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Contents Getting Started

Industry Sectors

Getting Started: A Word of Advice ............................................ 3

Accounting and Financial Management .................................. 59

Actions Over Your Years ............................................................. 4

Arts and Design ....................................................................... 59

How to Use This Guide .............................................................. 6

Banking and Financial Services ................................................ 60 Charities and Social Services ................................................... 60

Aiming for an Internship

Why Internships are Worth It .................................................... 8 How to Get an Internship ........................................................ 10 Where Else Can I Find an Internship? ...................................... 12 Choosing the Right Internship ................................................. 14 Doing an Internship Outside Your Field of Study ..................... 16 To Be or Not to Be a Graduate Intern? .................................... 18 Juggling Internships and Studies ............................................. 20

Construction ............................................................................ 61 Consulting................................................................................ 61 Education................................................................................. 62 Engineering, Design and Manufacturing ................................. 62 Fast-Moving Consumer Goods ................................................ 63 Healthcare and Pharmaceutical .............................................. 63 Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism.............................................. 64 Investment Banking and Investment Management ................ 64 IT and Technology.................................................................... 65 Law .......................................................................................... 65 Media and Advertising ............................................................ 66

Applying for Internships

Your Internship Resume .......................................................... 23 Writing a Cover Letter for Your Internship............................... 26 Perfect Your Pitch .................................................................... 28

Property and Real Estate ......................................................... 66 Public Sector ............................................................................ 67 Sales and Marketing ................................................................ 67 Scientiﬁc Research and Development ..................................... 68 Uniformed Services ................................................................. 68

The Art of The Speculative Application ................................... 30 Tackling Online Applications .................................................... 32 Email with Elegance................................................................. 34 Managing your LinkedIn Proﬁle as An Intern .......................... 36 A Quick Checklist ..................................................................... 38

Acing Your Internship

Before the Big Day ................................................................... 40 Common Internship Interview Questions ............................... 42 Body Language Tips for Interviews .......................................... 44 How to Ace Your Internship Interview..................................... 46 Post-interview: Steps to Take .................................................. 48 Bouncing Back From Rejection ................................................ 50 Surviving Your First Day as an Intern ....................................... 52 Becoming a Star Intern ............................................................ 54 Wrapping Up Your Internship .................................................. 56

Internship Career Guide 2025

Employer Listings

Getting Started

Getting Started:

a word of advice Taking up an internship will not only build your skills, but also open doors to career opportunities.

he days of a guaranteed job post-graduation (whether after polytechnic or even university) have long been over. With competition in the job market continuing to heat up, being able to expand your skills and knowledge beyond the classroom can make you a strong candidate and, in turn, greatly increase your employability after graduation. This is where internships come in. Internships generally consist of spending a few months working for a company with the primary goal of gaining work experience. However, spots can be highly contested over, especially when offered by larger, multinational companies. Don’t discount smaller firms either – they’ve got their own sets of benefits that may be better suited to your needs. Additionally, there are also other options to consider, such as taking up relevant part-time jobs (look at working as a part-time packer at a warehouse if you’re eyeing a job in logistics/FMCG), starting up personal projects (like programming games), or even taking part in competitions or volunteering if you think the skills you want can’t be found in an internship. Ultimately, experience and skills are what you’re after, and how you’d like to attain them is up to you. Just remember that we at gradsingapore will always be in your corner to cheer you on and support you with the resources and advice you’ll need to start on your career journey!

Sincerely, The

Team

Did you know up to 70 per cent of openings aren’t advertised? Turn to page 30 to find out how to apply for them! Find out how to ace an interview on page 46. Explore some sector possibilities from page 58 onwards. Turn to page 69 to see some available internships.

Internship Career Guide 2025

Getting Started

Actions Over

your years Students generally take up internships during their freshman and penultimate years. Read on for a general guide that you can use during your time in university to take up internships, part-time jobs and additional projects.

Freshman year Term 1 Take advantage of what your university has to offer. Join clubs or societies you’re interested in and build up your portfolio. If there are any upcoming competitions you’re interested in, do your research and check if you’re eligible to join. • Locate your university’s career centre, and find out what services they offer. Most centres also have an alumni network that can be of great help to you, so ask about that as well. • Start exploring different career sectors that interest you, even if it’s outside of your degree. Once you’ve decided, start looking out for open days, insight programmes, career fairs and networking sessions related to your choices.

• Got a pet project in mind? Now’s a good time to start – just be sure to maintain and complete it over your time at university. • Create an account on a professional social media platform of your choice, such as LinkedIn. • Consider getting a part-time job over the upcoming holiday, or volunteering at a charity or association for the experience.

• Do your own research on short programmes offered by employers to first years.

Term 2 • Keep developing your networking and communication skills. • Continue making the most of your professional social media platforms. • Whether it’s volunteer work, an insight programme or a part-time job, keep track of your experiences and the lessons you’ve learnt from them. If you’re asked to return for an internship interview the following year, employers will want to know what you picked up from them over the time you were there.

Internship Career Guide 2025

• Document the challenges you overcame in your volunteer work or part-time job. You can use it for future applications for jobs. • List out the sectors you’re interested in (on page 58), as well as employers you like. This will help you narrow your scope of applications later when internship-hunting, as well as help you better customise them for each employer. • If travelling permits, consider international volunteering opportunities.

Getting Started

Penultimate year Term 1 • If you’re eyeing that internship with a popular graduate employer, start applying early in the term. • Find out about upcoming internship fairs organised by your university and other event organisers. • If you don’t mind juggling both an internship and your schoolwork at the same time, consider keeping a lookout for rolling internships. • Invited for an internship interview? Be sure to brush up on your techniques (on page 46).

• If you’ve been accepted for an internship with a company you want to join after graduation, treat it as an opportunity to get your foot in the door and stand out (tips can be found on page 54). Take the time to get to know your work and employer as you figure out your career interests. • If you were rejected for an internship you wanted (page 50 will help you bounce back), turn to your contingency plan and apply speculatively (turn to page 30 for help). Meanwhile, consider doing an internship with a smaller employer, or volunteering at a charity or nongovernmental organisation (NGO). Consider shadowing a professional in a company for a day or more, if possible.

Term 2 • Keep an eye out for rolling internships if you didn’t get one over the holidays. Some internships may only be offered later in the year. • If you have no internships coming up later in the year and didn’t complete one over the holidays, go over your options with your university career centre. Come up with a plan to take advantage of opportunities in university or work experience you already have. If possible, try to arrange a period to shadow a professional.

• If you’re going into your final year and feel you’ve missed all your chances, there’s no need to worry! Make the most of your university career centre’s resources and explore the possibility of graduate internships. • If you’re planning to take a gap year after graduation, plan in advance how you want to present your experiences to prospective employers when you return.

• Take a closer look at what you have lined up. You’ll be starting your final year soon and companies will start opening their applications for graduate schemes.

Internship Career Guide 2025

Getting Started

How to

Use this guide If you want a taste of the working world before graduation, or wish to try out a particular industry or company after you graduate, internships are a good choice for you. Here’s a preview of what this guide contains.

1. Aiming for an internship

ip Internshuide Career G

There are plenty of benefits to taking up internships, whether while studying or even after graduation. This section tackles why you should take one, where you can find opportunities and how to find the right one for yourself.

2. Applying for internships Interested in taking up an internship, but don’t know where to start? This section covers all you need to know about the recruitment process. From the documents to submit (such as resumes and cover letters) to utilising LinkedIn to the fullest, learn how to present yourself to prospective employers as the intern they’re looking for!

3. Acing the internship interview What’s the next step after a potential employer calls and invites you to an interview? What new challenges will present themselves during your interview? When you land an internship, what do you do next? Read this section to find out.

4. Understanding industry sectors It’s important to have an idea of the different industry sectors out there. By looking into their backgrounds, you’ll be able to get a sense of which fields are the most suitable for your skill sets, personality and career goals.

Internship Career Guide 2025

Aiming for an Internship An internship isn’t just a temporary job—it’s your chance to gain real-world experience, build industry connections, and test-drive your career path.

Why Internships are Worth it .................................................................................................................. 08 How to get an Internship ......................................................................................................................... 10 Where Else Can I Find an Internship? ...................................................................................................... 12 Choosing the Right Internship ................................................................................................................. 14 Doing an Internship Outside your Field of Study..................................................................................... 16 To Be or Not to Be a Graduate Intern? .................................................................................................... 18 Juggling your Studies and Internships: What to Know ............................................................................ 20

Internship Career Guide 2025

Aiming for an Internship

Why Internships

are worth it “Looking for a fresh graduate with one to two years’ work experience” – does this line from a job posting look familiar? This is where having an internship would help you!

uring the hiring process, employers look for evidence that a candidate is able to deliver, and work experience is often the best demonstration of their skills and suitability for the job. With that in mind, undertaking internships and work placements is an ideal way for full-time students to gain relevant work experience, so start early and plan ahead to gain the right skills to help you meet your career goals! There are also plenty of other reasons to undertake an internship. Here are some things you’ll get out of it:

To gain relevant skills An internship helps you develop the skills necessary for the workplace, including tangible and transferable skills that can’t be learned from books, but picked up through real-life exposure and experience. For example, you can develop...

Communication skills • From interacting with co-workers and clients alike

Organisational and time management skills • By managing tasks to meet deadlines

Teamwork skills • From experience working with team members Hence, it’s important that you view all experiences within the workplace as a means of practice for your future job. You should also consider the type of skills and experiences you wish to gain and seek out related opportunities during your internship. Setting your objectives before you start your internship will help you make the most of your time there.

Internship Career Guide 2025

To better understand yourself While they’re undoubtedly a great way to gain industrial knowledge, experience and skills, internships also allow you to dip your feet in the pool and find out if a particular position or sector is something you can see yourself working in. The experience can provide you with an insider’s point of view, on top of a better understanding of the different roles and tasks within the industry. Moreover, an internship will give you a more realistic idea of how the knowledge and technical skills learnt in school can be applied in a work environment. It’s also a good way for you to gauge your abilities and working style, as well as what you can improve on.

Aiming for an Internship

To get your foot in the door

To broaden your network

An internship presents the opportunity to get your foot in the door of the company and industry you want to work in. If you perform well, you may even be asked to stay on or return as a full-time hire after graduation! In fact, it’s possible for employers to convert interns to permanent staff members. It saves them the hassle of familiarising new hires with the organisation’s work environment and culture, as well as the trouble of figuring out whether they’re a good fit for the company. However, a conversion from an internship to a full-time position may be a challenging proposition. You’ll have to stand out from your fellow interns and go beyond your regular duties to impress your employers.

There’s no better time to start developing your professional network than during your internship. As an intern, you’ll have the chance to build relationships with people in the company and industry, which can not only help you at that moment but also in the long run. For instance, you may be invited to join company or industry events. So make the effort to socialise and put the best version of yourself forward! The people you meet and interact with during such events can become career mentors or even references when you start looking for a graduate job in the future.

Internship Career Guide 2025

Aiming for an Internship

How to get

an internship? Don’t know where to start? Here are some tips on how you can begin looking for available internship opportunities.

ith the job market as competitive as it is, internships have long been established as a popular avenue for students and graduates to get the work experience and skills needed for that extra edge in their applications. Although finding (and landing) your dream internship can be stressful and competitive, preparing early is always a smart move. Here are some ways to make the process easier for yourself!

Before starting the search

Identify your goals and interests Before you even start looking, you need to have a clear idea of what you want out of it. So instead of applying to meet your course’s requirements, think about the long-term and look for a position that’s relevant to the industry you want to work in. Additionally, consider particular areas within the field that you’d like to focus on. For example, a mechanical engineering student interested in pursuing a career in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry can consider looking for an internship in a cosmetic company’s manufacturing department. By having a clear understanding of your interests and aspirations, you can narrow down your search and hone in on the perfect role that’ll meet your needs.

Prepare your resume Along with an application, you’ll also need a resume. But being a student, you probably don’t have much to work with when it comes to experience to list down. Don’t worry – that’s expected! Instead, you can include some modules or areas of study that make up your current qualifications. However, don’t just list down every module you’ve taken, as it won’t say much about you. Consider coming up with a carefully curated list of subjects or modules that you excel in and are relevant to the role.

Internship Career Guide 2025

Aiming for an Internship

Starting the search

Visit your campus career centre If you haven’t booked an appointment with your campus’s careers services centre, now’s the time to do so. When it comes to looking for internships and career advice, there are few people better placed to provide assistance than the experts you’ll find there. As careers advisors on campus can tell you what internships and placements are on offer, as well as how they operate, take the time to book a consultation session to start prepping and planning ahead for your internship and career.

Remember – following up is imperative!

“There is no substitute really for learning about the world of work and being in the world of work.”

Network Having a strong network can not only help with your internship search, but also graduate jobs and opportunities in future. With that in mind, participate in networking events in school, whether they’re organised by the career centre or by clubs and societies. Through these events, you might have the chance to not only learn more about companies you’re interested in, but also whether they have internships or placement opportunities available. You should also establish connections with seniors and alumni who’ve gone on to work in fields relevant to your areas of interest. If you’re unsure of how to start, you can join networking events that include alumni from your school, or even search for them online on platforms like LinkedIn. Alternatively, you can also attend career fairs to meet recruiters face-to-face, and take the chance to get to know potential employers and vice versa. It’s a good way to make a positive impression, and may even lead to employment opportunities in the future. However, keep in mind that networking doesn’t immediately guarantee a placement! Follow up with the contacts you’ve made by dropping them well-crafted emails to ask if they can connect you with any opportunities.

Apply speculatively You may not realise it, but not all internships and opportunities are advertised – many smaller or local employers may not have the budget to post internship openings on job portals. That said, you won’t actually know if these employers are looking for interns unless you submit a speculative application. If you already have your eyes fixed on a specific industry, create a list of employers there that interest you. Search engines and LinkedIn are your best bet for getting the information you need in this process. Once you have a shortlist of employers, send them your cover letter and resume over email, or drop off your application in person. Don’t be afraid to give them a call if you don’t hear from them a week or so after submitting your application too.

Internship Career Guide 2025

Aiming for an Internship

Where else can I

find an internship? There are also other unconventional ways to get one on top of the usual beaten path.

Internship Career Guide 2025

Aiming for an Internship

n most cases, when looking for an internship, the first step is to check if there are any listings online. But it’s far from the only method you can take, and in fact, employing a variety of strategies can do wonders for you to find your dream internship. Here are some other ways you can look out for internships.

Networking events

Word-of-mouth

Apart from the usual bonus of meeting new people, grab the chance to meet others who are already in your chosen field. Be sure to mingle with those your age – penultimate and final-year students in universities – as well as individuals in key positions such as managers, directors, or even chief executive officers (CEOs). Make an effort to talk to these figures, who are either trying to enter the workforce with you or have been there for some time, and gain fresh perspectives from various sides of the job market and new knowledge about the sector, ranging from employer expectations to employee outlook in a particular field. On occasion, even as you form your own circle of acquaintances through these events, offers may be made for internship positions in a desired company. Never underestimate the power of these networking events, so take the initiative to approach others and engage them in conversation.

“Do you know of any available internship positions?” may be a familiar question if you have friends who ask around your social circle. Friends typically pass messages on to their own friends, and some of them may already be in your field of choice. As the question spreads to an ever-larger number of people, the chances that they’ll know of companies with available openings will be higher as well. Don’t feel embarrassed to ask people to help you look out for an internship, and if someone’s willing to offer one you’re interested in, proceed with the application procedure. But don’t feel obliged to apply for a position that was recommended just because the person in question is a close family friend or relative.

Send in a speculative application It sounds a little bold, but you can consider sending in a speculative application to companies you’re interested in about whether they’re accepting interns, even if they don’t have public listings. However, there are some extra steps you’ll need to take first. For one, do some thorough research on the employers you’re after. Afterwards, use LinkedIn to reach out to department heads or managers working there, and inquire about whether they have any internship opportunities available. Because you’re the one approaching them first, it’s recommended to provide a cover letter alongside your resume to state your intentions. Consider linking your strengths to the company’s mission and its needs. Include your intensive research about the organisation to show how serious you are about securing the internship.

Conclusion The process of obtaining an internship requires time and effort from you, so don’t disregard these important pointers to help you land one that suits you!

Internship Career Guide 2025

Aiming for an Internship

Choosing the

right internship Your coursework internship is a crucial stepping stone for your future career. Here are some tips you can use to decide on the right company to complete your internship with.

ear the end of your degree or diploma, you’re often required to complete a professional internship that counts towards your course’s credits. Considering that you’ll be spending 10 weeks or up to half a year working with a company, make the best use of your time there and gain the most out of your internship by finding the right placement for yourself!

Internship Career Guide 2025

Aiming for an Internship

Talk to people in the industry

Find a company that will help you grow You’ll want an internship that benefits your career path, and thus one that lets you pick up and apply the skills you’re after. Identify the key skill sets or areas of interest you want to develop, then choose a company that’s strong in those areas. Once you’ve landed the internship, make a conscious effort to improve your skills over the course of its duration. Keep track of your progress, so that by the end, you can see where you are in terms of mastering these skills.

Seek advice from your seniors If you’re looking for advice regarding internships, asking your seniors is your best bet. Not only can they recommend companies suitable for your interests, but they can also offer insights into the firms they interned at. After all, what better way to know what your intern experience will be like at a certain company than to ask someone who did before you?

There’s nothing like getting first-hand information from professionals already in the industry you’re interested in. It doesn’t matter if they’re from your personal network or someone you met while exploring potential career pathways; speaking to anyone with some experience, or experts in their fields will be useful for you.

Attend career fairs If you want to check out a wide range of employers, attend as many career fairs as possible. There, you’ll get to talk with as many employers as you wish regarding internship positions, even as you scout for opportunities. Ask recruiters as many questions as you can about their company, and don’t forget to always bring copies of your resume to give to them too! Update your resume constantly and send soft copies on top of the hard copies given to the recruiters you met. It’s never too late to start planning where you wish to do your internship – be it locally or abroad – if you have an opening and are willing to travel in this climate. It could be your best chance to get your foot into a dream company or an area of work you’re passionate about – so give it some thought, and make your decision.

Apply to multiple companies Being rejected or getting no response is a common occurrence when applying for internships. But don’t feel disheartened – keep in mind that there are many student candidates applying at the same time, and firms have limited internship openings. The key is to apply to as many companies as possible and state your interest in doing an internship with them. Read up on relevant companies and organise your shortlist during the initial application process so that you can keep track of the applications you’ve sent out. Your research will come in handy later when you need to attend an interview, so be sure to understand the company’s operations and prepare yourself for possible interview questions!

Internship Career Guide 2025

Aiming for an Internship

Doing an Internship Outside

your field of study It’s possible to pursue an internship outside your ﬁeld of study, especially if you want to venture into a diﬀerent industry. Here are three ways in which such an experience can help you in your career.

Experiment with your interests and passions It’s normal to lose interest in what you’re studying or decide to change direction and experiment with new potential career paths. Because of this, internships are good platforms to experiment with what you really want to do after your studies. You can also figure out whether the role is something you actually want to do full-time. That said, learn as much as you can from your placement by picking up new skills, both hard and soft, that’ll enrich you. For example, if you have a passion for health and fitness, then interning at a gym or wellness centre will give you experience in interacting with clients and help you realise whether you gain job satisfaction from improving your clients’ health and fitness.

Internship Career Guide 2025

Aiming for an Internship

Acquire new skills Such internships will increase your knowledge and enhance your skill sets beyond your course of study. Although learning something new is always hard, persevere and make good use of the opportunity during your internship; it’ll not only form part of your resume and portfolio, it may even lead you to similar roles in the future. For instance, a museum internship experience may lead you to a curatorial role after graduation. Feel free to plot the dots on your canvas by pursuing your varied interests!

Strengthen your resume Supplementing your core skill sets with auxiliary skills on your resume is ideal at showcasing your versatility as an employee, if you’re looking to develop a multi-faceted career. Skills unique to you are often the edge you’ll have over other candidates. For example, having additional artistic or musical skills would be an advantage for a teaching position, as you can use these skills to stimulate students and add to their learning experience. It’s wise to try a new field while on your internship to get a taste of the job scope. Moreover, it’ll help you decide if a certain profession really is your cup of tea. Keep searching for what’s meaningful for you, and look for meaning in everything you do!

Internship Career Guide 2025

Aiming for an Internship

To Be or Not to

be a graduate intern? Before applying for that graduate internship, take some time to reflect on these pros and cons.

ongratulations –– you’re finally done with school! Now with your game face on and your resume and portfolio equipped, now is the best time to dive straight into the deep end of the professional pool. Or is it? If you lack work experience, employers may be hesitant to hire an applicant who’s too new to the corporate world. It can also potentially hurt you as well – without any exposure to the

industry or role, you run the risk of realising that the role isn’t all what you expected it to be. One solution to this sticky situation is to dip your feet in the shallow end – by taking up a graduate internship. However, while there are many benefits to doing an internship after graduation, there are also drawbacks you have to consider.

The pros: Why you should do it To get your foot in the door

To expand your professional network

To see an insider’s point of view

Employers may be hesitant to provide you with full-time employment as they have yet to see your full potential. Providing you with an internship will allow your employers to accurately assess your capabilities and instill confidence regarding your suitability. Think of this as a long-term strategy: apply as a graduate intern, and give the internship your all to leave an exceptional impression on your employers. If you succeed, and the company has the hiring budget – you may just be offered a full-time position at the end of your internship! It’s possible for graduate interns to be converted into full-time hires if they perform well. After all, former interns not only have prior experience with the company, but on top of having demonstrated their capabilities, they usually have a better understanding of the office culture too. Even if you’re not converted to full-time staff, the experience will look great on your resume, and you can use the experience as a stepping stone to explore opportunities with other firms in the same industry. You’ll also walk away with the relevant skills, not to mention positive testimonials and recommendations from your co-workers or managers – though you’ll need to perform well in the first place, of course!

An internship is a golden opportunity to grow your professional network – you’ll not only get the chance to work alongside professionals in the industry, but also learn about what they do. You may even get the chance to get to know them personally, which can be helpful for your future prospects! To maximise your internship experience, participate in as many networking events as you can and make a good first impression by putting the best version of yourself forward. For all you know, a person you introduce yourself to at one of these events may just be looking for someone to fill a full-time position in their department! So put yourself out there, and be on the radar. Making a positive impression is a good start, but making a lasting impression is something you should aim for as well. Keep yourself in their minds by adding the people you network with on LinkedIn, but don’t forget to ask them if it’s all right to do so beforehand. Drop them a personalised message to thank them for their time and for sharing their insights with you too.

An internship will help you discover the kinds of roles in the industry that will best align with your personality, skill set and even your long-term career goals. It’s a great way to learn about how the industry works, as well as what’s expected of the different positions within the industry, especially if you’re shadowing a senior co-worker or manager who has rich experiences to share with you. However, the onus is on you to be proactive and make use of the resources available. You may not always be assigned a mentor explicitly, but you can always ask someone friendly in the office to answer any burning questions you may have about the industry or workplace, or share some work-life stories with you. Avoid grilling a co-worker or manager when they’re busy, though! Office lunches, gatherings and networking events are typically good opportunities to ask questions.

Internship Career Guide 2025

To bulk up your resume If you didn’t spend enough time on extracurricular activities or gaining other work experiences that can help build your resume while you were still in school, it’s not too late to start, even though you’ve graduated. An internship is the perfect way to develop the required skills and gain the necessary experience to make your resume attractive to recruiters. As the saying goes, it’s better late than never!

Aiming for an Internship

The cons: What you should consider The pay

The role

It’s no secret that as an intern, you’ll be paid significantly less than your peers who hold permanent jobs. If you’re living independently and supporting your own expenses, it may not be a good idea to pursue an internship. You’ll also have to consider the commitments you have. Did you take up a student loan that requires immediate repayment upon graduation? Does your family need your financial support? These are some questions you need to ask yourself if you’re considering an internship upon graduation.

It’s unlikely that your role as an intern will be as focused and specific as a graduate recruit on a training scheme. Instead, you’ll likely be given a variety of tasks that may seem insignificant, and you may even find it difficult to develop key industry skills. If you feel that you aren’t gaining the exposure you were promised, you can ask your manager or co-workers to assign you tasks that are more relevant to your ideal job. Showing initiative and requesting more responsibilities will help you grow professionally, and may also impress your manager and improve your chances of being offered a permanent role. You should also make sure you’re not simply treated as cheap labour. Interns are protected under the Employment Act just like other employees under a company’s contract, and should not be made to work more than 44 hours a week, or more than 88 hours over two continuous weeks. While it’s good to demonstrate that you value the opportunities given by an employer, it’s also important to stand your ground if you’re being taken advantage of. The trick is to strike a balance between knowing your rights and doing your job as an intern.

Internship Career Guide 2025

Aiming for an Internship

Juggling your Studies and Internships:

what to know Sometimes, having a less hectic semester opens the opportunity to pick up an internship during your downtime. But is that the right move for you?

hen it comes to getting your dream job, these days, you’ll need not just good grades, but also the right work experience. However, you might be inclined to think that you don’t have time for an internship while you’re in school.

Internship Career Guide 2025

In truth, it’s entirely possible to take on an internship while studying at the same time, especially if you can lighten up your workload for the semester. But how feasible is it? Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Aiming for an Internship

Consider your commitments Above all else, you’re still a student, so ensuring that your schedule is free enough for coursework should be the top priority. So if you find yourself having classes practically every weekday, it’ll be tricky to throw in a full-time internship as well. Moreover, you might have other commitments beyond just your coursework, too. Whether it’s an extracurricular activity, an existing side job or even social obligations, it might be best not to add more responsibilities to your plate.

Prepare ahead While applying for positions, stay firm on your working conditions, such as your work hours and whether you’ll be able to work remotely. Some companies may also be flexible enough to let you take time off during busy periods (such as exams), so long as you let them know in advance and are honest about your situation. In the meantime, here’s a few ways to help yourself manage your time:

Start scheduling

Depending on your workload, you’ll likely have to spend your daylight hours at work or school, while rushing out assignments at night, among other potential sacrifices. In short, your time management and organisational skills will be put to the test, and will be some of the biggest factors in making it work. One way to make it work is to segment your time into chunks, and allocate your tasks accordingly. This way, you’ll have a better idea of what you need to focus on at any point in time.

Communicate when you need to

With all the different commitments you’ll be juggling, it’s crucial to keep people in the loop about what’s going on. For example, if you have a string of upcoming exams, let your supervisor know and ask if they can reduce your workload for that week. As long as you’re reasonable and tell them ahead of time, they’ll usually be understanding about it. That being said, don’t expect them to always bend the rules for you. There’s a limit to how often they can make exceptions for you until it just turns into you exploiting them.

Take care of yourself

When things get busy, it can be easy to forget self-care, which can lead to a one-way path to physical and mental burnout if you aren’t careful. This can affect how you perform at both work and school, so be sure to set some time for yourself and your loved ones!

It can be tough, especially when you’re first starting out. But once you get used to the balancing act, this can be a good way to demonstrate your time management and organisational skills to future employers. Ultimately, the choice is yours. There’s also no harm in waiting till your semester break or even after graduation if you want to take up an internship. What matters most is making sure that your current experiences are beneficial to you and your well-being.

Internship Career Guide 2025

Applying for Internships Whether you’re a student looking to explore career options or a fresh graduate aiming to get your foot in the door, applying for internships is your first step.

Your Internship Resume .......................................................................................................................... 23 Writing a Cover Letter for your Internship .............................................................................................. 26 Perfecting your Pitch ............................................................................................................................... 28 The Art of the Speculative Application .................................................................................................... 30 Tackling Online Applications .................................................................................................................... 32 Email with Elegance................................................................................................................................. 34 Managing your LinkedIn Profile as an Intern ........................................................................................... 36 A Quick Checklist ..................................................................................................................................... 38

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Applying for Internships

Your

internship resume No relevant work experience? Here are some suggestions on how you can still strengthen your resume to stand out to employers.

rafting an internship resume can be challenging, especially for firsttime applicants with no relevant experience under their belts. If that sounds like you, don’t panic – employers who offer internships are generally accepting of candidates who have no prior work experience. After all, everyone has to start from somewhere! However, that doesn’t mean you should leave your resume blank. There are still a couple of things that you can add to your resume apart from work experience to better present yourself as the right candidate for your dream internship.

Personal Summary Start by introducing yourself and your professional goals. Brieﬂy describe what you wish to achieve professionally and with the organisation you’re applying This is also a good place to include keywords like, your technical skills, that you frequently see in job descriptions. This can increase the chances of your resume getting picked up. . Here’s an example of a brief but effective introduction:

As a driven journalism student with a passion for storytelling, I eagerly seeking opportunities where I can apply my creative writing skills, and my strong foundation in research, editing, and digital media. I hope to craft meaningful content while gaining hands-on experience to refine my craft, and help amplify impactful narratives.

By outlining your motivations, employers will be able to see if this position or industry is the right fit for both the applicant and the organisation. It’ll also demonstrate your self-awareness and drive.

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Applying for Internships

Relevant skills While you may not have the relevant work experience, you can always talk about the skills you gained over the years you spent in school. You can start by looking through the internship job description and picking out keywords or keywords that indicate what skills are required for the task. After that, match them with the skills you possess and use them for your resume. While doing so, it’s important that you provide evidence that you have them, so make sure to demonstrate how you gained these skills through real-life experiences. Remember, the key is to show, not tell! If you’re applying for a more technical internship role, don’t forget to mention the notable technical skills you’ve gained through academic courses and assignments, as well as the certifications you have earned. You can add your experiences to your resume as well. It doesn’t have to be solely related to work, so there’s no need to panic if you don’t have any. Instead, bring attention to the experience gained through extracurricular activities and school projects, especially if you excelled in some of them.

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Achievements and successes You can also dedicate a section in your internship resume that lists your achievements. These can include academic awards, scholarships and other recognitions worth mentioning. If you’ve held – or are still holding – a position in a student club or society in your polytechnic or university, include a description of your role and, more importantly, what you’ve done. If you participated in any events or activities, you should also include a brief description of your contribution. Try to quantify your achievements. For instance, rather than just saying that you helped improve sales during your role as part of a club’s sales and marketing committee, mention that you helped it increase by 30 per cent over the last academic year. Putting a number on it makes your achievement clearer and more persuasive, allowing employers to gauge your abilities better. However, do be warned – integrity and honesty are two values that’ll take you a long way in both your personal and professional life. If you decide to fabricate details about your achievements, the truth will catch up eventually and can be costly. Some seasoned recruiters are able to tell from experience whether an applicant is truthful about what they say, especially during the interview process. So the last thing you want to do is make a bad name for yourself when you’re just starting to build your career.

Related projects Think about the projects and assignments you’ve done and how they reﬂect your career interests, which should align with the internship you’re applying for. This could be your final year project, or even a blog you started in order to write about issues pertaining to the area of work you’re passionate about. If you have any noteworthy projects and assignments as well, list and brieﬂy describe them in your resume. This section will demonstrate to recruiters your dedication and interest, along with your knowledge of the industry in question. Be sure to also provide a link to your online portfolio or website, so that they can browse through your best work at their own leisure. Remember to pick your projects based on the jobs you are applying for, and not simply piling everything you have done into your resume. Should you proceed to the interview round in the recruitment process, be prepared to answer questions regarding the projects described. Since this section can be a likely source for interview questions, make sure the projects listed in your resume are significant and relevant to the internship position you’re applying for, so that you can link them back to how the experience makes you a suitable candidate.

Applying for Internships

Sample Resume for candidates with no work experience

XXXX xxx | xxxxxxxxx | xxx

PROFILE

Your name should be about 2pt bigger than the usual font size. The possible contact details to include are your email address, mobile number and the link to your LinkedIn profile or online portfolio. Craft one to three sentences describing your background, your top strengths, and your career goals. Typically, your current or most recent institution is already sufficient. Consider including the relevant modules as well, especially those that are specifically related to the internship you’re applying for.

EDUCATION

PROJECTS/COMPETITIONS

SKILLS

Consider including projects (like your final year assignment) or competitions you have taken part in, especially if they’re relevant to the internship role you’re aiming for.

ACHIEVEMENTS/EXPERIENCES

Include about 5 to 10 of your most relevant skills in bullet points You may use this final box to display your achievements (such as notable awards) or experiences (such as volunteering at an animal shelter).

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Applying for Internships

Writing a Cover Letter

for your internship Along with your resume, your cover letter gives recruiters their first impression of you. Here are some tips on how to craft a cover letter that can grant you a golden ticket to an internship.

hile cover letters aren’t strictly required for all applications, it’s still a good-to-have document that’s especially advantageous for a fresh graduate. After all, a well-crafted cover letter can prove your sincerity while also informing hiring managers of your strengths and suitability for the role.

1. Be succinct and specific Be clear on the specific internship position you’re applying for, explain why it is of interest to you and convince the hiring manager that you’re a good fit. At this point, the brief introduction of yourself should contain relevant experiences and interest in the internship role advertised, as well as your highest educational qualification. You don’t have to ramble too much about your personality, detailed academic background and skills as these are already on your resume. Also, avoid describing yourself with words such as “passionate” or “ambitious” as these qualities are better exuded in person during the interview stage.

Internship Career Guide 2025

2. Demonstrate your competence Read the internship description as advertised and treat it like the holy grail. Your cover letter needs to address the selection criteria by highlighting relevant experiences. In the same vein, explain how your skills could be put to good use in the specific role. For example, if you’re well-versed and interested in current affairs, you can point out how it can help in a political risk advisory role where clients appreciate swift and actionable insights.

3. Show your enthusiasm Take the time to do some thorough research about your potential employer, and use what you know to your advantage. You can do this by mentioning specific aspects of the company’s operations and culture that appeal to you in your cover letter. For example, if you’ve attended networking events organised by the firm or visited its booth at a career fair, you can mention it in your cover letter. If you’re in contact with someone in the company whom you met through these events, you can mention their name. Showing your enthusiasm could score an advantage over other candidates.

4. Do a thorough check Last but not least, take a break from your cover letter and check it again later. You’re more likely to spot any mistakes with fresh eyes. Print it out and give it a once-over. If this is the first time you’re writing a cover letter, you may want to get someone with a strong command of English to help you proofread it. Use a spellchecker to prevent grammar mistakes, as any errors can indicate a lack of attention to detail.

Applying for Internships

Cover Letter Sample

Dear Mr Lee, I am writing to apply for the Programming Executive internship with Design Museum. My conversations with current employees at your networking session in June this year have reinforced my interest in the museum and cemented my belief that I have the expertise and skills that you are looking for. Through my three years of study at the School of Art, Design and Media at Singapore University, which includes a 10-week professional attachment with Art and Design Outreach, I have developed an understanding of creating impactful programmes for art and design institutions. In addition, I also underwent a six-month internship at the Taylor Print Institute where I gained valuable experience in putting together a year-long public programme to attract different visitors through various platforms including online media, promoting the exhibitions and events to the press, and ensuring live events ran smoothly while also drawing sufficient crowd sizes. My resume is enclosed for your consideration. I am keen to discuss any opportunity in person and am available for an interview at any time. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Yours sincerely, Shirley Tan

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Applying for Internships

Perfecting

your pitch Using good, concise English is the key to getting your message quickly across to recruiters.

sing long words and business jargon is the way to impress employers, right? Wrong. On the contrary, being concise and to the point is actually the best way to write your resume, cover letter or even when filling in an application form. It’s absolutely possible to be formal and professional without having to resort to using fancy flourishes and “impressive” figures of speech. In fact, someone who has this kind of control over their writing is always going to impress employers with their skill in communication.

Simple but clear Use simple English so that your audience can read, understand and act upon your message with just a single reading. You only have one chance to make your point, because realistically, your application isn’t the only one sitting in a recruiter’s inbox, so make the most of it.

Written communication 101: The Ultimate Do’s and Don’ts The average graduate recruiter has a limited amount of time, and an application form has a limited amount of space. For that reason, cut to the chase and get to the point.

Do’s 1. Use headers and bullet points

2. Keep it short

Format your resume in such a way that it’s more readable and direct. E.g. Tasks as team leader included (but not limited to):

• If removing a word doesn’t affect the logic of the sentence, do it.

• Leading a team of eight teammates; • Overseeing two projects at the same time; • Prioritising overlapping tasks;

• Write short sentences.

E.g. I am a team player with leadership capabilities. My experience as a team leader allowed me to work alongside my teammates and hone my leadership skills.

• Reporting to the finance department.

3. Be active

4. Be direct

Keep it simple by sticking to the active clause. E.g. As a team leader, I managed many tasks.

Replace unnecessarily long phrases and fancy sentence structures with more direct words. E.g. • Within the workplace → at work • At this point in time → now • In addition to the aforementioned → also

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Applying for Internships

Don’ts 1. Write long paragraphs and sentences Refrain from cramming too much information into one long paragraph. E.g. My tasks as a team leader included leading a team of eight teammates, overseeing two projects at the same time, prioritising overlapping tasks, reporting to the finance department, and many more.

2. Be long-winded • Avoid overusing conjunctions such as “and”, “that”, “as”, “so”, etc. • Exclude unnecessary descriptions and adjectives. E.g. I am a team player as well as a great leader, and this is evident in my role as a team leader that allowed me to work alongside inspiring, hardworking and cooperative teammates.

3. Use a passive voice

4. Pad out your words

• Avoid writing sentences in passive form.

Take out fancy phrases that can be replaced with single words.

• Passive sentences won’t make you sound authoritative, just robot-like.

Checklist Before sending in your resume and cover letter, check them against the following points. Do they fulfil each and every one of them? Is the layout clear and easy to follow? Do the headings stand out? Are your sentences concise? Does the content have a clear objective? Are your points clear? Have you used short, concrete and familiar words instead of long, obscure, complex words? Is the content free of spelling and grammatical errors? Are bulleted lists used when appropriate? Is the tone suitable for addressing an employer?

E.g. As a team leader, I faced many tasks to be managed.

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Applying for Internships

The Art of the

speculative application If your speculative application begins with “Dear Sir/ Madam”, it may well have started with the words “Please ignore this email!”.

id you know that nearly 70 per cent of all openings aren’t advertised? Because of this, even in a downturn, employers may still be open to speculative applications. Either way, there’s a good chance that many employers won’t actually know what they need until they see what you have to offer them. A speculative application is a quicker and more direct route. While submitting a speculative application (i.e. “applying on spec”) does require plenty of research beforehand, you’ll still likely end up with some valuable insights! Moreover, with more information under your belt, you’ll have a better idea if you’ll be a good match for the organisation, which in turn will give you the confidence you need should you get the opportunity to meet the employer for an interview. Here are some tips on breaking into the hidden market and how to apply on spec like a pro!

1. Draw up a shortlist of employers When it comes to finding out more information about potential employers, good sources include: • Online business directories • Specialised business and trade publications • Magazines and websites by professional associations • Online corporate review forums • Professional social media sites If you have access to your campus’s careers services centre, it’s worth looking through the information they have on local employers, including reports from alumni. Remember, personal networks can be useful too! Friends, family members and their connections can all be good contacts to help you get that first foot in the door.

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Applying for Internships

2. Prepare to apply speculatively

4. Stay focused but open-minded

Once you have your list of employers, you need to do your research. Suss out details about the company and get a feel for the kind of work they do. This will help you show a genuine interest in the employer and make a convincing speculative application.

Be clear about what you’re looking for when getting into contact with employers. After all, it’s not just about selling yourself. Taking a speculative approach can also be a great way to:

3. Make contact personal Finding a named contact is the golden rule of making a speculative application, and those addressed to a “Sir/Madam” or “whom it may concern” have a high probability of being ignored. Moreover, it’s easier to make a quick phone call to the company to ask for the name of the person who’s responsible for recruiting. Be tactful about it, though. It’s bad form to just go, “Hi, what is the name of the person who is in charge of hiring?” to the one who answers your call. Try to soften the blow by being honest, yet polite, about your reason for calling. “Hello, I would like to apply for a position at your company, and was wondering who I should leave my resume with...”

• Find permanent, temporary or parttime vacancies, work experience, or work shadowing opportunities. • Arrange a time for a chat on the phone, a brief visit, or the opportunity to meet a recent graduate or employee of the organisation. • Learn which other employers in a similar industry may be hiring, even if the one you’re contacting isn’t interested in having you on board.

Other reasons why you should apply speculatively • You’re trying to find work in a specialised or niche sector, such as publishing, pet care, or creative media. • You’re looking to work with a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) or startup. Most smaller companies typically don’t allocate a lot of resources to recruitment and advertising, but may still need additional staff. • You missed the standard recruitment window.

5. Follow up To improve your chances of success, follow up your speculative application with a phone call a few days after you send it in. Personal contact can create a good impression and make you more memorable. Even if the employer can’t help with your main request, talking to them will be your chance to ask if there are any opportunities coming up, find out how the organisation typically recruits, and where and when you should look out for their advertisements.

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Applying for Internships

Tackling Online

applications Online application forms work like precision tools for recruiters, allowing them to sift through candidates using specific criteria.

n online application form can take one to three hours to complete, depending on the number of questions and what each company expects. They may be time-consuming, but they’re also convenient and often employers’ preferred choice in this digital age. But on top of uploading your resume and cover letter, these application forms also need you to answer questions with regard to your skills and motivations. With each company having its own customised form, make sure that you don’t just copy and paste your answers! Continue reading to get some tips on how to handle online applications effectively.

Internship Career Guide 2025

1. Show, don’t just tell Back up your statements with examples or details to prove your point. If you just provide unsubstantiated one-liners, recruiters can’t assess you properly, hurting your chances of getting an interview. Don’t just put “I gained commercial awareness through my past internship” – talk about how you gained this knowledge and use a specific example for illustration. When it comes to stating your motivations for applying, make sure your write-up is succinct and impactful. Elaborate on the aspects of the role that appeal to you and state any related academic or work experience.

Applying for Internships

2. Shine like a STAR When filling in online applications, remember the STAR technique to keep your answers concise and to the point: • Describe the Situation • Describe the Tasks involved • Describe the Actions you took • Describe the Results This technique is especially useful when writing about your previous work experiences and demonstrating how your skill sets and personality traits make you a snug fit for the role. Don’t be afraid to use subheadings and bullet points – they’ll make it easier for recruiters to read.

3. Write each answer afresh Don’t copy over an answer you used on another form, no matter how similar the questions may seem! At the very least, tweak your answers strategically to fit the role you’re applying for. The biggest mistake you can make is to leave any traces or mention of the previous companies you applied for when pasting the same answers over and over again to a myriad of potential employers. And, whatever you do, don’t copy and paste information directly from the employer’s – or their competitors’ – websites! Company websites and social media pages may be useful research resources, but you should still digest and process the information at your own pace. Take the time to develop an understanding of the industry and prospective employers from your own unique perspective.

4. Check, check, check Many otherwise impressive applications are often let down by tiny errors, and unfortunately, not all forms may allow you to save your responses or refer back to previous pages for checks. To save yourself the heartache of lost answers in the event of browser issues or when Murphy’s Law comes into play, you can choose to draft your answers on word-processing programmes before keying them into the form when you’re satisfied with your answers. You can also let your career advisor check your answers before the official submission. For questions that you aren’t providing answers for, leave an “NA” for “not applicable”. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and make sure that you indicate your contact information correctly, especially in the case of your email address and mobile number. Lastly, keep a copy of each online application sent out for your own reference. You can even print out the completed forms to check before submission. You’ll also need to refer to your answers so that you know what to speak about when you are called up for the interview.

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Applying for Internships

Email with

elegance A well-crafted email can open doors to your dream internship. But before hitting send, a thought lingers—will your message stand out or get lost in a crowded inbox?

n a world where first impressions often happen online, your email is more than just a formality; it’s your chance to make a connection. A well-written application email can open doors, while a careless one might close them before you even begin.

To make sure your email grabs attention for the right reasons, here’s how to ensure that your message is clear, professional, and compelling.

1. Use an appropriate email address If you don’t have a professionalsounding email address hosted on a credible domain, it’s time to create a new account. The email address will need to contain your initials, either your surname or full name, and be free from references to your favourite puns, cartoons or games.

2. Write a clear subject

A good subject line states the purpose of the email with the recipient in mind. An ideal subject line will be “Application for (Role) – (Your Name)”. Make sure you don’t have typos in the subject line as that’ll make a very bad first impression!

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Applying for Internships

3. Address your email to the right person

5. Check for errors

7. Follow up promptly

Find out who it is you should address the email to instead of just stating “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To whom it may concern”. The name of the hiring manager is often on the internship description and hiring notice. If it’s not, you can look it up on LinkedIn or the organisation’s online directory. Alternatively, you can also make a phone call to enquire about who you should be addressing the email to before sending it out.

Don’t just rely on autocorrect to spot your typos! Always reread your email draft for any grammatical mistakes and read it out loud, assessing the content from the recipient’s point of view. If you’re worried about blind spots, you can also ask someone to review it for you.

Besides replying to emails from prospective employers swiftly, you should send them a followup note if you haven’t heard from them within the stated period in which you’re expecting a reply. Similarly, you don’t want to miss out on an interview opportunity or potential internship offer just because you forgot to check your inbox, so be sure to do so every so often!

4. Keep your message brief and professional

6. Manage your email 8. Craft an effective attachments signature effectively

Your email should be succinct, not lengthy. As excited as you might be about the internship role, avoid peppering your email with smileys, emojis and exclamation marks. This is still a professional correspondence, so keep it brief and respectful. That includes adding acronyms and using slang like “btw” and “fyi” as well.

Don’t forget to enclose your attachments, whether it’s your cover letter, resume or other requested documents! If you need to send out any large attachments, it’s recommended that you place them in a zipped folder or provide links to where the recruiter can download them.

Lastly, your email signature should contain a link to your LinkedIn profile or online portfolio, as well as your mobile number – especially for your first email to any professional contact.

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Applying for Internships

Managing Your LinkedIn

profile as an intern Your LinkedIn profile is more than an online resume—it’s your personal brand. As an intern, a strong presence can open doors to future opportunities.

magine a recruiter stumbling upon your LinkedIn profile. Will they see a promising young professional or just another incomplete page? As an intern, your LinkedIn presence can be a powerful tool to showcase your skills, experiences, and ambitions.

Whether you’re looking to land a full-time job or expand your network, managing your profile strategically can make all the difference.

1. Decide what you want to achieve on LinkedIn

2. Showcase the right skill sets

Before you come up with a battle plan, you need to know what it is that you’re hoping to gain through LinkedIn. Are you looking to join a particular sector? Or are you aiming to clinch a certain type of job role? Check out profiles of individuals and companies in your interest areas to find out what skills are in demand and what the tone of your LinkedIn profile should be. What are you trying to market yourself as? What roles do you want to be shortlisted for? Answer these questions first before coming up with the content for your LinkedIn bio.

Just like how an applicant tracking system (ATS) works for job applications submitted, recruiters spot keywords on LinkedIn profiles to meet their hiring needs. Identify your current skill sets so that you can highlight them in your bio, much like how you would for your resume. When you’re on LinkedIn, you can browse around and take a leaf from industry professionals in your chosen field with wellcrafted profiles. If not, the descriptions of your dream internship roles serve as good fodder. Show what drives you along with what you can do. For instance, if a posting for a user experience (UX) designer calls for skills in collaboration, visual communication, user empathy, coding and interaction design, you can use “I am a team player driven to deliver the best user experience with beautiful and functional designs” as a headline in your profile.

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Applying for Internships

3. Highlight what makes you an asset Illustrate your experience with concrete examples and details in a succinct manner. For example, mention the exact number of sponsors you brought on board for your final-year project so as to demonstrate your negotiation and partnership management skills. Show how you stand out for the sector and job role you’re applying for. For instance, if you’re looking at a commercial research role for a specific locale or demographic group, state your familiarity with trends within a particular market segment.

4. Translate your skills into values

5. Show recruiters what’s next

Always take that extra step to prove the value of your knowledge in a professional setting and demonstrate how you contributed to the company you did your internship at. For example, don’t leave out that you used search engine optimisation (SEO) in a digital marketing plan, which resulted in a 10 per cent growth in revenue. Go beyond merely listing your mastery of skills, software and languages. Show how you applied the knowledge in a professional setting, such as how you used your command of a second or third language to gain insights into a regional market.

Other than statements about yourself, don’t leave out the most important information at the end – a point of contact for potential employers, recruiters, clients, or anyone who wants to engage with you. Don’t forget to include a link to your portfolio as well.

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Applying for Internships

A Quick

checklist Applying for your first internship can leave you feeling a little lost, so here’s a quick rundown to make sure you have everything!

1. Your resume Ensure it’s updated with your relevant skills, projects, achievements and successes.

2. Cover letter Don’t be afraid to get others to look through it from a second perspective!

3. Keep it clear and simple Make sure your resume and cover letter are easy to read and free of mistakes.

4. Establish your digital presence Create a LinkedIn proﬁle, and ensure that you manage and maintain it well.

5. Apply! There’s no one correct way to apply, so apply speculatively, online and directly!

Internship Career Guide 2025

Acing your Internship Internships are a test run for your future career. Ace yours by mastering workplace skills, networking like a pro, and showing employers what you can bring to the table.

Before the Big Day ................................................................................................................................... 40 Common Internship Interview Questions ............................................................................................... 42 Body Language Tips for Interviews .......................................................................................................... 44 How to Ace Your Internship Interview..................................................................................................... 46 Post-Interview:Steps to Take ................................................................................................................... 48 Bouncing Back from Rejection................................................................................................................. 50 Surviving your First Day as an Intern ....................................................................................................... 52 Becoming a Star Intern ............................................................................................................................ 54 Wrapping up Your Internship................................................................................................................... 56

Internship Career Guide 2025

Acing Your Internship

Before the

big day Feeling nervous about your first internship interview? With the right preparation and a step-by-step approach, you can stay calm, focused, and ready to impress.

eeling anxious about your upcoming interview is completely normal, but don’t let it overwhelm you. Stay in control by breaking your preparation into manageable steps. Take a deep breath, follow these key steps, and walk into your interview with confidence.

Quick grooming tips For gentlemen • The clean-shaven look is always a safe bet. Get rid of any stubble or wispy facial hair. • Keep your hair neat and make sure that your fringe doesn’t spill past your eyebrows. • Don’t be afraid to accessorise. Go for a solid watch or a simple pair of cufflinks to complement your outfit. • Don’t overdo the cologne and aftershave.

Internship Career Guide 2025

For ladies • Keep your nails in neutral or natural colours – glaring colours or designs may unnecessarily distract interviewers. • Make sure to style your hair so that it stays in place and out of your face. • If you plan on wearing jewellery and make-up, keep things subtle and simple. You want your personality – not your accessories – to shine through!

Acing Your Internship

One week before

2 hours before

Start by getting the dress code right

Depart for your destination

Objective: Look the part of an impressive candidate.

Your interview is a chance to show how well you could fit into the company, and this includes your appearance. Check out the recruiter’s website to get a better idea of what they consider to be appropriate business wear and copy them. Err on the side of formality if you’re unsure – it’s always better to come overdressed instead of underdressed. Your clothes should be clean, fitted and pressed. Be sure to cover up any tattoos, and if you smoke or drink a lot of coffee, make sure your teeth are stainfree.

The night before Prepare everything you’ll need in advance Objective: Have everything you’ll need ready so you don’t rush the next day.

• Prepare and hang up your interview outfit in advance so you won’t have to stress out about what to wear. • Pick a handy, compartmentalised document bag or folder to store your stuff in. Be sure to organise everything for easy access. • Prepare three additional printed copies of your resume on good, solid paper. You never know if additional interviewers might show up unannounced! • Get a good night’s sleep to ensure that you’ll be well-rested when the morning comes. You’ll want to be as sharp and alert as possible in the interview room.

Objective: Arrive at the interview venue with plenty of time to spare.

You know how traffic generally has a way of working against you when you need to get somewhere in a hurry? This is not a good day to test that theory! Leave early to ensure you arrive at the destination before your appointed time. Remember that when it comes to interviews, arriving “on time” is the same as arriving late.

30 minutes before Arrive at the premises and get comfortable with your surroundings Objective: Decrease your initial stress and get into a positive frame of mind.

Arriving at the location a good half hour before your appointment will give you enough time to take a breather and get to where you’re supposed to be with the least amount of aggravation. Now’s not the time to fret about what you took the time to remember and how you’ll come across at the interview. Draw up a mental list of things you like so far about the place – it could be the colour of the carpet in the reception area or the pile of magazines on the coffee table – and focus your mind on that. This will help calm you down.

20 minutes before Introduce yourself and break the ice Objective: Get used to talking in your new surroundings by striking up a conversation with someone who works for the employer but won’t be interviewing you.

10 minutes before Meet and greet the interviewers Objective: From the very start, treat the interview like a meeting between two parties, rather than a one-way interrogation.

There’s usually a short explanation of how the interview will be structured. Commonly, the interviewers will begin with an overview of the company and the internship role you’re being interviewed for. This preamble is the most “nonjudgmental” part of the interview, so enjoy it and take the opportunity to ask some smart questions.

Crunch time Demonstrate your skills! Objective: Use your innate skills and experiences, putting to good effect what you’ve learned through this guide and other sources.

Introductions are typically followed by the most time-consuming part of the interview: questions to find out whether you can do the job and if you have the motivation to do so. Finally, you’ll get the chance to ask questions of your own. You may also be given a short test to complete before or after the interview, depending on your role. This may be to establish the level of your skills pertinent to the job, or a more general evaluation of your preferred working style. You’ll likely be informed of this ahead of time, so follow all instructions carefully, plan your time, and focus on the task. If you’re applying for a graduate internship, the assessment process might be more extensive and carried out separately in an assessment centre.

With any luck, the first person you’ll encounter is a receptionist expecting your arrival. They may ask you to sign in before taking you to the visitors’ area. Be friendly and appreciative, as you should be towards anyone you meet in the building, be it the cleaner or or even the CEO by chance! Internship Career Guide 2025

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Common Internship

interview questions Worried that your internship recruiter will grill you with diﬃcult questions that you might not know how to answer? We have you covered.

n internship interview is often one of the first formal interviews a student or graduate will go through as they start building the foundations of their career journey. Needless to say, it can feel quite daunting at the beginning. Doing the proper prep work will not only help you get over those nerves, but it’ll also help you better express yourself during

Tell me about yourself

the session. One good way to start your preparation is to list down common questions that recruiters ask their candidates, and figure out how best to respond to each of them, while also naturally highlighting your own strengths. To help you, we’ve prepared a list of common interview questions and how you can answer them to impress your recruiters in the process!

Why did you apply for an internship with this company?

Similar questions: “Why do you want to work here?” and “Why should we hire you?”

Similar questions: “What do you know about our company?” and “How do you relate to our company values?”

Interviews typically start with this question to get you warmed up. However, avoid getting too relaxed and giving basic information your interviewers already know, such as your name and age. Your answer should sell your strengths and show your personality in relation to the internship role on offer. To kick things off, you can form a response with these four points:

This question is usually asked to test your knowledge about the employer. Your response should demonstrate that you’ve done sufficient research about the company beyond a quick skim over the “About Us” section on the employer’s website. Read up on the company’s history, values and press releases to get an in-depth understanding. If the employer maintains a presence on social media, follow their accounts to get the latest news. With enough research under your belt, you should be able to connect the dots by aligning your work goals, style and personality to what the company stands for, or how you can relate to its business. Think about the company’s areas of specialisation and how they relate to your career aims and interests. What’s their vision and mission, and how do they relate to your own values? For example, if the company you’re applying to has a strong corporate social responsibility branding and is a strong advocate for animal rights, you can win your interviewers over by giving an example of how you’ve also participated in relevant activities, such as volunteering at an animal shelter. Your research will show your enthusiasm and reassure your interviewers that you’re truly interested in the company, and will also win you generous brownie points.

• Your year and course of study • Your career goals or the career path you’re interested in • Your interests or hobbies, if they’re relevant to the job • Your reason for applying to the internship Aside from the first point, your answer should emphasise your strengths in relation to the role on offer. For instance, if you’re a business student interested in the programmer intern position, you can talk about how you intend to pursue a career in the same line of work in the future, and how this position will help give you the relevant work experience. You could also talk about the activities you spend your spare time on, such as hackathons and app development courses online, where you’ve honed and developed technical skills that’ll be essential for the internship. You can even go the extra mile by talking about how your business degree has made you more commercially aware of the industry, and how you can contribute business strategies and ideas to the IT company you’re applying to.

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Tell us about a time when you had to deal with a diﬃcult situation.

Similar question: “Give me an example of a situation where you encountered a challenge.”

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Similar question: “Give me two positive and negative adjectives that you would use to describe yourself.”

This is a competency question to evaluate your behaviour and strength, and is also meant to understand how you would respond to difficult situations. By asking such questions, your interviewers can predict how you would handle a workplace conflict or issue, from managing deadlines to interacting with difficult clients or co-workers. When it comes to competency interview questions, you can always use the STAR approach to structure your response: • Situation: Provide the context by describing the situation to your interviewers. • Task: What were your goals? • Action: Explain what your specific actions were.

This question is a tricky one. You have a chance to sell yourself, but also risk revealing traits that may jeopardise your chances of getting the internship. However, the purpose of this question is for your interviewers to learn more about your abilities and your motivation to improve on your weaker qualities rather than judging your weaknesses. Talking about your strengths is fairly straightforward – think about the skills and traits you possess that are relevant to the company and role. Self-motivation is usually a good selling point to highlight as employers generally like candidates who are proactive and keen to learn. Use examples from school projects, activities or student clubs to back up your strengths as well. However, when it comes to weaknesses, some interviewees make the mistake of bringing up a negative trait about themselves and leaving it at that. Worse, the blunder of using a weakness that would directly impact your work performance in the job role. First of all, stay calm and composed. Stating your weakness is a bad thing only if you’re doing nothing about it. Secondly, there’s a strategy to answering this question – talk about your weaknesses and then follow your statements by describing what you’re doing to improve yourself. For example, you can talk about how you don’t have the best memory and tend to forget things when there’s an information overload. Follow up by talking about the steps you’ve taken to overcome this, such as always jotting down the tasks you’re assigned to do so that you won’t forget them.

Tip Avoid “blaming” someone else for a problem or challenge you face. The focus of your answer should be on your actions and results.

• Result: Describe the end result – even if the overall project didn’t end on a good note, make sure that it reflects you in a good light. Here’s an example of how you can come up with an answer using this approach: • Situation I was President of the Music Society on campus, and was in charge of the Battle of the Bands event in January this year. We experienced a major hiccup on the day of the event when one of the judges who was supposed to be on the judging panel informed us that he couldn’t make it at the last minute. • Task We had only two hours to inform the contestants of the change, update the emcee’s script for the event and edit the PowerPoint slides that were supposed to show pictures of the judges against the backdrop of the stage. • Action I delegated the last-minute tasks according to my team members’ roles. Within the first hour, I told the emcee liaison to make sure that the emcee was informed of the change. I assigned the PA system team to ensure that the picture of the absent judge was removed from the slideshow. Since we were a lean team, I personally took on the task of gathering all the performers on stage to inform them of the last-minute change. An hour before the show, I did a final check on the PowerPoint slides and emcee script to make sure they were all updated. • Result The team was nervous about the unexpected problem at first, but because the last-minute tasks were delegated well and everyone did their part, the event went smoothly. Our audience was very happy with the event, and the contestants were excited to participate again the year after.

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Body Language

tips for interviews During interviews, you’ll be evaluated not only by what you say, but by your body language as well.

o matter how well you prepare your answers, your body language and overall presence can shape a recruiter’s impression just as much—if not more—than your words. Confidence, enthusiasm, and professionalism aren’t just expressed verbally; they’re communicated through eye contact, posture, and even the way you enter the room. A weak handshake, slouched shoulders, or avoiding eye contact can unintentionally signal uncertainty, while a steady voice and composed demeanour can make you seem self-assured. Recruiters aren’t just evaluating your qualifications; they’re assessing whether you carry yourself like someone they’d want on their team. That doesn’t mean you should panic or over-rehearse every movement. Overthinking can make you appear stiff and unnatural. Instead, focus on being self-aware without letting nerves take over. Pay attention to how you sit, speak, and engage in conversation. A warm smile, an open posture, and a measured tone can instantly make you more approachable and confident. First impressions matter, and the way you present yourself can set the stage for how the rest of the interview unfolds.

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Eyes • Go for an open, confident gaze, but don’t stare. • Maintain a decent level of eye contact throughout the interview. If you struggle with keeping eye contact, try setting your gaze slightly above their eyes. • In a panel interview, make sure to alternate eye contact with all of your interviewers, but always look back at the person you are addressing. • Don’t wink or flutter your eyelashes! • Remember to blink.

Mouth • Smile naturally. Don’t overdo or fake it. • Fresh breath matters, so pop some mints before you head in. • Be aware of your tone of voice. There’s no point in saying you’re passionate about something when you sound utterly bored! • Speak at a moderate pace, avoiding filler words like “um” or “uh”. • Excessive lip-licking is a no-no. Put on some lip balm just before the interview to keep them from cracking if you need to. • Avoid breathing from your mouth. Heavy breathing isn’t particularly presentable. • Avoid pursing and biting your lips.

Hands

Posture

• Keep your handshakes firm and as dry as possible – especially at the end, as it’s your last chance to leave a lasting impression!

• No slouching! Sit up straight to give recruiters a more confident impression of yourself.

• No flabby handshakes or bone-crushers. • Gesture appropriately to emphasise your answers: right hand for giving out info, left hand for receiving info.

• Square your shoulders and raise your head to give a more self-assured and reliable quality. • Don’t be stiff.

• Don’t crack your knuckles. It’s a bad habit anyway.

• Stay comfortable. Don’t be afraid to change positions throughout the interview, but avoid excessive fidgeting.

• Avoid signs that show you’re nervous, such as tapping your fingers on the table.

• Mirror your interviewer’s posture from time to time to create solidarity between the both of you. • Lean forward a little to show interest in what your interviewers are saying.

Other tips Calm those nerves! The one thing that affects your body language the most is your nerves. You can mask them slightly by going into an interview well-prepared with positive examples and stories about how you’re ready for the job. But if you don’t calm yourself before the session starts, your body language will still likely give you away!

If all else fails… Fake it! Instead of seeing nerves as a weakness, reframe them as excitement—an opportunity to showcase your skills. Remind yourself of your past successes when you overcame challenges and proved your abilities. If you’ve done it before, you can do it again. Finally, take it one step at a time. Focus on small actions like breathing, smiling, and speaking clearly. Confidence grows with each step.

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How to Ace your

internship interview Acing your internship interview is about making a strong, lasting impression. With the right preparation and confidence, you can stand out and take a big step toward your career goals.

ou’ve filled up the application form and sent your resume and cover letter to the organisation you want to intern at. Before long, your wish came true: you received a call to schedule an interview with your potential employer. Everything has been smooth sailing so far, and your interview is the last hurdle that’ll make or break an employer’s decision to take you on as an intern. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating the interview process by thinking that recruiters expect less of you just because the position you’re applying for is only short-term!

On their part, some employers see interns as future investments who can potentially convert to full-time employment, with a study from Zippia finding that 70 per cent of interns are given a job offer at the same company they interned with. As such, there are often certain expectations for interns brought in. All in all, it’s important that you do your homework and figure out what to expect before you walk into the interview room.

What to expect from your internship interview Depending on the internship position and line of work you’re applying for, you may have one or multiple interviewers, ranging from HR team members, managers from the relevant department of the organisation, experts from the related area of work, or a mixture of all. Most interviews are made up of structured questions that have been set in a particular order. However, your responses may give rise to new questions created on the fly as interviewers try to learn as much as they can about you. Go along with the flow of the interview questions, and don’t be afraid to ask questions as long as they are relevant and appropriate. Typically, there’ll also be a chance for you to ask questions at the end of the interview.

How to shine in your interview There’s no better way to impress employers than to demonstrate that you’ve done your research. Show up at the interview prepared and don’t hesitate to show your understanding of the company and its culture! For instance, if your research has identified the organisation’s emphasis on communication and teamwork, you can use this knowledge to your advantage and demonstrate your personality, skills and experience to complement that facet of the organisation. Another important thing to keep in mind when it comes to interviews is that you have to show how the internship will benefit you. Indicate that you have reflected on the advantages of completing an internship with that specific employer, and how that’ll affect your future career prospects – no employer wants their intern to regret their internship because they discovered too late that it won’t enhance their career!

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Typical interview questions It’s not uncommon for bigger employers to conduct two rounds of interviews when recruiting interns. In most cases, the first would be an HR interview with the usual standard interview questions. The second interview tends to be more technical, and conducted by a line manager. Questions generally revolve around: • Why you’re interested in the industry, field, employer and the role you applied for • Your competencies • Technical questions related to the role • Previous relevant experiences • Hypothetical questions relating to the role, such as “How would you react if this happened?” • Core skill questions, much like “Tell me about the skills you can bring to this role?”

How to appear professional One of the key considerations that employers have is whether the person they’re hiring can behave appropriately and professionally in the workplace. This is especially important if your role involves interacting with people outside the organisation, such as clients, partners, or suppliers. You can prove that you’re perfectly capable of conducting yourself professionally simply by dressing appropriately for your interview. First impressions can really go a long way! Also, greet your interviewer with a firm handshake, make eye contact and smile sensibly throughout the interview. Some polite small talk with your interviewers is a good idea too, as it’ll help create a more amiable and pleasant atmosphere. However, do stick to safe topics such as the weather or your journey to the interview venue. Avoid personal stories, such as your wild night out – even if your interviewer appears to be friendly and acting casual.

Do’s • Find out as much as you can about the employer, role and industry prior to the interview. • Research typical interview questions and prepare responses with examples for each, using extracurricular activities and any work experience you have. • Plan your journey so you arrive on time. • Ensure your interview attire is clean and prepared in advance. • Be polite to everyone, including the cleaners! • Engage in a two-way conversation with your interviewers.

Don’ts • Give monosyllabic answers. If you get an unexpected question, think quickly on your feet and use a relevant example. • Use offensive language. Even if you’re joking and your interviewers seem friendly, stay professional at all times. You’re here for professional reasons, after all. • Mention your interview on social media. A study by CareerBuilder showed 65 per cent of employers check their candidates’ social media accounts to see if the they presented themselves professionally. Boasting about an interview online can be off-putting, and if a separate employer notices that you’ve been interviewed by another company, they may decide not to waste their time contacting you.

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Post-Interview:

steps to take Preparing for and going for an interview is hard work, but the process doesn’t simply end the moment you leave the interview room.

ow that the interview is finally over, you can just put your feet up and relax, right? Not quite. Just like how preparing ahead for an interview is important, what you do afterwards can be just as crucial. Taking the right steps not only shows your professionalism as a job candidate, but also helps you to prepare for what comes next.

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Send a thank-you note

Be patient and keep looking

This is one of the more important things to do post-interview, and should be done within one to two days after the interview. Not only does this keep you fresh in the employer’s mind, but it also helps to reiterate your interest in the job position. In it, be sure to first thank the interviewer for their time, as well as add any additional information that was missed out from the interview. Personalising your message helps too by making it more impactful than just following a template to the letter. However, keep it short and to the point. You don’t need to write a full essay on the experience, and it’s unlikely that the interviewer has time to look through it all!

Even if you think you’ve knocked the interview out of the park, it doesn’t mean that you’re an immediate shoo-in for the job. After all, the decision is ultimately up to the company, and they likely have other candidates to assess too. It can be nerve-wracking, and you may even feel tempted to send another follow-up message about it. But don’t do that, at least for the time being. Instead, try to channel your energy into something else. For example, you could try to keep the momentum going and continue job-hunting. Above all else, don’t get complacent, especially if you think you did well. The last thing you should do is to put all your eggs in one basket!

Do a performance review

Accept what comes next

Once you have some time to process the interview, it’s a good idea to reflect on how you did during the interview. Whether it went great or not, it’s still important to note down what you did well and what could be improved to better prepare yourself for future interviews. One way to do this is to recall the questions you were asked and how you answered them. Additionally, think back on if there was anything you wanted to say at the time, but didn’t. This way, if you get a second interview or are in the midst of writing your follow-up, you can be sure to mention it then. Here’s some questions to ask yourself:

By this point, the results could go a few ways. The best-case scenario is that the recruiter gets back to you with a job offer. But there will be times when you’ll end up with a rejection letter, or worse, no response at all. In this case, respond to the rejection gracefully and try to stay in touch if possible – even if they cannot give you an offer now, there’s still a chance that you may be considered for future ones if you keep things positive between you and them. If you’re still waiting for a response, a simple follow-up will do, but leave it at that. Spamming them will only result in you looking unprofessional or worse, blacklisted from the company itself!

• Did I make a good first impression? • How was my body language? Did I make eye contact? • Did I handle the questions well? • How do I feel about the interview as a whole?

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Bouncing Back

from rejection Nobody likes being turned down from a promising internship. Flip this negative into a positive and make it worth your while.

ere’s a simple truth: not getting that internship you have pined and prepared for so thoroughly doesn’t make you a failure. You put your all into your grades, somehow made time for an extracurricular activity or two, and ensured that you did everything perfectly right up to the interview. Even then, rejection still stings, and can leave you second-guessing yourself – from your efforts, to your capabilities and even your future. First, let yourself go through the grief briefly. But once you have cleared your mind of any self-defeating scenarios, take the time to re-attune your focus towards achieving your goal. Take these rejections as experience and work on ways to improve your odds for upcoming applications. Don’t let the words “We regret to inform you…” define you as a person. Instead, go through the different stages of rejection and watch as it strengthens your character and enhances your approach to the application process. Getting an internship is unlike the passes and fails that have defined your academic career so far. There’s no clear-cut way of determining the real reason behind your results, and the only person keeping count of your rejections is you. So be patient, stay humble and trudge on – in time, you’ll get matched with the right internship and find yourself safely established in a career path you enjoy.

1. Dealing with rejection

The most important rule about dealing with rejection is not to take it personally. Respond professionally and keep yourself from overthinking the reason behind it. Understand that sometimes the odds just aren’t in your favour – for instance, there may have been an overwhelming number of equally excellent candidates applying for the same internship. Stay confident in your abilities and know that you have plenty to offer.

2. Ask for

feedback

When in doubt, ask. If you have gotten through several rounds of interviews and various assessment tests before still coming out short, ask the interviewer for feedback and decide how best to tweak your next application. Was there a better-qualified candidate? Did they think you just weren’t the best fit for their company culture? Knowing will help you better tweak your application for future applications. The information you receive may seem vague at times – “We decided to go in another direction” – but ask anyway, as you never know when you’ll get something constructive. However, don’t be overly persistent if recruiters take a while to respond or don’t get back to you at all.

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3. Trust the system

The process of getting an internship isn’t as straightforward as you might think, so dwelling on something out of your control will only do you more harm than good. Instead, take every rejection as a learning experience and let it hone your hunting skills. Remember to respect the recruiter’s decision – it’s possible that you simply weren’t a good match for the role on offer. Don’t forget that paper qualifications and excellent interviewing skills alone aren’t enough to secure an internship; it’s also up to the recruiter’s discretion to ascertain if you’re the best possible fit for the company. Be humble and take this as an opportunity to do some realistic selfanalysis on the type of role and work environment you’re best suited for. Once you’ve gained a new perspective on the recruitment process and some self-awareness on what you can offer, you’ll be able to better market yourself to recruiters at your next interview. With a bit of patience, you may even end up with the right role for your skills and personality!

4. Move

forward

Once you’ve fully come to terms with your first rejection, work on getting back in the game. At this point, you should be armed with a stronger resume, more adept at handling interviews and a more realistic expectation of the process. Don’t give up on other applications! Resilience throughout the process of landing an internship is necessary, as it’s common for an applicant to receive several rejections before securing one. There’s no fixed rate of success or shortcut, so you might get accepted for an internship after the first few tries, or find yourself sending out dozens of applications before finally getting a foot in the door. Have faith that your tenacity will pay off in the long run.

Also, keep in mind that it’s more than likely your friends are going through the same experience – sharing your feelings may help diffuse your frustrations. But don’t be discouraged if your peers get internships before you do. Focus your energy on improving your situation instead. If you’re in need of guidance, don’t shy away from seeking the counsel of your school’s career advisors. Their pool of resources and expertise may help you move in the right direction.

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Surviving your

first day as an intern Your first day as an intern can be nerve-wracking, but it’s also a chance to stand out. Discover how to make a great first impression and set yourself up for success.

tepping into your first day as an intern can feel like diving into the deep end. You’re in a new environment, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, and eager to prove yourself—but the pressure to make a good impression can be overwhelming. Will you ask the right questions? Will you blend in or stand out? The good news is that every seasoned professional was once in your shoes, and with the right approach, you can turn those first-day jitters into a confident start.

Prep the night before

The last thing you want is to rush around in an unprepared panic first thing in the morning! Instead, make sure to plan things ahead of time, from packing your work bag with the essentials (laptop, wallet, etc.) to planning your commute to the office. In addition, review your onboarding materials and memorise where, when, and to whom you’ll be reporting the next day, or what time you’ll need to be online if you’re working from home.

Pay attention to briefings

Most companies provide an orientation for employees and interns at the very beginning. This includes information on your role, company policy, procedures as well as rules and regulations. Listen intently and jot down important notes such as contact details, useful key facts and other relevant information for yourself. If you aren’t sure about something, don’t be afraid to clarify your doubts.

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Dress well

Legendary costume designer, Edith Head, once said, “You can have anything you want in life if you dress for it.” Translate that to your internship, and it means that what you wear on your first day is important, as it contributes to the image your colleagues will form of you. Take pride in your appearance at work, as it reveals the attitude that you’re bringing to your work tasks and assignments. If you’re unsure about the dress code of your workplace, it’s always safe to dress more formally on your first day. Neutral colours also count towards a professional image. Most importantly, you must feel comfortable and confident in your attire.

Get to know your colleagues

You won’t be able to survive in your workplace if you don’t get to know your colleagues well. After all, they’ll be the ones you’ll be interacting with the most, not only as project or assignment members but potentially as friends as well. Get to know each of them by name, and identify those whom you’ll be working with most closely or needing help from for crucial needs. Usually, your colleagues will want to engage you more during lunch, so if you’re asked to have your break together with them, say yes!

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Master the systems

Some companies might have their own database systems or applications for day-to-day work, so you’ll have to learn how to navigate them. While your colleagues are teaching you the ropes, take notes for reference in the future. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you’re unsure or have any burning questions. Besides these practical tips, don’t forget about observing workplace etiquette, such as arriving on time and minimising your distractions at work. Good luck and put your best foot forward as an intern!

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Becoming a

star intern The best interns don’t just blend in; they make an impact. Find out what it takes to stand out and become a star intern.

ou’ve sailed through your interviews with your dream employer, and received an offer to join the company. Congratulations! Now, what can you do to stand out and increase your chances of getting hired upon graduation? Here’s how you can stand out.

Put in the hard work

As an intern, you need to be extra hardworking when completing your assignments, so prove to your superiors that you’re capable of the tasks assigned. Sometimes, this may require you to work overtime unpaid, or even at odd hours. Value the opportunity to work hands-on in your chosen environment. Although an intern’s pay is usually meagre, the experience gained will help you learn a lot more about yourself professionally and puts you in better stead for future work stints, including a potential conversion to a full-time hire.

Solve and minimise problems

Initially, you’ll be faced with many unknowns, but don’t feel embarrassed about asking your colleagues or superiors about anything related to the job. That said, you should also be proactive enough to solve your problems on your own first before going to someone for help. Clarify how to use a certain application, or raise any questions you may have regarding your duties. The key is to always ask your colleagues or your superiors if you’re unsure – two heads are better than one! Don’t linger in doubt or you may end up with errors. At the same time, while it’s fine to ask questions, too many of the same questions can also give a bad impression, so be sure to note it down as soon as possible. If you encounter a roadblock in your work, you can consider coming up with a few solutions to present to your boss or manager, who can help you decide on the best course of action.

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Take on challenges

If you’re keen to convert to a full-timer with your internship company, start by making sure there’s such a possibility in the first place. Once you get the confirmation, set out to accomplish all the tasks assigned to you and more. Keep a lookout for areas where you can contribute and take the initiative to propose new assignments with your boss or manager. Ask for more challenging tasks if you’re up for it.

Learn from your mistakes

Mistakes are a part and parcel of life – especially when you’re starting out. As an intern, there’ll be mistakes that you are bound to make as compared to your colleagues who’ve been working for years. Don’t worry if it happens – it’s okay to make mistakes so long as you’re willing to accept and learn from them. That alone already shows your responsibility, a crucial skill that’s valued in the workforce. So be brave enough to admit to your mistakes and move past them with a positive mindset.

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Bond well with your team

No man is an island, especially in the workplace. As an intern, you’ll be embedded in a network of professional contacts while being the most junior, so make sure to learn something from everyone you meet. Develop good relationships with your colleagues so that you can work on projects together with efficiency and enjoyment. The ability to mingle and interact with people of different dynamics across a team is also key to your professional growth.

Seek feedback

As your internship progresses, you’ll want to know that you’re making progress and are on the right track. Asking for feedback is the easiest way to find out if you’re doing well in your role, and how else you can improve yourself professionally. Consult your supervisor and colleagues, and listen to their guidance and advice. Weekly feedback sessions will help you monitor your progress and development, and will come in handy when you have to write a report to summarise your experience.

It should be obvious by now that a star intern is one who takes charge of their own learning, takes initiative in getting things done, and actively seeks to solve problems. This intern is also a valued contributor on the team, instead of someone who needs constant hand-holding. Go the extra mile to prove yourself, and if you’re the right fit for the role, you might just get converted aft er your internship to a full-time hire!

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Wrapping up

your internship The end of your internship doesn’t always mean the end of your time there. Find out how you can get the most out of your internship in the long run, even beyond your last day.

ou’ve learnt important lessons, forged invaluable relationships and enjoyed yourself during your internship – it’s been fun! But now, the time for you to bid goodbye to your co-workers and bosses is just a few days away. How do you draw your internship to a graceful close and put your work experience to good use? How do you ensure you can make the most of the contacts you’ve made?

Reﬂect on your accomplishments and what you’ve learnt

This is important, both for your self-awareness and future job applications. Take the time to think about your milestones and what you’ve done throughout your internship. These are great points to talk about with future potential employers during job interviews. Write them down in detail before your internship ends so you can still check with your co-workers or fellow interns if there’s anything that slipped your mind. Do remember to include these key points in your notes: • What you worked on • Who you worked with • Training received • Skills learnt Additionally, make your descriptions as detailed as possible. You may include names of people, projects, products, cases, training courses, or software packages of note – whichever is applicable – and any relevant metrics. Moreover, if the company permits it, you can also get links to your past works to use for your portfolio. For instance, you can document that you worked in a team of six or increased sales by 15 per cent. Detailed descriptions are as useful as concrete examples and they often make you more believable and persuasive in future job applications. Also, take note of any feedback you’ve received, especially praise. These can earn you brownie points if you mention them in future job applications.

Internship Career Guide 2025

Acing Your Internship

Update your resume and LinkedIn profile

After taking down what you’ve done and achieved during your internship, it’s time to make things oﬃcial by updating your resume and LinkedIn proﬁle. Try to do this while everything’s still fresh in your mind so you can accurately transfer your notes. When updating your LinkedIn profile, ensure you make your updates public so that you can increase your visibility online. Besides, you deserve some attention for all the accomplishments you’ve realised! More importantly, you’re making recruiters on LinkedIn aware of your experience.

Follow up on suggestions

If your colleagues have made suggestions that can help you progress in your career, such as introducing contacts or some things you should read up on, it’s time to get to it! Your window of opportunity to follow up on new contacts shrinks every passing day. Besides, introducing yourself to someone via a year-old recommendation will not reﬂect well on you! Although background reading isn’t quite as pressing, it can be a thoughtful gesture as well as a good excuse to get back in touch with a soon-to-be-ex-colleague and say you found it helpful.

Confirm your internship employer as a referee Keep in touch Most job applications require applicants to share details of their referees. So during your internship, don’t forget to check if your employer is willing to provide a reference for you when you apply to future jobs or internships. Confirm with your line manager or the HR manager if it’s all right to add them to your resume as referees and if they’re comfortable with providing their contact details when the time comes. To be safe, you can also ask them for a letter of recommendation. Do take into consideration that your managers may have to find the time to write one for you, so it’s best to request a letter well in advance before your internship ends. You may also ask if they’re willing to leave a recommendation for you on your LinkedIn profile.

Before you leave, think about who you would want to stay in touch with – they may be colleagues who’ve helped you, or others who might be willing to do so in the future. Ask them if they would like to stay in contact. If they are, you can exchange email addresses or connect via LinkedIn. Once you’re done with your internship, you may find yourself quickly getting busy with school or job-hunting, and may eventually fail to keep in touch. Do make a concrete plan to follow through on your commitment to avoid this. To make things easier and more efficient, you can create an email list of the people you requested to keep in contact with during your internship. Instead of dropping them an email only when you want something, which can reflect badly on you, make an effort to check in with them from time to time. It’ll show your sincerity, and it doesn’t hurt to refresh their memory of you!

Internship Career Guide 2025

Industry Sectors

Industry Sectors Exploring internship options? From tech to healthcare industries, discover the diverse sectors you can step into and find the right fit for you.

Accounting and Financial Management ................................................................................................. 59 Arts and Design ...................................................................................................................................... 59 Banking and Financial Services ............................................................................................................... 60 Charities and Social Services .................................................................................................................. 60 Construction ........................................................................................................................................... 61 Consulting ............................................................................................................................................... 61 Education ................................................................................................................................................ 62 Engineering, Design and Manufacturing ................................................................................................ 62 Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) .................................................................................................. 63 Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals ............................................................................................................ 63 Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism ............................................................................................................. 64 Investment Banking and Investment Management ............................................................................... 64 IT and Technology ................................................................................................................................... 65 Law ......................................................................................................................................................... 65 Media and Advertising ........................................................................................................................... 66 Property and Real Estate ........................................................................................................................ 66 Public Sector ........................................................................................................................................... 67 Sales and Marketing ............................................................................................................................... 67 Scientific Research and Development .................................................................................................... 68 Uniformed Services ................................................................................................................................ 68

Internship Career Guide 2025

Industry Sectors

Accounting and Financial Management Getting an internship is an excellent way to get into a career in this field, with no shortage of openings from private and public sectors alike to choose from. On top of being able to pick up valuable skills and experience firsthand, some companies may even offer full-time roles to outstanding interns at the end of their contract.

An overview

Roles tend to be specific, such as in finance, tax, insolvency and analysis, so be sure to brush up on what you picked up in school. Due to the nature of the work, you’ll also need good numeracy and communication skills, as well as the ability to work well under pressure. Placements are usually either midyear or end-year, though there are openings for off-cycle internships as well.

Did you know?

AI and automation are transforming the accounting and finance sector. Interns with data analytics or fintech skills have a competitive edge in this evolving industry. Internship periods When: Mid-year, end-year, off-cycle. Application deadlines: January for

mid-year, August for end-year, January and August for off-cycle. Internship hunting tips

• Tailor your resume to highlight analytical skills, proficiency in Excel or financial software, and any coursework in accounting or finance. • Mention any experience with AI tools or data analytics to stand out.

Most popular employers

1. Deloitte 2. PwC 3. KPMG 4. BDO LLP 5. EY 6. Baker Tilly 7. Mazars 8. General Electric (GE) 9. Ministry of Finance (MOF) 10. SeaGroup Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer 2024 edition

Arts and Design Singapore has established itself as a gateway to Asia’s arts and design scene, and multinational corporations (MNCs) who’ve taken note are using its unique and strategic location to further their expansion into Asia.

An overview

Internships usually encompass a wide range of disciplines. As such, interns in the design sector can be found in the fashion, advertising and marketing fields, while artists may apply their skills in the education and healthcare sectors as teachers or art therapists. On the other hand, interns who wish to enter arts management may look at curator or administrator placements. This sector also values creativity as much as business acumen and encourages independence and persistence.

Internship hunting tips

• Networking is key, as opportunities are typically found through word-ofmouth. You can also consider being a freelancer, particularly if you’re resourceful enough to seek support from organisations like the National Arts Council or DesignSingapore Council. It can also be a good way to build up your portfolio. • A combination of creativity and professionalism is required, so interns must be able to market and brand themselves effectively. • More enterprising individuals can consider launching start-ups to monetise their work.

Did you know?

The proliferation of social and digital media platforms has helped increase arts consumption among the masses. Future artists will need to continue striving towards increasing accessibility to their arts.

Internship Career Guide 2025

Industry Sectors

Banking and Financial Services Singapore’s banking and financial services industry is one of the best in the world. However, with the emergence of technology in the financial industry, compliance and risk have taken on more significant roles.

An overview

Internships are highly coveted as there are opportunities for full-time roles upon completion, so think carefully about which area you wish to go into and get a head start, whether it’s as a corporate or investment banker, a financial planner, or even a trader or broker. Employers in this sector look out for team players with analytical, organisational and time management skills, as well as commercial awareness with an ability to solve problems.

Internship deadlines

Application deadlines for summer internships are in November and December, and last for about 10 weeks. But if you’re looking for a longer internship, look for openings available during the semester. Internship hunting tips

• Show initiative by staying updated on market trends, economic news, and financial regulations. • If you plan to work with financial models, get comfortable with shortcuts to speed up your work.

Most popular employers

1. DBS Bank 2. OCBC 3. Mastercard 4. Bank of Singapore Limited 5. United Overseas Bank (UOB) 6. Maybank

Did you know?

7. Ministry of Finance (MOF)

With a total asset size of almost US$2tr, the banking sector is essential to Singapore’s role in financing local and regional growth in trade and infrastructure.

8. Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) 9. Citi Singapore 10. Standard Chartered Bank Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer 2024 edition

Charities and Social Services Voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs), nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and philanthropic foundations in the not-for-profit sector drive programmes and provide support in achieving objectives. Social services, on the other hand, can be found in both private and public sectors, delivering services that meet public needs.

An overview

There are many internship opportunities and placements in areas that range from service delivery to administration, research and strategy to marketing and outreach. But to be successful in this sector, you need more than just perseverance, as well as interpersonal and organisational skills – you’ll need to be highly empathetic and committed to a cause. Did you know?

In 1962, a group of philanthropists established the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS), with the aim of promoting equal opportunities for children with intellectual disabilities in education and as contributing

Internship Career Guide 2025

citizens. Since its inception, MINDS has grown to become an established NGO championing the needs of persons with intellectual disabilities in Singapore. Internship hunting tips

• Identify the organisations that interest you based on their mission and focus. Contact them directly even if they don’t appear to have job openings on their websites. • Entry requirements may vary depending on the type of work involved. However, interns and graduates must always demonstrate their commitment to the organisation.

Industry Sectors

Construction Singapore’s construction industry is evolving with a focus on sustainability, digitalisation, and efficiency. Government initiatives, like the Green Plan 2030 and Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD), drive the adoption of technologies such as BIM and prefabrication. Despite challenges like labour shortages and rising costs, major infrastructure projects keep the sector resilient. Innovation and adaptability remain key to building a smarter, greener future.

An overview

This sprawling sector includes multidisciplinary and general construction firms, government development boards, demolition companies and even financing and investment companies. As such, there’s a wide spectrum of internship roles ranging from health and safety officers to engineers, and construction estimators to quantity surveyors. However, due to the nature of the sector, you need

to have sound technical knowledge, be detail-oriented and able to work independently as well as in a team. Did you know?

Renewable energy, energy efficiency consultancy, waste management, recovery, recycling and water, and wastewater management are some of the many sub-areas within the construction industry projected to grow by leaps and bounds. Internship hunting tips

• Take proactive steps to look out for internship opportunities in the companies you wish to join or check with your career services centre on campus.

Consulting Management consultants first assess how organisations can improve their profit-making ability, efficiency, or position in the market before implementing a plan to help the client achieve their goals. While most major consulting firms offer end-to-end solutions for a range of business functions, like IT and finance, specialist consultancy firms offer specific services.

An overview

Internships are coveted in this sector for their varied work, exposure and attractive opportunities, which can include travel. However, interns must be prepared to work in high-pressure environments, where they’ll be required to assess situations and recommend successful solutions within tight timelines. Because of that, no matter which employer you look at – whether a strategic, human resource, IT, financial advisory, or public relations consultancy – you’ll need creativity, commercial awareness. Other boons include interpersonal and analytical skills, as well as problemsolving abilities. Did you know?

Management consultants rarely have two identical workdays. The broad range of

work involved means solutions are tailored on a case-by-case basis, so professionals usually end up with an extensive scope of tasks. Internship period

• Many consultancy firms offer summer internships, so keep an eye out for them and apply as early as possible to keep from missing out! Internship hunting tips

Most popular employers

• Familiarise yourself with frameworks like SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces, and the MECE principle.

1. McKinsey & Company

• Read business pages for commercial awareness. Keep your eye on successful or innovative advertising and branding campaigns, and figure out what makes them work. This will help you during the recruitment process.

4. Boston Consulting Group

2. Accenture 3. KPMG 5. Deloitte 6. PwC 7. Bain & Company 8. EY 9. AECOM 10. Arup Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer 2024 edition Internship Career Guide 2025

Industry Sectors

Education Singapore’s education industry is primarily run by the Ministry of Education (MOE), though other teachers can be employed by private education institutes, such as preschool centres and local and private tertiary institutions. In this noble profession, teaching experience and real-world exposure, such as parent and classroom management, are highly critical in assessing one’s suitability.

An overview

Many internship roles revolve around teaching at different levels, ranging from nursery to junior college and technical institutes, as well as from polytechnics to universities and other adult education centres. But if that’s not your cup of tea, there are also opportunities for educational psychologists, career counsellors and TEFLs. However, you will need more than just a passion and desire to teach, impart knowledge and

inspire and groom students – you also need organisational, time management, interpersonal and communication skills on top of strong leadership skills. Did you know?

MOE teachers are entitled to approximately 100 hours of professional development each year. Their annual appraisals consider multiple factors, including their contributions to the school, student academic and character development, and collaborations with parents and community groups. Internship hunting tips

• For internships within the education field in the public sector, applicants are required to apply directly at the respective portals. • Check the MOE website for application timelines each year, as well as for shortlisted candidates and expected training.

Engineering, Design and Manufacturing A thriving sector with a strong local supplier base and vast connectivity to the region, alongside formidable research and development infrastructure, its key growth areas include biomedical and chemical-related industries, aerospace and precision engineering. Other significant areas include the engineering solutions and automation sector, nano- and biotechnology fields and the growing green economy.

Did you know?

An overview

• Most employers usually recruit continuously.

Employers run the gamut from manufacturers and engineering firms to construction companies, and even organisations in the medical device industry. As such, internships can be found in the electronic, biomedical, structural and environmental fields, alongside business and management. On top of being able to work in a team, skills in project management and communication are important, though you’ll also need strong technical skills alongside an understanding of programming languages, such as Python and Java.

Internship Career Guide 2025

Despite the economic disruptions brought about by the global pandemic, Singapore’s manufacturing sector, buoyed by the biomedical manufacturing and precision engineering clusters, beat estimates and experienced growth of 7.3 per cent in 2020. Internship period

Internship hunting tips

• Large companies typically recruit directly on campus through collaborations with engineering schools and career service centres. • Smaller companies normally recruit on an “as needed” basis, advertising through websites and newspapers.

Most popular employers

1. Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) 2. Micron 3. Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) 4. Rolls-Royce 5. Airbus 6. DSO National Laboratories 7. 3M 8. ST Engineering 9. Land Transport Authority (LTA) 10. Intel Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer 2024 edition

Industry Sectors

Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Fast-moving consumer goods, or FMCG, refer to products that are highly in demand and are sold quickly and affordably. These include toiletries, cosmetics, processed food, detergents and plastic goods.

An overview

With the constant growth of the consumer market and ample opportunities for progression, FMCG companies—including those in detergents, food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals—prioritise recruiting interns. They often offer full-time positions to the best and brightest upon internship completion. Since the FMCG sector spans areas such as food technology, sales and marketing, research and development, and supply chain management, commercial awareness, strong communication, and interpersonal skills are essential. Employers also seek interns with problem-solving abilities and the ability to work well in a team.

Did you know?

Singapore serves as a gateway to Asian markets, where the spending power of over 3.2 billion middle-class consumers could hit US$55 trillion by 2030. That’s why many of the world’s top consumer firms are based here in order to tap into the market’s Pan-Asian insights and capabilities. Internship hunting tips

• Once you’ve identified the company that you want to do your internship with, conduct your own research to get a good understanding of the company’s products before sending in your application. • Bigger FMCG companies offer internship programmes for a period of 12 weeks or more.

Most popular employers

1. Nestlé 2. L’Oréal 3. Unilever 4. Procter & Gamble 5. LVMH 6. Mondelēz International 7. Dyson 8. Johnson & Johnson 9. 3M 10. Sephora Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer 2024 edition

Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals One of Singapore’s hallmarks is its healthcare system, and, at present, there are three regional healthcare provision systems spread out islandwide to facilitate integrated healthcare delivery. Several top international private healthcare providers have also established operations in Singapore to advance their medical services in the Asia Pacific region.

An overview

Pharmaceutical companies, medical laboratories, dental and private surgeries, care agencies and hospitals offer medical, dental, nursing, hospital operations, optician and nutritionist internships. To be a success, you’ll need more than just resilience and a passion for serving others. You’ll also need good technical knowledge, organisational, communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to work with others. Did you know?

Singapore’s pharmaceutical and healthcare industries are rapidly evolving with artificial intelligence (AI) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems driving efficiency and innovation. AI-powered tools are now used to streamline drug discovery,

predict market trends, and enhance personalised medicine, while ERP systems integrate critical processes like inventory management and regulatory compliance. This integration is transforming Singapore into a global hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and research, ensuring better healthcare outcomes and more efficient operations across the sector. Internship hunting tips

Most popular employers

• Due to the nature of the sector, interns should be able to commit for a minimum of eight weeks.

1. Ministry of Health (MOH)

• Internships with the public sector usually last two months. To apply, students will need to go through MOH’s website and keep an eye out for vacancies.

3. National Healthcare Group

2. National University Health System (NUHS) 4. Singapore Health Services (SingHealth) 5. Pfizer 6. Abbott 7. Johnson & Johnson 8. GSK 9. Alexandra Health 10. Merck Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer 2024 edition Internship Career Guide 2025

Industry Sectors

Hospitality, Leisure, and Tourism With the Singapore government actively revitalising domestic tourism and international visitor arrivals rebounding, there’s increasing demand in hotel management, events, and support functions like IT, marketing, and human resources. Emerging trends like technology integration, wellness tourism, and sustainability are also reshaping the sector, creating exciting roles in digital guest experiences, eco-tourism, and sustainable hospitality practices.

An overview

Besides internship opportunities in hotels and events, you can look at HR roles in restaurants, entertainment venues and social clubs that cover event coordination. As the sector is focused on customer satisfaction, and creating specific experiences for them, you need to have strong communication, problem-solving, and digital skills for an edge in this dynamic and rapidly growing industry. Did you know?

Singapore’s hospitality and tourism sector is increasingly focused on sustainability, with many hotels integrating eco-friendly

practices like reducing plastic waste, conserving energy, and sourcing local ingredients. For example, Pullman Singapore Orchard has introduced initiatives such as “Clean for Green,” reducing water and energy consumption while enhancing guest experiences. As sustainability becomes a core value, there’s growing demand for professionals skilled in environmental management, opening up exciting career opportunities in the industry. Internship hunting tips

• Interns can stand out by highlighting an understanding of eco-friendly practices, from green event planning to sustainable sourcing in food and beverage. • Always highlight relevant work experience and skills such as customer care and retail exposure. • Be prepared for shift hours, as well as working on weekends. Demonstrate high commitment to your duties during your internship.

Most popular employers

1. Mandai Wildlife Group 2. Changi Airport Group 3. Resorts World Sentosa 4. Singapore Airlines 5. Singapore Tourism Board (STB) 6. Ritz-Carlton Millenia 7. Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) 8. Scoot Tigerair Pte Ltd 9. Starwood Hotels & Resorts 10. Park Hotel Group Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer 2024 edition

Investment Banking and Investment Management Investment management involves the safeguarding and maximising of investments on behalf of institutions, corporations or individuals. Contrary to popular belief, a business or finance degree isn’t necessarily required to enter this sector as the relevant skills can be acquired while working – you just need a strong interest in the financial markets.

Did you know?

An overview

• In addition to summer and winter, analyst programmes are available as well, lasting a minimum of 10 weeks.

Activities normally occur on three levels – front office (financing, sales, trading, research), middle office (risk management, strategy, compliance), and back office (operations and technology). For an internship, you can apply to all three offices in investment banks or funds industry organisations, though joining smaller boutique or brokerage firms is an option as well. Adaptability as well as an interest in the markets is required, but you’ll also need good interpersonal and communication skills alongside numeracy and analytical know-how.

Although investment banks and institutions value interns with backgrounds in engineering and computer science, this dynamic sector also brings in interns from a variety of fields. Internship periods

• Check company websites for application deadlines.

1. J.P. Morgan

Internship hunting tips

3. Goldman Sachs

• More often than not, internship placements are usually in financial analysis, so it’s imperative that you do your research on the role and organisation that you intend to apply to, and figure out where you stand.

4. Maybank

• Investment banks typically conduct on-campus recruitment once or twice a year, so keep an eye out for potential opportunities. • Investment bank internships usually run for at least 10 weeks.

Internship Career Guide 2025

Most popular employers

2. DBS Bank

5. Bank of America Merrill Lynch 6. Morgan Stanley 7. OCBC 8. Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) 9. Barclays Bank PLC 10. Deutsche Bank Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer 2024 edition

Industry Sectors

IT and Technology With a developing, vibrant cloud computing system, Singapore’s position as a global IT and technology hub is evident, with many leading technology companies making it a key node in their global network.

An overview

Virtually every organisation uses IT, from government departments to international investment banks. Moreover, the latest trends in IT and technology, much like financial technology (fintech), cybersecurity and cognitive technology, are permeating other sectors. As such, internships in this sector are valuable as the work experience and skills gained are highly transferable. Software companies, telecommunication service providers and start-ups are always on the lookout for interns in data and network engineering, cybersecurity analysis interns and web development. As such, adaptability, commercial awareness, problem-solving abilities and technical and communication skills are prized.

65 Did you know?

Singapore enjoys a prime location at the crossroads of Asia’s biggest markets. The small country also offers low taxes on businesses, a well-developed IT infrastructure, strong investment opportunities, and a robust regulatory regime. Internship periods

Internships in this sector may last between three to six months, depending on the employer.

Most popular employers

1. Microsoft 2. Amazon 3. TikTok 4. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) 5. Government Technology Agency (GovTech) 6. Accenture 7. Micron 8. Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) 9. Dyson 10. SingTel Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer 2024 edition

Law Suitable for those who’re passionate about serving justice, law specialisation is becoming increasingly important for medium to large firms of solicitors, particularly in areas such as insolvency, litigation and employment law. Internship experience in corporate law, renewable energy and commercial contracts will also help you progress in your legal career. To practise law in Singapore, you must be either a Singaporean or Singapore PR, have a second-class honours law degree or higher, and be admitted to the Singapore Bar.

An overview

You can take up paralegal or legal internships at an NGO, in-house corporate solicitors’ departments, a private practice, or the public sector. Networking ability is highly valued, as are good language, analytical and communication skills. You’ll also need to be highly committed and able to work under pressure.

Did you know?

Singapore’s legal industry is becoming a hub for global arbitration, with the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) ranking as one of the top arbitral institutions in the world. In 2024, SIAC saw a record number of cases, with a growing focus on cross-border disputes, particularly in sectors like construction, finance, and intellectual property. Internship periods

Some solicitors’ firms offer placements year-round, while others have fixed recruitment dates. Check the respective websites for their application details. Internship hunting tips

• There are some law firms that offer four-week internship programmes, though applicants will need to apply via the firm’s official websites. • Students should apply to firms based on their interest in areas of law.

Internship Career Guide 2025

Industry Sectors

Media and Advertising The media, public relations and advertising field offers a range of internships across platforms, such as print, online and broadcast. These can be further broken down into areas, including brand management, copywriting, content writing and market research.

An overview

Opportunities include roles such as photographers, videographers, content marketers, researchers and writers in PR firms, broadcasting channels and publishing houses, just to name a few. However, you’ll need more than just creativity and an eye for detail; excellent communication and interpersonal skills, on top of organisational and time management skills, are prized, along with a sound grasp of social media. Did you know?

Reuters and Dow Jones maintain a presence in Singapore, with Dow Jones shifting some roles from Hong Kong to the city-state. While TIME and The Economist continue to distribute in Singapore, the Wall Street Journal Asia ceased as a separate edition in 2017, and Newsweek no longer prints an Asian edition. Many global publications have transitioned to

digital distribution, but Singapore remains a key hub for international news coverage. Internship periods

Media companies typically recruit interns for placements lasting three to six months, depending on project needs. Check for vacancies and for when you should apply, especially if there’s a major project or event that you’d like to work on. Internship hunting tips

Most popular employers

• Your portfolio plays a key role, so keep creating and telling stories. You can also post your work on social media to reach a wider audience or offer freelancing services to expand your horizons.

1. Mediacorp

• Skills and experience count a great deal towards getting an internship placement in this competitive sector.

5. Infocomm and Media Development Authority (IMDA)

So, get involved in PR roles for school events, write for your school newsletter, or volunteer for your campus radio station. This will boost your experience and develop your skills.

7. HBO Asia

2. The Walt Disney Company 3. Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) 4. Bloomberg

6. NBC Universal 8. Ogilvy 9. Leo Burnett Singapore 10. Dentsu Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer 2024 edition

Property and Real Estate Internships cover fields that range from sales and rental to property management and consultancy services, so you may find yourself working with clients interested in investing in residential, commercial and industrial property, or even land development.

An overview

There are opportunities no matter your discipline, but having a background in business, economics, law, construction, or engineering will be particularly helpful. However, keep in mind that certain areas of work, such as property surveying, will require specific qualifications. Internships with the public sector, larger corporations and estate agents will give you especially valuable work experience, so if you get one, make the best of it. To succeed, you’ll need good interpersonal and communication skills as much as strong quantitative and analytical skills. Attention to detail, commercial awareness and problem-solving abilities are boons as well.

Did you know?

The Singapore government owns more than 70 per cent of the country’s land. Since 1989, the government has also maintained the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP) to ensure that each neighbourhood and public apartment block follows a regulated ethnic quota. Internship hunting tips

• Look out for internship postings on company websites. Alternatively, send in speculative applications as opportunities may not be widely advertised.

Most popular employers

1. CapitaLand 2. Mapletree 3. City Developments Limited

• Recruitment can also take place via word-of-mouth and through networking.

4. JTC Corporation

• Communication and marketing skills are key, so make sure they’re highlighted in your application.

6. Keppel Corporation

• You need to show business awareness, so keep up-to-date with property trends and the trade press.

5. Housing & Development Board (HDB) 7. Knight Frank 8. Far East Organization 9. Ascendas 10. Jones Lang LaSalle Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer 2024 edition

Internship Career Guide 2025

Industry Sectors

Public Sector As Singapore’s largest employer, the public sector employs an estimated 153,000 officers spread across 16 ministries and more than 50 statutory boards. The public sector also offers training opportunities and job security. Besides policy planning and frontline roles, hands-on positions include those that shape the society we live in, influencing lives and helping people in professional capacities.

An overview

that benchmarks ministerial and top civil servant salaries to private-sector earnings, aiming to attract top talent while reducing corruption. Internship periods

Check the Careers@Gov portal, as well as individual ministry and statutory board websites for application details. Internship hunting tips

Internships are available at both ministries and statutory boards, such as the civil service and higher education institutes. These roles range from accounting, administration and management to foreign affairs, specialist roles and even community care and welfare. With such a wide spectrum of placements, not just good interpersonal, communication, analytical and organisational skills are needed – you also need to be a team player and highly empathetic.

• With such a diverse range of work, there are always opportunities to transfer to new areas that interest you. Conduct your own research beforehand so you can get a better idea of the purview of each ministry or statutory board and how you can contribute.

Did you know?

• Some ministries require interns to commit to at least eight weeks.

Singapore offers some of the highest civil service salaries in the world. The government follows a unique pay structure

• There might be specific assessments or entrance tests for internship positions to help interviewers get a sense of your skills and aptitude for the role at hand.

Most popular employers

1. Ministry of Education (MOE) 2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) 3. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) 4. Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) 5. Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) 6. Ministry Of Health (MOH) 7. Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) 8. National Environment Agency (NEA) 9. Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) 10. Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer 2024 edition

Sales and Marketing Sales entails business development, promoting a business and its products and services, obtaining orders and maintaining customer relationships. On the other hand, marketing involves the promotion of products, services or ideas to maximise profits through developing strategies that cater to the demands of the market.

An overview

Market research, store management, brand development and merchandising are just some opportunities that can be found in sales and marketing. But no matter the placement, be it with insurance companies, product vendors, manufacturers and corporate firms, they all look for the same qualities – research, interpersonal and communication skills, a sound understanding of local trends, creativity and the ability to problem-solve and strategise. Being highly empathetic is another essential trait. Did you know?

with experience in the fields of big data, e-commerce and digital transformation are highly valued. Internship periods

• Internships under this sector usually last for a period of three months. • Companies usually recruit interns year-round, as and when needed. Internship hunting tips

• Conduct your own research on prospective employers and their products thoroughly before applying. • Sales internship applicants are often given case studies and roleplays in interviews, and the same applies to those interviewing for marketing internship roles. • In your application and during the interview, show your understanding of different market segments for the company’s products and services.

Customer service, as well as sales and marketing expertise, are still in demand despite technological advancements. For instance, sales and marketing professionals Internship Career Guide 2025

Industry Sectors

Scientific Research and Development Recent initiatives in Singapore reflect a strong focus on sustainability, with investments in clean energy, green transport, and innovative technologies. As part of its transition to netzero emissions, Singapore is requiring new and repowered natural gas power. Moreover, many of the world’s leading medical device and pharmaceutical companies maintain bases in the country. The biotechnology sector is growing as well.

An overview

Internships and assistantships in research and development, production and operations, environmental control, engineering and quality assurance and control are available. Look at research institutes, as well as biotechnology, industrial chemicals, energy and oil, food and beverage and medical devices companies for these roles. As interns have the chance to work with some of the best minds in the world, communication skills and sound technical ability are prized, alongside passion, business acumen and the ability to work in a team.

Did you know?

Singapore has recently launched a National Quantum Strategy (NQS), committing S$300 million over five years to strengthen its position as a leader in quantum technologies. This initiative aims to enhance research, develop local talent, and drive industry partnerships in areas such as quantum computing, communications, and sensing. A key part of this strategy is elevating the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) into a national research hub, coordinating efforts across institutions like NUS, NTU, A*STAR, and SUTD. Internship periods

Some companies in this sector run biannual recruitment drives. Refer to their websites for specific details. Internship hunting tips

• Many larger science-related employers offer internship training programmes, so do your research. • Stay informed about the latest developments and investments in science-related industries in Singapore and worldwide.

Uniformed Services This sector can offer a rewarding internship that gives you the satisfaction of serving your country. The defence forces also welcome people from all academic disciplines to develop and gain experience in a variety of areas.

Lionheart contingent is one of the few in the world classified as a Heavy USAR Team by the United Nations, allowing it to respond to major disasters globally, such as earthquakes in Nepal (2015) and Türkiye (2023).

An overview

Internship hunting tips

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) dominate this sector, though there’s also the option of interning at a private security contractor – after all, security is a top priority for Singapore. Internship placements are varied, and openings for paramedics, fire officers, engineers and fleet managers can be found next to roles for finance, logistics, IT and telecommunications. While discipline, tenacity, resilience and passion are needed, skills in communication and being a team player are just as important.

• The MHA offers a number of rotating internship positions.

Did you know?

An interesting fact about Singapore’s uniformed services is that the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is known for its worldclass urban search and rescue (USAR) team, which has been deployed internationally for disaster relief. The SCDF’s Operation Internship Career Guide 2025

• Candidates may be required to undertake rigorous physical assessments for roles in the defence forces. • To enter the ambulance service, interested candidates will need a degree geared towards paramedic health services, or else they’ll need to train as an emergency medical technician (EMT). They can get their start with internships in the area. • Depending on the area of study, internships as fire prevention officers, whose role is to ensure adherence to fire and safety regulations, may be an option.

Most popular employers

1. Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) 2. Pfizer 3. DSO National Laboratories 4. Abbott 5. Mandai Wildlife Group 6. Singapore Health Services (SingHealth) 7. Merck 8. National Environment Agency (NEA) 9. Mitsui Chemical Group 10. Singapore Food Agency (SFA) Source: Singapore Graduate Barometer 2024 edition

Employer Listings CapitaLand....................................................................................................................................... [IFC] 70 Central Provident Fund Board ....................................................................................................... [OBC] 70 DSO National Laboratories ................................................................................................................. [1] 72 Ministry Of Foreign Affairs....................................................................................................................... 72 Ministry of Defence (DXO) ....................................................................................................................... 74

[ ] = advertisement IFC = inside front cover ad OBC = outside back cover ad

Internship Career Guide 2025

Lis�ng More about us 70

Contact

168 Robinson Road #30-01 Capital Tower Singapore 068912 Tel: (+65) 6828 9118 Web: capitaland.com/careers Email: earlycareers@capitaland.com

Social Media

@capitaland @capitaland @capitaland @CapitaLand @capitaland

Minimum requirement Degree

Diploma

Find out more at

CapitaLand Group (CapitaLand) is one of Asia’s largest diversified real estate groups. Headquartered in Singapore, CapitaLand’s por�olio focuses on real asset management and real estate development, spanning across 270 ci�es in 45 countries. In 2025, CapitaLand celebrates 25 years of excellence in real estate and continues to innovate and shape the industry. Within its ecosystem, CapitaLand has developed an integrated suite of real asset management, real estate development, and opera�ng capabili�es that support its businesses in building core competencies across the value chain. With this full range of capabili�es, CapitaLand can op�mise the strategies of its listed real estate investment management business CapitaLand Investment, and its privately held property development arm CapitaLand Development; to drive compe��ve advantage for its businesses. CapitaLand places sustainability at the core of what it does. As a responsible real estate company, CapitaLand contributes to the environmental and social well-being of the communi�es where it operates, as it delivers long-term economic value to its stakeholders. Internship CapitaLand Internship Programme The CapitaLand Internship Programme offers opportuni�es to iden�fy promising talents at an early stage. Interns will gain hands-on experience in a professional environment, mentorship and a broader understanding of the real estate industry.

More about us

Contact

238A Thomson Road Novena Square Singapore 307684 Web: h�ps://www.cpf.gov.sg/careers Email: earlycareers@cpf.gov.sg

Social Media

@CPF Board @cpf_board @CPF Board @CPF Board

Minimum requirement Degree

Diploma

At #TeamCPF, we believe in developing individuals who are inspired to do their life’s best work, through 3Ps: Purposeful Work, Professional Growth, People & Culture. Join TeamCPF to drive impac�ul projects that enrich the lives of over 4 million members, and gain new skills through structured training along the way. As an employer, we foster a culture of respect, diversity, and inclusivity, where every voice is heard, and contributions are recognised and celebrated. Whether you are a digital ninja, a natural wordsmith or a people person, you can put your talents to good use at CPF Board across 60 dynamic departments. There are also ample opportunities for you to participate in crossfunc�onal project work. Find your perfect ﬁt! • CPF Schemes Delivery • Policy and Corporate Development • Infocomm Technology • Customer Service • Agency Services • Enforcement

CPFB Internship Programme Applica�on Period(s)

Find out more at

Internship Career Guide 2025

At CPFB, we have 3 diﬀerent internship cycles: • H1 Term-Time (January – May): Applica�ons open from September to December of the previous year. • Summer (May – August): Applica�ons open from January to March. • H2 Term-Time (August – December): Applica�ons open from January to March.

We oﬀer mul�disciplinary internship roles in: • Fund Management & Investment (Listed/ Private Funds, Private Capital Markets, Asset Management, etc.) • Retail & Workspace Operations (Property Management, Commercial Operations, Tenant Management, Marke�ng, etc.) • Business & Corporate Functions (Human Resources, Marketing & Communications, Investor Rela�ons, Treasury, Finance, Audit, Procurement, Digital & Technology, etc.)

Applica�on Period(s) Applica�on open date: All year-round Dura�on of internship: At least 3 months: For Polytechnic students: • March to August • September to February For University students: • January to June (Spring Semester) • May to August (Summer Vaca�on) • July to December (Fall Semester)

Internship requirements

We are looking for matriculated undergraduates and polytechnic students who are pursuing any discipline of study.

Internship applica�on

Careers or internship@capitaland.com

Sector(s)

• Investment Banking and Investment Management • Property and Real Estate

You can join us for the cycle that best ﬁts your academic schedule. We also welcome students who are available for a longer internship s�nt i.e. 6 months to 1 year. Graduate jobs available: • Management Associate Programme • NextGen Programme (Technology Track) Scan the QR code to follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates and job opportuni�es!

Internship descrip�on

Ready to kickstart your career and purpose? Join TeamCPF to grow your career in a suppor�ve environment, while shaping na�onal ini�a�ves! Our CPFB Internship Programme offers you the chance to work on impac�ul projects while receiving comprehensive onboarding and networking opportuni�es. Work alongside passionate innovators who will guide your growth as you discover a career where purpose meets purpose!

Internship requirement Open to all disciplines

Internship applica�on

Apply today here: www.cpf.gov.sg/careers!

Sector(s)

• Public Sector

Profile

A Day in the Life 7:30 AM

Mohamed Hambali JOB

Analyst, Private Capital Markets

EMPLOYER

CapitaLand Investment Limited Mohamed Hambali received his Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics from the Singapore University of Social Sciences in 2025.

As a Private Capital Markets Intern under the product development team at CapitaLand Investment, I begin my day with a train ride to the office, which offers me a moment to prepare mentally for the tasks ahead. This is the perfect time to catch up on the news and check for relevant market developments or industry updates. Staying informed is important in this line of work so I can contribute meaningfully to discussions in the office with my colleagues. 8:30 AM

My mornings are often structured and focused. Upon arriving at the office, I review emails and my to-do list for the day. My priority is fund marketing materials, which include investor presentations and factsheets. These materials are essential for engaging with potential investors and showcasing fund strategies. I also collaborate with colleagues across teams to gather updated data and ensure consistency in messaging. I organise virtual data rooms, making due diligence documents, as well as other fund materials easily accessible for investors to review. These activities require great attention to detail, as even the smallest oversight can lead to delays, miscommunication, or potential reputational risks. Being sensitive to timelines and maintaining a strong sense of responsibility is essential, as these tasks directly impact the efficiency of capital-raising efforts and the trust investors place in our work. This role also hones my ability to stay organised, manage competing priorities, and remain proactive in identifying potential issues before they escalate, ensuring seamless execution of critical initiatives. 12:00 PM

Lunch is a highlight of the day, offering a chance to unwind and connect with colleagues and fellow interns. We usually head to Amoy Food Centre or Asia Square, where the variety of food options satisfies any craving. Some days, I take a walk to Chinatown or Raffles Place to meet up with friends for a quick catchup over lunch. Conversations during these breaks range from career goals and industry news to personal interests or travel plans. These moments strengthen relationships and provide refreshing perspectives that keep the workday engaging. 4:00 PM

“By leveraging automation tools and generative AI technologies, including large language models such as GPT-4o, we work to create systems that not only save time, but also ensure accuracy in key operations.”

Around this time, I collaborate with the Data & AI team, where I had previously interned, to assist with automation and chatbot initiatives to improve and streamline workflow processes. By leveraging automation tools and generative AI technologies, including large language models such as GPT-4o, we work to create systems that not only save time but also ensure accuracy in key operations. This collaboration allows me to combine my familiarity with their workflows and analytical skills to contribute to a more innovative and efficient work environment. 6:00 PM

As the day draws to a close, I focus on finalising deliverables. This is also a time to follow up on ongoing projects and set priorities for the next day. As I leave the office, I often reflect on the day’s achievements during the train ride home, while considering opportunities to enhance my contributions further.

Internship Career Guide 2025

Listing More about us 72

Contact

12 Science Park Drive Singapore 118225 Web: https://join.dso.org.sg Email: campusrelations@dso.org.sg

Social Media

@DSO National Laboratories @discoverdso @DSO National Laboratories

Minimum requirement Degree

Diploma

Find out more at

DSO National Laboratories is Singapore’s largest defence research and development (R&D) organisation with the critical mission of developing technological surprises to sharpen the cutting edge of Singapore’s defence capabilities. Established in 1972, DSO has more than 1,600 defence engineers and scientists today pushing the boundaries of science and technology, transforming ideas into reality across the domains of land to space, cyberspace and biological defence. Career or internship, this is where you can make a real impact and shape the future of defence. TAILORED, NOT TYPICAL Every DSO Internship is specifically designed for the individual, tailored to your skills and learning requirements, so you get an enriching internship experience. MEANINGFUL, NOT MENIAL Not only will you be learning from the best mentors in their respective fields, you’ll also be applying your newly acquired knowledge to actual projects and making a real difference in the world! JOB OFFER, NOT JOB REFERENCE We acknowledge the talent our DSO interns possess. That is why so many of our current staff are former interns, and we remain committed to tendering more job offers moving forward.

More about us

A Foreign Service career is more than just a job.

Contact

1 Sherwood Road Singapore 248163 Tel: (+65) 6379 8000 Web: www.mfa.gov.sg/career Email: mfa_career@mfa.gov.sg

Social Media

@SingaporeMFA @mfa_sg @Ministry of Foreign Affairs @MFAsg

Find out more at

Internship Career Guide 2025

To be effective, Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) need to have a good grasp of world affairs and a firm understanding of Singapore’s position. You will be involved in the formulation, review and implementation of policies related to your assigned portfolio. You must be versatile and have the ability to analyse issues critically, strategise and achieve outcomes. You need to be able to persuade, assert and cultivate good interpersonal relations while keeping Singapore’s interests at heart. With over 50 overseas missions around the world, a career with MFA offers unique opportunities and rewards. Throughout your career, your deployments will alternate between Singapore (HQ) and our overseas missions. MFA’s Undergraduate Internship Programme provides insight into life as an FSO, either on the Functional and Corporate track or the Political and Economic track. During your 4-week internship, you can look forward to: • Dialogue sessions with senior diplomats and management • Meetings, conferences and seminars on foreign policy issues • Research assignments • Directorate or Mission-specific projects and events

DSO Internship Programme Application Period(s)

Application open date: All year-round Duration of internship: 10 weeks or more

Internship description

We want to ensure every DSO intern gets the most out of their internship with us. As a DSO Intern, you will be part of the action and get a chance to make your mark on a real defence R&D project. Projects are matched to interns taking into account their technical skills and passion.

Internship requirements

If you are a Singapore citizen and pursuing studies in any of the following disciplines: Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Engineering Science, Engineering Product Development, Information Security, Information Systems Technology and Design, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering or Physics

Internship application

Universities’ and Polytechnics’ internship portals

Sector(s)

• Engineering, Design and Manufacturing • IT and Technology • Scientific Research and Development

Find out more about our Internship Programme below:

Internship requirements

You are eligible to apply if you meet the following criteria: • You are a promising student pursuing an undergraduate degree who is keen to consider employment with MFA • You are a Singapore citizen Please note that priority will be given to applicants in their penultimate year of study.

Internship application

Apply online at Careers@Gov. Applications open in the third quarter of the year. Visit our website for more details.

Sector(s)

• Public Sector

Profile

A Day in the Life 7:00 AM

I have breakfast at home every morning before I head to the office. Even though I am allowed to work from home, I prefer going to the office as I value face-to-face interactions. I get to the office by train, so I use the commute to catch up on the news, and messages, while listening to music. 8:30 AM

Chong Xiao Ying JOB

Electronic Systems Software Intern, Electronic Systems Software Engineer

EMPLOYER

DSO National Laboratories Xiao Ying received her Bachelor in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore in 2022.

Once I arrive, I head to the staff canteen to grab my morning coffee. Afterwards, I head to the interns’ room and greet all my fellow interns. DSO dedicates a large room in each of its buildings for interns to work in. This allows us to mingle with other interns who may be working in completely different domains. Some of us don’t get to see one another every day because of our hybrid work arrangements. Thus, most interns do find it valuable to spend some time in the morning catching up and discussing our work progress, as it provides insights into the experience of working on projects in different domains and the expertise required. Once we are settled in, I start by checking my emails and updating my to-do list. I like using a sticky notes app to organise my tasks, as it helps me plan out what I want to accomplish each day. I also schedule a face-to-face meeting with my internship supervisor to update him on my progress and ensure I am on track with my internship project. Apart from technical knowledge, my internship supervisor sometimes shares his responsibilities and experiences working at DSO to give me a better understanding of what it’s like working here. 12:00 PM

I usually have lunch with my fellow interns at the affordable and delicious staff canteen. We often chat about school and our projects, and I enjoy being able to connect with like-minded people during my internship. Occasionally, I have lunch with my internship supervisor and his colleagues, who share insights and stories about the work-life I can expect at DSO. 2:00 PM

“My internship supervisor encourages me to explore and expand the scope of my project based on my interests.”

My internship project requires a strong understanding of signal processing algorithms, as it involves converting and optimising signal processing code. To gain a better grasp of the code, I occasionally meet with the algorithm engineerin-charge. These discussions are incredibly insightful for me as an intern, as they allow me to see how signal processing is applied to real-life projects. This helps me appreciate the practical side of what I often learn in school, which is usually theoretical. I spend a significant portion of my day bridging knowledge gaps and debugging code errors. One thing that I appreciate is the strong learning culture at DSO. My internship supervisor encourages me to explore and expand the scope of my project based on my interests. As a result, I dedicate some time each day to exploring new ideas and software tools. I enjoy sharing interesting ideas with my supervisor and value the perspectives he offers. 6:00 PM

After a full and productive day, I usually end the workday by wiping down my desk and packing my belongings. I like to unwind by having dinner with my family and watching my favourite shows.

Internship Career Guide 2025

Listing More about us 74

Contact

Web: www.mindef.gov.sg/dxo Email: dxo_enquiries@mindef.gov.sg

Social Media

@Ministry of Defence, Singapore (MINDEF) @mindefsg @Ministry of Defence of Singapore @mindefsg @Ministry of Defence Singapore

The mission of MINDEF and the Singapore Armed Forces is to enhance Singapore’s peace and security through deterrence and diplomacy, and should these fail, to secure a swift and decisive victory over the aggressor. Integral to MINDEF, the Defence Executive Officer (DXO) scheme enables you to contribute towards Singapore’s security as a non-uniformed defence professional. You can contribute in a wide range of roles critical to defence, such as defence policy, strategic communications, cyber security, psychology, data analytics, human resource, finance, logistics and more. Join us in a rewarding career that enables you to defend our nation.

Application Period(s)

Graduate jobs: All year-round Internships: Mid-February (for May to Aug internship intakes)

Internship application

Send in your applications for the position that you are keen on via: 1. Website at www.mindef.gov.sg/dxo 2. MINDEF Careers@Gov 3. MINDEF LinkedIn

Sector(s)

• Public Sector

Minimum requirement Degree

Diploma

Find out more at

Internship Career Guide 2025

Profile

Chan Yi Shi

From Campus to Camps: Our Journey as Psychology Interns at MINDEF Looking for an internship that goes beyond the ordinary? Two psychology students share their internship journey, where psychological concepts come alive in national defence. Why MINDEF? Psychology majors’ perspective

As psychology students, we were drawn to MINDEF because we found the work done by defence psychologists in Singapore’s military fascinating. The internship offered us a unique opportunity to explore how psychological concepts are applied to national defence – opening an entirely new dimension far beyond our textbooks!

Tang Rui Yi JOB

Defence Psychology Department (DPD) Interns

EMPLOYER

Ministry of Defence Yi Shi will receive her Bachelor of Social Sciences from the National University of Singapore in 2025. Rui Yi will receive her Bachelor of Social Sciences from the National University of Singapore in 2026.

“Sitting in for counselling sessions with the Defence Psychologists gave us first-hand insight into their vital work and brought to life their crucial role in supporting servicemen and women’s mental well-being.”

Sitting in for counselling sessions with the Defence Psychologists gave us firsthand insight into their vital work and brought to life their crucial role in supporting servicemen and women’s mental well-being. Venturing into various army camps, we witnessed these professionals in action, getting an intimate look at their world and responsibilities. Valuable skills gained

We learnt to make complex research accessible and engaging for our audience. Through crafting a playbook on the applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the Defence Psychology context and presenting at Continuous Professional Development sessions to the community of Defence Psychologists, we transformed technical concepts about AI applications into clear and compelling narratives. Our research explored AI applications across psychological assessment, population sensing, mental health, behaviour change and performance enhancement areas and more. Eye-opening discovery

We were amazed to discover the extensive reach of organisational psychology within MINDEF. From boosting soldier performance to conducting personnel assessment for vocations to enhancing mental health strategy and support, our experience showed us the potential and the utility of using psychology to improve organisational processes and enhance performance within an organisation. Proudest achievement

Our presentation to the community of Defence Psychologists stood out as our crowning moment. Seeing our 10 weeks of hard work gel together into tangible contributions was incredibly rewarding. What made it truly special was knowing that our work would be translated into follow-on trials/projects and continue making an impact on larger organisational developments, even after our internship ended! Your journey in Defence Psychology starts here!

This isn’t your typical internship – it’s a unique opportunity to dive deep into psychology in action, working with Defence Psychologists through eye-opening engagements and experiences. The exceptional mentorship and supportive environment at Defence Psychology Department enabled us to push boundaries and take away many enriching experiences. Our top tip? Be curious and reach out to the amazing professionals at MINDEF. You will find incredible people eager to share their journeys, and every conversation could spark new insights and help you envision an exciting future career path in defence psychology!

Internship Career Guide 2025

Flicking from the Back Getting Started

Aiming for an Internship

Applying for Internships

Acing Your Internship

Industry Sectors

GTI Asia Pte Ltd (Company number: 200301978M) 3023 Ubi Road 3 #02-08/9 UbiPlex1 Singapore 408663 T+(65) 6294 6505 | F+(65) 6294 1043

GTI Media is the world’s largest careers and graduate recruitment publisher. Founded in the UK in 1988, GTI publishes and distributes more than 100 careers and recruitment products around the globe. GTI Media Singapore would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the 2025 issue of gradsingapore’s Internship Career Guide! Chief Editor Elliyani Mohamad Ali Editorial Dawn Yip, Brendan Yee Design & Production A’liah Abdul Rahim, Clarisa James, Zayyanah Suhaimi Advertising Ron Ong, The GTI Media sales team Marketing & Distribution Kelly Chin, Eileen Ang Publisher Isaac Hee

Employer Listings

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© GTI Asia Pte Ltd, April 2025 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means including, but not limited to, photocopying or storage in a retrieval system in any form without prior written consent of GTI. The views expressed in the articles are those of authors and their publication, and do not necessarily imply that such views are shared by GTI. Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this publication, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, or for consequential loss arising from such inaccuracies, or for any loss, direct or consequential, arising in connection with information in this publication. Internship Career Guide 2025

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