Graduate Study to Industry Leadership: CDE’s Career Enhancement Initiatives
20 Mar 2025
In a competitive global job market, NUS plays a crucial role in enhancing the employability of its graduate students.
As Professor Aaron Thean, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost, explains, “The NUS educational experience nurtures in our students a keen sense of curiosity, critical thinking, data-driven analytical skills, and global sensibilities...With technological disruptions now the norm, NUS is actively integrating skills and knowledge of fast-developing domains like AI and data analytics into our curriculum so that our students are future-ready.”
This focus on future-readiness is crucial for graduate students. Master's and doctoral programmes at CDE provide advanced technical knowledge and perhaps more importantly, prepare students for leadership roles in their chosen industries.
Two initiatives that empower master’s and doctoral students in their transitions from academic excellence to professional success are the Career Accelerator Programme and Industry Talks.
The Career Accelerator Programme: Practical Insights for Graduate Success
The Career Accelerator Programme, jointly run by CDE and the NUS Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG), provides comprehensive career preparation specifically designed for graduate students through workshops covering essential aspects of job seeking. With CFG’s lead, eight sessions have been held and each of them provides insights into:
- Employment Landscape and Job Search Strategy
- Communicating Your Brand via Resume and Online Profile
- Ace the Interview: Tips and Techniques
- Communication and Networking in Job Search and Career Success
Additionally, students can seek personalised support in their job search journey by arranging a one-to-one career advisory session anytime throughout their postgraduate programme.
Graduate students across various disciplines have found the Career Accelerator programme invaluable. Nurjahan Hatamova, an MSc in Supply Chain Management student from Azerbaijan, highlighted how the programme helped her identify blind spots in her job search and insights on improving her interview skills. She particularly valued the networking component, "The most memorable thing learnt was the point on networking and how to respond to new acquaintances."
Zhang Shijun, pursuing an MSc in Project Management as her second master's degree, gained a better understanding of Singapore's job landscape and the specific improvements needed for her resume. "Each session offered practical insights that I’ve already started applying to my career journey. The buffet lunches were a thoughtful addition, offering a relaxed setting to network with other participants, which enhanced the overall experience,” she noted.
Shobhit Kedia, an MSc in Civil Engineering student from India, attended the session hoping to gain insights on building a strong resume, cover letter and tips on how to better present his profile when applying for job opportunities. He was particularly fascinated by the trainer’s anecdotes on career mobility and continuous learning.
Harshiv Chandra, studying for an MSc in Computer Engineering, sought insights into Singapore's job market and employer requirements. "The programme provided me with good insights into staying on my path while broadening my horizons in terms of learning," he shared. He was surprised to learn about the concept of cover letters and how the workshop revealed opportunities in domains he had previously overlooked.
Haresh Rangarajan, a student pursuing an MSc in Electrical Engineering, noted, "I find the session useful in teaching us how to network in professional circles and how to use resources provided by NUS to optimise our resumes. The one-to-one career advisory session helps us learn more about our industry and what qualities employers look for in a candidate."
Industry Talks: Connecting Graduate Students with Career Opportunities
Another initiative by CFG that complements the Career Accelerator Programme is the Industry Talk where industry leaders are invited to directly address CDE’s graduate students. A total of eight talks have been held. Recent sessions featured organisations like SGInnovate and Micron, providing students with valuable insights into industry expectations and opportunities specific to advanced degree holders.
In November 2024, SGInnovate representatives conducted a guest lecture for students studying the Biomedical Engineering Systems course (BN5101). They shared information about talent programmes available to Masters and PhD students, offered resume writing and interview tips, and discussed career pathway options. Dr Vanessa Ding, Deputy Director of Talent at SGInnovate, emphasised the importance of developing soft skills and actively networking to create more career opportunities.
The session included an interactive Q&A focused on post-graduate career expectations, addressing topics such as transitioning from academia to industry and highlighting skills on resumes. Concluding with a networking session, students had the opportunity to connect directly with talent managers for personalised career guidance.
Kevin Gunawan, an MSc in Biomedical Engineering student, found the SGInnovate talk eye-opening, "It opened my views about SGInnovate and what they do, and how they can help me find a job in future." He was particularly interested in internship opportunities that could connect him with startups.
For Zhe Hui, another MSc in Biomedical Engineering student, the session expanded her perspective on post-graduation options: "Traditionally, one needed higher academic levels to find jobs easier. But this session opened my eyes to the option of joining the industry and gaining experience before furthering my studies."
Similarly, a session with semiconductor manufacturer Micron provided MSc in Industrial and Systems Engineering students with industry-specific knowledge. Micron representatives shared insights on manufacturing processes, equipment investments, and capacity planning relevant to graduate-level roles.
Jiang Jia Zhen, who was preparing for an internship at Micron, found the direct access to industry professionals particularly valuable: "The Q&A was beneficial because sometimes the answers to our questions are not readily available online."
Preparing Graduate Students for Tomorrow's Workplace
CDE's approach to graduate employability goes beyond traditional academic excellence. By combining rigorous master's and doctoral programmes with practical career preparation and industry engagement, the college ensures that graduate students develop both the specialised expertise and professional skills needed to excel in today's rapidly evolving job market.
As industries continue to transform through technological innovation, NUS CDE remains committed to adapting its graduate programmes to meet emerging needs, helping master's and doctoral students leverage their advanced education for meaningful career advancement.
CDE offers not just academic credentials but a comprehensive pathway to professional success, preparing graduates who are not only knowledgeable in their specialised disciplines but confident and ready to make an impact in leadership roles across the global workplace.
Learn more about CDE’s doctoral programmes here and master’s programmes here.
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