Two RSAF pilots share how their military careers have stretched their potential and brought out the leaders in them.

By Ruth Wong

It is not every day that one gets a “full-sized marching band, ministers and diplomats from across the country, and an RAAF F/A-18 flypast” for his graduation ceremony. Little wonder then that for Major Mark Lim, 33, graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) was one of the most memorable milestones in his life.

Unique learning experiences
In fact, it was the “opportunity to experience learning in a different environment” that motivated the former Hwa Chong Junior College student to take up the SAF Academic Scholarship (Military). That learning experience was certainly a unique one, as ADFA – run jointly by the Australian Navy, Army and Air Force in conjunction with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) – offers military and leadership training, as well as degree programmes from UNSW. Through the Academy, Mark graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering with First-Class Honours from UNSW.

Presently a fighter pilot with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Mark is also a Flight Commander, or Officer-in-Command (OC), of an operational unit. One of his key responsibilities is to ensure that the squadron is ready for operations at all times.

One young man’s decision to accept the HDB scholarship turned out to be the start of a progressive career that is now into its fourteenth year.

By Ruth Wong

“I applied for several scholarships during the second year of my National Service; some with the civil service, some with the private sector,” recalls Thomas Seow. The Housing & Development Board (HDB) was the first to offer him their scholarship, an offer which he readily accepted.

Scholarship gives head start
In 1995, Thomas graduated from the National University of Singapore with a Second Class (Upper) Honours degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. He joined HDB as an Engineer with the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Department. Although he was fairly new to the company, Thomas was already familiar with some of the staff as he had been posted to the same department for his industrial attachment during his undergraduate days.

“With the scholarship, you would get attachments or internships at the company. So when I started work, I already knew some of the people here and this gave me a head start – I was able to settle in faster and make better connections with the people,” he shares.

Thomas was also involved in activities beyond his normal job scope as part of his career development. These included working on projects and studies with people whom he wouldn’t have met through his daily work. This has helped widen his social circles within HDB and beyond, as some projects involved other organisations such as the Ministry of National Development (MND).

The DSTA Scholarship allows talents like Lin Hui and Wei Wei to carve out shining careers in defence technology by creating opportunities for them to grow their passion and expertise through continuous learning.

By Ruth Wong

“When you are nineteen, you might not have figured out the area of work which suits you. The DSTA Scholarship offers scholars like me the flexibility of making a choice from a wide range of job opportunities just before graduation. This flexibility has given me time to discover my area of passion and that, to me, was one of the key reasons why I chose the DSTA Scholarship,” says Koh Lin Hui, 25, a DSTA scholar, who graduated last year from the Imperial College London with a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

The DSTA Scholarship
Reputed to be one of Singapore’s most prestigious scholarships in science and technology, the DSTA Scholarship grooms its budding engineers and scientists by putting them through a top-notch education in a wide array of disciplines at world-renowned universities.

The Ministry of Home Affairs offers diverse career opportunities and unique experiences to those with a heart for keeping Singapore safe and secure. Four members of the Home Team share about their professional journeys and their triumphs.

By Ruth Wong

Central Narcotics Bureau

Leading with fresh perspectives
Deputy Superintendent of Police Sebastian Tan, 33, is Assistant Director of the Organisation Development and Training (ODT) unit in the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), a new appointment which he took up in July this year. As a recipient of a postgraduate scholarship from the Bureau, he fully understands the importance of continual training and development.

“I was awarded a scholarship to do my postgraduate studies for a full-time MBA by the Bureau. The opportunity to improve on my management and leadership skills was the key reason for accepting the scholarship. I also view the one-year programme as an opportunity for me to recharge myself and return to the organisation with a fresh perspective,” shares Sebastian. The programme also gave him the chance to network with business and government leaders from Asia, highlights the Accountancy graduate from the Nanyang Technological University.

Sebastian joined CNB seven years ago. During the first five years of his career, he was involved in enforcement work in the Investigation Division and Supervision Division. “In these initial postings, I was exposed to the various aspects of CNB's enforcement functions. I also developed my management and leadership skills during those days,” he says. “I’m also now more street-smart and operationally-attuned, but at the same time more knowledgeable in drug policy matters.”

With a centrally-located campus, an array of quality programmes and providing dedicated administrative support for its students, the Asia Pacific Management Institute (APMI) Kaplan has found the winning formula to becoming a choice education provider.

By Ruth Wong

With his clean-shaven, boyish looks, 27-year-old Travis Tay is a befitting candidate as the poster boy for lifelong learning. Having just completed his 10-month Diploma in Financial Management with APMI Kaplan in April this year, Travis is back at the Institute pursuing an accounting degree.

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...

“Make yourself necessary to somebody,” said poet and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882). And this is so true for two employees of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), both of whom enjoy a rewarding career as they reach out to workers and help them attain a better life.

By Ruth Wong

“Before joining NTUC, I thought it was a place with lots of politics and bureaucracy. But since working here, I realise it’s an organisation with lots of passion for the workers!” says Christine Neo, 26, an Employability Coach with the Employability Enhancement Department. She has been with NTUC for five years now...

The first institute for higher learning to adopt a Problem-Based Learning approach in its curriculum, Republic Polytechnic also aims to realise staff potential and promote innovative schemes for their well-being. Career Central speaks to two staff who made a career switch to work at the polytechnic.

By Ruth Wong

Petite and fresh-faced, Lee Siok Koon blends in effortlessly with the student crowd at Republic Polytechnic (RP), except that she isn’t a student at all. Siok Koon, 31, is Head of National Education Programs with the polytechnic’s Centre for Culture and Communications at its Woodlands campus. It is here that she has embarked on a new chapter in her career.

You saw an advertisement for your dream job. Finally, this is what you have been waiting for! But how do you write an outstanding resume that gets you invited for an interview and how can you perform well enough during the interview to land that job?

By Ruth Wong

Successful entrepreneurs make it look so easy. In truth however, starting a business comes with high risk and opportunity costs. What can we learn from those who have made it?

By Ruth Wong