From campus to crime labs

The transition from university to the workforce is often fraught with uncertainty.  Economic fluctuations, evolving industry needs and the rise of automation and digital transformation are reshaping the job landscape at a rapid pace. This presents challenges for young professionals seeking to ascertain where and how their skills will be most relevant; indeed, it is not uncommon for fresh graduates to face challenges securing jobs that align with their academic backgrounds and personal interests.

Fresh Chemistry and Forensic Science graduate Jerika Ng is an exception. Having identified a forensic science role in the Home Team Science & Technology Agency (HTX) that resonates with her interests, she focused her efforts in navigating the interviews, eventually landing the job. “I loved watching CSI shows when I was young and the motivation to learn more grew as I realised its immense impact in helping people’s lives,” she says. 

In August, Jerika will be joining HTX’s Associate Programme as a Forensic Scientist at the Forensics Centre of Expertise (CoE). In this role, she will support crime scene investigations by applying scientific and technological expertise, gaining in-depth exposure to its operations. She will also be taking on a greenfield project to advance public safety, which will provide her the opportunity to develop her technical competencies and soft skills through structured training and mentorship.

It is Jerika’s belief that her academic journey at the College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) significantly smoothened her progression into the professional world. She says, “Beyond gaining strong technical and scientific foundations, the interdisciplinary approach equipped me with critical thinking, effective communication and problem-solving skills that are essential at any workplace,” she says.

NUS College further deepened her engagement with both the sciences and the humanities through its emphasis on collaborative learning and exposure to real-world issues. For instance, the courses she chose challenged her to “think outside of a given paradigm often demarcated by my main discipline.” All in all, her university experiences have opened her eyes to viewing multidimensional problems through a multidisciplinary lens and approaching challenges with nuance - attributes she believes are crucial to solve problems in a less defined world.   

She adds, “I found the multidisciplinary foundation of the CHS curriculum to be particularly well-suited to my career in forensic science. Forensics is inherently interdisciplinary as it draws from chemistry and biology, but also relies on fields like psychology, data analysis, ethics, law and even an understanding of social systems. The CHS curriculum reflected this breadth and complexity.”

Taking the Forensic Science Minor deepened her sense of purpose, leading her to better understand how science can be applied directly to support justice and public safety. It also provided her a solid foundation in forensic principles, from crime scene processing to laboratory techniques.

During her undergraduate years, Jerika took some time to better understand various industries, including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) before deciding on the public safety and security sector. Her conversations with employers when she attended the NUS Career Fair ultimately reinforced her interest in pursuing a career with HTX.

“I feel a mix of excitement and apprehension as I prepare to enter the workforce,” Jerika says. On the one hand, she looks forward to entering her first job with a sense of alignment and contributing meaningfully in a professional setting. On the other, she is entering a new phase of life with many unknowns “and that is quite daunting.” 

With that said, what counts is the quality of the experience, the alignment with the organisation’s mission and the potential for growth. She says, “Since this is my first job and I am still learning what I truly value in a long-term career, I am open to the idea that a role might grow on me, even if it does not seem like a perfect fit at first. Expectations evolve and sometimes, growth comes from unexpected places.”

To counter indifference, we must shift from a narrative of doom to one of agency - showing people that their actions matter and celebrating success stories.