Backed by a reputation forged through 90 years, respected by contemporaries and renowned for its comprehensive syllabus, the CIMA stands out as a brilliant choice for leaders and professionals to get ahead.

By Azhar Jalil

“I think it’s important to have varied experiences, so that you come across as an interesting and well-rounded person during interviews,” Xie Jiayin says.

As a finance professional with Barclays Capital, the 23-year-old believes in higher and broader learning to upgrade her practical skills and improve on current knowledge.

Securing an SIA scholarship and an opportunity to work for the airline is something that many dream of achieving. In the volatile and massive aviation industry, one needs versatility and an open mind to survive. Two SIA scholars tell us all.

By Cheryl Tay

When he first entered junior college, Anand Chandran took a triple science subject combination to keep his future study options open. He was leaning towards studying medicine at that time, but towards the end of his days in Raffles Junior College, Anand was not prepared to commit to a five-year medicine course. He then made the decision to study economics instead.

A Sime Darby scholar chooses to study overseas to prepare for a career on the global scale.

By Cheak Hong Ian

Cheong Si Jian is one energetic young man who has chosen to leave the familiarity of Singapore to see the world through new eyes.

“I find the Singaporean education system a bit too results-driven. I want to develop my social, leadership, management and communication skills as well,” the 21-year-old declares.

A company like CapitaLand needs no introduction. With a heart as big as its burgeoning enterprise, CapitaLand attracts the brightest of local undergraduates.

By Eugene Lim

ION Orchard is not just a sprawling complex that is the latest crown jewel among Singapore’s shopping malls; it is also one of the latest tourist attractions in Singapore with flocks of tourists swamping it daily. And it is of little wonder why they want a piece of one of Singapore's largest shopping malls. After all, the mall is in many ways analogous to our country. Strategically situated at the start of the Orchard shopping belt, this young development has already become a formidable architectural and commercial landmark, embodying the prosperity of our nation.

At NSH, simply being awarded a scholarship is not the extent of your achievements. Instead, scholars are given opportunities to propel themselves to success.

By Nabilah Husna A. Rahman

When NatSteel Scholar Chong Pek Hoong joined NatSteel Holdings (NSH) as a fresh graduate nine years ago, he had straightforward aspirations.

“My aspirations before joining NatSteel were to be a good engineer, and learn about the business,” he says. “Of course, I was hoping that I would be able to handle management responsibilities and have an opportunity to be a business leader in the organisation.”

Working for the Keppel Group has given scholar Lu Qimin the opportunity of a lifetime to build lasting relationships and play a part in Singapore’s maritime industry.

By Eugene Lim

“The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.” For 26-year-old Lu Qimin, this adage certainly holds much truth. “My dad is an electrician and my brother is an electrical engineer. So, I would say it runs in my family,” explains Qimin of his decision to read Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the Nanyang Technological University.

Having studied Electrical Engineering at Ngee Ann Polytechnic earlier, he graduated with a diploma with merit and was presented the Singapore Power Award in recognition of his overall second placing in his cohort. In addition, he was also a recipient of the LKY-STEP Award presented to outstanding polytechnic graduates.

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.