Why we'd take our NTU courses again

Srinidhi Ragavendran
Class of 2025, Communication Studies
Reporter at Bloomberg News

“NTU’s high rankings gave me confidence that my communication studies programme was internationally recognised and rigorous. Studying at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication & Information was a transformative experience that laid the groundwork for my journey as a reporter with Bloomberg News.

I rotate across different teams in a fast-paced newsroom, working on topics ranging from commodities to technology. I’m currently a multimedia journalist, producing short explainer videos and editing breaking news clips. Every day, I draw on the versatile skill set I developed at NTU, where I had the flexibility to explore both journalism and film.

“A cooling vest that keeps police officers comfortable while they carry heavy equipment during long shifts – that’s one of the products I work on now. I develop gear for Singapore’s frontline officers that keeps them safe and helps them perform better.

Studying materials engineering at NTU gave me the technical expertise I needed, while classes on polymers, nanotechnology and data analytics prepared me well for my role.

“NTU’s high international ranking in data science and artificial intelligence (AI) makes my degree valuable, and its robust reputation helped me secure several internships, including a placement at TikTok that led to my first full-time job.

“In my work today, I use data science to improve silicon chip manufacturing workflows at one of the world’s top semiconductor foundries. NTU courses in semiconductor fundamentals gave me the know-how and context to understand the processes I now handle.

“It’s always been my dream to be a pilot, and studying aerospace engineering at NTU gave me the technical grounding to turn that dream into reality. The programme built a firm foundation in engineering fundamentals before moving into specialised aviation courses like aerodynamics and airport design – subjects I’ve always been passionate about.

“I was impressed when I came across NTU’s very own waste-to-energy research plant while researching universities. I knew my education would be in good hands after learning about NTU’s focus on translating research to shape a better world, its strong industry ties, as well as its status as a premier institution in Asia.

Inspired by my father, I wanted to become an engineering leader. NTU was my safe space to hone the technical know-how and people skills I needed. I took courses in leadership, engineering decision-making, and project management, and was chairperson of NTU MJ, a street dance club.

Today, I rely on that well-rounded skill set to work across data automation, cybersecurity and operations-related projects at a multinational industrial gases company.”

“I’m currently a project engineer in the construction industry, and I get a real sense of accomplishment when I see the link bridges and multi-storey buildings I work on come to life.

NTU’s rigorous civil engineering courses gave me a solid grounding in design principles and modern construction processes. Hands-on experiences, such as co-chairing an international bridge design competition, showed me that there are multiple solutions to the same challenges. They also gave me the boldness to adapt quickly and tackle complex issues on site. I’ve since passed an exam that brings me closer to my goal of becoming a professional engineer.

When I was figuring out my career path, Assoc Prof Li Bing encouraged me to take up an eye-opening consultancy internship, while Dr Teoh Bak Koon generously guided me. Physics lecturer Dr Ho Shen Yong also showed me the importance of truly understanding concepts rather than memorising them; a YouTube video on grit he shared is still bookmarked on my browser after all these years.”

“The strong emphasis on practical training in my NTU chemistry course has prepared me well for my career as a pharmaceutical chemist. The chemistry and biological chemistry laboratory courses I took were pivotal in building my technical foundation and analytical mindset. They taught me to think critically through every decision – from selecting the right substances to following the precise steps needed to synthesise specific molecules. This analytical rigour is reflected in my daily responsibilities at GSK, where I uphold the highest quality standards in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

At work, I’ve also helped build data models to optimise production processes, using the statistical methods I learnt from NTU’s Introduction to Data Science & Artificial Intelligence course.”

“I teach Primary 3 students English, Mathematics and Social Studies, and no two days are ever the same. The small but meaningful moments affirm that I have chosen the right path. It could be a student having an ‘aha’ moment, or a parent expressing appreciation. It’s a reminder that I’m paying it forward, just as my own teachers and lecturers at NTU’s National Institute of Education (NIE) once did for me.

If I could turn back time, I would still choose NIE’s double major programme. It gave me strong subject knowledge in English and linguistics, while preparing me to teach mathematics and beyond. Courses in pedagogy, educational psychology and classroom management, together with teaching practicums, helped me understand how children think and learn.

Learning trips, like a visit to an early childhood school in Brisbane, also showed me how joyful, supportive environments can shape a child’s learning journey.”

“Today, as a software engineer at Apple, I draw on the technical and soft skills I developed at NTU to strengthen and protect the company’s systems.

Growing up, I loved creating puzzles and automations with Minecraft command blocks, which sparked my interest in computer science. I still remember receiving the offer for my first-choice course – NTU Computer Science – while in National Service. Even after a long day of training, I was too excited to sleep.

At NTU, I found that same joy in real-world coding, especially in courses like Cloud Computing, where we had the freedom to design our own projects while exploring computer science fundamentals such as protocols and the rules that govern digital communication.

Assoc Prof Tan Chee Wei, who supervised my final-year project and taught me cloud computing, nurtured my growth as a software developer. He was a good mentor and even shared my projects with his network. Beyond computer science knowledge, I also learnt to manage relationships and deadlines from juggling group projects, studies and part-time work at NTU.”