Start with the Career, Not Just the Course: Planning Early for Better Outcomes

Date: 28 Feb 2026

Time: 01.30PM to 02.30PM

Venue: Blk B, B.3.05 (Level 3)

Event Type: Open House, Enrichment Talks

School/Department: -

Blk B, B.3.05 (Level 3)

Synopsis of the Talk

Choosing a degree is a strategic career decision — not just an academic one. This talk shows how starting career planning early saves time and money, reduces career detours, and accelerates entry into meaningful work. We’ll expose the real costs of delaying planning (longer job searches, extra training, lower lifetime earnings) and present a clear, practical framework students can use to evaluate degree options and build a career-ready plan while still at university.

Key themes:

  • Environment scanning: How to read labour-market signals — industry growth, in-demand skills, employer expectations, and transferable roles — so you align degree choices and electives with real opportunities.
  • Self-awareness: Simple, actionable ways to assess strengths, values, interests, and work styles to pick paths you’ll perform well in and sustain long-term.
  • Academic-to-career planning: Concrete steps to translate coursework into marketable skills — course selection, internships, projects, certifications, and extracurriculars — plus milestones for internships, networking, and job search readiness.

 

Speaker's Biodata

Founder & CEO of Brydan Group and Youth Inspired Consulting, Mr Melvin Chia is a distinguished authority in psychometric assessment and career guidance. As a Certified Master Behavioural Consultant (DISC), Workforce Singapore Certified Career Practitioner, and Master Facilitator of The Leadership Challenge®, he has helped over 250,000 individuals unlock their potential. Since the inception of WSG’s Volunteer Career Advisors initiative in 2020, Melvin has actively supported Singaporeans through peer-level, sector-specific career advisories—guiding advisees with actionable insights and connecting them to key industry programmes. With deep expertise in DISC, Big Five, and behavioural analytics, Melvin brings rigorous, evidence-based career development to clients seeking strategic, results-driven growth.