
If boys are
made of snips and snails and puppy dog’s tails, and girls are made of sugar and
spice and all things nice, what are scholars made of?
Nursery rhymes
aside, every organisation is looking for different characteristics in its
scholars. MINDEF, for example, emphasises that its scholars should be moved by
the idea of defending our home, a personality trait that may not be as
essential to another organisation.
But with every
generation of scholars BrightSparks interviews, some characteristics come to
the fore again and again. Based on our interactions with these scholars and
those that came before, we have rounded up some of the characteristics and
advice that have stood the test of time.
We hope this inspires you as you take the next step!
1. Honesty
“You
have to be honest about your passion for what you are doing,” said Ho See Jia, DesignSingapore Scholar. “My grades were
not very good, so I tried to tell the interviewers what my aspirations are, and
what I want to gain out of the scholarship. That worked well for me!”
This
approach was endorsed by many other scholars, who all emphasised the importance
of bringing your individual traits to the table.
This
has long-term advantages as well. Roy Yuen, recipient of the Singapore Geospatial
Scholarship, highlighted another important aspect of being honest with yourself
and the organisation. “Trust me, you wouldn’t want to dread going to work knowing
that you are working on something that you are not passionate about,” he
advised. Even if you could ‘fake’ your way through the interview, it will be
much harder to stick with your bond down the road.
Jonathan How, SNCF Co-operative Scholar, is even
more direct. “Be passionate and be real. Don’t try to fake things up,” he said.
2. Individuality
Joshua Tay, Singapore Airlines Open Overseas Scholar,
advised: “Do not be afraid to show your quirks, personal interests and what you
are passionate about. Don’t be a cookie-cutter applicant, and don’t fit
yourself into a mould.”
Other
scholars also highlighted how it was their individual characteristics, not
their scores or awards that helped interviewers decide on them. For ASP Poh Yu Quan, recipient of the Singapore Police
Force Scholarship, he discovered he wanted an exciting career – and that led
him to SPF.
Indeed,
his interview tip is: “Understand what you want in life and who you are as a
person. That way, when you go into an interview, you’ll be more genuine and
show what kind of person you are. The interviewer will be able to see if your
real personality fits into the career you are looking for.”
3. Research
“Getting
a scholarship is not just about how it is going to benefit you; it is also about
how you can give back using the education you have received.” Carissa Lim, National Environment & Water
Scholarship recipient, said the above. Her words showcased the importance of
research – the best way to get to know the organisation beforehand.
Organisations
are ultimately looking for someone who will grow with them and contribute to
their visions. Showing how you can do this is one of the best ways to stand out
during your interview. Check out initiatives the organisation is involved in,
and projects they have started, and see how they align with your own values and
interests.
You
may wish for a dynamic career where no two days are the same, so SPF or Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
(CAAS) may suit you. Or
you may be inspired to help others, so the National Healthcare Group may be your choice.
4. Passion
Scholars
tells us again and again about the importance of passion, and that interviewers
can tell if you really want to join the organisation or just want to
scholarship. Don’t be the latter!
Chia Jieru, ST Engineering Overseas Scholar,
offered some practical advice. “Be confident and be sincere during the
interview. Some people show their nervousness and if that happens, just calm
yourself down and maintain your confidence.”
Goh Yi Feng, SgIS Full-Term Scholar, said similar:
“It is OK not to know the small details of what the organisation does. What’s
more important is your attitude. They want someone who will bring value in the
future and has a positive vibe.”
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