Heading from school to work can be a daunting task. For some, it can be an exciting step towards financial independence. For others, starting a new employment post-graduation marks the transition to adulthood. Nevertheless, it’s a rite of passage.

This Youth Day, we spoke to one of our young scholars, Mohamad Raihan, who has not only just graduated from the National University of Singapore with a degree in Information Systems but also started working at a local co-operative AUPE General Services. AUPE General Services is an extension of the local union Amalgamated Union of Public Employees (AUPE), also Singapore’s largest public sector union.

Read our exclusive interview with Raihan as he embarks on his journey as a software engineer with AUPE General Service.

How are you feeling about getting into your first job? How do you prepare for it?

Mohamad Raihan: A mixture of nervous and excitement as this marks my transition into adulthood. It's daunting to step into this new phase of life but I’m eager to learn and grow from here.

To prepare for the role, I did further researching work on the company (AUPE) and ensuring I understand what is expected of me and my responsibilities.

⁠Heading from school to work, what’re your top concerns? What do you think would be the most challenging?

MR: Adjusting to a new routine and adapting to the expectations of a full-time job. School is more structured with lectures and tutorials in place, but work has a more diverse environment with needs that may always be changing.

As an intern, I was always shielded from making certain decisions but as a full-timer, I acknowledge that I will be the one who may have to make these decisions for my organisation’s or members’ benefits. There is also some self-imposed pressure of performing well to prove myself from the get-go.

Now that you are stepping into the adulting world, what are you most excited about? (Adult money, perhaps?)

MR: Definitely adult money but that is to cover living expenses, fund my hobbies and travels!

How do you see this job at AUPE General Services Co-operative fitting into your long-term career goals and personal aspirations?

MR: Coming from a Computing degree, my interest lies in developing user friendly applications and ensuring that they provide seamless experiences for users across different platforms and devices. This role allows me to build my portfolio that reflects my ability to deliver high-quality applications.

Ultimately, I see this position as a stepping stone towards becoming a leader in the field of software development, where I can make a meaningful contribution to the industry. Thereafter I will probably want to enter into a management role in the field of IT, but I haven’t really decided  which realm of IT - will think about this again sometime in the future.

How would embarking on this new job be different from your past work experiences, such as internships or part-time jobs? What do you hope to learn on embarking this new milestone?

MR: It’s way different from internships; I had mentioned how I need not be involved in making decision, and now I get to do so, whether it’s recommending which technologies to use, how to design certain systems. There is definitely much more added responsibility as my ability to deliver projects well and timely directly impacts my performance and contributions to the company. But with that it also represents a pivotal step forward in my career.

I do hope to learn some industry level technical skills, level up my problem-solving skillsets and develop my leadership skills. At the end of the day, I do want to gain a broader perspective on the industry and pick up soft skills. In summary, professional growth and career development! 

Responses have been edited and condensed for clarity.

By Sng Ler Jun