Real estate is not all about construction and property leases, but an industry with a myriad of career opportunities and room for innovation. Two JTC scholars reveal what it is like working with Singapore’s leading industrial infrastructure innovator.

By Grace Swee

In land-scarce Singapore, JTC Corporation plays a key role to economic growth by providing innovative solutions to real estate challenges. The organisation has pioneered many cutting-edge industrial real estate projects and solutions that anticipate and address the future needs of the industry.

In fact, JTC is behind the development of some of the most notable industrial sites in Singapore, such as Biopolis, Fusionopolis, Jurong Rock Caverns and the chemicals hub in Jurong Island.

Two public officers at PUB and NEA share how they ensure you have a safe environment to live in.

By Joyce Lin

The next time you drink a glass of clean water from the tap, or feel safe from radiation hazards, take a moment to reflect.

Often taken for granted, these conveniences are made possible by hardworking teams of officers from national water agency PUB and the National Environment Agency (NEA).

Two officers from these agencies attest to how much more goes on behind the scenes, with exciting and unusual job scopes that make every single work day unique.

The career path with the Ministry of Home Affairs does not stop with toughing it out in a smart uniform. It is a never ending path of learning that provides the individual with unforgettable experiences and valuable exposure.

By Wendy Ng

Everybody dreams of being a protector at some point in life.

The thought of blazing onto the scenes saving the day sends thrills down the spines of little children.

As childhood whimsies give way to adulthood realism, those who hold on to that dream of being a protector find that the role goes beyond that of a uniformed hero.

A myriad of opportunities and a dynamic work environment are some of the standards most fresh graduates look for in an organisation. One scholar shares with us how she found these after receiving the Defence Merit Scholarship.

By Farhan Shah

Watching her male junior college classmates enlist for National Service reminded Shirin Ong of the central role defence plays in Singapore’s growth.

“I’ve always been fairly interested in Singapore’s public policies. Going into the field of defence-related policymaking, which has and continues to be an integral aspect of Singapore’s development, seemed like a good fit,” the 23-year-old says.

Being invited to the Defence Merit Scholarship (DMS) tea session and interacting with various personnel from MINDEF helped affirm her decision to pursue a career in the defence of Singapore.

The ingredient that makes any organisation become a world-class entity is its people. The RSAF understands this more than most with its practices and policies.

By Farhan Shah

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) possesses some of the most cutting-edge equipment on the planet but the core engine that keeps the RSAF flying is its people.

The RSAF understands how important its people are in its efforts to transform the organisation into a third-generation Air Force. In line with this, the RSAF had sought feedback from all the different levels to come up with a vision that defined the role of the RSAF in the new era.

A defining choice
The result is this – “World Class People, First Class Air Force.”

He keeps Singapore safe and sound and snuff out even the earliest signs of danger. Meet one of the unsung superheroes who keeps your mind at ease.

By Farhan Shah

Most children dream of becoming a fireman, a policeman and for many, a superhero character when they grow up. Yet, the whimsical musings of youth slowly transform into the grounded reality of life, and many a potential superhero has since gone into the corporate world. However, Acting Inspector (A/Insp) Sam Tan Sze Meng never received that memo.

As a child, A/Insp Tan was always fascinated by the sights and sounds of the Police. “The sound of the (Police) boots always attracted my attention. I also thought the uniform looked smart,” the officer relates.

The staff of NTUC are the proverbial delegates of a higher cause championing the interests of working people and giving them a voice like no other. In our present day me-first society, it takes a different breed of person to think of helping the guy on the street to earn a better living and live a better life.

By Ernest Eng

Like a beacon amidst Singapore’s skyscrapers, the headquarters of the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) proudly stands in the middle of the Central Business District. Its distinctive U Hallmark is even more pronounced at night as it lights up the city skyline of Singapore.

Since 1961, the NTUC has been actively preserving and promoting the interests of its members via its strong network of 60 unions. Each individual union represent the members collectively in areas such as negotiations with management for better work conditions, better retrenchment packages or the improvement of workplace relations between employees and their employers.

Firefighting, emergency rescues and civil defence. These are just some of the more common things that might pop in your mind when you think of work in the SCDF. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find that the SCDF is much more than just what is portrayed on television.

By Nabilah Husna A. Rahman

Like most jobs in a uniformed organisation, it is the little efforts that make a big difference. This is more apparent in the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) where the balance between life and death is literally in the hands of the officers.

What is it like to work in the civil service? And is it all it is made out to be? Two officers from the MOM tell us how it is indeed a civil service, unlike any other.

By Ernest Eng

Jothi Letchimi d/o Ramakrishnan is an Assistant Quality Service Manager with the Customer Responsiveness Department in the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). She handles incoming calls and email feedback on customers’ service experience with the MOM daily. “We are like a mini call centre that attends to customer queries and requests and we manage an average of 150 calls each day,” the 29-year-old says.

However, her role extends beyond just addressing customers’ concerns. She is also responsible for drafting reports on any service lapses raised by customers and bringing this to the attention of the Quality Service Team.