Navigating through the myriad of options and uncertainties to chart a career path can be daunting for many. It was at this juncture that Soo Liang Kuang and Vernice Chung learnt about the Singapore-Industry Scholarship (SgIS) while searching for suitable scholarships.

The SgIS is Singapore’s only multi-industry scholarship in partnership with the Government. It collaborates with 153 organisations across various sectors to support Singaporeans at different stages of their university education. It provided Liang Kuang and Vernice the perfect opportunity to pursue their passions and develop expertise in their chosen fields.

Having laid the groundwork during their university days, these SgIS recipients are now thriving in their careers at their sponsoring organisations. Liang Kuang is a Treasury Analyst at MOH Holdings (MOHH), while Vernice is a management trainee at Sunray Woodcraft Construction.

They share how SgIS has played a pivotal role in advancing their careers.

What sparked your interest in your respective fields of work?

Vernice: The first time I ever thought about pursuing a career in design in the built environment sector was when I was watching the TV show Tiny House Nation. It was about a couple of guys going around the country helping people design and build their dream homes in limited spaces. This was very intriguing to me; it was amazing to watch the designer come up with idea after idea to design the house and its interior that not only matched the clients’ personalities and interests but also to create more multi-use spaces to accommodate the Tiny House. This inspired me; it was almost like the designer was giving life to the space, and I knew then that this was something I wanted to do as well.

Liang Kuang: My interest in finance began at a young age. I was curious about how economics and money work. Naturally, after my O-level exams, I decided to pursue a Diploma in Accountancy at Singapore Polytechnic and subsequently a degree in Accounting at Nanyang Technological University (NTU). As I learnt how financial management impacted various industries, I wanted to make a difference too. Having benefited from healthcare policies myself, I wanted to be part of a huge ecosystem that impacts the population. Therefore, I found myself joining the healthcare family. As a finance healthcare administrator, I am glad to contribute to the financial sustainability of our healthcare system, ensuring that quality healthcare can be made affordable and accessible to everyone.

Vernice, how has being a scholar brought you new opportunities?

Being part of the SgIS Mid-Term Scholarship has provided me with many opportunities to participate in various activities, such as networking sessions, leaders’ forums, and social programmes. Through these experiences, I gained valuable insights from industry leaders and different companies.

Additionally, the scholarship has also supported my participation in NUS’ student exchange programme, where I spent nearly four months in Munich. This experience has allowed me to immerse myself in European architecture and culture, which was undoubtedly eye-opening, inspiring, and refreshing!

Liang Kuang, how has your SgIS journey equipped you for your career?

After I was awarded the SgIS, I attended an orientation camp that helped me establish rapport, build team synergy with peers, while developing interpersonal skills, resilience and leadership abilities. At the orientation, I heard from industry leaders and seniors about their personal journeys and experiences, which gave me insights to the industries and a great head start at university.

During my university days, I had the chance to intern at my sponsoring organisation, MOHH. This allowed me to apply what I had learnt in a practical setting, providing a glimpse into the working environment and helping me build a professional relationship with future colleagues.

Most recently, I attended the 2024 SgIS Networking event, where I connected with SgIS scholars across different disciplines. This was refreshing and unique, as I was able to gain insights into the developments, challenges, and solutions in other industries. Such sharing amongst the network of scholars inspired me to think more deeply and creatively about how solutions and developments from other industries can be applied to my work.

Tell us more about the work you currently do.

Vernice: As an SgIS scholar at Sunray, I worked closely with Sunray to chart my professional journey within the organisation in the most meaningful way possible. Sunray has provided me with opportunities for attachment rotations across various departments to better understand the different work environments and needs in the built environment industry. I was thrilled when I first heard about Sunray’s plan for me, and continue to be excited about the opportunities to learn and contribute to the different departments that I am attached to.

I’m currently attached to the Contracts department, where I am learning from Quantity Surveyors (QS). The tasks I am assigned to span across different projects at various stages, including liaising with material suppliers and subcontractors, conducting cost comparisons, preparing payment responses, drafting variation orders and quotations, and drafting method statements for project defects.

I am eagerly looking forward to my future stint in the design department too!

Liang Kuang: As a Treasury Analyst at MOHH, I am heavily involved in the consolidation and analysis of the Group cash flow forecast for liquidity management and planning. My day begins with a Morning Liquidity Review, where I review the company’s overall cash position to ensure adequate liquidity for all daily operations. This includes monitoring balances, inflows, and outflows, and identifying immediate cash needs or excess liquidity.

A significant portion of my day is spent refining cash flow forecasts. This requires gathering data from various systems and parties to predict both short and long-term liquidity needs. Based on the forecasts, I ensure that there is sufficient liquidity, and any excess cash is allocated to various profitable investments to optimise overall returns. I also collaborate with different teams and stakeholders to complete trades in a timely manner, while adhering to compliance and investment guidelines.

What excites you about your future career growth, Liang Kuang?

Being an SgIS scholar with MOHH has presented me with numerous opportunities for professional growth. This includes networking sessions with other healthcare scholars, widening my knowledge of the latest happenings in the healthcare family. There are also continuous learning and development programmes I could participate in, ranging from workshops to professional qualification certifications. Besides that, there is a lot of mentorship and cross-departmental exposure. The guidance provided by senior professionals helps shape my technical expertise and leadership capabilities.

Looking ahead, I am excited to contribute to the financial sustainability and efficiency of the entire healthcare system. I am eager to make a difference by optimising cash flow management and ensuring that resources are allocated effectively. On a broader level, I look forward to being involved in more projects that improve process efficiency.

What advice would you offer aspiring scholars considering the SgIS, Vernice?

Just a simple one: Go for it! There’s nothing to lose by applying for the scholarship. My scholarship journey has been nothing but exciting and fulfilling. I’m very glad that I decided to apply for the SgIS, and I am grateful that my sponsoring organisation, Sunray, selected me. The interview may be a bit intimidating for students but the journey is definitely well worth it, no regrets from me!