Singtel Group (Singtel)
Features | Telecommunications

Transforming to Win the Digital Age

As a market leader in Asia’s communications industry, the Singtel Group provides a wide spectrum of digital, multimedia and info-communications technology (ICT) solutions to businesses and consumers in the Asia-Pacific region. Two Singtel Undergraduate Scholars offer their insights into why they chose this dynamic organisation.

Transforming to Win the Digital Age

As a market leader in Asia’s communications industry, the Singtel Group provides a wide spectrum of digital, multimedia and info-communications technology (ICT) solutions to businesses and consumers in the Asia-Pacific region. Two Singtel Undergraduate Scholars offer their insights into why they chose this dynamic organisation.

We live in an age of rapid transformation, where today’s norm could be rendered obsolete tomorrow. Businesses and consumers have become used to round-the-clock connectivity and are consuming and creating increasing amounts of data. Against this backdrop, Singtel has taken proactive steps to continue leading and shaping the evolving digital landscape.

It has strengthened its core connectivity business through investments to enhance its networks. And with the ability to deliver reliable mobile and data connectivity 24/7, Singtel’s range of ICT and digital solutions offers consumers and businesses creative ways to stay in touch, perform transactions on the go, boost productivity, enhance profitability and drive growth.

Just as importantly, Singtel made a bold decision to venture into the digital space, using its unique assets – its regional base of over 500 million mobile customers, extensive customer touchpoints and access to location-based information and customer preferences – to build new engines of growth.

As a visionary and forward-thinking organisation, Singtel has made a significant change to the way it engages customers. It now has three main global business units structured along customer segments – Consumer, Group Enterprise and Group Digital L!fe – to sharpen its customer focus, gain more useful customer insights and deliver next-generation digital, multimedia and ICT solutions that truly make a difference to the way people live, work and play.

With over 20,000 employees worldwide, Singtel’s commitment to its customers is matched only by the resources it dedicates to its people. Its staff enjoy the best in learning and developmental opportunities in a work environment that encourages creativity and innovation. On the recruitment front, Singtel attracts and nurtures the brightest talents through unique programmes such as the Singtel Undergraduate Scholarship (UGS), SHINE! Internship, the Management Associate Programme (MAP) and Specialist Associate Programme. Through consistent talent recruitment and employee development, Singtel ensures that its people play instrumental roles in propelling its business forward.

Where Innovation and Creativity Reign

National University of Singapore (NUS) students Sim Jia Qing and Toh Wei Zhong are two such scholars who were attracted by Singtel’s reputation as a vibrant communications company. After completing his National Service in March last year, Jia Qing took to the BrightSparks website in search of scholarship opportunities.

Sim Jia Qing
Singtel Full-Term Undergraduate Scholar

Studying: Bachelor of Business Administration (Accountancy), National University of Singapore

"Innovation is the cornerstone of all of Singtel’s businesses and operations. Singtel remains an industry leader in this saturated market because of its ability to innovate and re-invent industry norms."

Now an undergraduate pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (Accountancy), he recalls, “The Singtel UGS caught my eye because I was attracted by the prospect of working at Singapore’s largest telecommunications company and one of the largest in the Asia-Pacific region. Singtel’s business operations crisscross multiple sectors, allowing it to cater to a diverse range of interests. This also means that it has demand of a variety of skillsets, thus ensuring that almost anyone can find their niche in Singtel.”

Jia Qing was also excited at the chance to be at the centre of the culture of innovation that permeates the company. “Innovation is the cornerstone of all of Singtel’s businesses and operations. Singtel remains an industry leader in this saturated market because of its ability to innovate and re-invent industry norms. I look forward to learning and growing with a company that is constantly seeking new ways to stay ahead!” he enthuses.

Similarly, Wei Zhong was drawn to the Singtel UGS because of its excellent position as a leading communications group. He shares, “In a time when digital technology and concepts like ‘big data’ are trending, Singtel is well-placed to capitalise on these trends and gain a competitive advantage over other market players.

“Innovation and creativity thrive at Singtel, where subsidiaries such as Singtel Innov8 invest in technologies and solutions that can lead to major changes in next-generation capabilities, devices and enablers. With mobile apps and digital services such as Dash, NewsLoop and Lyke, Singtel is exploring countless avenues for growth that extend beyond telecommunications.”

Toh Wei Zhong
Singtel Mid-Term Undergraduate Scholar

Studying: Bachelor of Computing in Computational Biology, National University of Singapore

"Singtel gives us considerable freedom to indicate our areas of interest, thus allowing us to chart our own personal and professional development."

Opportunities Beckon

As a Singtel Mid-Term Undergraduate Scholar, Wei Zhong secured his scholarship at the end of his third year at NUS. Although he originally set his sights on eventually pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy, his experience with research internships over the past couple of years changed his mind. He shares, “I realised that a career in research wasn’t for me. At Singtel, I will have the opportunity to deal with mobile data analytics, which allows me to play a meaningful role in the communications industry.”

And as a student specialising in Computational Biology, Wei Zhong is testament to the fact that Singtel has a place for people with a wide variety of skills and talents. He explains, “My degree equips me with crucial skills for my future job. Although I deal with issues such as healthcare biology now, I am cultivating important data analytics skills that can be applied and improved upon at Singtel.”

In addition, both Singtel scholars can look forward to being part of Singtel’s MAP when they join the company after graduating. The MAP is a two-year programme designed to groom young talents into high-performing leaders of the future with a global outlook.

“I can expect to benefit from job rotations in different business areas, special projects and international assignments. I will effectively be given a head-start in my career, with opportunities to learn from my more experienced colleagues and mentors,” Jia Qing says.

Wei Zhong concurs, adding, “Singtel gives us considerable freedom to indicate our areas of interest, thus allowing us to chart our own personal and professional development. After two years in the MAP, we can then be expected to take on managerial roles within the company.”

Both scholars have also benefited from networking sessions where they get to meet their fellow scholars and members of Singtel’s senior management. Jia Qing says earnestly, “It was really quite inspiring to listen to the advice and anecdotes offered by the senior management, as they impressed upon us the importance of hard work and humility in achieving success.

“In the near future, I look forward to taking up an internship with Singtel. Singtel offers us two- to three-month internships either locally or overseas, and I hope to be able to intern at Optus in Australia.”

A Word of Advice

Even as they relish the career prospects offered by their scholarships, Jia Qing and Wei Zhong have some words of wisdom for aspiring Singtel scholars. Jia Qing says, “Singtel seeks enterprising individuals with the drive to work in a fast-paced environment. You should have a clear sense of direction and demonstrate confidence and enthusiasm in your area of interest.”

Wei Zhong chimes in, concluding, “I’d encourage all current undergraduates to consider the Singtel Mid-Term UGS. While fresh Junior College and polytechnic graduates can be unsure about the career they wish to pursue, university can offer an entirely new perspective and help you discern your interests more clearly. If you think you have an interest in the communications industry and Singtel, this is one of the best opportunities to try for!”