Jobseekers’ Diaries: Dispirited and lost after a long job search, I found a traineeship that I enjoy
The writer jumped at a traineeship opportunity in July 2020 and is not regretting it.
As jobs are a top concern for Singaporeans in the Covid-19 crisis, TODAY’s Voices section is publishing first-hand accounts from jobseekers in which they reflect on their experiences and what keeps them going.
In this instalment of Jobseekers’ Diaries, Mr Pung Li Kuang describes feeling dispirited when his job search went nowhere earlier this year. But he jumped at a traineeship opportunity and is not regretting it.
“Could this be it? Would I finally get a job interview?”
These thoughts crossed my mind every time I received email notifications from the companies that I applied to.
With great trepidation, I prayed for the best and clicked on the email messages.
I would, however, be greeted only with disappointment as almost all my job applications were unsuccessful.
Soon, I was not looking to secure that preferred job. I was hoping to get any job.
Searching for a job right out of university is always hard.
It is tougher now during the pandemic.
Sometimes, I felt as though I had been thrown into an intersection but with no direction.
I remember how dispirited I felt three months into my job hunt.
I sent off more than 70 resumes, but heard back only from two companies about job interviews.
It did not help when I heard that many experienced architectural assistants who had been retrenched because of the pandemic had also applied for the same roles.
As a fresh graduate, this was not what I envisaged looking for my first job would be like.
I imagined a job market filled with prospects in the architectural industry, so that I could follow in the footsteps of my two older brothers.
After some self-reflection, though, I told myself that it was not the end of the world.
There are always bright spots amid the gloom and I should not let anything hinder the pursuit of my goals.
It was around this time that the Government launched the SGUnited Traineeships Programme.
Without hesitation, I searched for traineeship positions on the MyCareersFuture portal, in particular those in the architectural field.
In late June, I received a call from interior design firm WEDA StudioInc’s Greyline Solution, a division set up to take care of issues of dormitory living.
After two rounds of interviews, I was offered the position of civil design engineer trainee, where I help other firms adopt prefabricated containers as temporary housing for migrant workers.
I was thrilled and relieved to receive the good news. Granted, it might not have been a role in my area of expertise, but I have always dreamt of using my design abilities for a good cause.
When I heard that this role would help migrant workers find temporary lodging, I was excited.
It has been more than five months since my traineeship started in July and I am enjoying every moment.
I have been given opportunities to upgrade myself and have attended courses in areas such as building information modelling.
In addition, being exposed to a new trade has opened my eyes to the prospect of pursuing a career in industries other than architecture.
Although the future remains uncertain, I am grateful for this traineeship opportunity, which has allowed me to learn and develop myself professionally.
To fellow graduates, my advice is to grab any opportunity that comes along and, most important, stay hopeful.
ABOUT THE WRITER:
Mr Pung Li Kuang, 25, graduated with an architectural studies degree from the University of New South Wales in Australia in December 2019. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, he struggled to find a full-time job at an architectural firm. He took up a civil design engineer traineeship at Greyline Solution in July 2020.
If you are a jobseeker with a compelling story or know someone who wishes to contribute to this series, write to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.
