From ITE to Polytechnic

Transition to Polytechnic

Hello Reader,

Continuing from my time at ITE, my next academic milestone was at Singapore Polytechnic, where I pursued a Diploma in Applied Chemistry. This phase of my journey was marked by both significant challenges and profound learning experiences.

Here’s an overview of my time at Singapore Polytechnic and how it shaped my career aspirations.

Diploma in Applied Chemistry

Entering Singapore Polytechnic was a huge shock for me, especially when I realized that my diploma in Applied Chemistry was a single-digit O-level course. Keeping up with the pace was challenging, and I even had to attend tuition for engineering math. Despite these difficulties, the support from my helpful classmates allowed me to persevere and continue my studies.

Details of my Internship can be found here and here.

SP Lifesavers

Beyond academics, I was a member of SP Lifesavers, where I trained to become a certified lifeguard. This experience not only improved my physical fitness but also taught me valuable life-saving skills and the importance of responsibility.

Chemical and Life Sciences Star

As part of the Chemical and Life Sciences Star Club, I had the opportunity to host the public and share what our course had to offer. This role involved public speaking and presenting the highlights and benefits of the program to prospective students and their families, further enhancing my communication and presentation skills.

Responding to DORSCON Orange

During the pandemic, when the "DORSCON ORANGE" alert was announced, my friends and I took the initiative to reach out to Willing Hearts, a non-profit organization that prepares food for the less fortunate groups. With the number of volunteers dropping due to uncertainty over the pandemic, we stepped in to support their operations. This experience was a testament to the importance of community service and resilience in times of crisis.

Overseas Social Innovation Project (OSIP)

During my course of study, I had the opportunity to participate in a unique module called "Overseas Social Innovation Project (OSIP)." Unlike the standard "Social Innovation Project (SIP)," the OSIP took me to Vietnam with a team of students from different faculties. Our mission was to solve a catfish farmer's concern regarding the suboptimal breeding capabilities of his fish.

The Project

• Research and Collaboration: With the support of local students, we conducted extensive research on the scientific aspects of ideal breeding conditions. We interviewed employees, scouted the site, and developed prototypes to address the farmer’s concerns.

• Prototyping and Presentation: After developing our solutions, we presented them to the farmer. His immediate response, "When can this be implemented?" was incredibly heartwarming and rewarding. This project was a significant turning point for me, sparking my interest in reviewing and improving processes.

Discovering My Passion

The experience of going through the OSIP and working on a real-world problem ignited my interest in process review and optimization. This realization led me to explore which industry would best suit this passion, ultimately steering me towards an academic switch to supply chain management.

Reflection and Takeaways

My time at Singapore Polytechnic was a period of intense learning and personal growth. Overcoming academic challenges, participating in extracurricular activities, and engaging in impactful projects helped me develop resilience, problem-solving skills, and a clear direction for my future studies. The supportive environment and diverse experiences at Singapore Polytechnic were instrumental in shaping my professional aspirations.