“PROJECT CONNECT”: Bridging Classroom Learning with Real-World Experience for Our Year 12 Students

At the end of the last school term, our Year 12 students embarked on an inspiring journey of discovery and professional growth through “Project Connect”, the school’s innovative work internship initiative. This programme was designed to offer invaluable hands-on experience, enabling students to bridge the gap between academic learning and the dynamic demands of the working world.

The duration of their internships varied. Some students completed a one-week placement that concluded on 4 July. Others remained in their roles until 11 July, while a dedicated group continued their internships until 8 August. Notably, several students undertook two distinct internships, taking a proactive step towards exploring different fields and solidifying their career aspirations.

We were proud to partner with a diverse array of leading companies, each providing unique insights into their respective industries. Our partners included: LC60 AI, Heineken Malaysia Berhad, Sunway Medical Centre Damansara, IC Design Symmid Corporation, GXY Cultin Sdn Bhd / Wing Heng Technology Sdn Bhd, Tealive, OEJ Partnership, Berjaya Corporation, Baker Tilly Malaysia, HJ Education Desapark, Malaysia National AI Office, Stand for Pie, Sony Beijing, Sodexo Group, Genesis Law (Singapore), UPM Research, and FPW Projects.

From the complexities of medical operations and cutting-edge AI development to the fast-paced world of beverage production, music, and professional accounting, “Project Connect” offered students a remarkable opportunity to explore potential career paths, acquire essential workplace skills, and gain deeper insight into various industries. This programme played a vital role in equipping students for future success and empowering them to make informed decisions about their academic and career directions.

Amisha Kaneswaran (LC60 AI)

My internship proved to be an eye-opening experience. I connected with professionals who shared similar passions, and it was inspiring to see how they had transformed their interests into thriving careers. My two supervisors provided valuable guidance on university pathways and outlined the steps I needed to take to achieve my academic and career goals.

Throughout the internship, I was introduced to job roles beyond traditional academics—many of which I had never encountered before. This broadened my understanding of the career possibilities within science and technology. I particularly enjoyed learning about satellites and the role of Python programming in space and Earth observation.

I had the chance to work on hands-on coding projects that pushed me beyond the A2 syllabus, equipping me with new Python skills and showing me how programming and data analysis are used in the real world. It also gave me insight into a typical 9 to 5 office environment.

In addition to technical skills, I developed essential soft skills such as communication and time management. Being surrounded by a motivated and supportive team boosted my confidence and encouraged me to explore previously unconsidered areas. Overall, the internship deepened my understanding of the STEM field and helped shape a clearer vision of the career I wish to pursue.

Braeden Eng (Heineken Malaysia Berhad)

During my internship at Heineken, I was placed in the Trade Marketing team under the Sales division, with the role of Channel Operations Intern. I supported the team with a range of operational tasks and gained valuable insight into the workings of different trade channels. The experience provided me with meaningful exposure to how sales and marketing functions operated in a multinational corporation, and how these departments collaborated to achieve business objectives.

David Glen Motha, Gosia Blake, Iris Ang & Ian Wong
(Sunway Medical Centre Damansara)

During our internship at Sunway Medical Centre, we gained valuable insight into the medical profession and its challenges. We shadowed doctors from various specialities and observed how they interacted with patients first-hand.

Filipp Tyurin (IC Design Symmid Corporation)

The company I interned with specialised in computer processor development. They walked me through their entire workflow, from design and manufacturing to sales. I also took a short course on Linux and learnt how to use command-line tools, as Linux was the operating system used for chip design.

It was a highly educational experience. My daily schedule was 9 am to 5 pm, aligning with what I had imagined a typical office routine to be. Observing the consistency and dedication of the employees gave me a strong appreciation for the demands of working life.

While I may not wish to follow this exact routine in the future, I was grateful for the opportunity to experience it. It allowed me to explore various work environments and gain clarity on what suits me best. I am thankful for the knowledge and perspective this experience offered.

Hinako Kobayashi (GXY Cultin Sdn Bhd / Wing Heng Technology Sdn Bhd)

In the first week, I worked on preparing essential documents to help international customers understand E-Invoices and how the company could assist them. I applied many of the skills I had acquired in school, particularly in IT, business, and languages. My Chinese language skills proved especially useful, as I created all the documents in Chinese.

This task taught me the importance of understanding client needs and tailoring information to suit those requirements.

Katelyn Teh (OEJ Partnership)

Though my tasks as an intern were limited, I was able to learn through observation and discussions with experienced colleagues. I developed my research skills, resilience, and adaptability to new challenges.

Kirsten Yap (Berjaya Corporation)

While the internship was not directly related to my future plans, it offered valuable insights into working life and encouraged me to think creatively. I was fortunate to have a kind and supportive supervisor and team, who assigned me meaningful tasks rather than mundane duties like photocopying.

I encountered challenges, such as reading the company’s annual report and struggling to understand some aspects, but I embraced the learning curve. I looked forward to continuing my development during this and my next internship.

Preisha Kaur Jammu (HJ Education Desapark & MBSB Bank)

During my internship at MBSB Bank, I gained valuable insight into the operations of various departments and the significance of teamwork and professionalism within a corporate environment. Although much of my role was observational, I learnt a great deal by shadowing staff, attending meetings, and witnessing how theoretical knowledge translated into real-world practice. The experience reinforced my interest in finance and provided clarity on the specific skills I wished to develop further.

Nathan Glen Motha

Completing an internship as part of the Year 12 programme was a truly enriching experience. I appreciated the chance to gain real-world exposure, learn new skills both relevant to my field and useful in daily life, such as commuting via MRT, taking meeting minutes, and writing research reports. I also expanded my knowledge in computer science, which I planned to include in my personal statement. I was especially thankful to Ms Quennie for her constant support.

Te Jien Swee (Stand for Pie Me)

During my internship at Stand Pie Me, I gained a number of valuable insights, having previously interned with the company when it operated from a shophouse rather than the café it had since established.

I developed a deeper understanding of individuals with neurodiversity and found that I could even relate to them in several ways. I observed how the management at Stand Pie Me both employed and supported them, and I learnt how to communicate more effectively despite not being naturally talkative.

I also acquired practical skills such as basic accounting and the process of hand-producing food items. Whilst I do not intend to pursue a career in the food and beverage industry, these skills and experiences may prove useful in broadening my overall understanding in the future.

Zining Law (FPW Projects)

During my architecture internship, I created a physical moodboard, undertook research projects, and sourced material samples from various companies, which strengthened my negotiation skills under tight deadlines. I also learnt to use 3D software to produce architectural drawings and participated in team meetings to better understand workflow processes and improve my communication. Visiting the construction site provided me with hands-on experience of the complexities of construction. In addition, I built valuable professional connections that I believe will be beneficial in the future.

Summer Internship (Mid-July to August)

Julia Doraisamy (Genesis Law Firm, Singapore)

My internship provided me with the opportunity to work on real-world cases and offered a valuable introduction to the legal field. The lawyers were welcoming and provided constructive feedback on my work, which enabled me to learn, improve, and gain confidence in my abilities.

Jaden San (UPM & KBM)

I interned at Universiti Putra Malaysia for three weeks alongside a group of PhD and Master’s students conducting research in stem cell therapy. I observed and practised several laboratory techniques commonly used in biomedical science, including tissue staining, microtomy, and dissection, and I worked with specialised software to analyse light microscope images of tissue samples.

Subsequently, I undertook a second internship at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia for one week and one day under the guidance of a PhD student researching bioinks for wound dressings. I prepared and carried out basic material tests on gelatin biomaterial blocks and observed advanced techniques such as cell cryo-preservation and 3D bioprinting. This experience also enhanced my understanding of the product development pipeline in biomedical engineering and provided me with valuable insight into the structure of a biomaterials PhD programme.

Second Internship (End of July)

Gosia Blake and David Glen Motha (Sodexo)

During my one-week internship at Sodexo’s Malaysia headquarters, I gained valuable insight into workplace dynamics and employee engagement, which helped me understand why human resources is integral to a productive organisation. My primary task was to interview all members of the Malaysia–Singapore HR department, investigating engagement and relationships between colleagues. Conducting eighteen semi-structured interviews pushed me out of my comfort zone, strengthened my confidence, and allowed me to apply critical thinking in analysing each employee’s situation. I directed my questions to identify the root causes of workplace dissatisfaction, which sharpened both my problem-solving and communication skills.

The final objective of the internship was to present a report to the Chief Human Resources Officer of Sodexo APMEA. After compiling extensive handwritten notes into statistics and infographics, we delivered a successful presentation. Knowing that the report would be used to inform new company projects was especially rewarding and made all the hard work worthwhile. This formative experience significantly influenced my decision to consider a career path. – David

During my one-week internship at Sodexo Malaysia, I was tasked with identifying internal HR challenges. Working with a classmate, I conducted targeted interviews with the Malaysia and Singapore HR teams, developing on-the-spot questions to probe into leadership and operational issues.

After analysing the data, I co-created and presented a findings report to senior leadership. This opportunity enhanced my professional interviewing and analytical skills and provided me with direct exposure to corporate HR functions. I enjoyed the dynamic, problem-solving environment and discovered a strong personal interest in pursuing corporate work. – Gosia