Alumni Testimonials

Peter Bach is the laureate of the Lloyd's List Award in 2012 for achieving the highest score worldwide in the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) exams, in addition to ICS Singapore award in 2013 sponsored by Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. He was featured in top industry magazines including Tradewinds and Fairplay. Of Vietnamese heritage, he chose an unconventional route from his peers by choosing Singapore to obtain his degree. He chose Singapore Management University as at the time it was the only Singapore university out of the top three that applied practical seminar-based (instead of lecture-based) approach to education and actively promoted cultural diversity.

Career

I am currently in charge of developing innovative solutions to complex requirements for the global clientele across different time zones, analyzing market intelligence and negotiating contracts. The role demands quick problem-solving and sharp analytical skills. In addition to inherent intellect, I believe that perseverance, self-awareness, curiosity and humility are the most essential elements of a fulfilling career.

Learning

I believe it is very important to always try to venture out of your comfort zone, keep learning and challenge yourself to live a better life.

I have a keen passion for Investment Management/ Hedge Fund industry and out own interest took Chartered Financial Analyst examinations. For my own portfolio I have chosen a combination of fundamental and technical analysis using self-developed models and was very fortunate to achieve double digit annualized returns over the past 5 years with the Sharpe ratio of 2.63. At some point, I realized that the very concepts I learned in advanced Sociology and Psychology subjects, in combination with financial modelling, can be used to dissect the mechanics behind the financial markets and sometimes take advantage of their inefficiencies.

During my spare time I have also learned a bit of coding. Not long ago, I have mastered C# language and for the fun of it developed and released a mobile game for iOS and Android named "Kulka", a visual infinite runner set in space. To my surprise, the game has attracted about 20,000 downloads with 200,000 gameplays worldwide so far.

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.

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

I am currently a Programme Officer at Save the Children International. As part of the Operations and Advocacy team at the Asia Regional Office based in Singapore, I conduct research and technical analysis on various issues such as child poverty, child health and nutrition, migration and urbanisation in the South East and East Asia region. My work also involves working with 15 country offices in Asia to plan, coordinate and support outreach projects.

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

The thought of doing a degree in social sciences only came after my very first overseas community service trip to Cambodia. Witnessing the lack of  basic necessities the families of communities had to live with and the absence of sanitation had very much changed the direction and perspective of my life. As much as the situations saddened me, I was inspired and determined to read social science in order to understand the challenges to social progress. Subsequently, I wrote in requesting for a switch of programme from information systems to social sciences and SMU was kind enough to accept my appeal. SMU remained as my choice of  university because of its flexible curriculum in which I was able to either take a second major or concentrate in one area of study. The ability to tailor my degree according to my interest was a major factor that attracted me to SMU.

How has the SOSS experience been for you, and how has it benefitted you?

My experience at SOSS has been transformative. In my four years at SOSS, I completed three overseas internships with the United Nations, attended international conferences in Germany and Colombia, led a team of my fellow peers to Cambodia for community service project and wrote a research thesis. The exposure I received in SOSS and SMU as a whole, coupled with the intensive academic training, have broadened my perspective and sharpened my ability to analyze, reason and articulate coherently. The skills and knowledge acquired at SOSS have undoubtedly helped me make more informed decisions in my personal  life. In addition, I am certain that my education at SOSS will help me thrive in my career. 

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

I am currently working at Henderson Global Investor as an Equity Investment Analyst. It is one of the largest equity fund in Europe.

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

The Social Sciences have trained me to see think critically and analyze the bigger picture. It taught me to draw links between the corporate and the socio-political world. Furthermore, SMU's unique and holistic teaching style enhanced everything for me throughout my 4 year journey. Although I got my 2nd degree in Business, I genuinely believe it was my Social Science background that gave me the edge and differentiating factor. 

How has the SOSS experience been for you, and how has it benefitted you?

SOSS is really like a tightly knit family, not just among students but among professors and staffs as well. Despite all the talks about how things can get competitive in university, this family will make sure that you are not left behind throughout the 4 years.

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

Currently, I am working as a human resource executive in the civil service sector.

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

The multi-disciplinary approach is the main attraction for me to do a degree in Social Sciences. It prepares me well for the working society in this era where graduates are expected to possess and integrate knowledge from various disciplines. 

I chose SMU because of the small class size and its emphasis on class participation. The small class size enables SMU professors to devote more attention to each student while the class participation component allows me to learn from my peers in class discussion, keeps me awake in class and trains me to think on my feet.

How has the SOSS experience been for you, and how has it benefitted you?

The SOSS experience has been one that was memorable and intellectually stimulating. Through the SOSS experience, I gained a better understanding of world and social issues. I also picked up essential skills like spreadsheet programming, which is imperative for most corporate environments.  

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

I am currently undergoing a trainee programme at a recruitment consultancy firm. My role is to assist my recruitment consultants by screening job applications and preparing candidates for interviews with our client companies.

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

I am interested in psychology, and enjoy the largely qualitative nature of Social Sciences. The reason I chose SMU is because of the school's flexibility in allowing their students to decide their educational pathway. There are no limits to the majors that I could pursue, and so I chose Human Resources from the Lee Kong Chian School of Business to complement my psychology major.

How has the SOSS experience been for you, and how has it benefitted you?

In a word, fantastic. The curriculum is flexible and allowed me to choose modules that interested me, and there was hardly any obligation to take specific courses to clear university requirements, except for core modules. Besides this, to fully benefit from the system, I had to really immerse myself into everything the school had to offer. In large part it included an exchange to Germany where I lived with two other buddies from SMU, made international friends and saw breathtaking sights. Besides this, I also made the effort to stay in touch with the people around in school, both friends and professors. They become a source of companionship and support, and become crucial, if not the most important takeaways that only a close-knit community like SOSS can offer.

How has your education in the social sciences been useful to you at the workplace?

My education in psychology has definitely helped me in terms of understanding workplace behavior and motivations of people – both extrinsic and intrinsic. The knowledge learnt in school allowed me to mature in my thought process, and provided a solid foundation from which to build my career. Moreover, the soft skills gained through interacting with friends, professors and project mates allowed me to adjust quicker to the work environment, where awareness of the self and others is essential.

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

I'm currently working as a Research Officer at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, where my work consists of reviewing and editing academic journal articles, organizing seminars and conferences, and most excitingly, developing my own post-graduate research interests in the field of Southeast Asian politics.

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

I sought to do a degree in Social Sciences at SMU primarily because of the university's seminar-styled pedagogy, where a smaller-sized class fostered critical thinking on socio-political issues through engaging class debates. Undoubtedly it is through this dialectic where the bulk of my knowledge of the social sciences was formed.

How has the SOSS experience been for you, and how has it benefitted you?

As my work deals primarily with academic research in the field of social cultural issues in Southeast Asia, I've found the knowledge I've acquired at SMU, through the various sociology and political science courses to be invaluable in my reviewing and editing of academic journals. Furthermore, the numerous research papers and presentations done on various social sciences subjects have been crucial for me in developing both analytical thinking and research skills, which is essential for pursuing my own research interests.

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

I am currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology at the University of Michigan. I study close relationships, cultural differences and hormonal changes. Right after graduation, I worked for a year as a counsellor before deciding to focus my attention on my graduate school applications. Throughout the short time that I had been working, I was fortunate enough to be able to continue my work with various undergraduate mentors. I had been volunteering as a Research Assistant during that one year, and I continued to assume the role of a Research Assistant for these professors at SOSS even after I left my job. The research experience that I accumulated, the helpful advice and feedback that I received from numerous faculty members in SOSS (both within and outside of Psychology), greatly encouraged me to pursue a postgraduate career.

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

I had always been passionate about studying psychology and understanding why people behave, think and feel the way they do, so naturally a degree in Social Sciences was the natural choice. With regard to university choices though, SMU SOSS was my first choice and actually, the only university that I applied to. I heard that SMU allowed great flexibility in choosing one's major (and second major), and that really helped in making decisions for my college application because I was probably still very undecided about what I wanted to do for my future career at that point in my life. I had also heard great things about the seminar style classes, and though I was apprehensive and worried at first, the small class size turned out to be one of the greatest merits of the SMU system in my opinion, as it really helped in allowing students to speak directly and freely with faculty. Based on my experiences, that helped build rapport between me and the professors that I came to work with, which would become incommensurably beneficial for my graduate school applications later on. I also remember that I had a brief scan of the course offerings outlined in the recruitment brochure and I thought that it really helped me understand the type of academic courses offered at SOSS. Undeniably, the proximity of the SMU campus to the downtown area was definitely a plus.

How has the SOSS experience been for you, and how has it benefitted you?

SOSS holds a very special place in my heart. I developed lasting friendships with the peers that I made in and outside of classes. I was also heavily involved in many of the programs and events organized by the school. I was a part of the SOSS student society, I was a facilitator at camps, I actively participated in various recruitment activities etc. Even after graduation, I found myself constantly going back to campus to meet with friends, juniors, professors, and even the office staff. Some of my fondest memories include the conversations that I had with friends and faculty. Speaking with these very intelligent people, often from vastly different majors and backgrounds, helped me understand issues from very diverse perspectives. Everyone brought to the table their own nuggets of wisdom and these conversations were often intriguing, thought-provoking, yet very genuine. Personally, I felt I greatly benefitted from these intellectual moments and I actually discerned some important research questions through engaging in these conversations!

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

I am currently working as a graduate trainee in the Human Resources Division of UBS AG, a Swiss multinational bank. The graduate trainee program is a rotation-based one, which means that we get to experience different roles within the division we join. Right now I am attached to the Payroll team, and I am handling the payroll of four emerging markets in which our bank operates. My next rotation will be in the Advisory team.

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 history, sociology, politics and philosophy. I get a personal high when I engage in such conversations with my friends. I guess it was only natural for me to join the School of Social Sciences.

My sister had studied Economics and Information Systems in SMU. She had loved her four years here and so she strongly recommended SMU. The small classroom size, focus on class discussions, the independent expression of ideas, and the exciting student life greatly resonated with who I am as a person, and that’s why I chose to come here. Looking back at my four years, I would not have had it any other way.

How has the SOSS experience been for you, and how has it benefitted you?

I don’t think I’ll ever find the right words to describe my four years in SOSS. They were nothing short of amazing, invigorating and exciting. I was exposed to a wide variety of ideas, theories and paradigms that I would probably never have come across, had I not joined this school. The SOSS journey expands your thinking and reasoning in more ways than you can imagine. The stimulating classroom discussions expose you to multiple opinions, and hence, make you more critical, engaged and cautious. The world we are living in today requires us to have a better and more holistic understanding of our surroundings. And I am glad that the SOSS experience in SMU gives us just that.

I really miss the conversations I had with a lot of my professors and classmates. That’s why I have started a ‘Thinker’s Circle’ with some of my friends. We meet once every month to discuss social, political and economic issues from a moral standpoint. You can take me out of SOSS, but you can’t take SOSS out of me.

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

I am currently working as a policy officer in the civil service.

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

I chose to do a degree in SMU Social Sciences as it offered students a unique pedagogy that stood out from what was being offered by other universities locally – Seminar-based learning environments, hands-on practicum, and application of knowledge to solve real-world problems.

How has the SOSS experience been for you, and how has it benefitted you?

My education in the social sciences has taught me to approach a real-world problem from multiple perspectives, engage in critical analysis and most importantly, leading me to craft in-depth, well-thought out solutions.