From Classrooms to Careers: Alumni Share What They Wish They’d Known

The SJI International Alumni Association hosted a vibrant "From IB to University to Internships: What Alumni Wish They’d Known" talk at the Glass Hall, bringing together alumni from thr Class of 2021 provide mentorship to Grade 11 and 12 students over lunchtime on the 17th of March.

Bridging the Relatability Gap

The event was born from a desire to move away from the "model student" narrative often seen in career talks. Organiser Kitty Loh ‘21 reflected on her own IB years, asking herself what she would have wanted to know then.

"I thought, why not bring together a group of more ‘ordinary’ students to share honestly about their journeys?" Kitty explained. Her goal was to normalise the "downs" of the journey, such as the moments of feeling overwhelmed, demotivated, or simply lost. "I think if I had heard from someone like that when I was younger, I would’ve felt a lot more optimistic about my own journey."

Diverse Paths, Honest Perspectives

The panel featured alumni from the Class of 2021 who have navigated various academic paths:

• Matthew Bray shared insights into studying Biomedical Science at the University of Queensland.
• Janie Tan discussed how she found her path to studying Law at Singapore Management University (SMU).
• Rachel Clare de Silva shared her journey through university life and the importance of looking beyond the curriculum.

For Rachel, returning to campus after more than 4 years was a nostalgic experience. She felt inspired to return because she remembered how much she had lacked information regarding university culture, environment, and non-academic experiences during her own Grade 12 year. "Alumni are in a position to offer perspectives that are still recent and relatable, yet informed by a fuller experience", she noted.

Real Talk and Resilience

The discussion went beyond typical academic advice, tackling the choice between local and overseas universities and managing the mental toll of the IB. A standout moment during the Live Q&A occurred when a student asked openly about "unconventional" majors and financial sustainability, a concern Kitty hopes to address further in future sessions.

Rachel emphasised that even a brief exchange about choosing a course or handling uncertainty can shift a student's entire perspective. "It’s not the uniqueness of your story that matters, but its relevance", Rachel shared, encouraging other alumni to step forward. "What may feel ordinary to you can be exactly what a student needs to hear".

One SJI International Family

Ultimately, the session was about building resilience. Kitty’s hope for the juniors was simple but profound: to stop comparing themselves to others. "You’re not alone in feeling lost, and that’s completely normal", she reassured. "Struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing. It’s just part of the process".

Through events like these, the SJI International Alumni Association continues to strengthen the bond between the school’s past and its future, reminding students and alumni alike of this lifelong connection in the SJI International family.