Bridging the gap between academic life and the professional world is a crucial step for every undergraduate. On 19 March 2026, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) was thrilled to host a special Fireside Chat, bringing together eight distinguished alumni to share their journeys with our current students.
We were honoured to welcome back Mr Asher Lum (Civil Engineering, 2003), Ms Sum Kun Shan (MSc Environmental Engineering, 2011), Ms Alicia Wang (MSc Environmental Engineering, 2013), Mr Stanley Woo (Environmental Engineering, 2013), Ms Eunice Yang (Civil Engineering, 2011; MSc Civil Engineering, 2019), Mr Kevin Suhartono (MSc Civil Engineering, 2023), Ms Elisabeth Lee (Civil Engineering, 2020), and Mr Yee Jun Rong (Civil Engineering, 2024).
The session provided a candid look at life after graduation. The alumni panellists opened up about their transition from the classroom to the workplace, sharing honest stories about their early career challenges, the skills they found most valuable, and the diverse paths a CEE degree can take you.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR OUR STUDENTS:
- Real-World Reality: Students gained insight into the day-to-day realities of the industry, moving beyond textbook theory.
- Career Agility: The panel discussed the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in a fast-evolving engineering landscape.
- The “Squiggly” Career Path: Success isn’t always a straight ladder. The alumni shared that it is okay to pivot, change roles, or explore different industries within engineering before finding your niche.
The energy in the room was palpable as students seized the opportunity to ask questions, seeking advice on everything from internships to navigating workplace culture. It was a heartwarming reminder of the strong community spirit that defines NUS CEE.
A huge thank you to our alumni for paying it forward and inspiring our students to achieve greater heights!
Are you an alumnus or alumna of NUS CEE? Keep in touch with us here: https://cde.nus.edu.sg/cee/alumni/alumniupdates/
For more NUS CEE Alumni news, visit our website: https://cde.nus.edu.sg/cee/alumni/happenings/
