There are plenty of opportunities to leverage on when it comes to gainful employment in Singapore’s engineering industry, especially with Singapore’s plans to become a Smart Nation. However, getting satisfactory employment is a whole different ball game.
But the game’s not over until you say it is! So, consider using several methods to ensure satisfactory employment, such as figuring out the segment of the engineering industry you want to work in, the career you want to have and life you want to lead.
Here’s how you can go about it!
#1: Figure out what you want
Why: Most engineering firms, like Keppel and SMRT, offer a good mix of specialist and management career opportunities, each of which contains very different types of career springboards. Thus, it would be in your best interest to have an idea of your future career pathway, as these springboards can have influence over your professional growth as an engineer!
Some guidelines: Before you start the application process, ask yourself questions like: “What are my priorities?” and “What types of functions fit me best?”. You don’t need to be precise with these answers just yet – they can still serve as broad guidelines to follow, and point you in a suitable direction.
For example, would you prefer to develop your technological knowledge to the point of becoming an expert in a certain field? Or do you want to throw yourself into the thick of a manufacturing plant or construction site?
In addition, the second question will check whether you’d prefer taking on customer- or product-oriented roles, such as supply chain management, or strategy planning-related engineering positions in project management.
An alternate option: If you’re still unsure of what you want, you can try applying to graduate training programmes, which are offered by large engineering firms or consultancies like Mott MacDonald. These programmes will rotate you across different departments, and allow you to “sample” duties that span the range from commercial to technical.
Take note: Depending on the employer, programme structures may or may not be role-specific. For instance, some firms, like Siemens, want their new hires to experience both worlds, and thus offer programmes that cover both technical and non-technical areas of work. Others, like FDM Singapore, are more particular, and onboard successful applicants into “streams”.
On the other hand, smaller companies like Guthrie Engineering recruit directly into specific engineering roles. So if you would like to follow this route, be sure that you know what you’re aiming for!
#2: Choose your preferred work environment
Why: Engineering roles come with a range of working environments, from exciting plants, to desk-bound office work. Because of this wide span of options, choosing your preferred work environment will be a boon for you when you start sending out applications.
Some guidelines: Questions to ask yourself include: “Do I want to spend most of my working time out of the office?” and “Would I rather spend time in an office?”. Knowing the type of environment that best suits you is an important factor to consider, especially since you’ll be spending much of your time here.
For example, if you’d rather spend your working hours stomping around factories, manufacturing plants, or wastewater plants, consider working for behemoth fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies like Nestlé, or turnkey water solution plant provider, Veolia.
Alternatively, some specialised positions in large companies such as Obayashi Singapore and Halliburton might even require you to travel to overseas construction sites or oil extraction areas, which may sate your wanderlust!
On the other hand, working in consultancies such as Arup will involve you in the design engineering process, though you’ll be behind a desk in the office more often than not.
Tip: On-site work tends to be more fast-paced and dynamic, while working behind a desk in research and development (R&D) and design departments offer more chances to work with technology in a slower, quieter and more immersive space.
Other things to take note of: Organisation size matters! Due to higher resource allocation, larger employers much like Kellogg can offer structured training schemes, mentorship by senior engineers and international opportunities.
However, smaller organisations, such as Straits Construction, are more selective with their projects and tend to occupy specialised niches. Although you won’t get training courses, and the learning curve will be steep, you’ll also gain early responsibility and experience faster growth and more experience in a smaller timeframe!
#3: Find out what you're prepared to do
Why: You’ve already more or less figured out what you want, and which work environment is best for you. Now, it’s time to decide what you’re prepared to do, both literally and metaphorically!
Some guidelines: Consider questions like “Am I prepared to travel around the world for work? Or would I rather move overseas for secondments or long-term projects?”, “Would I be more comfortable rooted in the office?” and “How much do I value positive working relationships with my team?”. They’ll help you gain a better idea of how far you’re willing to go for your company.
If you don’t mind travelling or working overseas, you then have to ask yourself how long you’re willing to stay abroad – it’ll matter to your area of work! In firms such as Asian Sealand Offshore and Marine (ASOM) in the oil and gas industry, engineers have to be particularly mobile, constantly moving between offshore oil rigs and refineries.
On the other hand, process control engineers in organisations like The Coca-Cola Company and Micron Semiconductor may be required to stay in one location – sometimes overseas – for months at a time, monitoring a specific plant’s operational facility.
But if you decide to work solely in design engineering in an office with employers much like Anotech Energy and AECOM, you’ll trade in most of your chances of international travel for building solid professional relationships with colleagues and other engineers.
Take note: Ask yourself how many hours you’re willing to clock in, too. It’s not uncommon for some engineers, especially those in the manufacturing line, to do shift work, while maintenance engineers might need to pull unusual hours if there’s a breakdown in the plant.
If working regular hours (from 9am to 6pm) is a priority, then you can consider going into specialised roles such as environmental engineering consulting.
#4: Check if you have to obtain additional professional qualifications
Why: To practise in Singapore, engineers must pass the examinations put forward by the Professional Engineers Board Singapore (PEB). Otherwise, you might want to qualify as a Chartered Engineer (Singapore) to raise your professional profile, or pursue further studies in your journey to achieve your career goals.
Some guidelines: “Am I aiming to qualify as a Chartered Engineer (Singapore)?” and “Should I further my studies to stay aligned with my career goals?” are just two questions you should ask yourself for some direction.
If you’re looking to improve your professional standing through your expertise, experience and competence, qualifying as a Chartered Engineer (Singapore) will certainly boost your profile!
However, it’s not necessary in some areas of engineering. For instance, some roles require postgraduate qualifications from a Master of Science and Master of Engineering, or even a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)! These positions are usually heavily engaged in research with employers like the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), or other highly specialised areas like algorithm engineering in organisations like Shopee.
To learn more about postgraduate studies in engineering, click here!
Take note: During networking events or career events, take the chance to ask recruiters about the educational support their employers offer. Because although most companies provide such support and opportunities, some will only finance your education up to a certain level.
Tip: Be sure to also ask recruiters about alternative training opportunities, both internal and external. These forms of sponsorship can benefit you in your career progression!
#5: Make the match!
Why: It’s important that you ensure a culture fit between you and a potential employer! There’s almost nothing worse than joining a company only to find out that you can’t mesh well with the company’s corporate culture.
What you can do: During the recruitment process, you’ll likely be invited down to the company for an in-person interview. When that’s over, see if you can request a tour around the organisation’s space to get a feel for the company culture and the kind of work you’ll be expected to engage in.
If you have the opportunity, try to reach out to present employees and ask if you can speak with them for their point-of-view as an insider. Take the chance to observe the workspace and your potential colleagues, as well! More often than not, if you find talking to other employees easy, and are comfortable in the workspace, you’ll be fine working in the company if you land the role!
For red flags you should look out for, click here!
Tip: If you’re unable to score a tour or talk to current employees, you can turn to connections and university alumni in your network, who are presently working in the organisation you’re interviewing with.
At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong answer. The choice of career, work environment and employer is up to you – every job role provides its own experiences and learning points. It’s alright if you don’t get it on your first try, but this article will provide you with the right foundation to help you move towards realising satisfactory employment!