of the ambitious aims of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA). With its global perspective, IDA is regularly on the lookout for the future leaders of Singapore’s infocomm industry – scholars who will not only be the best at what they do, but also have a passion for it.

Enter Lim Yew Siong and Pamela Chua, recipients of the National Infocomm Scholarship (NIS) offered by IDA and current undergraduates in Stanford University and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) respectively.

The Maldives has long been a coveted holiday destination for many with its gorgeous beaches and crystal clear waters. However, for the TP students who went there for their internships, this idyllic island country is not just a tourist attraction but also a learning site beyond their classroom.

By Becky Lo

In October 2009, a group of 13 final-year Tourism & Hospitality students from Temasek Polytechnic (TP) were given the chance to work at the Four Seasons Resorts in Maldives as part of their internships. Among them were Joyce Xu and Ong Su Lin, both of whom had worked in the restaurants of two separate properties of the Four Seasons Resorts – Kuda Huraa and Landaa Giraavaru.

The BCA is more than just about construction, as Tan Wee Kwang finds out in his role to help shape a better built environment for the future.

By Joyce Lin

Most people would be put off by the three “Ds” of the building and construction industry – “dirty”, “dangerous” and “demanding” – but not Tan Wee Kwang. The 28-year-old Senior Executive Engineer at the Building & Construction Authority (BCA) currently works in the Transit Shelter Engineering Department which regulates the planning, design and construction of Civil Defence MRT shelter stations in Singapore.

So the next time you pass by these MRT stations, such as those in the Northeast Line and Circle Line, everything from the environmental control system to the drainage system have been certified as good to go, thanks in part to Wee Kwang’s dedication to his job.

In any organisation, one of its most valuable assets is its staff. However, the best employees often look for recognition, new challenges and room for development in their jobs. Thus, one good way to attract and retain the most capable and hardworking workers is to invest in them and their future.

By Becky Lo

Employers who invest in the development of their workers’ talents will find that they stand to gain in the long-run, as adequate and relevant training opportunities will ultimately help to increase the firm’s productivity. Here are some benefits that staff training will bring for both the employers and their workers.

Enhanced maternity benefits, coupled with the tough economic times, are prompting some resource-strapped companies to fire pregnant employees or deny them their full entitlements. However, there are win-win alternatives that can benefit both the firm and the employee.

By Becky Lo

Recent figures from the Ministry of Manpower show that there was a spike in number of complaints regarding unfair dismissals in recent years – especially for pregnancy-related issues. The authorities have received 56 such complaints last year, up from 26 cases in 2008 and 16 in 2007.

The employers’ dilemma
Many factors may have led to this, including the implementation of new regulations that have substantially improved maternity benefits. For example, since 2008, paid maternity leave has been extended from 12 to 16 weeks. Also, the 180-day qualifying period for new employees to enjoy maternity benefits has been halved to just 90 days.

From food safety and animal health to emergency planning, AVA is the best option for anyone with an interest in the multifaceted scope of veterinary science.

By Nabilah Husna A. Rahman

Most people would think that a degree in Veterinary Science can only be utilised in a clinical practice. However, the establishment of the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) in April 2000 has given vet science students more options.