Gloria Kwek, a final-year Electrical Power Engineering student at SIT, began her IWSP journey with the mindset of an intern but emerged feeling like a valued and integral member of the team.

From May 2024 to December 2024, Gloria Kwek got a chance to be attached to semiconductor company Soitec as part of SIT’s Integrated Work Study Programme (IWSP). Her tasks included ensuring the efficiency of electrical systems, monitoring and troubleshooting the SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisitions) system, and contributing to a construction building expansion project.

Gloria spent seven months at Soitec for her IWSP. (Photo: Soitec)

Plug and Play
 

Right from the get-go, Gloria felt she could apply her classroom knowledge in areas such as power systems and protection, data acquisition control logic and electrical installation design to her work at Soitec. Even in unfamiliar areas, she found that the skills she had been taught at SIT equipped her to figure things out quickly.
 

“For example, being able to interpret graphs and read single-line diagrams and AutoCAD drawings were useful skills that helped me get up to speed up quickly.”
 

Aside from the technical knowledge, Gloria also appreciated how her soft skills, such as problem-solving, adaptability and good communication skills, enabled her to acclimate to the new environment and effectively collaborate across different teams.
 

“Being able to communicate well was particularly useful for coordinating with the various teams in charge of different systems within the plant, such as chiller operations and SCADA.”
 

Valuable Learning Environment
 

Even though her internship lasted only seven months, Gloria felt very fortunate to have had hands-on experience and been involved in many operational tasks at the Soitec plant.
 

During her IWSP, Gloria took the initiative to record meeting minutes to ensure she kept up with discussions. (Photo: Soitec)
 

“One of the main challenges I faced when I started my IWSP was understanding the complexity of the systems. I’m really grateful to Soitec for giving me the chance to observe a plant shutdown, which typically only happens once a year or less. This allowed me to study the systems diagram and manuals, and even engage in hands-on experiences. This includes inspecting Main Switchboards (MSBs), sub-panels, and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, and supporting contractors in the tightening of connections and replacement of worn components, which was only possible because of the shutdown.” 
 

The other challenge that Gloria faced was getting used to the pace of discussions during meetings. To overcome this, she started devising her own way of keeping up, which included writing meeting minutes and sending them to her supervisor.
 

“Having these meeting minutes allowed me to do research afterwards on some of the things I did not understand, while at the same time contributing to the team by keeping them updated on important plans or action items discussed during these meetings.”
 

She also appreciated the constant guidance and care from her various team members, especially her supervisor, Mr Aldwin Retuta, Facilities Manager, Soitec. 
 

Shares Gloria: “My supervisor was very patient with me and guided me through every step of the way. Besides teaching me about all the different systems I was involved with, he would also tell me more about the other departments we worked closely with. He also taught me valuable problem-solving skills by sharing his experience and approach, which I found very helpful.”
 

Takeaways and Advice for Juniors
 

Looking back at her IWSP experience, Gloria feels that she has benefitted in more ways than one.
 

Gloria (extreme right) with fellow colleagues at a cohesion event. (Photo: Soitec)
 

“Professionally, I learned valuable skills like how to break down problems systematically and resolve issues efficiently. I also gained a much deeper understanding of SCADA operations and energy management. This experience has given me clarity about the kind of career I want to pursue – one which can contribute to enhancing energy efficiency and systems reliability,” she shared.

“On a personal level, I also feel like I have developed a growth mindset, ready to embrace challenges and work with people from all walks of life. By observing my colleagues from diverse backgrounds, I can see different ways of approaching problems. This has allowed me to learn and adopt some of their skills to develop a working style that suits me best.”

As for advice to share with SIT juniors who are about to embark on their IWSP, Gloria has this to share:
 

“IWSP is more than just an internship; it’s an opportunity to apply what we have learnt and develop industry-relevant skills. To make the most of your experience, you should take on challenges with a learning mindset, be proactive and ask questions. The more effort you put in, the more value you will receive.

At SIT, we are nurtured to become “Thinking Tinkerers” – individuals who think critically and apply knowledge in practical, hands-on ways. We also adopt the mindset of "Learn, Unlearn, Relearn," which is essential in today’s fast-changing industries. We are taught to build strong foundations, let go of outdated ideas, and continuously adapt to new tools and technologies.
 

This philosophy has helped me stay adaptable, confident, and ready to face challenges in the workplace."