Recently, we’ve been seeing a lot of news regarding heavy tech layoffs in leading companies many of us aspire to work at. Meta, Alphabet, Microsoft, IBM, Amazon, Spotify — the list goes on. To date, over 70,000 big tech employees have been laid off[1].
Many of us have thankfully been unaffected, but coming from an industry previously believed to be a cast iron rice bowl, these changes are no less alarming. Here are 3 things to do even if you are in a stable job you enjoy so that you will be prepared for any unexpected changes that come your way!
1) Ask yourself what you’d do if you were fired
As recent events have suggested, bad things can happen at any moment. Your company could file for bankruptcy overnight, or technological advancements could potentially render your role redundant. Recently, prominent media company Buzzfeed let go of 180 employees (12% of their workforce) and will start working with OpenAI to generate content[2].
Did you know that many retrenched individuals are high-performers and capable staff? This is why you should not write off the possibility of retrenchment happening to you and ask yourself every so often what you would do if it did. Here are some things to consider:
Is this the right time to take a break or pursue something you’ve always wanted to do?
Do you have enough funds to tide you over if you start job hunting again?
You should also familiarise yourself with the steps you’ll need to take post-retrenchment. This will help you save valuable time. These include:
Clarifying the reason for your dismissal (if it is unclear)
Is the layoff permanent, or are you being furloughed?
Checking if you are entitled to a severance package
Acquiring references (especially from your direct supervisor)
Reminding yourself that retrenchment does not define you as a person
Some people also post a “goodbye message” on LinkedIn sharing about their retrenchment, positive experiences with their former workplaces, and wishing them well: such posts help signal that you are looking for work and can reflect your skills and working experience. Your connections may also share them and link you to opportunities. This is something you can consider doing as well. Why not spend some time jotting down some relevant points that may help you write one?
Start adding your colleagues on Linkedin if you have not done so, too!
2) Get to know your expenditure on a deeper level
This is numero uno to developing healthy financial habits. It is also especially important to know how much you spend on discretionary expenses from month to month in case something unexpected happens (like losing your job or a sudden lifestyle change).
Know this already but haven’t gotten around to finding out? This is the sign to do so! You must be prepared for various possibilities, such as your salary staying the same or not receiving a bonus this year. There are tons of useful budgeting apps in the market or free excel templates you can reference. SGFinDex has also made it so much easier to access consolidated financial information — try using it once for a rough overview of your assets and liabilities.
Did you know that the higher inflation rates we’ve seen recently (~5%) are a result of “revenge spending” and discretionary expenses?
3) Familiarise yourself with company policies
If your company has an employee handbook, skim through it again to ensure you are aware of its policies. Your contract, too! Some companies have non-compete clauses preventing you from working, for example, or engaging in business in relevant markets or geographies for a fixed period of time. These usually apply to those in senior positions, but best to check and be safe than sorry.
Breaching them, if they are enforceable, can lead to your former employer filing for an injunction or claiming damages.
Of course, you should also read the handbook to stay updated on other information, such as benefits. The handbook may also offer insight into your company’s culture.
Don’t forget to consider upskilling opportunities or look at career cushioning while you set up your contingency plan. We hope you’ve found this article useful!
Hello, everyone! It’s been a while, but I’m finally back and ready to share my experiences. This time, I will share some advice on how to plan your modules. Module planning is every university student’s nightmare, especially for students who have not officially entered university. There are so many websites, especially for NUS — NUS Mods, NUS Canvas, NUS Edurec…it’s hard enough keeping track of these sites.
Additionally, for prospective FASS and FoS students, the new CHS curriculum is so hard to plan for. There are 13 mandatory modules, and figuring out which modules are pre-allocated to you and which modules are not is just a pain.
But don’t worry! I’m here to make it a lot easier for everyone. I’ve been through the system, I’m studying at NUS, and with almost two full years of experience, I think I’m qualified to give some advice. So, without further ado, let’s get into it!
One final note: the most important websites you could use specifically for NUS are NUS Mods, the NUS CHS website, the NUS major modules (i.e. NUS psychology modules for me), and NUS major graduation requirements.
1. Find a Common Curriculum
For prospective undergraduates, the simplest first step is to find out whether you have a common curriculum. Many universities often have a common curriculum that is mandatory for undergraduates, particularly within Singapore. However, overseas universities might not have this.
In order to find the common curriculum, keywords such as “x university x faculty common curriculum” can be used. For example, googling “FASS graduation requirements” brought me to a PDF, which then brought me to the FASS website. The FASS website has an explicit section for graduation requirements and an option titled, “Cohort 2021 and After, CHS Common Curriculum”.
Alternatively, you can pay attention to news regarding the university. For example, the new CHS curriculum and the merging of Yale-NUS with USP have gained media coverage within Singapore. If you are a prospective NUS student, this is very pertinent to you and you might want to be aware of this.
If you have no common curriculum, congratulations — feel free to move on and read the next tip. However, if you have a common curriculum, the next step would be to find the modules inside the curriculum.
For NUS, clicking on the CHS Common Curriculum option will bring you directly to the CHS website that lists the common modules. The website also shows the pre-allocation of modules, and which modules will be pre-allocated to you in year 1. It also shows the different modules per semester.
Once you have this knowledge, this leads me to step two: map your modules.
2. Map Your Modules
Now that you know the common curriculum modules you must take, it is time to map them! But what exactly does this mean?
Module mapping is a process many undergraduates do to plan for the next four years of university. It helps you see which modules you will be taking during which semester. It also helps with counting the number of module credits (MCs) per semester. The number of MCs is especially important, as you need to make sure you have enough to graduate.
But how do you map your modules? Simple. First, open up either an excel sheet or a google drive sheet. Next, you can have headings for the four years of university, and separate them by semester e.g. “y1s1”, “y1s2” etc. Underneath each heading, list the modules you will be taking. Next to the module, list the number of MCs it provides.
Here is my personal plan as an example:
If you have a common curriculum, fill those modules up first. Afterwards, every major will likely have one or two common gateway modules that they have to take. These gateway modules will most likely be pre-allocated to you in year one of university, so put that module code in your year one plan.
From my plan, all the blue colours are CHS common curriculum modules. The year one CHS modules are compulsory and thus pre-allocated. The other CHS modules require you to bid for them, so I just use them to balance my workload. You can see that later on, during my 4k modules (some of the heaviest modules you can take as an undergraduate), I add a lot of CHS modules or UEs (unrestricted electives) to ensure my workload is not too bad.
Additionally, every major will likely have mandatory core modules. A simple google search of “x university [major] modules” will show you all the modules you can take, and the graduation requirements will tell you which are core (i.e. mandatory) modules.
In my plan, PL1101e and PL2131 will be pre-allocated to you in your first year. However, PL2132 and all 3k modules for NUS psychology are mandatory. Thus, as a psychology undergraduate, I must take all of them at some point in the four years of university.
You can simply use google to help you find out your mandatory modules. I google “NUS psychology modules” to see the whole list of modules. “NUS psychology graduation requirements” also shows me the core modules I have to take. The website that lists NUS psychology modules also shows the requirements for those modules, which helps me plan.
For example, when looking at 4k modules, I need to complete 80 MCs. In each semester, I take around 20 MCs. This means that I need at least four semesters before I can take a 4k module, and thus those modules will likely be taken during years three or four.
This is a complicated process and requires a lot of time and research, so I suggest you make time for it. Schedule a day where you just sit down and construct one mapping plan. It might not be the final, and it is likely that you will change it, especially for your UEs or if you have failed to bid for a module. However, a brief plan is better than nothing at all.
Overall, to make life a little bit easier, I suggest that you: a) start with pre-allocated common curriculum modules; b) put in pre-allocated major gateway modules; and c) fill in the mandatory modules (for both your major and the common curriculum modules) as you go.
One final thing to note is the semester. For NUS, you can use NUS Mods to see which semester the module will be available in. Normally, for very common modules e.g., common curriculum and common major modules, it will be offered in every semester. However, there are exceptions – the HS and HSI 2k modules in my plan are semester-dependent. Thus, you need to double-check to see if you have planned correctly.
Additionally, you can note down whether you can SU the module or not. SU means that the module credits will be counted, but the grade you obtain will not be counted towards your CAP. It can be useful to know which modules you can SU and which modules you cannot, but this is slightly advanced. If you are feeling overwhelmed, stick to the basic plan of module mapping.
3. Double-check Graduation Requirements
Once you have mapped the basic modules (i.e. the common curriculum and the gateway modules), it is time to check your graduation requirements. A google search of “NUS psychology graduation requirements” brings me to a website that lists everything very explicitly. Once you have these requirements, you need to map the necessary modules onto your plan.
However, I suggest you take it step by step. First cover the core lower-level modules, then work your way up. For example, for NUS psychology, begin by mapping PL1101E, PL2131 and PL2132. You will get PL1101E and PL2131 in year 1, so you can fill that in. I also strongly suggest that you take PL2132 as soon as possible, because it is a foundational module. A lot of higher-level modules will have PL2132 as a prerequisite, particularly laboratory modules and 4k modules. Thus, I suggest you place it in year two semester one.
Next, you move on to the 3k core modules. Also remember to check the prerequisites for each module so you know when you can take it! For psychology 3k modules, the only prerequisite is PL1101E. Thus, when you have completed that module, you can start to clear your 3k modules.
I personally was able to take PL1101E in my first semester of university. Thus, in my second semester, I actually took two 3k modules. This helped me a lot, especially in terms of clearing mandatory modules for psychology. For psychology, you also have to map a laboratory module, so keep that in mind when planning.
Finally, you can move on and map the 4k modules. Do take note that NUS psychology 4k modules require you to complete 80 MCs, which means that you have to complete at least four semesters of university before you can even take them. Thus, these 4k modules are likely mapped onto years three and four of university.
Once you have finished mapping the modules for your common curriculum and the necessary modules for graduation, you can now start filling in the spaces for your unrestricted electives! For NUS, you need 48 MCs of unrestricted electives if you are taking a single major — roughly 12 additional modules. The number of MCs required differs for a single or double major, or anything else, so do check that before you plan this.
For finding potential UEs, you can use NUS Mods to search keywords related to your personal interests. For example, I search for words like “crime”, “deviance”, “China” etc. because of my interests in these topics. Based on your search, modules will show up, and you can then pick and choose the ones you want to study.
Finally, if you want to go for an exchange programme, you should plan it now. Pick the semester you prefer, and ensure that you have put that in your plan. You should also google to check what you can and cannot map for an exchange. For NUS psychology, for example, you can only map one 4k module on exchange. So do keep that in mind.
And that’s it! That’s the end of the planning session! I know it is a lot to take in. And it is likely very complicated. But doing this not only gives you a plan for your four years of university, it also gives you a headstart in familiarizing yourself with the many websites necessary for university. But that’s it from me! Hope this helped, and good luck with your module planning!
Library, a high peer-pressure environment for mugging. Library, a sanctuary for a quiet moment. Library, a citadel for academic enlightenment. Library, a student’s second home during the exam season.
I love libraries. I don’t know about you, but I love them to bits. Everyone says they’re a nerd, and by Jove, you know you’re one when the first thing on your freshman to-do list is to find all the libraries in NTU, like me.
Some libraries in NTU can be hard to find, so here’s a complied list and some essential information and tips!
Exactly what libraries are there?
As of 2023 there are 7 libraries in NTU, namely the Art, Design & Media Library, Business Library, Chinese Library, Communication & Information Library, Humanities & Social Sciences Library, Lee Wee Nam Library and the Wang Gungwu Library. There is also the Library Outpost located at The Hive.
Click here for a comprehensive list of their locations!
All libraries are closed on public holidays. Please check announcements on the Library homepage for changes in opening hours. For actual dates of semester and vacation periods, refer to NTU’s Academic Calendar.
All Libraries’ Opening Hours
Semester Period:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 9.30 pm
Saturday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (Communication & Information Library closes at 1:00 pm)
Sunday: Closed
Vacation Period:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 7:00 pm (Art, Design & Media Library and Communication & Information Library closes at 5:00 pm)
Saturday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (Closed: Art, Design & Media Library and Communication & Information Library)
Sunday: Closed
Note: Photocopying and network printing services will stop 30 minutes before the Library closes
1. Art, Design & Media Library
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Books
ADM Library holds over 11,000 volumes ranging from evolving disciplines in visual art, architecture, design, drawing, illustration, painting and photography. These volumes include reference materials, artist books, play and film production formats, exhibition catalogues, animation guidebooks, and design catalogues.
The Reserve Book Collection (RBR)
The RBR section in the ADM library houses the required reading materials for each course for ADM students. These materials are available for loan to ADM students for a maximum of two hours and must be checked out at the Loan Counter.
Periodicals
There are over 100 subscriptions to periodicals that cover all aspects of the school’s curriculum. Some courses are media, film, animation, design and art. All undergraduates and future postgraduates can find core materials needed for their readings.
Audio-Visual Materials (A/V)
The A/V section of the Library houses an extensive and growing collection of video cassettes, audio cassettes, VCDs, DVDs, audio CDs, and music CDs, with the exception of “restricted” and “non-circulating” A/V materials. These materials are available for faculty, graduate students, and NTU staff to borrow.
For undergraduates, they can tap on individual and group viewing facilities (such as viewing carrels and a cinema room).
Information Services, including reference services
Students are encouraged to browse its collection, ranging from reading resources or materials for research purposes.
If help is needed with the research process, students can approach the ADM Library staff.
Instructional Services
The ADM Library also provides students and faculty with instructional services that introduce them to various art-related online databases.
Library e-resources
Staff and students can access the library’s e-resources from subscribed databases, e-books, and e-journals available at the library homepage 24/7 as long as they have internet access.
There are six Library Catalogue stations and ten networked PCs for accessing e-journals, databases, and other electronic resources for students and staff for their perusal. Furthermore, there are ten individual viewing carrels with multimedia PCS where students can view A/V titles leisurely in a soundproof mini cinema room.
Students can access the Library Catalogue online or access it in the ADM library to search for books, journals, audiovisual materials, and other library resources
Printing and Photocopying: Students can access printing and photocopying services, including colour copying.
Wireless Internet
The Library is equipped with wireless access to facilitate patrons with laptops to use the online facilities and services.
The Study Area
ADM library’s study area provides large spacious tables and comfortable chairs to facilitate group work and individual study.
Highlights
Open study spaces, cinema room and individual AV viewing stations.
ADM library has specially curated loanable books and references related to the visual arts. They also hold an extensive collection of comics and graphic novels.
Did you know they are one of the few libraries with A/V materials available?
Liber@ADML
The newly launched enhanced Laboratory for Interdisciplinary Bookish and Experimental Research at the Art, Design and Media Library (Liber@ADML) features edtech-ready spaces and facilities to support the School of ADM’s interdisciplinary research and innovation needs.
Configurable collaboration zones with well-being features
Equipped with different lighting presets and modular furniture, The Playground allows users to play around with the space and build the ideal classroom or collaborative workspace for teaching and learning. For the user’s well-being, the Playground has a circadian lighting system that automatically adjusts its brightness and colour temperature according to the daylight cycle. Scientifically, this allows the human body to stay connected with its natural circadian rhythm that regulates wakefulness and alertness.
AV pods
The new audio-visual pods function as a collaborative space for users to access visual media resources with an open-concept meeting room.
Student showcases
ADM students and faculty can showcase their creative works through this interactive exhibition space with a sleek window display design.
Temi the robot
Temi the robot is NTU’s first-ever Smart Library Assistant. Riding on the innovative trend, Temi’s capabilities includes wayfinding, answering frequently asked questions, and video calling a NTU Librarian.
NTU School of Art, Design & Media (ART-01-03)
81 Nanyang Dr, Singapore 637458
Buses: 179,199
Drop at: Nanyang Dr – Hall 2 (27311)
2. Business Library
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Facilities for Members with Special Needs
Members with disabilities can request assistance to access any of NTU’s libraries. Onsite facilities include:
Height-adjustable tables at Lee Wee Nam Library, Business Library and Chinese Library
The business library consists of collaborative spaces, quiet spaces, individual study rooms, and a business lounge with Bloomberg and Datastream terminals.
Collections
The library houses topics from accounting, banking, business law, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality management, international business, management, marketing and strategy.
Quiet Zones
Students in need of a pin-drop quiet environment can head to the Business Library (Level B4) to get maximum focus on their work. Do take note that discussions are not allowed in these Quiet Zones!
Individual Study Spaces (Bookable)
The Business Library has 19 rooms that students can reserve for their individual study sessions. (14 Study Rooms and 5 Language Learning Rooms).
Members with disabilities can request for assistance to access any of NTU’s libraries. Onsite facilities include:
● Height-adjustable tables at Lee Wee Nam Library, Business Library and Chinese Library
Highlights
NTU’s Chinese Library houses rare thread-bound books – Kangxi Dictionary, Imperial Collection of Four and more. Do head down to find out more!
Collections
Being a Chinese Library, it covers Chinese language materials such as Chinese literature, history, philosophy, religion, linguistics, politics, economy, sociology and management science.
Quiet Zones
Students needing a quiet space and a surrounding with linguistic books can head to the Chinese Library (Reading Room) to get maximum focus on their work. Do take note that discussions are not allowed in these Quiet Zones!
This library has an archive of final-year projects by communication students. Head down to view your senior’s work!
Collections
Students can browse topics ranging from mass communication and media, information sciences, communication research, media law and ethics.
Being a 2-storey library, it is quiet during school term and you can spot many seats during the day. However, it is a fairly small library with limited book titles. But the aircon is always freezing cold, perfect for Singapore’s hot, humid days!
Directions:
Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI)
5. Humanities & Social Sciences Library
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Collaborative Spaces (Bookable)
To use these collaborative spaces, students would need to reserve via LibFacilities prior to use. Accompanying equipment for each space may differ – read the description when booking on LibFacilities.
This library is much smaller than the other NTU libraries. The walkways between the shelves are narrow, making the library appear cramped. Fans of Singlit (Singapore Literature) will be pleased to learn that the library has a small Singlit collection, as well as a collection of works on Singapore’s economy, politics, and history (the ‘Singapore Collection’).
This library is a treasure to students in the Humanities field. There is a wide range of resources available for every humanities topic. However, the downside is that the study spaces are limited, with only a few small cubicles at the library’s sides.
Specialities
This library has books and periodicals related to the social sciences (history, politics, linguistics) and literature (Eastern and Western, classical and modern) that are not found in other NTU libraries.
Besides academic books, students can also browse fiction and non-fiction books that are mostly in English.
Directions:
S4-B3C-05
6. Lee Wee Nam Library
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Facilities for Members with Special Needs
Members with disabilities can request assistance to access any of NTU’s libraries. Onsite facilities include:
Height-adjustable tables at Lee Wee Nam Library, Business Library and Chinese Library
Highlights
This is NTU’s most popular library as it has a variety of collaborative learning spaces, exhibition spaces, quiet and relaxation spaces, high-end computers, and a recording room.
Collections
Engineering and science are the primary titles found on their shelves.
Hygge
Hygge is a new space that was recently opened in September 2022. This is students’ most favourite relaxing and studying space, with it being a dedicated well-being space at the Quiet Zone of Lee Wee Nam Library (Level 5). Primarily designed to encourage students to wind down from academic stresses, it allows them to engage in reflection, contemplation and mental relaxation. HYGGE features the concept Fascinature, which combines elements of soft fascination and nature to facilitate mental rejuvenation.
Quiet Zones
There are allocated zones dedicated for users who need to concentrate on their work or study and are available at Lee Wee Nam Library (Level 5). Discussions are not allowed in these Quiet Zones.
This library literally has café-style seating and lounging spaces and diverse audio-visual materials. It is definitely a different concept from other NTU libraries!
Collections
It holds audio-visual collections and Course Reserves for HSS and NBS.
A course reserve item borrowed before 7 pm must be returned within two hours or risk a hefty fine. If students borrow the material after 7 pm, they must return it by 11 am the following morning.
Here’s one bonus library that’s truly hidden out of sight! It is contained within the Chinese Heritage Centre (CHC), it is quite dark and is mostly lit by natural light, which is understandable as most of the books there look old and thus require protection. Since it’s in an odd location, it is very quiet and very empty on most days, which makes it a good place to get some private space and time.
You’ll find books and references related to Chinese culture/tradition, literature, and research here, in both English and Chinese, as well as permanent displays of old Singaporean educational materials. Do stop by for a visit at least once!
Collaborative Spaces (Needs Booking)
The following spaces for group discussion require reservation on LibFacilities before use. Accompanying equipment for each space may differ – read the description when booking on LibFacilities.
Print your course materials
Print and photocopy your coursework at NTU’s libraries. Depending on the libraries, the price is also different. Libraries usually charge $0.045 – $0.05/black and white page and $0.54 – $1.00/colour page for printing jobs. Photocopying cost $0.025/A4 black and white photocopy and $0.054/A4 colour page photocopy. All printing and photocopying services in libraries are paid via a sensor that deducts money from your EZ-link card or through Paylah.
You can also consult librarians at NTU. Ask them about how to find academic papers related to your research project. Ask them about the angle of your project. Basically, librarians are mentors that provide guidance if you choose to consult them.
Hope this guide was useful to navigate NTU libraries! Feel free to comment if you have any queries!
Love, love, where are you? In this modern day and age, you don’t sit by waiting for love and sulk if it doesn’t knock on your door. Today, we explore the various popular dating apps in Singapore.
Lovoo
Lovoo has been growing popular with social media fans/addicts, having features that other apps do not have. This would be LOVOO Live, the app’s live stream and live chat that you can start or join to make connections for free. The more viewers you have, the more diamonds you may earn. These diamonds can be converted to actual cash or in-app credits you can use to gift others gifts!
It also offers you an ‘icebreaker’ daily, giving you the opportunity to send someone you’re interested in a 250-character message without matching up first. If the person replies, both of you can commence messaging with no limits
Just be aware that the app currently has fewer local users. Lovoo is free, but you can purchase a subscription to block ads, hide your online status and more.
Hinge
The first thing you’ll see on Hinge’s webpage is an eye-catching header: “The dating app designed to be deleted”. The app promises to do so through better quality connections and transparency, making use of a ‘Nobel-Prize-winning-algorithm’ and showing you everyone who has liked your profile. How it differs from other apps lies in the way you have to ‘like’ a specific part of an individual’s profile, with the option of leaving a comment, giving them more insight into what about them caught your eye and a good conversation starter.
The app is free but has a subscription model that you can test out for free for a month. You will have to be an active user. Like Lovoo, the app may have fewer local users at present.
Klick
Klick was launched on Valentine’s Day in 2019. Founded by a Singaporean, Nelson Quek, the app acts like an Instagram for singles—users fill up a detailed questionnaire when setting up their profile, and proceed to express themselves by publishing photo posts showcasing their personalities and interests.
Image credits: A screenshot of Klick’s website
The app is free and unlike CMB/Tinder, you can chat with others for free without any limitations (except that they must accept a Message Request first before both of you can start talking). This app is great for people who want to get a better feel of potential matches first before starting up a potentially-awkward conversation. As the app is fairly new, the user pool isn’t as large as what you might be expecting. It’s still a great app to try out, though!
Coffee Meets Bagel
There are many folks out there using CMB now, considering it to be the ‘classier’ sister of Tinder (see below). Guys get 21 ‘bagel’ profiles to like/pass each day at noon. Girls, in return, get 6 ‘bagel’ profiles from those that have liked them. So, guy likes girl. Girl likes guy back and a chat window opens for (only!) 7 days so that you’ll be spurred to take further action and maybe become something more!
CMB is free, using ‘beans’ as an in-app currency that you can pay for or earn through regular app use (like checking the app daily). What you might or might not like: CMB matches you with friends of friends and not complete strangers. Generally, most agree that they’ve met decent dates through CMB, or dates-turned-friends.
Same with all other dating apps: don’t be too stingy with your profile photos! Do avoid selfies (or too many of them) if possible.
Bumble
With its different features, Bumble is more than a dating app. Yes, it offers Bumble Date, which lets female users send the first text, but it also offers networking and friend making opportunities via Bumble BFF and Bumble Bizz!
Here’s how it works (for Bumble Date): You and another individual must match. Thereafter, you have 24 hours to initiate contact and send out the first message if you are female! If you are a male user, you will have 24 hours to respond. Users can also send video notes or initiate video calls (in-app) thereafter if they prefer this to text. Many friends have had good things to say about Bumble (that its more engaging and they’ve found deeper connections here), so this is one app you should give a go.
Tinder
Tinder, as everyone knows, is the most popular dating app in Singapore. It’s a simple concept about chatting only with people you’ve liked, who’ve liked you back in return. Personally, I like how you will be matched only if both users have mutually liked each other. There’s some anonymity to it so you can avoid embarrassing moments or feeling unwanted when the person you’re fond of doesn’t reciprocate.
Tinder, as most people described, is more of quantity than quality. Compared to other dating apps, it’s more luck based as you are unable to control or filter certain jobs, ideals, and characteristics—it’s a modern blind date. If you know exactly what you are looking for in a partner, you’re basically finding a needle in a haystack—not impossible to find what you’re looking for but the chances are low and it takes a lot of time and effort to do so. Some, on the other hand, like Tinder because of its mindless swiping, where you don’t have to think so hard about what you’re looking for.
On the other hand, if you’re not too sure what you’re looking for, Tinder offers many opportunities to interact and discover what your dealmakers and dealbreakers are.
Obviously, Tinder is the dating app for those that prioritise looks, considering how you have barely any other factors for consideration. The app has recently introduced virtual, face-to-face dates (aka video call), which is only accessible if both you and your Tinder match have toggled the video icon. It’s a great addition, considering the current circumstances the world is in, with the unexpected bonus of reducing the possibilities of catfishing! Don’t worry: you can turn off this feature anytime.
I’m not sure if it’s the same for a guy, but for a girl, it’s a feel-good dating app with a huge pool of people to swipe, to chat with, to reply—it makes you feel popular.
Tip: Select your preferred age range so you don’t have to filter through people who are 20 years older or younger.
Tip: You can also set your discoverable distance under your settings for places you frequent e.g. your home or your workplace. For instance, I used to use Tinder only when I’m home as the distance between me and my partner’s home is a crucial factor in the closeness of my partner.
Paktor
When Paktor was first launched, it was often likened to Tinder. That has changed over several developments, and now Paktor builds on the idea of a fun activity where you earn points from frequent activities to redeem ‘gifts’ to give to users whom you think deserve more than just a ‘like’. It also has simple yes/no quizzes asking if for instance, if you think this particular user is a dog-lover.
Like most games, there’s a lot of promotion of in-app purchases and Paktor is one that heavily markets it, even to the fact that you need to upgrade to see who has ‘liked’ you, which is usually a basic free function in most dating apps.
Tip: Know when and what rewards you can claim for free and remember to claim them! E.g. Daily Swipe, Continuous Visits, Daily Reward.
Tip: Tinder tips also apply to Paktor.
Hater
Well, this is a dating app with a novel twist. After you upload a few photos and list your age, you’re presented with thousands of things you can like or, well, hate to the depths of your cold cold heart. Hate balloons? Hate waking up? Reveal it all here! Grudgingly admit that you like sweet food if you must. You can then browse fellow users’ profiles and see if you’re a match based on your (dis)likes.
The downside? Hater might have fewer local users, so the dating pool might be limited. The upside? If you’re an awkward turtle, the app presents you with ‘Cards against Humanity’ style icebreaker cards you can send your matches. Do note, though, that the limited profile information doesn’t reveal much. So if you’re uncomfortable with this level of anonymity, this app might not be for you.
Update: A friend shared that Hater is really Tinder-esque and probably not everyone’s cup of tea. You never know, though.
Happn
Happn is the dating app that sparks the hope and romance in you everywhere you go. Users are able to scroll and view all Happn users’ profiles who are nearby. Meaning, you are able to like to chat up that good-looking stranger who caught your eye when you brushed past him earlier! If you’re the type who refreshes Instagram tags or check-ins in search of that one attractive stranger, this app is built for you.
Also, unlike Tinder or Paktor, there is no expiration date to make your choice. If you would like more time to consider another user, you may leave it in your view page and continue scrolling until you have decided and then scroll back up to like or to dislike the user.
Tip: Use Happn at places of interest you frequent to find dates of similar interests, especially if you have a unique hobby. For example, if you spend your free time hanging with your Popping and Locking buddies at SCAPE or practice your Yo-yo tricks at Esplanade’s open space, you are able to access all Happn users in your usual hangout area.
Tip: If you’re a careful decision-maker, feel free to observe your potentials who frequent similar places as you before deciding to like or chat with them. Stalker alert!
Esync
If you use Esync, the love of your life could be just one call away (Charlie Puth fans, where you at!)
In terms of servicing, Esync tops the list with its A-plus service from beginning to end. They’re (apparently) the first and only dating app to do phone consultations, offline date coordination, and date confirmations. If you’ve been considering dating agencies but have been afraid to, this could be a good in-between.
Personality quizzes your kind of jam? Esync will match you and your potential soulmate based on a personality quiz that covers 16 different areas of your individuality. You’ll even get an in-depth report on your results, so you can get to understand yourself better and as a result, the things you’re looking for in a partner, too.
While the folks at Digital Senior haven’t tried this one, Esync was created by the Lunch Actually Group and is verified by the Singapore Government, so the singles you meet on this app are, well, single indeed. Do note that some services are paid services.
Lunch Actually
This one’s for the older, busy working professionals! Many of us would have heard about Lunch Actually; the dating agency was founded right here in 2004 by Violet Lim, to help working adults meet potential partners over lunch.
The agency now has an app to make things easier! If you’d like to engage Lunch Actually’s services, do note that you’ll have to be aged 24 and above for females and above 26 for males. Lunch Actually has resulted in over 4000 marriages and even more pairings, so this would be a good place (and app) to start with for those looking to settle down.
Lunch Click
Lunch Click is more targeted at those who are looking for long-term, serious, ready-for-marriage singles. There are minimal free-and-easy conversations and mostly questionnaires on one’s perspectives of the big issues in relationships like their view on children and living habits.
Contrary to Tinder, it focuses on quality over quantity whereby the system generates the best match for you with the most suitable match a day. It is a dating app that is built against hook-ups and cuts out sleazy conversations. However, the form itself takes a while to fill up because it requires even nitty-gritty details like your height, occupation, and education level. If you’re looking for something simple and user-friendly, I suggest Tinder, Paktor or Happn.
On the good side, the chances of securing an actual date are much higher since the app itself promotes getting to know each other over a meal. It basically cuts the small talk and goes straight for the main objective: getting a date.
Tip: Need advice? Look no further, Lunch Click has Love Assistants you can chat with on the app who are able to advise you on anything practically under the sun. (How cool is that!)
Tip: Prepare a list of your favourite dinner, dessert, and brunch places so you’ll have plenty of suggestions for your dates. Also, if your date enjoyed the food (and you enjoyed the date) you can quickly suggest a second date at a similar food place!
Okay Cupid
Okay Cupid is the dating app for those who know exactly what they are looking for in a partner. It displays your answers to detailed get-to-know-you open-ended questions on your public profile. It also has an extensive list of multiple-choice questions for you to answer, as well as rate its importance with explanations. The app generates potential matches for you based on your multiple-choice questions.
Not to be confused with Lunch Click where you create personalized questions directed to a specific person, Okay Cupid’s questions (from the app) and your answers are displayed publicly for all to see; it encourages an informed choice in the initial stages of selecting your dates. The app is free to use, but you can pay for a subscription to use it ad-free, use advanced search filters and more.
[Generally, though, Okay Cupid has users in an older age range and sometimes profiles might be a little too long (some can be essay-length even) if you’re not into that kind of thing.]
Tip: Okay Cupid basically lets any potential date understand your personality on a deeper level, and the dates you meet here are more likely to appreciate you not just for your looks but your core values and principles as well. A good way to further showcase your personality is to link your personal blog or Twitter.
For hilarity and curiosity’s sake, we’re also in the midst of building an alternative list of dating apps. They’re alternative because….they’re not really apps we’d use but hey, you never know!
Luxy
So, you need to earn at least $200k a year (in USD, we’re assuming) to be able to use this “rich persons” dating app for free. Or, as the app blurb shares, you can also be voted in by “profile attractiveness”. Yup: free users need to be ‘vouched in’ within 24 hours by existing app members of the opposite gender.
Otherwise, shell out a cool 99.99 per month for their Black subscription or more for the Premium subscription. Payment methods even include Bitcoin. Well, okay?
*commences a search for my lone 50-cent coin*
The app, which uses swiping like Tinder and used to call itself the “Tinder without the poor people”, promises that at least 41% of their users earn over 1 Million yearly because as the app blurb on the App Store says, “why settle for average whilst being extraordinary by yourself?”
…On second thoughts, maybe the folks at Digital Senior will just stay average.
Fancy a holiday but can’t leave the country at the moment? Or want a break away from the hustle somewhere private? A chalet in Singapore may be your answer! Without further ado, here are a few options you can consider.
Formerly the SAF Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) Club, The Chevrons is located at Jurong East. It is home to 6 double-storey chalets and 3 bungalows, all fully air-conditioned, as well as swimming pool and a bouldering gym. The Chevrons members can enjoy member fees and the use of the lounge and a darts and pool room during their stay.
Address: 48 Boon Lay Way, Singapore 609961
Facilities/Amenities: TV, wi-fi, coffee and tea, kitchenette, bedroom and living room, sheltered BBQ pit
Rates (Public) :
2D1N
(Before 1 May 2023)
Chalet: $240/- to $300/-
Bungalow: $340/- to $460/-
3D2N
(Before 1 May 2023)
Chalet: $440/- to $560/-
Bungalow: $620/- to $840/-
(After 1 May 2023)
Chalet: $270/- to $330/-
Bungalow: $370/- to $490/-
(After 1 May 2023)
Chalet: $500/- to $620/-
Bungalow: $690/- to $900/-
If you fancy a getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life, Kranji Farm Resorts may be the place for you. There are a total of 35 villas here, with different views and capacities. There’s even an option with a Jacuzzi and steam room!
The resort is especially family-friendly, with plenty of activities that can keep children occupied. These include visiting the World of Birdnest Museum, touring a herbal garden, fishing, and visiting the nearby Kranji Countryside with the help of the resort’s scheduled shuttle bus services.
The West Villa at HomeTeam NS Bukit Batok has 3 types of accommodation for you to choose from: superior, deluxe and premiere deluxe respectively. During your stay, you can check out the futsal court, gym, swimming pool, adventure centre (advanced booking required) — there’s plenty for you to do!
Credit: Hometeamns
The chalet is currently running a 30% off promotion for non-peak periods, with a minimum 2 night booking. Affiliate members and guests are not eligible for peak period bookings.
Address: 2 Bukit Batok West Ave 7, Singapore 659003
Opening soon, HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir is situated on a hill slop with views of the reservoir and park views. As part of your stay, you will be given 2 access passes to Fitness Workz Garage.
Booking is currently open to HomeTeamNS members only, you are advised to check back for SAFRA and public bookings.
Address: 900 Bedok North Rd, Singapore 479994
Facilities/Amenities: Toiletries, complimentary coffee and tea, private BBQ countertop with electric grill, Pool entry, game console and more, baby cot (subject to availability)
Rates (for HomeTeamNS Members): $400–$864 per night
Beside Downtown East and near Pasir Ris Park, Aranda Country Club has been a family favourite for years. The club’s 38 suites comprise upgraded executive suites, and the newer luxury suites are run by wellness service provider Momley Loft for confinement and other health & wellness programmes.
NTUC members and Aranda Country Club members enjoy discounted rates.
Address: 60 Pasir Ris Drive 3, Singapore 519497
Facilities/Amenities: Dining room, pantry, wi-fi, (guests/non-members must pay $10/pax for the following:) Sauna, Steam Room, Swimming Pool and Gym
The National Service Resort & Country Club has 40 spacious two-storey bungalows facing Changi Beach and is a perfect location for those who intend to host huge parties or spice up their getaway with a game of golf or two. You can also play basketball, badminton, or pool. During your stay, you will be entitled to 2 free bowling games at Resort Bowl.
Address: 10 Changi Coast Walk, Singapore 499739
Facilities/Amenities: Wi-fi, private BBQ pit, fully air-conditioned, free entry to swimming pool and gym centre, kitchen, toiletries, club facilities (in-house guest rates, subject to availability), BBQ amenities available for rent
Formerly Aloha Loyang, CSC Loyang’s chalets range from cosy two bedroom affairs to family-friendly four room bungalows. It is popular with families due to its proximity to Pasir Ris Beach and Downtown East and its fairly affordable rates. The resort has a convenience store where you can purchase BBQ essentials, or rent folding tables and more.
As this is a facility for Civil Service members, Civil Service Club members and Public Service Officers enjoy discounted rates and priority booking. As a member of the public, you can make a booking up to 60 days before your stay; this goes up to 90 days if you are a Public Service Officer.
Address: 159W Jln. Loyang Besar, Singapore 507020
Facilities/Amenities: Air-conditioned living room and bedrooms, dining room, sheltered BBQ pits, bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen, wi-fi. Dog-friendly sea view bungalows share a common dog run and washing bay.
Rates (for Public): $269.28–$715.97 per night (Price varies depending on chosen accommodation and weekday/weekend stay. A deposit will be collected)
CSC Changi is made up of CSC @ Changi l and CSC @ Changi II, the former being a beachfront clubhouse and the latter a rustic colonial getaway nestled in nature. Changi Village is a short distance away, and Pulau Ubin is also close by.
The CSC Clubhouse facilities are open to the public; do ntoe that the swimming pool is for CSC members only. Like CSC@ Loyang, CSC members enjoy priority booking and discounted rates.
Address: 2 Netheravon Road, Singapore 508503
Facilities/Amenities: Wi-fi, air-conditioned, complimentary coffee and tea, rooftop BBQ pit access for suite stayers subject to availability, toiletries, microwave, hair dryer, safe, induction cooker (villas)
Rates:
(Price varies depending on chosen accommodation and weekday/weekend stay. A deposit will be collected)
CSC@Changi I (Public): $236.25–$749.10 per night
CSC@Changi II (Public): $138.67–$665.28 per night
We hope one of these places will be right up your alley. Have a good break!
Board games! Card games! There’s something magical about busting out Avalon or a game of your choice and losing yourself in other worlds and terrific company.
If you’re thinking of picking up a hobby that takes you out of your busy life and gives you a break from the screen, these games may very well be for you! With so many titles and types, you’ll have lots to try and no chance of becoming bored. We share some board game cafes below and other places you can play a game or two at.
Tips from Board Game Enthusiasts:
There is a board game enthusiast group on Meetup, which you should check out! It lists upcoming gaming sessions and gatherings organized by board game players, and often you’ll only need to pay a small entrance fee. Depending on the event, you may have to bring your own game or will be able to choose one from the host’s collection. Either way, you’re sure to find a like-minded community to connect with!
TableMinis is a Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and other Tabletop RPG studio and store that opened its doors on April 2021. It is a go-to place for D&D enthusiasts and those who want an immersive gaming experience — their studio is equipped with 3D sound, fully programmable lighting, miniatures and terrains, and everything else you need for your gaming world to come to life.
TableMinis also runs workshops for D&D, miniatures painting, as well as gaming gatherings for other tabletop RPGs (TTRPGs). According to a feature piece, they will be moving to a bigger space this year. So, keep an eye out!
Address: 6 Ubi Road 1, Wintech Centre, #07-13, Singapore 408726
Nearest MRT: Macpherson, Ubi
Pricing: $90 for a 3-hour booking of their studio table, and $10 for every subsequent hour (with a drink and snack bar you can purchase nosh from). As event fees vary, please refer to individual event listing
King and the Pawn is a charming two-storey board games bar and café located at a shophouse on Purvis Street. The café’s main space was designed to pay homage to classic games like Snakes and Ladders, while its attic space looks just like somebody’s living room — helping you feel right at home!
Over 350 board game titles are on offer, and you can ponder your next move over a selection of good grub such as nachos, earl grey teacakes and a cookie butter milkshake. Head down on weekends to enjoy the café’s full brunch menu!
Address: 24 Purvis Street, Level 2
Singapore 188601
Nearest MRT: City Hall, Bugis
Pricing: Board game fee of $9/pax from Tuesdays to Thursdays and $14/pax from Fridays to Sundays, including Public Holidays and eves. Children below 7 play free, and children aged 8 to 12 enjoy 50% off.
Students enjoy 20% off their total bill from Tuesdays to Thursdays if the entire party presents their student ID cards!
82Soho is the home of Kommune and Tigress, and the former is the place to be! A multi-entertainment hub with a hip atmosphere, Kommune offers Korean karaoke, console gaming, computer gaming, and board games. You can choose to play your favourite game in their shared board game lounge, or in a Korean Karaoke Klub private room where you can entertain your party with your favourite tunes.
They have a wide range of over 80 games, and you can check out their site for the full list before heading down!
Address: Orchardgateway, 277 Orchard Road, Singapore 238858, Unit 03–18
Nearest MRT: Somerset
Pricing: $24 to $34 from Mondays to Thursdays and $30 to $40 from Fridays to Sundays, including Public Holidays and eves. Rates are hourly and for up to 4 pax. You will have to top up $2/hour for each additional person.
4) Play Nation HQ
Most of us have visited Play Nation at least once, but here’s a quick introduction for those that’ve yet to! The gaming café has served board game enthusiasts since 2009 and is currently located in a two-storey shophouse with a 120-person capacity. Play Nation has over 500 game titles (console games included) for your choosing, and you can munch on crackers, chips or popcorn as you duel it out with your friends!
Address: 58 Prinsep St, Singapore 188686
Nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut, Bencoolen
Pricing:
$12.90++ for 1 hour, $16.90++ for 2 hours. Free-flow snacks and drinks is included.
Student Package available daily till 6pm at $13.90++ on weekdays and $16.90++ on weekends (12pm to 6pm)
Only have time to play board games late at night after all your assignments or work tasks are done? You’re in luck! Settlers Café is open 24 hours, and offers alfresco seating, indoor seating and private rooms. The café is bright and cheerful, having moved from its old premises at North Canal Road, and there are different weekday deals for their mains at different times of the day.
Address: 562 Serangoon Road, 218178.
Nearest MRT: Farrer Park
Pricing: $7/pax, hourly. You must purchase at least one food or drink item. Private rooms are available at different rates.
Established in 2005, The Mind Café has at least 800 titles on its roster! There are two outlets, and you can make reservations online. Getting their packages entitles you to free-flow snacks and drinks. With friendly game coordinators, you’ll be sure to have a good time!
Pricing: $8 per hour from Mondays to Thursdays, not inclusive of food or drinks and not applicable during Public Holidays or eves. Festive gaming packages are available; this includes student gaming packages currently going for $14.90 on weekdays and $17.90 on weekends (from 11am to 6pm)
Workshops/Gaming Spaces Available
7) Gamesaurus Rex
Gamesaurus Rex isn’t a café; it is a games shop that also hosts weekly game nights for miniatures/TTRPGs such as Marvel: Crisis Protocol. Check their Facebook page for the latest schedules and updates!
Games at Pi is a gaming shop offering you space to play board games with your friends! It sells a wide variety of games, which can also be purchased online on their webstore. While they offer table spaces for booking, please do note that they do not offer game rental. You’ll have to bring your own!
Pricing: $30 per 3-hour slot booking for a table (5 pax), $10 for each hour after booked slot ends. Members use PI points. There are no slots available for Fridays.
9) Experience Point?
Experience Point is run by tabletop enthusiast Terence, and has over 250 game titles! Here’s what’s really cool: Experience Point runs a tabletop RPG game that fits its players within the same shared world using a system of their own. This means that your group’s actions could affect another party, and you can also come together with other groups for interparty sessions for even more fun!
Address: Lian Huat Building, 163 Tras Street, #07-03, Singapore 079024
Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar, Maxwell
Pricing: $4 on weekdays and $5 on weekends (hourly rate), $12 on weekdays and $15 on weekends (all-day rate)
Nurses are often lauded as ‘Angels in White’ because of their selfless commitment towards caring for others. This is every nurse’s greatest strength but also their biggest weakness.
Before becoming a Nurse, you have to consider the many challenges you will endure, such as late-night shifts, uncooperative patients, endless paperwork, and more.
Let’s take a deep dive to see if the role of a Nurse is right for you!
P.S: Currently a nurse or nursing student? Drop us a comment below if you can relate!
1. You need a strong heart
As a nurse, you will witness a lot of suffering. Most patients are sick, weak and in pain; their struggles and their loved ones’ worry will also be hard to watch. Some patients may struggle to bring their best selves to the table, and be cranky or uncooperative during bad days. The toughest part? Watching patients slip away despite doing everything you can — and having to break the news to their loved ones.
It will be challenging to keep your composure and balance your emotions while handling others’, and you will need to cultivate inner strength and ways to decompartmentalise so that you will not burn out. However, this is part and parcel of the nursing journey: if you think of all the people you manage to help along the way, it should be well worth it.
2. Long hours and labour-intensive work
As a nurse, you’ll have to work shifts which can be pretty long. For instance, during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, some healthcare workers worked 12-hour shifts for ten days in a row while being on-call 24/7. While the pandemic is an unexpected global crisis not of the norm, you will have to be prepared for sudden situations — such as major traffic accidents with many casualties.
As a nurse, you might end up having to do 12-hour shifts. You might have to go through relatively lonely nights when you’re on the night shift when others are spending time with their loved ones. That’s a reality that you have to be prepared for.
Your social life and your mental health may be affected if you are in this for the long term: do you have a stable support system to lean on?
Nursing is also a physically demanding career. You will be on your feet and moving about during most of your shift and will have to handle a lot of strenuous work. This includes helping patients shift from their beds to chairs, moving heavy equipment and more. Are you prepared to stay in good physical condition and maintain your stamina?
3. You have to expect the unexpected
Some jobs are desk-bound and filled with routine work. You can expect everything to be more or less the same, day after day.
While nurses do have paperwork to complete, their profession is dynamic and on the other end of the spectrum. You’ll meet and deal with people with different circumstances and personalities, and grow more adept at handling them. You’ll learn how to prioritise your time.
You’ll also be pushed to think on your feet and engage in critical thinking. Think about it: What if a patient suddenly collapses? What if his heart rate monitor begins beeping frantically? Nursing school teaches you how to become a nurse, but it’s only the beginning as no two situations are alike. Nurses have to advocate and make important decisions for the patient’s care. It’s a lot of responsibility.
One piece of advice: There’ll be pressure, no one is perfect, and mistakes will occur. When this happens, nurses will have to reflect, stabilise the situation, and learn how not to make the error again.
4. It may get a little too close for comfort
As a nurse, there are other difficult things that you might have to do. For example, some patients might have limited mobility.
Now, you might think that helping them into a wheelchair and such shouldn’t be all that hard. But what about when they need to change? What about when they need to wash up? They will need help and as a nurse, it is your responsibility to assist them.
As a nurse, you’ll almost definitely have to do many uncomfortable things. That’s something not to shy away from: you’ll gain strength and maturity that will serve you well throughout life.
Conclusion
As you can see, while being a nurse is as noble as it sounds, it is not the most glamorous profession. Even so, you will derive great fulfilment from the process of helping, serving and bettering others!
In addition, the efforts of healthcare workers have not gone unnoticed as the government seeks to maintain their salary competitiveness. Nurses in the public healthcare sector received an increase of 5 to 14% in their base monthly salaries from July last year that is phased over the next two years. They will also receive a special payment as part of the 2022 Nurse Special Payment (NSP) Package.
Thus, you can be sure that your efforts are seen and recognised.
MDIS Bachelor of Science Nursing (Top-up)
After a glimpse of what nursing entails, are you convinced that this is the profession for you?
You’ll need to obtain a diploma-level qualification in nursing or equivalent, to become a registered nurse. If you’re an enrolled nurse, or nursing student keen to advance in knowledge and experience, you can continue your nursing journey through a degree offered by MDIS!
Taught and awarded by Edinburgh Napier University, which has the largest School of Health and Social Care in Scotland, the 24-month part-time course offers a flexible timetable to cater to working nurses’ schedules. You will study modules that impart leadership and evidence-based, decision-making skills, and further develop your communication and interpersonal skills.
Do take note that the MDIS-ENU joint scholarship (worth SGD 2,000) is currently open to January 2023 applicants.
We wish you all the best in your nursing journey!
Nurses and nursing students, what else do you think individuals interested in nursing should know? Drop us a comment so that we can share it here!
Exploring a career in Digital Marketing? This article is for you! We share about the different digital marketing jobs you’ll find in the field, so that you can better understand the industry and what skills you may need to hone.
Quick Facts About the Field
According to a report published by Research and Markets, the Southeast Asian Digital Advertising Market is slated to reach $58.63 billion in market value by 2031[1]
63% of the world uses the internet, which is why digital marketing couldn’t be more important today
Advertising spend for digital channels made up the lion’s share of global ad spend in 2022 (55.5%), according to the latest dentsu Global Ad Spend Forecast report[2]
If you’re new to the industry, have you decided how you’d like to begin your digital marketing career? You could begin at an advertising or media agency, which are creative companies that provide organisations marketing products and services. Famous examples of agencies include Ogilvy, and Saatchi & Saatchi.
You could also work for an in-house marketing team. Both routes offer pros and cons, and help you grow in different ways. Here are some of their differences in brief.
In-House Marketer
Agency
– Opportunity to develop industry expertise
– Focus on specific product(s) or service(s)
– Greater exposure to how different functions/departments of a business operates
– Greater autonomy
– Clients may hail from a wide range of industries, giving you exposure
– More opportunities to work on different types of campaigns
– (Usually) fast-paced due to quicker turnarounds
– Improved client management skills
The next thing to decide is your field of interest, or to find out which role your skill sets match with! Do note that your job scope and title varies depending on the organisation: some may require you to do a bit of everything while some may require you to specialise. As such, do read any job listing carefully.
1) Social Media Marketer
What’s hot these days? As a social media marketer, this is something you must know! Your job is to manage and grow your client/company’s social media presence on platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
This is achieved through analysing social media trends and creating relevant shareable content, building a content pipeline, launching and monitoring campaigns, tracking campaign performance, communicating with followers and collaborators (such as influencers), monitoring industry and competitor’s social strategies and more.
2) Content Strategist
In digital marketing, content strategy often refers to content marketing strategy. Content marketing strategy involves the planning and creating of content that helps clients/an organisation connect with its current audience, and generate new leads — with the end goal of achieving chosen business objectives. This content can be for blogs, social media, videos, infographics, and anything else you can think of!
To do this, content strategists create and maintain editorial calendars, optimise their content to be SEO-friendly for different platforms, monitor content reception with analytics tools to determine their ROI, conduct research, develop content style and governance guidelines, and more. While used interchangeably with other job titles, content strategists are typically seniors or those leading a content marketing team.
3) PPC Executive
Short for pay per click (also known as cost per click), PPC executives work on paid advertising campaigns that direct audiences to a designated landing page. PPC encompasses Search Engine Marketing (SEM).
A PPC executive’s duties include trend analysis, keyword research, writing engaging ad copy, optimising campaigns based on data and client budget, account management, and generating client reports. PPC Executives are also known as Performance Marketing Specialists.
4) SEO Specialist
SEO specialists focus on improving a website’s traffic and search engine ranking through tests, changes and optimisation. This can involve link building, page optimisation, keyword optimisation for site content, improving website architecture, monitoring search engine algorithims and more. Often, their job scope crosses paths with, or is subsumed under other digital marketing roles, such as content marketing.
5) Copywriter
Digital copywriters write persuasive copy for online content, with the goal to persuade and sell. They could write for landing pages, blog articles, newsletters, ads, social media posts and more.
Apart from writing, copywriters also have to communicate with clients, proofread and edit their work, and conduct research to understand industry trends as well as target demographics. Most digital marketing roles require copywriting skills to some degree.
6) Account Executive
Account executives are usually a client’s main point of contact, and they are responsible for managing and building relationships with prospective and existing customers. Their client management work includes the managing of expectations, understanding the client’s needs and business objectives, and proposing suitable digital marketing solutions to drive sales. They also have to work closely with other teams to communicate their insights and offer clients the best service.
This is one of the more front-facing jobs in the digital marketing industry, so you will have to get comfortable interacting and speaking with people.
We hope our introduction has been helpful, and all the best as you embark on your digital marketing career! Here are some links you can check out if you’re looking for more information on the field:
Before I start, I would like to wish everyone reading a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! With the new year, it means we would be returning to campus, and going back into the groove of studying. I know that there are a few places to study, but I am here to recommend some new places to study within the NTU campus.
I haven’t been in NTU long, and I would say I haven’t found my permanent study spot yet, but I have compiled a list of places to study at and why I enjoy them.
Location 1: Experimental Medicine Building
Firstly, I would recommend Level 3 of the Experimental Medicine Building, where June’s Breathe Café is. The café itself offers a bunch of yummy foods to eat or snack on whilst studying. Furthermore, it has a very calm and peaceful ambience with a great view.
It was a new find for me after going there to class for my Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core (ICC) modules. It has a great view too! It was definitely easy for me to become productive and do my work. The downside is that there are not many seats or plugs, and it may get crowded after classes end for the ICC modules, and during lunchtime.
Location 2: S4 Reading Room
Secondly, I really enjoyed the S4 Reading Room. It has more plugs, and some tables even have a screen to project your computer on in case you want to discuss any group projects. However, it is a very popular study spot amongst students. I have had instances where I was unable to find a seat because of how crowded it was.
Location 3: CoHASS
Thirdly, if you don’t mind not having aircon, another choice would be the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CoHASS) Basement. Beside the seminar rooms, there are multiple benches with plugs available. I like the vibes here because it’s near nature, and quite secluded, so I am able to have quiet and productive sessions whenever I am there. The only problem is if it rains or if it’s particularly too hot during the day, which makes you uncomfortable.
Luckily, there is a computer room nearby in the basement of CoHASS as well, which my friends have recommended highly as a studying spot. Usually, I don’t see many people in the computer room, but apparently, it provides a conducive environment to study, just that it apparently gets too cold sometimes! (So, remember to bring a jacket if you do go there)
I have heard of one new unconventional place to study from a friend, but before that revelation, I would like to go through the typical study spots for students.
Some typical study spots would be the libraries at NBS, and the Hive. Furthermore, there is also the Student Hub at the Arc, which also hosts Productivity Rooms for groups to practice their presentations or study together. The Student Hub used to be one of my favourite spots to study — there were tables meant for one student, plugs, and it is so quiet. I was also surrounded by so many students who also wanted to study, which motivated me. The problem is that it does get very crowded and closes at night.
For those who love to pull all-nighters, like me, the popular choices on campus are the TRs at both the Hive and the ARC. However, if you plan to study there overnight, remember to keep the door open because it will lock the minute it closes. So, if you forget to leave it open when you go for a toilet break, you would need to wait until the next morning to retrieve your stuff.
Some other popular places are the benches at the South Spine basement, and the benches outside the LTs. I have studied there before, but usually, it will be out of convenience because I have a class nearby or a friend that invited me to study there. It’s an okay study spot, but personally, it gets too stuffy for me sometimes and has quite a few distractions because of all the people walking past.
Now, onto the unconventional study spot. I am not sure how many students know of this, but the first floor of the Chinese Heritage Centre at Yunnan Gardens is actually a place meant for students to study. I heard from a friend that it houses benches and plugs for students to use when studying. While I haven’t visited myself yet, I might take a peek if I am on campus this upcoming semester.
For my fellow students, I hope this list somewhat helped you find a new spot to study, and good luck for semester 2! 😊
Singapore is one of the most successful countries in the world. It is known as one of the 4 Asian Dragons for its top-notch economic status compared to its neighbouring countries. Because of that, we seldom wonder what the best-paid jobs in the country are. In this article, we explore the top 15 highest-paid jobs in Singapore based on the latest statistics from MOM released in 2022.
Disclaimer: Jobs with high bonuses and profit-sharing schemes are not included in this ranking, which has been compiled based on median gross salaries.
Updated in 2023
1. Urologist
Median Gross Salary: 19,692
A urologist specialises in the management and treatment of issues involving the female urinary system and the male genitourinary tract. These include kidney stones, prostate cancer, urinary incontinence and more. While they are qualified surgeons, their treatment plans may also be non-surgical or non-invasive.
Urologists work in hospitals or private practices. To be a urologist in Singapore, trainees go through a six-year residency programme comprising two years of surgery-in-general training, and four years of clinical training in a urology department of a hospital.
2. Securities and finance dealer/Broker
Median Gross Salary: 16,628
Selling securities, stocks, bond or other financial instruments on behalf of clients (broker) or their firm’s own account(s) (dealer), security and finance dealers/brokers earn their wages from the brokerage fees charged for executing trades.
Brokers may assist their clients through research and advice, offering personalised services and more.
3. Cardiologist
Median Gross Salary: 16,385
Cardiologists are those that study, diagnose, treat and manage heart disorders like high blood pressure, strokes, congenital heart conditions and others. Some subspecialties they specialise in include clinical cardiology, neonatal cardiology, and heart failure.
To become a cardiologist, doctors need to undergo a 3.5-year Internal Medicine (IM)-related Senior Residency training programme after completing the 3-year IM Residency Training Programme.
4. Gastroenterologist
Median Gross Salary: 15,400
Gastroenterologists diagnose and management diseases that affect the digestive system and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. To become one, doctors need to undergo a 3-year Internal Medicine (IM)-related Senior Residency training programme after completing the 3-year IM Residency Training Programme. It is one of 35 specialities recognised by the Singapore Accreditation Board.
(In Singapore, it is necessary to obtain specialist accreditation from the Specialists Accreditation Board (SAB). You can refer to SAB’s page for the full list of approved specialist titles.)
To become a gastroenterologist, doctors need to undergo a 3-year Internal Medicine (IM)-related Senior Residency training programme after completing the 3-year IM Residency Training Programme.
5. Chief Information Officer/Chief Technology Officer/Chief Security Officer
Median Gross Salary: 13,408
Make no mistake—a Chief Information Officer and a Chief Technology Officer aren’t the same! Putting it briefly, the former is a business role that focuses on managing the organisation’s IT strategy and management, while a CTO is responsible for the creation of technologies that help to grow the business externally (i.e. R&D and product development).
Chief Security Officers, in the meantime, oversee an organisation’s digital security and information security, and sometimes their corporate security as well.
6. Risk Management Manager
Median Gross Salary: 12,867
Risk management managers assess, analyse and tackle the financial, safety and security risks an organisation faces or will face. They then draw up contingency plans and develop risk management controls (processes and policies).
Risk management is not an entry-level role, and those with such duties typically have at least five to seven years of working experience. Risk management areas include corporate governance, insurance risk, technology risk and environmental risk, to name a few.
7. Financial Risk Manager
Median Gross Salary: 12,531
Financial risk managers work in financial institutions and professional services firms, and they are key personnel that ensure business continuity. They supervise financial risk teams and work to ensure that their company or clients have robust management methodologies, strategies and governance.
Financial risk managers have to be logical, analytical and excellent at communicating. They should also have strong technical backgrounds acquired from the insurance, banking or consulting sector. A certification, such as the Financial Risk Manager (FRM) designation issued by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP), will also be advantageous.
Financial risk managers are expected to have at least five years of working experience.
8. In-house legal counsel (except judiciary, ministries and statutory boards)
Median Gross Salary: 12,529
To be in this career, lawyers must have had at least three years of experience practising law (in private practice). Those doing in-house legal counsel are also expected to have a good grasp of business, as they need to look out for the interests of the company while anticipating and tackling the legal issues that may arise.
To be a lawyer in Singapore, you must first obtain a degree from an accredited university. You should take four years of studies in Bachelor of Law and attain a GPA of at least 3.0 for SMU or lower secondary class honours for NUS. You can also consider studying law at SuSS.
After taking the course, an aspiring lawyer must also pass the Singapore Bar Exam and undergo a six-month practice training contract to practice (this system will see revisions this year). If you are a foreigner wanting to exercise your expertise in Singapore, in which you will practice both foreign and Singapore laws, you must pass the Foreign Practitioner Examinations. For more information, read on how to become a lawyer in Singapore.
9. University Lecturer
Median Gross Salary: 12,303
University Professors typically begin as Assistant Professors and work their way up to Associate Professorship, before attaining Professorship. University Professors do more than teach; they are also required to conduct scholarly research—they usually go on to present their findings in conferences or journals, and even publish books—and possibly administrative/management duties.
Professor roles are highly coveted, and many compete yearly for a limited amount of positions. The annual attrition rate for faculty on NUS’s tenure track within the last three years, for example, is currently 4.1 percent. Those who desire to become Assistant Professors should preferably have prior experience in teaching at the University level, a recognised degree and PhD in the relevant discipline, as well as a track record in research (if necessary).
10. Strategic planning manager
Median Gross Salary: 11,882
As their job title indicates, strategic planning managers are responsible for their organisation’s strategic and long-term goals. Together with a team of subordinates, or working with a cross-functional team(s), they come up with strategic blueprints, business plans, projects or policies.
Strategic planning managers have strong strategic planning, analytical thinking, communication and organization, as well as leadership skills.
11. Chief Operating Officer/ General Manager
Median Gross Salary: 11,565
The COO is second in command after the Chief Executive Officer and is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the company. That said, you certainly need to be the COO of a mid to big-sized company in order to command such a salary. Definitely not a start-up!
As a COO, one can expect to have over a hundred people under his or her care; this includes the VP, operations manager, supervisors and so on. While results hardly matter in order to rise this high up the corporate ladder, you do need to be good with people, according to an awarding winning HR manager.
12. Audit Manager
Median Gross Salary: 11,291
Audit managers are senior-level staff typically hired by organisations and corporations to help lead audit and scope audit frameworks, perform risk assessments, coach and support the development of junior audit staff, and identify areas for improvement.
Audit managers are typically expected to have anywhere between 5-10 years of internal audit experience. They need to be adept at strategic thinking and be equipped with strong technical competency.
13. Fund/Portfolio manager
Median Gross Salary: 11,284
Fund/Portfolio managers manage a wide variety of funds, including mutual funds, trust funds, hedge funds and more. They are responsible for growing these funds on behalf of their clients or organisations, working with a team of analysts and researchers to make key investment decisions.
Fund/Portfolio managers go by many other names. These include asset managers and financial advisers.
Fund/portfolio managers have to be highly analytical and need to possess quick decision-making capabilities. They have to keep a constant eye on market information such as bond yields, keep an eye for good deals and more. It is a high-pressure role.
14. Advocate/Solicitor (practising)
Median Gross Salary: 11,200
Advocates specialise in litigation (fighting or defending cases), while solicitors handle advisory, corporate and conveyancing affairs that are transactional in nature. Individuals with legal backgrounds tend to possess strong writing skills, critical thinking skills, assertiveness and problem-solving skills.
In Singapore, all lawyers called to the Singapore bar are qualified for both types of work; this is a case of a ‘fused profession’.
15. Regional sales manager
Median Gross Salary: 11,168
Regional sales managers are in charge of growing sales in the region they take charge of. They are middle management. Some of their duties include setting sales targets and implementing strategies to meet them, identifying new growth areas, developing and maintaining customer relationships, as well as market research and analysis.
Core skills this role needs include strong attention to detail, business acumen, as well as analytical skills.
Did you expect these careers to make the list? Were there any which surprised you?
With that said, take the salary figures here with a pinch of salt. Numbers should never be your compass in making decisions. Consider various factors such as your own proficiency and passion as well, highlighted in our guide to choosing courses. If you do well in your chosen field, we are sure you will not only earn well but be a very happy person!
