Increasingly, employers are trying to identify potential employees from the attachment programme.  This is reflected from the increasing trend of pre-attachment interviews that organisations carry out, and their offering of sponsorships/scholarships to entice students on IA with them to return for full-time employment after graduation .

Our recent survey of our 1989/1990 batches of engineering graduates showed that about 10% of the graduates joined their IA organisations after graduation. Of these graduates, about half of them (30) obtained their first job directly through the IA programme.  In fact NTU’s IA is the fifth most popular way by which our engineering graduates obtained their first job.

We have determined that about 42% (26) of them are still with their IA organisation.  Three of them have agreed to share some insights with our readers.  They are Kay Gim Hwee (Texas Instruments Singapore (Pte) Ltd), Michael Lee Kwok Wai (McDermott (SEA) Pte Ltd), and Png Lee Huat (Ordnance Development & Engrg Co of Singapore (1996) Pte Ltd).
 

Can you briefly describe your experience during IA?

Kay: It was a very enriching experience where I was put on projects that directly impact the  production. Also very good exposure to how the industry functions.

Lee: Fruitful - achieved more than what I had expected.
      Rewarding - what I have learnt is applicable to my course work in the final year.
      Interesting - learnt a few shortcuts that are not taught in school.
      Enjoyable - colleagues were more like mentors than slave drivers.
      Network - built up a network that ended up with my being offered employment even
                    before graduation.
      Develop - am inquiring mind due to hands-on experience in real-life problem solving.

Png: Eye-opening and fruitful experience. Spent 3 months attached to various departments (on-the-job training) and another 3 months doing projects under the direct supervision of an engineer.

What advice would you give to the IA students?

Kay: Be open-minded and undertake any project - big or small - as if you were a practising engineer.

Lee: Mindset change - adopt a positive attitude.
       Inquiring mind - ask and not wait to be told.
       Never give up the opportunity to learn new things.
       Diligent in your work. Don't treat it as just trying to pass your time.

Png: Keep your mind open and learn as much as you can. Don't restrict your learning to your area of study only. Try to enjoy yourself during IA. Good Luck!

We believe that more and more employers will make use of the IA as a means of recruitment and that this channel should also be seriously considered by our students for their first job.