SUSS Graduates in Early Childhood and Social Work Achieve Strong Employment Outcomes as Demand Grows in Health and Social Service Sectors

• Close to 9 in 10 SUSS graduates in the labour force secured employment amid a cautious job market.
• Early Childhood Education (ECE) graduates lead with 100% of graduates securing employment, the highest among programmes.
• The results underscore SUSS’ applied, purpose-driven education in preparing graduates to contribute meaningfully to society. 

Singapore, 5 March 2026 – Graduates from the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Social Work (SWK) continue to deliver strong full-time employment outcomes, reflecting sustained demand in Singapore’s health and social service sectors¹. 100% of SUSS’ ECE and 95% of SWK graduates in the labour force had secured employment². The ECE course recorded a strong full-time employment rate of 93.8%, up from 80.4% in 2024, while the SWK programme achieved an 82.3% full-time employment rate, up from 74.6% in 2024. The improvement highlights strong and growing demand in people-centred sectors, underpinned by national initiatives to enhance career pathways, build sector capabilities and recognise those serving in the social service workforce³.

Amid a cautious job market, 89.3% of SUSS graduates in the labour force secured employment. They also recorded overall and full-time permanent employment rates of 82.9% and 70.8% respectively.

Beyond care-focused disciplines, SUSS’ Human Resource Management (HRM) programme saw 90.1% of graduates securing jobs, with a 4.4 percentage-point increase in full-time permanent employment, up from 68.4% to 72.8%, while the Business Analytics and Public Safety and Security (PSS) programmes saw 83.3% and 91.8% securing employment respectively.

These results were revealed in the annual Joint Autonomous University Graduate Employment Survey (JAUGES), jointly conducted by SUSS and the other five Autonomous Universities.

A total of 660 out of 907 full-time SUSS graduates participated in the survey, achieving a response rate of 72.8%, comparable to previous years. The respondents include graduates from the Early Childhood Education, Human Resource Management, Social Work, Accountancy, Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management programmes.

The mean and median gross monthly salaries for those in full-time permanent employment  remained stable, at $4,248 and $4,023 respectively.

To support graduates navigating the job market, SUSS provides career development support and industry engagement opportunities throughout their studies. These include career workshops on personal branding, job search and interview preparation, as well as industry talks and company visits. Students also receive career guidance and complete a mandatory 24-week work attachment that provides practical industry experience to support their transition into the workforce.

Profile 1: Marianti Binte Abdul Malek (Bachelor of Early Childhood Education with Minor in Sociology, S R Nathan School of Human Development)

Marianti is a passionate early childhood educator who built a strong professional foundation through her practicum and Work Attachment experiences during her studies at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). Through her practicums, she developed essential skills in classroom management, lesson planning, and child observation, while learning to design meaningful, child-centred learning experiences that support children’s holistic development. These experiences strengthened her confidence as an educator and affirmed her interest in pursuing a career in early childhood education.

In 2024, she further expanded her professional growth by presenting her teacher research at the Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association Conference in Tokyo. Engaging with an international community of educators strengthened her identity as a reflective practitioner and deepened her commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Her Work Attachment with Babilou Family became a defining experience in her transition from student to professional educator. During her internship, she was immersed in the daily operations of a preschool environment and appreciated the organisation’s collaborative culture, strong mentorship, and emphasis on professional growth. She felt valued as part of the teaching team and was given opportunities to contribute meaningfully in classroom planning and interactions with children and families. The supportive environment allowed her to apply her training confidently while continuing to learn from experienced educators.

Motivated by the positive experience and alignment with the organisation’s values, she decided to pursue full-time employment with Babilou Family upon graduation. Following the completion of her internship, the preschool recognised her dedication, adaptability, and readiness for the role, and extended her a full-time teaching offer. The transition into full-time employment was a natural progression, allowing her to continue contributing within a familiar and supportive environment.

Today, as a full-time educator with Babilou Family, she hopes to further develop her teaching practice, support children’s holistic development, and contribute to creating nurturing learning environments for young learners. Looking ahead, she aspires to continue growing professionally within the early childhood sector and to take on greater responsibilities in curriculum development and mentoring future educators.

Profile 2: Melvin Tan Qin Da (Bachelor of Social Work with Minor in Psychology, School of Social Work and Social Development)

Having developed an interest in social work since his polytechnic studies, Melvin further deepened his understanding of the profession through two practicums during his diploma programme and two additional practicums while pursuing his degree at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). These experiences helped him gain clarity about his career interests and the type of work environment he hoped to pursue after graduation.

Upon completing his studies in April 2025, he began exploring employment opportunities by speaking with friends who were already working in the social service sector and conducting informal interviews to better understand different organisational settings and roles. During this period, he also responded to an outreach email from a SUSS career coach and attended two career coaching sessions. Through these sessions, the career coach guided him in identifying his work values, prioritising career goals, and strengthening his job preparation strategies, enabling him to approach his job search with clearer direction and confidence.

With a strong interest in community-based work and advocacy for individuals and families who may fall through gaps in the social support system, he conducted a targeted job search aligned with his aspirations. He began submitting job applications on 9 June 2025 and received an interview invitation the following day, attending the interview on 20 June 2025. He is now a Caseworker at a Family Service Centre, a role that is closely aligned with his field of study and career goals.

In his current position, he supports clients across a diverse range of cases, navigating complex social challenges while working alongside community partners to provide holistic support for families. Although the Family Service Centre environment presents a steep learning curve, he finds the work meaningful and fulfilling, particularly when collaborative efforts help families overcome difficult circumstances. The experience has affirmed his decision to pursue a career in social work and strengthened his commitment to serving the community.

Profile 3: Muhammad Syahiran Bin Sulong Khairudin (Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management with Minor in Analytics, School of Business)

Syahiran graduated from the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) in 2025, having previously completed a Diploma in Business Management with specialisation in Supply Chain and Events Management at Nanyang Polytechnic. Recognised for his resilience and leadership, he graduated as valedictorian and received the Spirit Award for his positive contributions to the university community.

Throughout his undergraduate journey, Syahiran actively engaged with SUSS career counselling support services, where he received regular guidance from a career mentor. He first became aware of these support channels through university outreach and continued to seek support through scheduled consultations as well as informal mentorship conversations during student leadership activities. These sessions focused on clarifying his career values, exploring sector pathways, and aligning his professional aspirations with his personal motivation to contribute meaningfully to society.

Coming from a humble background, Syahiran was deeply motivated to give back to the community. During his studies, he mentored underprivileged primary school children through Cahaya Community and served as External Liaison Head of the Supply Chain Interest Group, spearheading industry engagements to broaden students’ exposure. As Co-Chairperson of Class Giving 2024, he also led fundraising efforts for the Student Care Fund to support peers facing financial difficulties. Career coaching discussions helped him reflect on how these experiences shaped his interest in purpose-driven work beyond traditional industry roles.

Upon graduation, Syahiran secured multiple job offers across the logistics, agricultural, and oil and gas sectors, which were aligned with his academic training. Through continued discussions with his career mentor, he evaluated how each opportunity aligned with his long-term goals and values. This is why shortly after graduation, he accepted an offer to join the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) as a Direct-Entry Inspector. Although the role was not directly related to supply chain, he saw it as a meaningful opportunity to serve the nation by safeguarding Singapore’s borders and contributing to national security.

In his current role, Syahiran applies transferable skills developed during his studies – including communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder engagement – in a dynamic operational environment. The role has met his expectations of meaningful and impactful work, allowing him to contribute to society while continuing to grow professionally. As he transitions into public service, he aspires to deepen his capabilities and contribute to building a safer and more resilient Singapore. 

---

For media enquiries, please contact: