As part of our extensive Learning and Growth Framework, DSO encourages our staff to continually upgrade their skills and knowledge through various means, one of them being through higher education. For two staff that began their careers at DSO as Technical Officers (TO), furthering their studies was a key step towards achieving their personal and professional goals.
Steve Tan, Project Manager (PjM) from PRIMAL Programme (PRIMAL), Guided Systems (GS) Division, and Chian Teck Keong, Principal Member of Technical Staff (PMTS) from Electromagnetic Systems Lab (ESL), Emerging Systems (EG) Division, share their stories.
Steve Tan, PjM, PRIMAL, GS Division
“It was always my ambition to obtain at least a Bachelor’s degree,” says Steve. “But due to my poor family background, I had to defer my studies after obtaining my diploma.”
Upon graduating from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Steve had originally planned to work for a few years and save up enough money to attend a degree course. After completing his National Service in 1996, Steve joined DSO as a TO. His then supervisor, Loh Mah Keong, recognised his keenness and potential, and encouraged him to take up the Defence Technology Training Award (DTTA) scholarship. Mah Keong himself had begun his career as a TO and furthered his studies through the scholarship.
Steve was convinced, but an unexpected turn of events almost disrupted his plans. “My initial intention was to take up the DTTA scholarship in 1997, but the eligibility for the scholarship required three years of working experience. However, by the time I could apply for the scholarship in 1998, DSO had corporatised and no longer came under the DTTA scholarship umbrella,” he says.
He was offered the then newly-minted DSO scholarship instead, to pursue a part-time degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the National University of Singapore.
Of his choice to study part-time, he explains: “After working in DSO for more than two years, I had developed great passion for my research into flight systems, which was interesting, challenging, and an experience like nothing else. Thus, I was quite reluctant to stay away from my work to take up full-time study.”
“I was also planning to settle down and get married at the time. Going for full-time study would have definitely delayed marriage planning!” he admits candidly.
For Steve, the time spent earning his part-time degree was tough, but memorable. Two close colleagues, Leong Hon Wai from GS Division, and Koh Poh Beng, from Contracts Department, Finance & Admin Division, were also taking the same part-time degree course. The three would take examination leave together to study. One of their favourite haunts was the McDonalds at Bukit Merah, where they would share course notes and exchange pointers.
“They were a source of great motivation and help during my studies,” he adds.
And, as good friends are, they were also there for him during rougher periods.
“There was one time where I had to come back to work after my night class, to complete preparations for a trial that was taking place the following day,” he recalls. “Poh Beng offered to help me and we went back to the office together to complete the work. We ended up working overnight and I really appreciated his assistance whole-heartedly!”
Steve completed his degree in 2002. Primarily a hardware designer and developer, he was glad to gain new technical software skills, such as LINUX coding and real-time programming. He also brushed up his soft skills, such as learning how to deliver presentations with confidence. “I did learn a lot from the university which I apply in my daily work today,” he notes.
However, Steve feels that a further education is not the be-all and end-all for developing one’s career. It boils down to three things, he says: good and supportive bosses and supervisors; the willingness to take up more responsibilities and show results; and also the love and support of family.
“Good bosses should not be afraid that their subordinates will outshine them in the future. They will give you the opportunity to grow and willingly impart their knowledge so that you can move on in your career,” he advises. “For that, I am glad to have the support of all my bosses, including my most recent supervisor, Eric Quek, Programme Manager for PRIMAL.”
“To move up the career ladder, one must also be self-motivated to perform well, to take up higher appointments and shoulder more responsibilities,” he adds.
“I was also really lucky to have a life partner who is always caring and understanding. During my part-time study, it was not easy balancing work, study and personal life. She continues to understand now, even as my work gets busier,” says Steve.
Looking to the future, Steve wants to further his education yet again, this time to a Masters Degree. “Maybe in one or two years’ time… before I really get too old to go for it!” he says with a laugh.
Chian Teck Keong, PMTS, ESL, EG Division
In a career spanning almost 20 years in DSO, Teck Keong has certainly been through the whole gamut of experiences available for researchers here.
On the research front, he and his team have helped to build up DSO’s electromagnetic effects research capabilities. Most recently, he was part of the team that won a Defence Technology Prize (Engineering) Award in 2007, for his involvement in electromagnetic analysis studies for the Republic of Singapore Navy’s latest Formidable Stealth Frigates. Now he is also Facility Manager for the Electromagnetic Effects Research Laboratory, set up in partnership with NTU.
Apart from his research work, Teck Keong has served on the Recreation Committee twice, once as a member in 1992, and as Secretary in 2002. He has also been an active student mentor since 1995, and is now supporting the Young Defence Scientists Programme (YDSP).
In recognition of his technical expertise and contributions, the Singapore Polytechnic alumnus was promoted to SMTS in 1999, and to PMTS in 2003. What is perhaps more impressive is that he was conferred his PMTS title even before he completed earning his Bachelor’s degree.
On his journey of rising through the ranks of DSO’s technical career ladder, from a TO to PMTS, Teck Keong says: “The personal drive for innovative work and seeking out new things, coupled with the support of great team-mates and supervisors, is probably what propelled my career at DSO.”
Teck Keong’s decision to further his studies beyond the polytechnic level was less about career development, and more about fulfilling a long-term personal goal.
“I had all along wanted to further my technical education and was looking for an opportunity to upgrade myself at my own pace,” adds Teck Keong.
It was important to him to embark on his studies at the right time, and at a speed he felt comfortable with. Thus in 2000, he opted to self-fund his own studies, and enrolled in a part-time undergraduate degree course with the Open University of the United Kingdom.
The course was facilitated by the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), which would eventually take over the course. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Technology and Electronics from SIM University in 2006.
“It was an exhilarating period,” Teck Keong remembers. “Surviving studying for a part-time degree is all about time management, balancing studies, work and families.”
He adds that one of the most challenging periods of study was during the final year project (FYP).
“I spent a fair bit of time researching my FYP and implementing it. This part of the work was usually done at night or over the weekends. I recall reading and surfing the Internet into the wee hours of the morning. My family thought I was operating some shady business, since I always surfed the Internet while everyone was fast asleep!” he says with a laugh.
The undergraduate course enabled Teck Keong to dabble in new topics such as laser technology, fibre optics and data network infrastructure, as well as pick up object-oriented software programming skills. “Through my studies, I could reflect on topics that were either taught at the polytechnic level years back, or understand in-depth, subjects newly acquired at the university level.”
A supporter of continual learning, Teck Keong says it is important to constantly upgrade oneself through both formal and informal means. His next goal is to continue his studies at the Masters level.
“A university education does train you to think critically in defining problems, and to ask the right questions to a problem on hand,” he says.
Teck Keong hopes to keep on learning and striving, whether through his own attempts at further education, or through the exciting challenges posed to him by his work, day to day.
“Over the years, I have been in the company of very good colleagues, and the team and I have been presented with interesting work challenges from the organisation. I seldom go home without thinking of what is in store for me and the team the next day,” he quips.