Tan Wei Loong Jonathan

Please tell us more about where you are currently working at and what you are doing.

I am currently working as a Senior Human Resource Executive in the Civil Service. My main job scope is in the area of recruitment where I have to actively attract, select and hire potential candidates. I am also involved in e-recruitment where I am in charge of managing my organisation’s career website and also the various online job portals that we advertise in. Of course, there are also ad-hoc projects (both within my branch and cross-divisional) that I am involved in.

What made you choose to do a degree in Social Sciences and why did you choose to do it in SMU?

I have always been interested in the Social Sciences, especially in psychology.  A social sciences degree provides a multi-disciplinary and broad-based approach to understanding the increasing complexities of our highly interconnected knowledge-driven world. A social sciences graduate will possess the critical thinking skills as well as the versatility and adaptability that are highly valued by society today.

When I had to decide which university to enrol in, I would say that it was not a difficult choice for me to choose SMU. SMU’s unique pedagogy encourages and stimulates intellectual exchanges and this would allow me to gain insights from students of different backgrounds. Furthermore, thanks to the flexible curriculum structure at SMU, I was able to do a second major from a different school, giving me the opportunity to fully explore and pursue my interests. Moreover, SMU focuses a lot on the holistic development of its students as can be seen by the many overseas opportunities and the vibrant student life.

If there was one word that would best describe my SMU experience, that word would be transformational. The enriching experiences and valuable opportunities provided by SMU have truly transformed me into a better person, a better citizen and a better leader.

So why did I choose to major in Psychology and OBHR? Psychology provides a strong theoretical understanding of how people think, feel and behave. OBHR focuses on how organisations can benefit by matching the right person to the right job and by understanding what makes employees tick. Combined together, Psychology and OBHR gives me a holistic awareness of the intricacies involved in managing people, and equips me with the right skills and tools to be an effective leader.

How do you think a Social Science education has benefitted you and helped prepare you for your aspirations or current job?

I believe that more and more employers today are recognising the value of a Social Sciences degree. In fact, prior to graduation, I had already received positive responses from several potential employers. The SOSS curriculum has a strong focus on analytical and logical-thinking skills which have been valuable assets in my job hunt process. Moreover, the emphasis on research and writing skills also gave me an edge over many other candidates.

Please tell us more about your student experience while studying in SMU SOSS. Did you encounter any events that were especially memorable to you?

One of the most memorable experiences in SMU SOSS was being part of the organising committee for the inaugural Social Science Conference 2012. The aim of the conference was to promote the study of social sciences and it was especially heart-warming to see the overwhelming responses from students from the various local junior colleges and polytechnics. In fact, we had a lot of positive feedback from the participants who enjoyed the thought-provoking seminar sessions and the engaging dialogue sessions.

All in all, the entire SOSS community - faculty, staff, alumni and students - played an instrumental role in shaping my wholesome experience at SMU. The professionalism and support provided by staff and faculty members aided me in making decisions related to my internship, overseas exchange and career applications. The camaraderie of SOSS students made me feel part of a family. The advice given and experiences shared by SOSS alumni were helpful in providing insights about different career paths.