TOP
By Lim Ian An, Bachelor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Honours)
My education journey may not resonate with many, but I believe no one has the same starting point, nor the same work-life journey, which is why I believe every graduate stands out uniquely from their peers, as well as their local institution counterparts.
As an Engineering graduate from The University of Newcastle, Australia (UON) at PSB Academy, I’ve heard of many misconceptions about private schools, but personally, I’m not that worried.
After graduation I was fortunate to be scouted by ST Engineering and have since then worked with various clients. As a system engineer, my role involves knowing and understanding the client needs, and then undertaking projects to implement the systems for them. In this article, I’ll share some of the skills I gained from my university days that have helped me in my current role.
Industry-Relevant Knowledge and Skills
PSB Academy and UON have played an essential role in imparting good knowledge and employable skills. The curriculum deep dived into the fine details in circuit analysis and exposed me to the much-needed basics to identify and derive ideas from the designs that helped me to provide suitable solutions to my clients.
Photo was taken from The University of Newcastle, Australia LinkedIn. Ian An in red and black jacket presenting his Final Year Project (FYP).
Handle Workplace Pressure
In the real working world, there isn’t any 3-month term break, where we get to recharge before kickstarting the next project. UON’s course structure is designed in a way to keep students engaged without too many breaks, even between each trimester. While this sounds daunting at first, it definitely prepared me mentally for the real world by building up the endurance to work on multiple projects, back-to-back. Being able to learn and manage my fatigue is a completely new experience for me, and it has allowed me to figure out my own strengths and weaknesses, to learn when to push on, and when to stop.
Interpersonal Skills
The friends and connections I made during the programme have helped me greatly too. PSB Academy provided a conducive environment for us to learn from one another and improve our knowledge. The opportunity to study with other students and work on projects alone have allowed me to build a strong foundation to work both interdependently and independently. This is especially essential in my current work where I have to work independently while also working closely with different clients and stakeholders to ensure that my ideas and solutions are communicated across.
Different Pathway Doesn’t Mean It’s The End
At this day and age, it is no longer the case where graduates compete with one another in a race to the top of the hierarchy, but rather, try their best to fill the roles that are necessary for the company to progress.
Therefore, my advice to fresh graduates is to show your employers your capabilities that can benefit the company. Apply the knowledge you have gained from your schooling days to contribute to the company’s future. Learning is a never-ending journey, continuously upgrade yourselves whether through short courses or formal education.
