When a graduate approached Ms Dorothea Yeo for advice on crafting her resume, it seemed like a normal coaching session, until the student suddenly broke down midway through the conversation.
“I probed further and found out that she was facing some anxieties finding a job,” said Ms Yeo, who is a Senior MOE Education and Career Guidance (ECG) counsellor at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), overseeing the School of Business and Accountancy.
“She felt she had little chance of securing a job during the COVID-19 pandemic. And because of that, she wasn’t putting much effort into her job hunt,” said Ms Yeo.
Ms Yeo listened to her concerns patiently and provided some suggestions for her to try. “I finetuned her resume and provided tips on how to make it sound more attractive to employers. Then I suggested she take a shot at applying for jobs,” said Ms Yeo. “Within two weeks, she managed to secure an interview and was offered a role she felt passionately for.”
She added that the graduate followed up with an email to express gratitude for her help. “She said that she gained a renewed sense of energy to take action after speaking with me,” said Ms Yeo.
Ms Yeo’s encounter is an example of why seeking out career guidance can be helpful when one feels that they are in a bind, especially given today’s uncertain job market.
Ms Yeo brings years of industry experience to her job as an ECG counsellor. Before taking up the role, she had worked in an MNC handling R&D and product training. She followed that with a few teaching stints in China and Singapore.
When MOE came calling for educators to join the initiative, she signed up at the first chance. “I wanted to pay it forward and help students. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to career planning – each graduate may have unique problems they might be grappling with,” said Ms Yeo.
Making and owning your choices
Career counsellors do not have all the answers, and indeed, that is not what their primary goal is. Their aim is to help students and graduates figure out their own paths by coaching them, and sharing resources and advice with them.
“We want to help them become aware of the variety of options available and guide them through these choices so that they can make an informed decision,” said Ms Yeo.
Han Shun Fong, a Republic Polytechnic (RP) Class of 2018 alumnus, agrees. He met with an ECG counsellor from his alma mater when he wasn’t sure whether he should pursue a career in his area of study, engineering, or in sales, something he was keen to explore and learn.
“My ECG counsellor helped me to consider my options in a different way. He said that instead of sticking with a single career path, I could work in an engineering role first, then request for a transfer to the sales department after I have gained more experience in the company,” said the Diploma in Engineering Systems & Management graduate.
“I agreed with his approach as this way, I would be more well-versed with the ins and outs of my company’s products and services. And that would help me become a more effective salesperson,” said Shun Fong.
ECG counsellors at the various Institutes of Higher Learning also kept up to date on the job market and situation, so they can point graduates and students towards areas where there are opportunities, even when times are tough.
Sakthi Selvam, an Aerospace Systems graduate, saw this for himself when he was unable to find any jobs as the COVID-19 pandemic had severely impacted his industry.
He then thought of pursuing a career in Artificial Intelligence (AI), an area that he had become fascinated with after working on an AI-focussed Final Year Project.
But not being well-versed in the tech landscape, he consulted an ECG counsellor.
“My career coach helped me to understand the state of the job market. She explained how tech companies evaluate promising candidates,” said Sakthi, who is graduating from the Singapore Institute of Technology in February next year. “She also taught me how to craft my resume in an effective way, to optimise it.”
In addition to that, Sakthi received advice on setting up a professional-looking LinkedIn account, so he would stand a better chance at being noticed by potential employers.
Accompanying you through the journey
“Ultimately, we want to see our graduates gainfully employed. And that entails helping them look professional and market-ready,” said Ms Yeo.
The service ECG counsellors provide are not one-off, Ms Yeo added. They often follow up with their graduates on their job application process or to inform them of other job opportunities, such as suitable SGUnited Traineeship positions.
Ms Yeo advises graduates not to be shy in seeking out an ECG counsellor, and that they should do so at the earliest opportunity. “If you are still unclear and anxious about your career goals, do talk to your ECG counsellors before rushing to make a major decision – like enrolling in a private university. They can help sort your thoughts and provide you with a clearer way forward.”
ECG counsellors can even help those graduates who have already secured a job. “Some students feel more affiliation with their alma mater, and we have encountered some older graduates returning to seek help, too,” shared Ms Yeo.
.jpg)
