Civil engineer unlocks career potential as a Project engineer with FlexiMasters in General Management

A civil engineer by training and profession, NTU Civil Engineering graduate Wennie's tertiary education at her alma mater has been deeply rooted in the technical aspects of engineering. While she excels in the technical aspects at work, Wennie soon realises that there’s more than meets the eye.

As a consulting engineer in an engineering consultancy firm, boundaries between disciplines tend to blur. Not only did Wennie had to work on the civil and structural design aspects in her project stints, she also finds herself increasingly interacting with both internal and external stakeholders to coordinate project activities. “From meeting clients for negotiations and sales proposals, plus dealing with government authorities,” she recounted.

An opportunity to diversify and challenge herself by learning interdisciplinary soft skills

Stepping out of her comfort zones, Wennie went in search of courses for her career development. And that’s how she came across the FlexiMasters in General Management programme. “Soft skills in business, marketing, and management offer invaluable insights and are crucial for my career development, especially for someone like me who is rooted in a technical field like civil engineering,” Wennie reasoned. “I couldn't learn them in my undergraduate years when studying for my civil engineering degree.”

The programme's affordability further appealed to Wennie. With the $3,200 course credits¹ from NTU and SkillsFuture Singapore subsidies, she was able to offset her course fees in full. 

The FlexiMasters learning experience

From gaining invaluable insights into company operations, culture, and leadership, to enhancing soft skills such as communication and negotiation, the FlexiMasters in General Management programme offered Wennie a tonne of learning opportunities. “I was able to network with a lot of people from very different backgrounds and from different companies,” she said. “I didn't expect to meet so many people from different walks of life. And I get to learn from other’s experience.”

She finds the experience eye-opening. “As an undergraduate, we attend lectures and tutorials. We seldom have group discussions,” Wennie recalls her undergraduate days. This is a far cry from her experience in the FlexiMasters, where participants are paired in clusters that enable participants to engage deeply with the course content and with each other.

“During group projects, I put on my critical thinking hat,” she shared. “And through case studies, I am able to learn something new, and how big companies function.”

Readily applying her new knowledge at work

One of the biggest takeaways for Wennie after completing her FlexiMasters journey was how she can now readily apply what she has learned from the programme. “In a sales proposal, I was able to apply some of the communication and negotiation skills I learned,” she added.  “They have become tools that she could wield in real-world scenarios.”

Hew newfound dexterity in communication and negotiation has led to tangible successes in her professional life. “In one instance, I was able to secure a deal with the prospect client at a reasonable price, even after the client requested for discounts,” Wennie reflected.

“As civil engineers rarely dabble in day-to-day operations, picking up these relevant skills in operations from the FlexiMasters helped me gain more confidence,” she clarified.  

Wennie sees the FlexiMasters programme as a stepping stone to further her career advancement. “The knowledge and skills I gained have not only opened up new opportunities, but also instilled a sense of confidence in navigating the workplace.”

Advice for Future Learners

In an ever-evolving professional landscape, the willingness to embrace new knowledge and skills can pave the way for exciting career opportunities and personal growth. Wennie's experience with the FlexiMasters in General Management programme underscores the value of continuous learning and the benefits of stepping outside one's comfort zone.

To all engineers, Wennie's advice is clear. “Embrace the opportunity to learn and grow through the FlexiMasters programme,” she advised. “The skills and insights gained can open doors to new possibilities and career paths, even for those deeply entrenched in technical fields.”

____________________________________

^{1. Available to all graduating students of 2020 and 2021, and valid till June 2022 and 2023 respectively.} 

FlexiMasters in General Management

The programme aims to equip you with the skills necessary to run modern enterprises.

The five-course sequence will focus on key aspects of business strategy, people management, operations, company governance, cultural intelligence, and business negotiation.