The interdisciplinary education at NUS has equipped graduates (clockwise from top left) Micole Chan, Chen Hsiao Ting, Joel Gwey, Rhys Thiagarajan, Saashtika Mohan, and Faruq Khan Bin Hayat Khan with key attributes to stay adaptable and thrive in their careers. Hailing from diverse fields ranging from Accounting, Communications, Computing, and Engineering, NUS graduates and their peers continue to enjoy strong employment outcomes amidst global uncertainties.

Stepping out into the working world amidst global uncertainties can be daunting but the NUS Class of 2024 graduates have adapted to this transition with poise and confidence, bolstered by the interdisciplinary educational approach at NUS and a myriad opportunities to take on experiences that prepare them for the future of work.

Achieving a broader worldview through internship and exchanges

For Data Science and Analytics graduate Micole Chan, her NUS journey has been a fertile ground to refine and apply her expertise. Micole, who graduated with Honours (Highest Distinction), is currently a Graduate Trading Analyst at a global financial institution, an industry she aspired to work in as an undergraduate. In her work, she leverages data science techniques to develop trading strategies, analysing financial data, applying advanced models, and building quantitative frameworks to identify market opportunities.

Her final-year internship at the same company provided a strong foundation for her current role, ultimately leading to a full-time offer under its Graduate Trading Programme. During her extended seven-month internship, she applied her theoretical data science knowledge from NUS in a real-world setting, delivering data-driven trading solutions and deepening her understanding of data science’s impact on financial markets.

To shore up experience and expertise in her focus areas, Micole tapped on many opportunities in NUS, such as taking a Minor in Computer Science which helped her to establish a firm foundation in programming, statistics and machine learning, as well as expertise in specialised areas such as Natural Language Processing (NLP), computer vision and software engineering.

Micole also participated in multiple internships, and local and international exchange programmes. These experiences expanded her academic and cultural perspectives, allowing her to gain a broader worldview while enabling her to explore diverse courses beyond her curriculum.

“My studies equipped me with the technical expertise, problem-solving mindset and global exposure essential for my career. The blend of strong academics, hands-on projects and industry engagement prepared me to thrive in the working world,” said Micole.

Strong skill sets founded on a rigorous curriculum

Chen Hsiao Ting graduated from the NUS School of Computing (NUS Computing) with Honours (Distinction), specialising in Software Engineering and Multimedia Information Retrieval. Working as a Software Engineer in Visa’s Core Payment Development team, she is involved in developing and optimising Visa Resolve Online, a critical global application that enhances dispute processing for millions of users.

Hsiao Ting credits NUS Computing’s rigorous computer science curriculum for equipping her with both the technical expertise and soft skills necessary to excel in the tech industry. The four-year programme equipped her with a solid foundation in computer science and software engineering, complemented by hands-on projects and valuable internships. These internships sharpened her adaptability, collaboration, and analytical thinking skills, which are essential for her current role.

One of the highlights of her undergraduate journey was her exchange at Peking University, where she pursued computing courses such as text mining, computer networks, and operating systems, broadening her worldview through exposure to different academic environments, learning methodologies, and teaching styles.

Hsiao Ting’s job search process was intense, requiring extensive preparation for both technical and behavioural interviews. However, she effectively leveraged NUS’ comprehensive career resources, and received guidance from NUS Computing’s Career Advisory Team, particularly in resume writing, career planning, and cultivating a positive mindset — valuable elements that boosted her confidence during interviews. Standalone sessions on workplace dynamics, leadership, and personality development further prepared her well to navigate the recruitment process successfully.

Hsiao Ting said, “By actively engaging with the NUS community, whether through conversations with peers, mentorship from faculty, or participating in career workshops and student activities, I gained not just technical expertise but also soft skills and industry connections. The well-rounded education and strong career support at NUS truly shaped my journey, giving me the confidence and preparation to thrive in my role at Visa and beyond.”

Rising above challenges with grit and determination

NUS Business School Accountancy alumnus Joel Gwey Jia Jie started applying for jobs about three months before graduation and juggled his final semester of studies alongside assessments and interviews for his job applications. As a management associate at homegrown financial services company Singlife, currently on rotation in its strategy department, he assists with the development and execution of the group’s strategy and the business units with their transformation efforts.

Graduating with first class honours was a hard-earned achievement for Joel, coming from a modest background with a father who works as a hawker and a mother who is a housewife. A  goal-getter, he has continually persevered to achieve his ambitions since his polytechnic days.

“My NUS experience taught me that whatever challenges I face, if I continue to work hard, I’ll be able to rise above them and achieve my goals,” Joel said. “When I faced challenges during my first rotation in Singlife, I put my head down and tried to learn as much as possible and ask questions to improve every day, and I think my first rotation was a success.”

He recounted preparing for his job interviews with help from NUS Business School’s BizCareers advisors, who coached him on tackling different scenarios. He also sought advice from his business professors who had industry experience and could give him tips on questions to expect and ask during interviews. Joel found that the preparation helped him to stand out especially in group interviews, and he eventually secured his role with Singlife two months after graduation.

Joel added that the soft skills that he picked up at NUS also proved crucial in his transition into the insurance industry from an accountancy background. For instance, a business communication module taught him how to present effectively to senior business leaders, a task he handles frequently in his current role with the strategy team.

Pursuing passion from childhood to university

Passionate about electronics from a young age, pursuing engineering in university was a natural choice for Faruq Khan Bin Hayat Khan, who went on to graduate from NUS with a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) with Honours (Distinction), specialising in robotics and control. After a fruitful three-month internship with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) Singapore during the second year of his undergraduate studies, Faruq applied for a full-time position with LTA, where he is now an engineer involved in designing power supply and systems integration for the rail and road transport systems.

His deep interest in electronics began at a young age when his father taught him how to build and dismantle various items such as remote-controlled boats and automatic plant watering systems. His passion also led him to join the Robotics Club in secondary school, and to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering in Singapore Polytechnic prior to pursuing his degree with NUS.

Faruq’s undergraduate training has equipped him with the skills to acquire new information and concepts. “At NUS, we learnt how to break down complex concepts and look at problems from different perspectives – these are problem-solving skills which I now apply in my daily work. The technical knowledge gained from my Engineering courses has also enabled me to better grasp the new concepts I encounter at work,” Faruq said.

He also benefitted from the multidisciplinary education offered by the College of Design and Engineering at NUS. The curriculum, which emphasises interdisciplinary learning, allowed him to take courses beyond his major, including modules in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Project Management.

“The interdisciplinary approach not only broadened my skill set across various disciplines, it also allowed me to integrate what I learnt about Mechanical Engineering into my robotics specialisation,” Faruq added.

Leveraging interdisciplinary and experiential exposure to navigate transition

Saashtika Mohan had an intense and busy university life, but her journey has been a fulfilling one encompassing two majors and an enriching involvement in co-curricular activities such as the NUS Students’ Political Association and the Harvard College in Asia Program.

The alumna of the NUS College of Design and Engineering and NUS College (NUSC), who graduated with a double major in Biomedical Engineering and Innovation and Design, is now a process and equipment engineer at Micron Technology where she works on optimising manufacturing processes and equipment performance to enhance efficiency and product quality.

She came across the job opening for her current position when she attended an NUS Career Fair in her final semester of studies and completed an on-the-spot interview that kickstarted the hiring process and eventually led to her securing the job before graduation.

Said Saashtika, who graduated with first class honours: “NUS’ commitment to interdisciplinary education was the cornerstone of my undergraduate journey, empowering me to collaborate with individuals from diverse fields. This has allowed me to broaden my perspectives and sharpened my critical thinking skills.”

The experiential approach offered by the University Scholars Programme (USP) and, later, NUSC also enhanced her ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and quickly adapt to new challenges. These experiences, along with the emphasis on critical thinking, innovation and design, and exploring topics beyond one’s major, helped her to successfully adapt and navigate the transition from the healthcare focus of her field of study to her new role in the semiconductor industry.

Outside of work, Saashtika remains deeply committed to making a positive impact. A SINDA Singapore Excellence Award Valedictorian, she is active in the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) and recently hosted a ‘Let Her Shine’ event, a programme dedicated to empowering women within the Indian community.

A dream job paved by immersion and internship opportunities  

Four years in NUS has provided Rhys Thiagarajan, who graduated with a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Japanese Studies with Honours (Highest Distinction), the valuable opportunity to delve deep into all things Japan during his time in NUS.

In addition to immersing himself in Japanese culture, history and way of life during a four-month student exchange programme in Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, and a year-long study abroad programme in Waseda University in Tokyo, Rhys also joined the NUS Japanese Studies Society’s Brothers and Sisters Programme and helped to coordinate student exchange programmes between Japanese schools and NUS. This provided him the opportunity to interact with other like-minded individuals and cultivated his interest in Japan and Japanese as a language.

An internship as an Analyst in Asia Business Creation Pte Ltd – an advisory firm that supports business creation between Southeast Asia and Japan – also gave him invaluable exposure to how Japanese businesses operate in Singapore as he learnt and interacted with Japanese clients.

Far from being a niche interest, these accumulated experiences at home and abroad have made him more adaptable, helped broadened his worldview, and gave him the confidence to venture into the finance industry, where he is now a Margin and Collateral Analyst at leading global financial services firm, JPMorganChase. In his work, Rhys handles collateral management operations and manages a portfolio of clients across the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan.

He said, “My experience at NUS has taught me to think more critically and learn independently. NUS’ multidisciplinary approach to education has also helped me view opportunities and problems holistically. As my role requires a lot of interaction with internal and external stakeholders, these skills have definitely given me confidence to take on tasks and challenges confidently.”

Higher starting salaries and strong employment rates for NUS graduates

NUS graduates continued to command high employment rates and earned higher starting salaries in 2024, according to the Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey 2024. Please click here for the press release.

Some 5,269 out of a total of 7,382 fresh NUS graduates from the Class of 2024, and 427 out of 806 follow-up NUS graduates, participated in the joint survey.