Detail

In the dynamic landscape of education and professional development, one inspiring SP alumnus shares his remarkable story of resilience and the transformative power of education.

SP - The Only Choice

For Jovan, enrolling in SP was a practical decision, as it was the polytechnic located closest to his home. Although his modest academic performance in primary and secondary school meant that his options were limited, he was still eager to take up a business course. Thankfully, SP’s Diploma in Engineering with Business (DEB) offered an opportunity that fuelled his desire for a practical and industry-relevant education.

“Despite the accidental nature of my decision, which was driven by the process of elimination, I have never regretted choosing DEB. Reflecting on my experiences, I would still make the same choice if given the chance.”

Navigating Challenges

Jovan faced financial difficulties during his time at SP, which forced him to balance part-time work with his studies in order to cover tuition fees and living expenses. A pivotal moment arose during his final year when ASUS, the computer and IT company where he was working part-time at, offered him the position of product manager. Thanks to the support of SP lecturers Mr Roger Chiun and Mr Chee Choong Yang, Jovan was able to take on this corporate job while still pursuing his diploma.

“From there, I went on to do other things, but that was the first and most significant stepping stone. Without the blessings of Mr Chee and the directors at the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), it would not have happened.”

Lessons in Life

Reflecting on his SP experience, Jovan underscores the profound impact of life lessons and the development of soft skills, particularly resilience. Balancing part-time work and studies taught him the importance of making prudent choices, prioritising needs over wants, and adopting a lean approach. Despite the challenges, the struggles at SP contributed significantly to Jovan’s personal and professional growth.

“Even though it was tough, I appreciate the experience because it shaped me as a person, built my character, and taught me a lot. It was something that most of my peers didn’t have to go through.”

An Empowering Moment

Jovan’s fondest memory at SP revolves around the internship period, a time of significant personal and professional growth. As he was already working at ASUS, he opted to do his internship there. In his role as a product manager, where he was involved with determining the product line, Jovan felt that he was contributing to shaping the company’s future, and by extension, the computing industry. This hands-on involvement left an indelible mark in his memory that fuelled his passion for the business field.

“The moment I realised that those decisions meant that the customers can only buy those products that I helped to select, I felt very empowered.”

Unexpectedly Transformative

When Jovan embarked on a MSc in Management and later a PhD in Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS), he was surprised at how transformative the experience would be. The PhD journey, in particular, was challenging because he was transitioning from business to engineering courses. This required resilience, adaptation, and the creation of groundbreaking contributions to a field with which he was not familiar. Nevertheless, Jovan feels that his extraordinary academic journey enriched his life with unique insights.

“Through this experience, I realised that I could achieve anything I put my mind to. Any constraints are just those I imposed on myself. That was my biggest takeaway.”

Teaching to Give Back

Today, Jovan remains in academia, building a career that is driven by the desire to contribute to knowledge transfer and mentor students. Lecturing at SP and later at NUS revealed the malleability and potential for growth in younger students, influencing his decision to join the Engineering Design and Innovation Centre at NUS full-time.

“If I can help as many people as I can, that’s a win. So that’s one of the reasons why I went into teaching.”

Finding Contentment Every Day

For Jovan, success is defined by finding happiness and fulfilment in each day’s endeavours, being content with what one has, enjoying the journey, and making meaningful contributions in both personal and professional aspects of life.

“To future SP alumni, my advice is to stay relevant and competitive. The workforce is dynamic, and having a unique skill set or ‘superpower’ is crucial to keep progressing and achieve more in your career and life.”

Dr Jovan Tan
Lecturer, National University of Singapore
Diploma in Engineering with Business, 2014