24
March
2015
|
22:00
Asia/Singapore

Preparing for the working world

Gurvindar (right) with final-year sociology student Nurul Ain Sakina

Ms Gurvindar Kaur has dedicated the past two decades of her life to making sure NUS students are ready for the big world beyond the doors of the University. A Programme Specialist at the NUS Centre for Future-ready Graduates, Gurvindar consistently emphasises to students the importance of preparation. "Students need to be prepared before they go out into the working world in order to shine in this highly competitive job market, she said. 

To that effect, she promptly handed over a piece of paper with clearly typed comprehensive information about her thoughts and role at the Centre. It was clear from the get-go that she practises what she preaches. 

Gurvindar highlighted the important and positive work being done in helping students embark on their careers. From career counselling to workshops, she advises students to make use of the services and take ownership of their future. Instead of blindly following the job-hopping trend, she recommends that job seekers demonstrate loyalty and commitment to organisations within their first few years of employment and view the time spent as a valuable learning opportunity.

In 2011, she was presented with the National Day Long Service Award for 20 years of service to the University. "I felt very happy when I received the crystal plaque, said Gurvindar. The pride she takes in her work still shines through today, 24 years after she first joined NUS to be part of "a prestigious institution.

Gurvindar has supported various functions from human resources to administration during the days when the Centre for Future-ready Graduates was known simply as the NUS Career Centre. Her role has now evolved to include finance. Covering everything from invoicing to document analysis, Gurvindar gamely accepted the challenge when she took over the duties of a colleague who had left the University, quickly learning as she went along.    

In addition to navigating a whole new field, she has to constantly keep abreast of new technology as the use of IT became more prevalent in her daily work. She attributed her motivation and commitment largely to a positive working environment. "The bosses are nice, the colleagues are nice, we get along very well and we all give each other support, she said, smiling.

The extent of her dedication to the University knows no bounds. Gurvindar lives in Johor Bahru, Malaysia and commutes daily to NUS, battling horrific jams on certain days. "I'm used to the traffic jams now, she said matter-of-factly. Her therapeutic remedy of pottering about in her garden and reading her favourite women's magazines sums up a fruitful end to a tiring day.

As NUS commemorates its 110th anniversary this year, it honours special people like Gurvindar Kaur who have helped shape the University in unique ways.