Dear PMET, let this *“bao sua bao hai” job programme do the work for you.

*Cover the mountain, cover the sea (read: takes care of everything). E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.

Gerald Chan | May 27, 2016, 09:16 AM

Wake. Work. Sleep. Repeat – that’s the usual routine for many Singaporeans.

Indeed, with work taking up so much of your time, you just want to spend the available free time stalking your crush online with your family and just unwind.

Upgrade and upskill?

Source: Giphy Source: Giphy

That said, picking up new skills to complement yours is just one of the challenges in the modern workplace era. After all, if the workplace is evolving so should you.

No time, no problem. Just arrow the NTUC’s U Associate programme – featuring 31 (and growing) professional bodies filled with lobangs and more lobangs.

Okay, let us explain: Say you are an engineer, you can join the Young Engineers Leadership (YEL) Programme, which sees the Institute of Engineers Singapore (a professional body) partnering with the labour movement. Members can hang loose with industry mentors and learn a thing or two or just network with your peers.

Heck, it could be the next best membership after Passion Card. Hur hur. 

1. Pick up a new skill because you can

Source: Giphy Source: Giphy

Given the rise of e-commerce, it makes no sense that deliveries on the small island by the nation’s incumbent postal service should take more than 3 days, which is why we’ve seen the advent of independent courier services burgeoning.

If you’re a veteran in the supply-chain field, technology has made it possible for you to provide real time tracking of parcels at a fraction of the cost compared to the past. Marrying your skills with the top minds at the Singapore Computer Society, the supply chain whiz (read: you) could very well craft the next breakthrough when it comes to getting parcels where they should be in double time.

2. Network, network and network...

Source: Tumblr Source: Tumblr

Even if the first step above is tough, there is an active community of professionals from varying fields to help you figure things out. Sure, you don't need to be best of friends with those folks but talking to people within a specific field of interest could help by giving you even more perspective.

After all, Google search can only get you so far.

Source: Giphy Source: Giphy

Take advantage of networking events to interact with individuals or mentors that you just might not come across on a regular basis in your daily professional life. Meeting new people might just get you inspired to create the next big thing because..

3. ... Because you can learn a thing or two about diversity

Source: Giphy Source: Giphy

Through networking (or even having the opportunity to do so) allows you to meet like-minded folks who might share the same values as you but come from varying fields. Success does not have to be defined by reaching the top of your career track.

You might just find career love in all the wrong places.

Getting out of your professional field and forging something just for yourself is another avenue for a reward by itself.

If you’re a kickass engineer and have ideas to go big, such events might be score you a business development wiz to take things off your plate and keep you focused on the things that you do best.

4. With knowledge comes big opportunities

Source: Giphy Source: Giphy

There’s nothing wrong in being great at just one thing but what if you can be competent in everything else as well? Having a view of the entire process of how your industry works from conceptualisation to marketing to operations will make you THE MAN with a sage-like insight to remove red tapes as a product gets passed on from department to department. Knowing each and every nuance along the way gives you perspective how to soothe egos and get everyone working harmoniously.

5. Gain insights from fellow professionals

Source: Giphy Source: Giphy

The path of success is never straightforward but this is an environment that allows you to experiment. Success is never guaranteed but consider the process as an opportunity for feedback and to give things another shot.

Given the ever-changing landscape of workplace proficiency, it does help that the NTUC U Associate programme has been evolving to continually provide the best practices and move with the times.

Your career is just one critical piece of the puzzle, time get gather all the pieces together and tap on existing resources to help you get sorted out.

Find out more about U Associates here.

 

Top photo via U PME Facebook page.

If you like what you read, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest updates.

This information is brought to you in collaboration with The Labour Movement, to help our workforce prepare for the future of jobs.