Why did this S’porean, 26, intern with ICA for 15 months & only with ICA?

Most internship periods range from three to six months.

An internship that spans across 15 months is unheard of, for me at least.

But that was the case for Joey Chang, 26, a recipient of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Uniformed Scholarship, who did just that with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

It’s not only a long internship but also Chang’s only one.

Fresh out of NS

Chang’s journey with ICA started in 2019 after he went for a National Service (NS) career fair.

Unbeknownst to him then, he was signing up for what would become his only internship–a three-month stint with ICA’s Public & Internal Communications Branch (PICB), now known as the Strategic Communications and Media Relations Branch (SCMR).

As the three-month internship neared its end, Chang decided to extend it by another six months while waiting for his university to start.

Back then, he assisted with social media posts and media coverage of ICA’s annual Workplan Seminar.

As an intern, he was given opportunities to learn about new technology even before it was announced to the public, which was all very exciting for 21-year-old Chang.

One particularly memorable one was a visit to Tuas Checkpoint to observe the setting up of automated lanes for the Automated Clearance Initiative (ACI) ahead of the seminar.

Passing through immigration without needing to present your passports? 10 years ago, this would have been a fever dream for many of us.

Yet, thanks to these new initiatives, Chang realised that ICA was a worthwhile career to explore by the end of his nine-month internship.

Being a part of the frontline during the pandemic

Fuelled by his interest, Chang applied for and received the MHA Uniformed Scholarship during his first year of university in 2020.

On top of his previous nine-month internship experience with ICA, Chang went for two three-month internships with ICA during his university’s summer breaks.

Recounting his first summer internship after becoming a scholarship recipient, Chang said he was posted to Woodlands Checkpoint during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chang felt like he was given a crash course in border operations amidst a global crisis.

He remembered being particularly impressed by how they swiftly implemented the entry of essential supplies into Singapore, ensuring that the flow of goods continued even during lockdowns.

Chang remembers how he coordinated with the teams from the Ministry of Health to set up swabbing stations for lorry drivers while managing the traffic situation.

When he wasn’t in the thick of these operations, he was handling public queries, helping those with urgent needs to travel between Singapore and Malaysia.

A role in Singapore’s security

Part of his final summer internship in 2021 was spent at Changi Airfreight Centre.

Chang witnessed cargo clearance up close and saw how the processes kept our borders secure.

During one particular shift, he saw firsthand how ICA officers detected an attempt to import suspected drug paraphernalia into Singapore while they were conducting checks at the Air Cargo Command.

For Chang, it was a stark reminder of the ever-present threats ICA tackles daily, reinforcing his career decision of protecting this little red dot.

Aside from the high-adrenaline moments, he also participated in the day-to-day operations of cargo and postal clearance, working alongside other officers to ensure a smooth flow of goods into Singapore.

Supportive colleagues

Chang enjoys the fact that the work at ICA is not desk-bound and ever-evolving. In addition, he appreciates the supportive and friendly colleagues – something common he noticed across the various departments that he’d worked with or interned at.

He fondly remembers the senior officers who offered him career advice and tips while he was preparing for his interviews.

“To always remain grounded and not be disconnected from the ground.”

This has been a recurring piece of advice that he received from various officers, emphasising on the need to stay connected to members of the public and place them as a top priority.

Chang holds onto this simple advice even up till today as he started working full-time at ICA.

Why he does what he does

When I spoke to Chang, he was merely a week into his duties as a full-time ICA officer at the ICA building.

His current job scope requires him to respond to queries from members of the public, ranging from renewal and replacement of Identity Cards, to helping them with their Singpass log-in.

While he sees the benefits of digitalisation and the convenience it brings for most Singaporeans, he also noticed that most of the people who needed in-person assistance were the older folks who may not be digitally-savvy.

“It has been very gratifying to be able to provide assistance and alleviate some of the stress they might be feeling,” he said.

Unlike most who dabble in multiple internships across different fields, Chang’s internship at ICA was his one and only experience. However, it gave him all the exposure he needed to realise and commit to it as a long-term career.

Curious how he would summarise all his learnings into a piece of advice, I asked what he has to say to university students who may be in the midst of figuring out what they want to do for a living.

“Get an internship.”

Well, that wasn’t much of a surprise.

Curious about the scholarship with ICA? Learn more here.

Explore an internship with ICA here.

This ICA-branded article reminded the writer what it means to pursue your passion, even if it might not be the norm.

Cover photo courtesy of Joey Chang and ICA/Facebook.