At the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), students are empowered to grow both personally and professionally. Guided by the university’s core 3H philosophy—‘Head, Heart, Habit’— students develop professional competency (‘Head’), cultivate social awareness (‘Heart’), and nurture lifelong learning (‘Habit’). The university’s holistic approach provides students with the tools they need to positively impact their communities and beyond. Guided by the ethos of ‘Dream, Dare, Do’, it encourages students to dream big, dare to take bold steps, and do what it takes to create positive change.

A key feature of the SUSS experience is its emphasis on experiential learning. Through opportunities such as global learning programmes, internships, entrepreneurship projects, and service-learning initiatives, students are encouraged to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. These experiences foster critical thinking, social responsibility, and a deep sense of purpose, helping students thrive in their academic and personal journeys.

For Zheng Kai, SUSS provided the ideal environment to pursue his passion for data analytics, which began during his time at Singapore Polytechnic. As a Business Innovation and Design student, Zheng Kai’s exposure to analytics modules was limited. However, his interest in data visualisation was sparked when he encountered Tableau, a powerful tool introduced in one of his courses. “There are no restrictions to what you can do with it. It’s also very effective and intuitive. That was what sparked my interest in data analytics,” he recalled. This experience led him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics at SUSS.

Upon enrolling, Zheng Kai learnt about the SUSS Scholarship through his friends and was motivated to apply, particularly for the financial support it offered. “This scholarship alleviated the financial burden on my parents, who were covering my tuition fees,” he shared. Beyond the financial relief, the scholarship has also opened up opportunities to take on leadership roles and engage in projects that contribute back to the university and the wider community.

Punching Above His Weight

At SUSS, students are encouraged to explore interests beyond academics, and Zheng Kai fully embraced this philosophy through his involvement in the Boxing Club. Encouraged by his friend and drawn to the club’s open-door policy, which welcomes anyone regardless of prior experience, Zheng Kai saw it as an opportunity to step out of his comfort zone. “After many years of playing badminton, I wanted to try something new, and SUSS’ Boxing Club provided the perfect platform to do so,” he said.

Zheng Kai’s commitment to the sport goes beyond training. He has actively participated in organising workshops for members of other schools’ boxing clubs and the wider community, ensuring their smooth operation by designing and managing the registration process, preparing Risk Assessment and Management System forms and overseeing communication for one of the workshops via a group chat. Having been with the Boxing Club for over a year and a half, he took on the role of Chairperson in January. “It’s a great opportunity to lead in an area I’m passionate about!” he enthused.

Zheng Kai’s involvement doesn’t stop there—he is also an active member of his course’s Interest Group, which fosters networking and collaboration among Business Analytics students. Besides crafting and sharing Instagram posts to guide fellow coursemates on enrolling in and completing course credits, Zheng Kai also contributed to SUSS’ Work Attachment initiative by coordinating sessions where seniors shared valuable insights on internships and interview strategies with juniors. “The flexibility of SUSS’ curriculum gives us the freedom to explore different interests while maintaining focus on our studies,” he emphasised.

Laying the Groundwork for Real-World Impact

Through the Business Analytics programme at SUSS, Zheng Kai is learning how to leverage data to drive business decisions across diverse industries. “The curriculum is very dynamic, with case studies and practical applications that teach us how to visualise data and solve complex real-world problems,” he shared.

Additionally, the programme covers technical subjects such as programming and data mining, which Zheng Kai believes are essential for his future career. “As a data analyst, you need a solid technical foundation before you can effectively contribute to solving business challenges,” he noted.

SUSS also offers workshops focused on industry-specific software tools, giving students like Zheng Kai the hands-on experience they need to thrive in any field. Zheng Kai finds these workshops particularly beneficial: “These workshops equip us with the technical and practical skills necessary for success in the workplace, regardless of the industry we choose to enter.”

Last semester, Zheng Kai balanced his studies with a part-time Advertisement Operations internship at Shopee, where he managed advertising budgets and conducted quality checks for advertisements. Although his role was not directly related to data analytics, Zheng Kai found ways to apply his academic knowledge to his internship. “While my role wasn’t focused on data analytics, I was able to apply the skills and insights gained from my Business Analytics programme to experiment with different functions and optimise brand advertising strategies,” he highlighted. For example, he developed a code that automated the transfer of data between documents, eliminating the need for manual input. This improved efficiency and saved his colleagues approximately an hour of work per week.

His technical background also proved helpful in troubleshooting and maintaining advertising systems. “Whenever the code malfunctioned, I could step in and fix it myself rather than waiting for the Marketing and Analytics department to address the issue,” he explained. This proactive approach not only benefitted the team but also enhanced his practical experience.

In January, Zheng Kai began his Work-Study Programme with GovTech as a Business Analyst Intern. This internship aligns more closely with his academic focus and will be crucial in shaping his career path. “It’s a big turning point for me. I’m excited to see if this is the career I want to pursue in the long term,” he said.

For prospective SUSS students, Zheng Kai offers valuable advice: “Manage your time wisely. The flexible schedule that SUSS offers is an advantage, but it’s easy to let time slip by if you’re not careful. I also recommend participating in co-curricular activities—it’s a great way to make friends and expand your network naturally.”

Zheng Kai’s experiences at SUSS reflect the university’s commitment to developing well-rounded, future-ready individuals who are not only skilled professionals but also empathetic leaders poised to make a lasting impact.