Alumni

Postgraduate Testimonials - Nicholas Hoy Zheng Xuan

Bridging Academia and Industry: Navigating the Path from Postgraduate Studies to a Career in Clean Energy

Background and Career Path

1. Could you please introduce yourself - your name and age?

I'm Nicholas Hoy Zheng Xuan, aged 26.

2. What course did you pursue in your postgraduate studies?

Masters in New Energy Science and Engineering.

3. What is your current job role, and what does it involve?

I'm working as a researcher in Energy Studies Institute, an independent research institute within the National University of Singapore. My research focuses on performing technology scans and analysing key decarbonisation strategies to support Singapore's clean energy transition.

4. What initially motivated you to enter this industry, and how did you get started?

I was passionate about making a positive impact on the environment, so I pursued my master's degree, where I conducted relevant research focusing on climate solutions.

5. How do you view the future of your industry - any trends or developments you think are important?

I believe I am still too early in my career to advise on this, but generally, the importance of environmental sustainability is getting more acknowledged around the world, so demand for relevant work will definitely grow.

Impact of Postgraduate Studies

1. How has your postgraduate education benefited your work or changed your perspective in your field?

Since both my education and work are research-oriented, skills I picked up during my postgraduate education, such as research writing and data analysis, allow for a smooth transition, and I was able to adapt to my work fairly easily.

2. In what ways has the postgraduate experience influenced or even reshaped your career goals?

When I did my engineering internship at a semiconductor company during my bachelor's degree, I knew for sure that I was not cut out for an engineer role. I decided to pursue my postgraduate studies to give myself more options to branch out into. My postgraduate experience gave me a taste of a research career, and I'm happy to say that I quite enjoy what I'm doing so far.

3. Have you worked before pursuing your postgraduate studies? If yes, how does your postgraduate studies impacted you after going back to industry?

No, I pursued my postgraduate studies directly after my bachelor's degree.

Career Goals & Aspirations

1. What are your career goals after completing your postgraduate studies?

For now, I aim to continue working in the field of environmental sustainability in hopes of making a positive mark on the world.

2. Has this experience altered your long-term career aspirations or ambitions?

I might not have considered being a researcher had I not done my postgraduate studies, so yes.

Job Market & Opportunities

1. How prepared are you for the current job market, given your skills and experience?

Research is a lifelong learning experience, so it won't matter how skillful you are now if you don't keep up. As long as one stays humble and open to learning, then you are already a step ahead.

2. What factors are most important to you when applying for a job, such as salary, work-life balance, career growth, or location?

To me, it is passion. Many have the perspective of "work is work", which, while I do understand and agree to a certain extent, I am fortunate to have found something that I am genuinely passionate about, which makes work feel fulfilling.

3. Have you thought about working abroad, or do you have a preference for staying in your home country?

Well, I am already not in my home country, and I am always open to exploring opportunities in other countries.

Challenges & Concerns

1. What are your biggest concerns about entering the workforce after graduation?

It was intimidating learning about the worsening conditions of the job market, things like employers not hiring fresh graduates, pay not keeping up with living standards, or even postgraduate degree holders being overqualified.

2. Have you faced any challenges or obstacles in applying for jobs or making the shift from academia to industry?

I began preparing for job application submissions 4 months before my graduation. Over the span of 6 months, I submitted over a hundred job applications across the world (including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, India, China, Europe, and the US) and only netted 4 interviews and 2 offers. It was a huge hit on my confidence, but I decided to focus on what I could learn from the process. I refined my application materials, honed my interview skills, and sought feedback wherever possible.

Advice for Future Graduates

1. Do you have any advice for postgraduate students who want to make a meaningful impact in this field?

I'm relatively early in my career, but I would encourage staying proactive and embracing the learning process. Explore opportunities beyond your comfort zone and don't be afraid to ask stupid questions. We wouldn’t know if the choice we are making is a correct one, but a wrong answer is not a meaningless one. Every setback teaches you something valuable, so keep pushing forward.

- Interviewed and prepared by PGSC 2024/2025