How Career Connect Can Help You Career Connect is well-positioned to help you develop the necessary skills and open doors for future employment.

At the Straits Times Education Forum in June 2016, Acting Minister for Education, Ong Ye Kung spoke about our graduates’ wealth of knowledge. However, he also pointed out their lack of practical and soft skills that are crucial for the workplace. With a growing emphasis being placed on soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and creativity, we have made it our mission here at Career Connect to synergise your academic and professional journey to help you achieve your aspirations.

Unlocking Doors – Career Competitive Edge Career Connect provides you with the tools and essential skills to seize any opportunity.

• Résumé writing and interview skills workshop

“Perception is reality”. First impressions are crucial, and our résumé writing and interview skills workshop ensures that you are able to set yourself apart from other applicants. We have a panel of experienced trainers that can offer you advice on how to write the perfect résumé, as well as how to ace an interview.

• MNC SOAR workshop

Many of us may strive for a career in a reputable MNC upon graduation, but the idea of manoeuvring in a new environment may seem daunting. In June 2016, the MNC SOAR workshop saw students coming together to gain an understanding of what it means to work in an MNC – from employers’ expectations to the possible career progression. Participants of this workshop are empowered to SOAR (Strategise, Overcome, Achieve, and Reinvent).

• Vault

Interested to get an inside look into the various companies and jobs available in the market? All SIM students are given free access to Vault, an online career information platform that provides career advice and tips, job listings, industry insights, as well as employee testimonials from top global organisations! Log in to Vault through the SIM Library e-Resources site to find the relevant information you need.

Building Bridges – Networking and Professional Connections Career Connect provides graduates with a platform to meet industry leaders and to build meaningful professional relationships.

• ACCA Global Council Visit

In June 2016, together with SIM’s Accounting Association, Career Connect hosted the Global Council of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). The event allowed students to interact and network with experts from the field, who shared their personal experiences and provided valuable advice for aspiring accountants. Upon graduation, some students were able to tap into the network and link up with positions that were available abroad.

• KPMG Myanmar Visit

KPMG conducted a talk regarding career openings in Yangon for SIM’s Burmese students. The friendly employers shared about how their time with the company have enriched their careers and contributed to character building. The talk was held at the company’s clubhouse.

• Visit to NBCUniversal CNBC Studio

NBCUniversal invited our students for a tour of CNBC’s studio. It was an eye-opening experience as they had the chance to tour the Squawk Box studio and experience what it’s like to be a newscaster. They were also given the opportunity to have a behind the scenes look at a live broadcast.

• Maybank Kim Eng Visit

Together with the Financial Training Centre, Career Connect organised a corporate visit and networking session at Maybank Kim Eng Securities (MKES). Participants were treated to a sharing session by MKES’ senior management and a SIM GE alumnus, as well as a tour of the dealing room and a meal at the company’s private loft.

Cutting Through the Clutter – Streamlining Career Aspirations

• Career Chapters

Career Chapters serves as a platform for like-minded students to convene for networking sessions and industry talks. It also provides students the opportunity to connect with companies that they are interested in. For example, the HR Career Chapter has strong ties with the Singapore Human Resource Institute; elected students are also acting youth council members at the institute. This initiative helps students to develop essential skills for the workplace, such as communication and negotiation skills.

• Project Protégé

June 2016 saw the launch of our structured mentorship programme, Project Protégé. This programme helps students to discover their ideal career and acts as a guide to allow them to achieve their aspirations. Our mentors include industry leaders with extensive experience. The next session was held in January 2017.

Signature Events The exhilarating events that we organised for you were definitely the highlight of our year!

• Career Connect Festival

An annual vibrant and creative festival, Career Connect Festival was launched in October 2015. We had exciting partnerships with industry giants such as NBCUniversal, Citibank and DHL, who conducted seminars and engaged our students during the networking sessions. The atmosphere was electrifying as students flooded the Student Hub to enjoy carnival favours like fried ice cream and balloons. Look forward to the next Career Connect Festival as exciting things are coming your way!

• Career & Internship Fair

Our most anticipated event of the year brings a plethora of companies together to meet our promising graduates for postgraduate opportunities and to lay the path to their careers. The Singapore Armed Forces, Far East Organization, and Deloitte & Touche LLP were among the 70 companies that participated in the annual event. More than 1,000 students attended the event in March 2016, and it hopes to achieve even more success in the next instalment.

• inTea

At inTea, we host regular networking sessions for organisations to interact with our students on a more personal level. The organisations will also conduct presentations about their corporate culture and what it is like to pursue a career in their field.

Alumni Engagement At the last CEO Dialogue, distinguished alumni Jeremy Gwee, Chief Operating Officer at HSBC Singapore, and Lo Kien Foh, Managing Director at Continental Automotive Pte Ltd, joined SIM GE Chief Executive Officer Dr Lee Kwok Cheong to speak to alumni and students on staying relevant in Singapore’s fast-evolving job landscape. The session left the audience with critical insights on being a leader and fresh perspectives on the global marketplace, while debunking common industry misconceptions. The CEO Dialogue 2016 took place in November. Those in attendance enjoyed another thought-provoking evening and the opportunity to get up close with about 30 CEOs from a number of industries. The topic for this session was “Surviving Today’s Disruptive Economy Tomorrow”. SIM’s alumni can also look forward to other signature events, including the annual Homecoming Reunion and the Alumni Appreciation Awards Night. In addition, the SIM GE LinkedIn account – managed by the Alumni Engagement team – is equally useful to current students and alumni, providing them with a professional network to tap into.

Employer Engagement Throughout the year, the Career Development Office has a team that is committed to engaging a variety of employers and partners to secure career and internship opportunities for students across all university programmes.

Career Guidance & Internship If you have any questions about possible career options, résumé writing, or how to begin searching for a job, feel free to drop by Career Connect and speak with our career coaches. For internship positions, log onto our Project 1095 site to find the perfect fit for you!

With an abundance of programmes lined up for you, we wish you the very best in your career voyage!

The article was first published in The 2017 Career Guide To Your Future. All information provided by gradsingapore.com