Read this if you just graduated from poly…
[Note: In view of graduation season, I wanted to quickly push out this post, the next one is relevant as well so give it a read!]
Around the time of graduation I was recruited through LinkedIn for a graphic design internship at a fintech startup. At the time I had no plans to pursue university or get a degree, so I was quite happy that this opportunity kind of fell into my lap (this is your sign to be a LinkedIn warrior hehe). I was charmed by the fact that it was a fintech startup, and that it was located in Duxton, girlie here was romanticising life ok. My initial contract was 3 months, I wanted to extend it for another 4 months but ended up leaving after a total of 6 months. The remuneration was decent and I made some friends there, but I ultimately left because of my manager…
My final straw was when they took leave to go on holiday without completing any of their work. We had an exhibition coming up in the next 1-2 months and the design collaterals should have already been mostly done and ready for print/fabrication. The work was distributed more than a month before they were going to be on holiday and I completed my tasks according to the timeline. The day before their trip, they had a “check-in” with me and basically dumped all of their unstarted tasks onto me. Not even partially or halfway done or anything, just completely untouched work. I was so upset as they were explaining all the things I “needed” to finish. After ranting to my fellow intern friends, I scheduled a meeting with the marketing team lead and highlighted this to them. I felt there was no salvaging the working relationship with this manager and decided it was better for me to leave.
There were other red flags and organisational issues that encouraged me to leave. Shortly after joining, I found out that there was a recent case of embezzling, the person involved disappeared, they were not heard from and were just nowhere to be found. Towards the last few months of my stint there, the company also had changes in leadership, our CEO/co-founder stepped down, the new CEO resigned after two weeks, and then our CPO became our acting CEO. In the midst of these leadership changes and upcoming exhibition, they then also wanted to rebrand as an attempt to distance the organisation from these past issues. There were also workplace tensions amongst team leads and teammates that led me to feel that this workplace was just too messy for me.
In these few months I took the time to consider pursuing a degree, I was clear that it would not be in design as I felt that my diploma was quite extensive and it would be better to broaden my horizons instead of focusing on one industry/skillset. In hindsight I think this turned out to be a good decision considering the rise of AI since then and the ever falling lack of demand for arts/creatives in Singapore. With the help of my aunt, I managed to speak to a faculty member from SMU to get a better idea of what to pursue and at which university. I kind of knew that I wanted to study social sciences, but I was not sure if my GPA was good enough for local unis. I found out that if it did not meet the cut-off point the school was unlikely to take a look at what else you had to show, such as portfolios etc. My GPA was quite average, 3.34, it was not high enough for local universities but quite high for private universities. I attended SIM’s open house to get a sense of the schools and lecturers there, subsequently I decided to enroll at University at Buffalo for the Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. More about my university journey in the next post!
Graduating from polytechnic can feel like standing at a crossroads, especially if further education or clear career plans aren’t yet set. My experience resonates with many who find that the transition period after poly is full of unexpected opportunities and challenges. Like the author, I too landed an internship through LinkedIn, but it wasn’t just about the job title or the industry—it was about learning the realities of work life, such as how critical management and team dynamics are to your experience. During my internship, I was often tasked with handling last-minute responsibilities, which taught me valuable lessons about communication and setting boundaries in the workplace. It can be difficult to manage when supervisors drop unfinished work on you, especially with looming deadlines. If you face something similar, don’t hesitate to speak up or escalate concerns respectfully; protecting your sanity is important. The story also highlights how external company factors, like embezzlement or leadership instability, can affect the work environment. These are reminders that no job is perfect, and sometimes seeking better conditions or new directions is the healthiest choice for your growth. Deciding whether to continue with university after poly is deeply personal. I found that broadening my study scope beyond my original diploma was a smart move, especially as industries evolve rapidly with technology like AI reshaping job demands. Exploring options at open houses or directly consulting faculty helped me understand entry requirements and realistic pathways. Don’t be discouraged if your GPA isn’t top tier; private universities and overseas institutions can offer valuable alternatives. Most importantly, take the time after poly to reflect on your interests, skills, and the kind of work culture that fits you. Whether through internships, further studies, or other experiences, this phase is about gaining clarity and building confidence for your future. Remember, every challenge faced can also be a stepping stone to growth and success.
