What opportunities were you given after your graduation?
I have been very fortunate to have opportunities to develop not only in a core area but to also expand and broaden my overall skills set. My posting plans in LTA allowed me to mature with a more expansive range of skills coming into my current posting as a railway engineer with a focus on rolling stock (i.e. train).

My present role as a rolling stock engineer for the Downtown Line primarily educates me in the core trade of project management, where I gain experience working in tandem with the contractor to deliver the full requirements of the project. In addition, the engineering aspect demands me to think analytically and work efficiently because the work is complicated and has a tight deadline set. Thus, in a matter of almost 4 years where there were also numerous opportunities to interact with and learn from senior management staff.

Who have contributed to your career development/ personal growth/ impacted your life in LTA?
Many people, even strangers, have helped me to develop and grow during my career in LTA. In my first posting, I was heavily involved with the public, especially the online netizens. Their comments, grouses, and feedback reminded me constantly that continual hard work was required to ensure the high standards of our public transport system is maintained and improved upon. My superiors and colleagues who are experienced and trained in mass communications also played a big role in helping me to settle in quickly and adapt to the previously-unfamiliar ground I was treading on.

Moreover, my LTA experience thus far has also taught me the sometimes-overlooked importance of organization-wide excellence, which involves everyone in the organization and not only the key management. The work ethics and technical expertise of the executive officers and administrative staff have inspired me; and the help rendered to me countless times serve as reminders that we are one organization working alongside each other to serve the public.

Describe your impression of the LTA culture and what you like about it?
The work at LTA affects every resident in Singapore, and this understanding translates into a working culture that seeks to ensure that the public is getting the best possible outcome from the limited resources that we have to work with. This public service ethos etches deep and I have personally found it very inspiring at times, especially when there are immediate tangible results. 

I also find strong leadership in LTA, whereby senior management staff make efforts to set clear goals, and understand staff concerns through regular dialogue sessions. To be able to witness and learn these good practices as a young engineer or executive starting out a career would definitely go a long way in self-development and improvement.

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Describe your impression of the LTA culture and what you like about it?
With the changing political climate and growing expectations of the public, I feel that LTA devotes enormous effort and energy to contribute to the national good. Throughout the years, we may have our setbacks, both major and minor, but by remaining and committed to the LTA vision, we have pulled through the various ups and downs. We are one of the statutory boards which is often in the limelight in the media and in people's conversations. It is interesting how sometimes we are criticized for not changing some policies, and after doing so, we are again criticized by another group of affected people for changing the policies. But we also had our fair share of appreciation for the work we had done to bring about benefits for the public, and this is what keeps us going!

What kind of impact would you like to make on Singapore’s land transport landscape?
There are four Chinese words describing the basic necessities of life, which are, 衣食住行. I feel that LTA is one of the statutory boards whose 行 policies will affect everyone who is living in Singapore. It will affect them from the moment they step out of their house to the moment they return back to their homes. By joining the Policy Division as a policy analyst upon my graduation, I had to tackle challenges on the MRT system in Singapore, and to explain to the Ministries and the general public the detailed considerations and rationale behind the rail transport policies, which were sometimes tricky when there were non clear-cut right or wrong solutions. Thereafter, my stint in Public Transport Promotion division allowed me to switch to the bus transport portfolio, and I am currently working on the implementation of the Bus Infrastructure Master Plan, which includes the construction of Integrated Transport Hubs and other bus facilities.

What kind of development programmes do scholars enjoy?
I was given internship opportunities to gain exposure in the rail and road projects. During my undergraduate studies, these opened my eyes to the life of an engineer, and gave me a good head start in planning my career with LTA upon my graduation. I was also given job rotation opportunities, which allowed me to gain insight in the overview of the work done and cross-discipline experience in the various LTA Groups. On top of the management executive development courses attended along the way, I also got to network and develop my leadership skills by serving in the Dinner & Dance Committee, ACE Committee, Corporate Management Meetings, LTA Staff Club etc. There is no doubt that LTA is committed to nurture the LTA scholars from fresh-eyed greenhorns to dynamic managers and leaders.

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Why did you choose the LTA scholarship over other scholarships?
The mission and vision of LTA align with the type of work which I would want to be involved; and I would like to see myself being part of the team that builds Singapore’s land transport system, bringing convenience to the people. Hence, LTA is made as my first choice.

What challenges do you face in the course of your undergraduate studies? What kind of support did you get from LTA?
The adaptability level from polytechnic to university differs. There were times when I felt pressurised by my own expectations, having in mind that I was holding a scholarship and  had to meet the expectations as a scholar, etc. However, LTA had not given me any pressure or restriction throughout my university studies. In addition, LTA also supported me for an overseas summer studies exchange.

Having been through the scholarship selections, what tips do you have for applicants?
The first tip I have for the applicants is to stay truthful to oneself. Keep in mind that the application is not merely for an education sponsorship but also a career. Thus, it is important that the applicant is clear about the type of career or industry which he/she is keen to pursue. I would advise applicants to list down some of their career objectives and see if the company which they are interested to apply can allow them to develop and achieve these objectives.

The second tip is to stay positive! Do not feel despair if you are not selected for the scholarship. As long as you have put in your best, believe in yourself and maintain a positive attitude, keep going.

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Why did you choose the LTA scholarship over other scholarships?
Public transport is ingrained in everyone's lives from school kids to the elderly. Also, there have been a lot of public grouses from the public in recent years, so I thought I would give myself a challenge to see how I would be able to contribute to this area of national development.

How have you benefited from the LTA scholarship?
I was really glad to further my studies in Imperial College London. Not only did I learn to be more independent by stepping out of my comfort zone, I also became more culturally aware of other countries because of the diverse makeup of the student population in Imperial College. It made me more open and tolerant to ideas and alternative perspectives, and also broadened my horizons in many other aspects.

Having been through the scholarship selections, what tips do you have for applicants?
Be yourself. Do extensive research on LTA, its goals, missions and visions, and see if there are commonalities between LTA's objectives and your career aspirations. Also ask extensive questions to the scholarship admission officers. The more you can demonstrate your understanding of LTA's functions and how it fits your career goals, showing a better fit between you and the organisation, and this would enhance your chance.

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Why did you choose the LTA scholarship over other scholarships?
I have always been interested in land transport.  Aside from the sheer complexity of the many intertwining policies and systems, it is also an area where one’s actions and decisions will directly touch the lives of many on a daily basis.  Work in this area is therefore exciting and challenging, but most importantly, meaningful.  Everyday, on your way to work, home, or to play, you are reminded how you are part of the team that contributes to the landscape.  I thought that other scholarships might not offer the same kind of rewards if they dealt with relatively insular aspects of public policy or regulation.

The LTA scholarship also offered an opportunity for me to apply some of the engineering knowledge that I would be picking up in my university studies, with the possibility of future diversification into other more policy or managerial roles.

How have you benefitted from the LTA Scholarship?
A career with LTA has given me an opportunity to be exposed to some of the most cutting edge technology that are meaningfully applied to improve the lives of Singaporeans, although most Singaporeans are probably blissfully unaware of it. 

The scholarship has also given me exposure to not just the nuts and bolts of land transport engineering, but also to our much-lauded though oft-misunderstood policies. 

My secondment to the Ministry of Transport is a case in point, and I am very appreciative of having been offered such an opportunity.  As probably one of the most scrutinised public sector jobs, an ‘insider’ perspective definitely contributes to an appreciation of the various strategic considerations and complex policy trade-offs that many not in-the-know would take for granted.  I would like to think that this has contributed to the development of systems and analytical thinking, which are important skill sets in an increasingly complex policy and operating environment.

What attracts you to work in the Public Sector?
A public sector job is not all about its pecuniary rewards. The non-pecuniary aspects that give you job satisfaction and make you feel that your work is meaningful are equally important.