As industries progress with technology, the nature of jobs changes and expectations of graduates entering the workforce evolve. While teenagers today are more than familiar with swiping the screens of their mobile devices, the cybernetic world demands much more of them to be equipped for the job market. Here are four areas to focus on to ensure that they are prepared for the future workplace.
Building a better box
In a world where disruption has become the norm, simply thinking out of the box doesn’t cut it anymore. Beyond being able to innovate, employees are expected to have problem-solving skills and be creative in their approach. The strong focus on applied learning at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) combines theoretical components of a traditional degree with a focused, hands-on approach. Whether it’s in the classroom or through assessments, applied learning is weaved into every aspect of the education experience.
By giving students a taste of the real world at university, they enter the workplace having a good sense of what to expect. More importantly, they understand the concept of learning by doing – a skill that is necessary to excel in their career.
Focus on being industry-relevant
To ensure that graduates are able to seamlessly move from the classroom to the workplace, SIT’s curriculum blurs the lines between education and industry. The university has Industry Advisory Committees (IAC) comprising industry leaders who give frequent feedback on the degree programmes by aligning them with the evolving industry needs. Many of the faculty at SIT also have industry experience and are well connected within their world of expertise, which helps in building long-lasting industry partnerships. With strong networks in place, students at SIT have the advantage of being in the know, enabling them to hit the ground running instead of having to ease into the workplace.
Fueling knowledge with passion to address real life situations
While most things can be learned, passion comes from the heart. It’s the secret ingredient that brings something from good to great. Providing an avenue for students to pursue their passion, an applied research portion is weaved into students’ applied learning experience through class projects, industry projects, capstone projects, and integrative team projects. Working closely with the industry, students are encouraged to discover their area of interest and create solutions for the real world. To further support students, the university has designed areas like the “Living Lab,” where students can actually test bed projects and build prototypes together with industry players. It is possible that they find their eureka moment even before they graduate.
Considering a specialised degree
Rather than following the herd and taking up a generic course without a clear goal in mind, students with interest in specific areas should look at a more focused degree for an extra edge upon graduation. As a student-centric university, SIT offers specialised degrees that equip students for specific professions. Since all degree programmes are closely linked to the industries, graduates are well-equipped both in theory and practice. The SIT Graduate Employment Survey reveals that over 90 percent of its graduates achieve employment following graduation, with some even securing jobs before receiving their degree certificate! The institution’s partnership with reputable overseas universities also brings global perspectives to the courses, which adds value and provides new dimensions of the subject to students.
At the pace technology is progressing, graduates need to equip themselves well to remain relevant for the future workplace. More than academic grades, being future-ready requires a combination of industry knowledge, and ability to constantly upskill themselves. Check out the SIT admissions page to find out more!
This content originally appeared on Yahoo.
