Beyond the classroom, to learning on the job

Luke-John LEE, Year 3 (Major in Chemistry, Minor in Psychology), got a firsthand glimpse into Singapore’s food security efforts, the food supply chain and the inner workings of food farms, factories and imports, through his internship at the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).

A National Environment and Water Scholarship recipient, Luke’s internship exposed him to the “industry he will be involved in” after his graduation.

He says, “The internship helped me to understand the rationale behind the decisions SFA makes to ensure Singapore is a food-resilient and food-safe nation.”

Besides industry exposure, he also strengthened his soft skills, including how to work with people of authority. “I learnt interpersonal skills and communication at the workplace, as I had to work with many people in the organisation, including the CEO!”

While it has been a fulfilling learning experience, it was not without its challenges.

“Despite my limited knowledge, I was given tasks relating to the business and economic aspects of the food supply chain, areas I am unfamiliar with. The only way I was able to overcome this challenge was to read up on the things I was unsure of and to check with my colleagues and superiors.”

He recommends that fellow students take on internships to stretch their horizons beyond academics, and to understand how different stakeholders work together at the workplace.

Luke has this piece of advice. “Go in with an open mind, be ready to step out of your comfort zone!”