5 Tips For The Graduate Seeking A Fulfilling Career Path

By Diyanah Syafiqah

Thinking of what lies ahead beyond graduation can be overwhelming especially when we're often told to follow our passion. At the heart of this advice, people want to feel fulfilled in their jobs.

According to Business Insider and Forbes, we experience true satisfaction when a career ignites you emotionally, rewards you accordingly and fits into your strengths and life ideals.

But with a myriad of career possibilities, how do you find a role that is the right fit? While there is no set method to go about it, here are some tips that may steer you in the right direction:

#Know Where You're Headed
Knowing where you're headed requires a lot of introspection. To get started, take some time to answer these questions:

• What are you excited about when you wake up?
• What does your dream job look like?
• How do you envision your ideal life to be?
• Does your dream job fit into the ideal life that you want?

The transition from university life into the workforce can be daunting but uncovering the answers to these questions can lead to useful insights about yourself; empowering you to take purposeful strides towards a career path that is right for you.

Pro-tip: As you embark on your self-discovery journey, seek guidance from the dedicated SIM Career Development Team who are able to help you personalise your career plans.

#Seek Meaningful Internship Experiences

More than 200 companies participated in SIM GE Career & Internship Fairs in 2019.

With a clearer vision of what you want out of your career, it is easier to seek an internship which offers a glimpse into that. The key thing is to remain open-minded as you search - the main goal is to seek an experience with opportunities to learn the most. Sometimes it is also through these experiences, that you discover where your strengths and interests truly lies.

Pro-tip: If you're an SIM student, attend the annual Career & Internship Fairs organised by SIM Career Development Office (CDO) where you get to engage with potential employers eager to meet graduates like yourself. For more opportunities, scour through the UNICORN job and internship online portal.

#Find A Mentor

It's always comforting to hear from someone who has not only been in your position but has successfully found a meaningful career for themselves. Having a mentor means having someone who's able to offer perspectives, advice and even strategies to help you navigate your own career path or even propel you further along it.

Pro-tip: Not sure where to look? Start by signing up for Project Protégé, a four month internship programme that pairs you with established SIM alumni mentors like Dr Jeremy Gwee, former Chief Operating Officer of HSBC Bank (Singapore) Ltd and many others.

#Build Your Professional Network

While it may sound nerve-racking to put yourself out there, taking the time to form meaningful relationships with past and potential employers can be rewarding in the long run. Connect with them on LinkedIN or start small by sending notes of appreciation to the ones who guided you as you learn the ropes of the industry. These connections can open doors to job opportunities in the future.

Pro-tip: Engage with potential employers by taking advantage of CDO Career Chapters networking sessions, industrial visits or sharing sessions by various companies. Click here to learn more.

#Keep Your Resume Up-to-date
As you gain new skillsets, remember to keep your resume up-to-date. It also serves as a way to understand where you're at skills wise. With this understanding, you'll have an inkling of the direction you're headed. Best of all, you'll be ready to send it out anytime a promising opportunity arises!


Pro-tip: Get career-ready and enhance your employability quotient with the Hire Me Series career preparation workshop on Resume and Cover Letter Writing skills.

With these tips, we hope you're more excited about the vast opportunities that await upon graduation. For more beneficial career tips, visit the Career Development Office at Student Hub, Block B or log onto the Project 1095 website.