Accepting a scholarship is really about making career choice. One SP scholar tells how this decision has worked out well for her.

By Prasana Ramachandran

An early exposure to microphones, amplifiers and electronic circuitry sparked a curious interest in engineering, mathematics and physics within a young teenage girl who was part of her school’s PA System Crew.

Years later, Leong Wai Yee’s natural inclination led to her being awarded a Singapore Power (SP) scholarship to pursue a Master of Engineering in Electrical & Electronics Engineering with Management at Imperial College London.

Entering the workforce may, to most, mark their well-anticipated commencement from education into the adult world. But for early childhood educators Sumitra and Jessie, learning is just another day at the job.

By Nabilah Husna A. Rahman

The line between studying and working is a fine and often blurred one if you are in the early childhood education sector. This vocation entails quality education for the children and, at the same time, provides lifelong skill sets for the educators.

Starting off as an English teacher with NTUC First Campus in 2005, Sumitra Hari was able to obtain her Degree in Early Childhood Studies with Wheelock College through her employer’s ‘Interest Free Study Loan’ scheme. She has since progressed to her current position as Principal for My First Skool in Woodlands.

“When you’re a teacher, you look at things from a different perspective,” she says. “And when you’re a principal, it’s a holistic approach that you have to take. I’m growing and learning at the same time.”

The indistinct separation between work and study also manifests itself for Jessie Lim, a trainee teacher at My First Skool in Bukit Panjang. Her weekly two- to three-day attachment with the centre is a requirement for the one-year WSQ Professional Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education (Accelerated) course, fully sponsored by NTUC First Campus.

With their constant innovations and breakthroughs, the industries of personal care and food technology never fail to fascinate. Now, meet the people who work hard to blend the subtleties of taste and smell into our personal care products.

By Lim Yan Wen

If you have ever wondered how toothpaste gets its flavour and the liquid soap has its fragrance, a career at Symrise will be an adventure.

Alice Leong graduated from Singapore Polytechnic (SP) with a diploma in Food Technology in 2002 and joined Symrise as an Application Technician. Today, Alice has completed her training by Symrise and works as a Junior Flavourist within the Scent & Care Division. She shares that it was by sheer coincidence that she returned to Symrise for a permanent job, having done her school attachment with this global leader in fragrances and flavours.

“The team here is very united and cooperative. All the colleagues and bosses provide a conducive working environment and give me a lot of support in my area of work,” Alice explains, with regard to the draw of working in Symrise.

Create and evaluate
Dressed in her white laboratory coat, Alice looks every bit the scientist of flavours. Her enthusiasm for her work is evident as she discusses her day at Symrise. Alice’s job scope mainly involves applying flavours into oral care products such as toothpastes and mouthwashes. However, she also does housekeeping for the raw materials library in Symrise, where hundreds of smell and flavour samples are kept.

Doing right by its stakeholders in keeping the legacy glowing, Bosch proves that it is more than just another brand name.

By Roland Tan

From everyday power tools to futuristic all-electric cars, lithium-ion technology to organic photovoltaics – the Bosch name is there. Not only does Bosch boast a legacy of 123 years of trusted products, it is also a forward-looking company that constantly pushes the frontiers of technology.

Choo Yin Yeow, a veteran of 13 years, can attest to the strength and heritage of the Bosch brand. The 47-year-old had completed tours of duty in the software and R&D departments before assuming his current role at Bosch Security Systems in May this year.

Security Systems, a division of the Bosch Group, provides integrated solutions for high-quality security and communication products such as closed circuit television, fire alarm systems, access control systems, and state-of-the-art conference systems.

The biomedical sector is a key engine of the Singapore economy. Within this sector, the vaccine industry is set to flourish with the growing economies of China and India, and Singapore is well-positioned to ride on this wave.

By Ruth Wong

In the western region of Singapore, employees of GSK Biologicals busy themselves with setting up their company’s first vaccine manufacturing plant in Asia. Never mind that they are working in temporary office blocks. The excitement of being the pioneers of the plant and becoming a part of Singapore’s thriving biomedical industry certainly make up for the challenges faced...

If the word “boardroom” brings to mind a stuffy meeting involving a group of men with graying hair, think again. Boardroom Limited, a Singapore Exchange-listed company with an impressive and extensive portfolio, is anything but.

By Melissa Leong

Angelin Loh and Yang Shuzhen, both accounting graduates from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, have come a long way since joining the Boardroom Limited group 11 years and two years ago respectively. Both unhesitatingly describe their work as “challenging yet satisfying”...

For a multinational company like Siemens, having various departments make for good training ground for management trainee candidates.

By Lim Yan Wen

For Liu Bi Sheng, his most unforgettable experience from the Siemens’ Commercial Apprenticeship Programme (CAPAP) was when the CFOs (Chief Financial Officers) from the other Siemens offices, who were Germans, specially arranged sessions with the candidates to get their feedback and comments about the programme...

Just as Singapore is a vibrant cosmopolitan city, L’Oréal Singapore is a company that embraces diversity, dynamism and most importantly, passion.

By Lim Yan Wen

Ask Cheryl Tan what she likes best about returning to Singapore after spending seven years in Perth, Australia, she has this to say, “I think the rate of [career] progression is much faster in Singapore. As a city, it’s always buzzing with activities, it’s a city that never sleeps!” The Product Executive under L’Oréal’s Consumer Products Division is not only enthusiastic about being back in Singapore, she is passionate about her work at L’Oréal as well...

As instructors, we lead by example. Are you ready to take up the challenge?

These are some of the things you can look forward to:

1. Outdoor Skills Accreditation

A comprehensive skills training programme is provided for all Outward Bound Singapore Instructors. These include kayaking, rock climbing, sailing, wilderness first aid, powerboat handling, risk assessment & management and more. All skills will be accredited to the national standards for the industry...

At Citi, the Operations & Technology function is far from being the back-office support function for the financial institution. It is a key partner to the business in the product design, sales and product delivery.

By Lim Yan Wen

At the leading global financial services company, Operations & Technology (O&T) is seen as a competitive differentiator. It is no surprise then that about 50% of Citi’s workforce in Singapore is in Operations & Technology...