Charlene graduated with a BSc (Hons) Business and Management under the SIM–University of London programme. Today, she works at UOB's Group Commercial Banking as a Business Financial Manager, helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) secure financing solutions.
The Flexibility to Not Know Everything
When Charlene first considered her degree options, she knew she wanted to pursue business, but she was unsure which area to specialise in. Instead of forcing an early decision, she chose a programme that allowed her to explore.
“I appreciated how the programme offered flexibility to explore different areas, from accounting and finance to marketing and human resources. At the same time, its strong focus on management aligned perfectly with my long-term goal of taking on a management role in a company, ”she explains.
This flexibility allowed her to explore various business disciplines before committing to a specific path, while still building toward her management career goals.
Career Preparation Started in Year One
While most students leave career planning until their final year, Charlene started early. In her first year, she attended CV coaching sessions through SIM’s Career Services Department, Career Connect, where she learned how to present her skills effectively, even with limited experience.
She also showed up to career fairs organised by SIM, getting face time with recruiters and hiring managers.
"These career fairs allowed me to have first contact with recruiters and understand companies better, which ultimately guided me to know what kind of jobs I wanted to pursue upon graduation," she shares. Rather than applying blindly to positions, she gained real insights into company cultures and role expectations that informed her career decisions.
Beyond these early steps, the flexibility of her timetable at SIM also allowed her to take on part-time internships alongside her studies, giving her valuable exposure to the working world.
The LSE Summer School Scholarship: A Defining Experience
Armed with these insights, Charlene took the next step in her journey by exploring opportunities abroad. She applied for the LSE Summer School Scholarship, got it, and saw it as an opportunity to go beyond her curriculum, deepen her interest in finance, and experience a globally recognised academic environment.
The experience proved transformative. "Attending the LSE Summer School programme pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me realise I'm capable of thriving in a rigorous, global environment with other like-minded peers. It strengthened my confidence to think critically, speak up, and engage with diverse perspectives."
Building Skills Through Real Experience
Outside academics, Charlene also took on a range of experiences that strengthened her readiness for the working world.
She interned at Shopee in business development, where she gained exposure to partnerships and growth strategies in a fast-paced environment.
At the Investment and Networking Club in SIM, she served as Business Development Director, building partnerships and running industry events. This taught her stakeholder management and how to communicate with professionals outside the student bubble.
Beyond this, she also captained the Table Tennis team, became a National Table Tennis Umpire under the Singapore Table Tennis Association, and served as Youth Vice Chairperson in a Chinese clan association.
These experiences gave her a well-rounded skill set, combining leadership, discipline and the ability to stay composed under pressure.
Managing Multiple Commitments Under Pressure
Balancing leadership roles, internships, academics and personal commitments was not easy.
There were periods where Charlene had to manage multiple responsibilities at once, which required her to make difficult trade-offs and be intentional with how she used her time.
Over time, she learned how to stay grounded in her priorities and manage her time more effectively. These experiences strengthened her resilience and focus, helping her stay consistent academically.
They also prepared her for the realities of working life. When she entered her role at UOB, she was already familiar with handling pressure, tight timelines, and multiple priorities.
What Made Her Stand Out to Employers
When Charlene entered the job market, she was competing against candidates with more experience. What set her apart was how she approached her journey.
She focused on building meaningful experiences, whether through internships, exchange opportunities, or involvement in student clubs. Each of these showed her proactiveness and her willingness to pursue things she was genuinely interested in.
From the LSE Summer School to her internship at Shopee and her leadership roles in student clubs, she consistently took initiative and sought out opportunities to grow.
More importantly, these experiences reflected a strong eagerness to learn and improve, which is something employers continue to value in fresh graduates.
Making Private Education Count
Charlene addresses misconceptions about private education directly. "Many people assume private education is easier, but having experienced it myself and comparing it with peers in local universities, I found that some SIM modules were actually more challenging, as the curriculum dives deep into certain topics while balancing practical application."
She emphasises the importance of clarity and self-discipline when pursuing the SIM–University of London programme.
"SIM offers many opportunities to shine during your tertiary journey, but ultimately it's up to you to make the experience count."
At SIM, she had access to flexible timetabling, overseas programmes like the LSE scholarship, vibrant student clubs, and Career Connect services. All these resources existed for every student. Charlene chose to use them with intention, attending workshops, applying for scholarships and internships, taking leadership roles, and engaging with recruiters.
Her success wasn't about the institution doing everything for her. It was about recognising what was available and choosing to use it.
Her Advice
Take ownership of your time at SIM. The flexibility, resources, and opportunities are there, but it’s up to you to seek them out and go beyond the classroom.
Build practical skills through internships. Network with people who are doing what you want to do. Stay disciplined when nobody is watching. The combination of taking initiative, getting real world exposure, and staying self-motivated is what actually makes you ready for the working world.