Job Shadowing & Internships

Clayton Oliver Wibowo (centre) 

Class of 2027

Published with permission from Singapore National Eye Centre

"​As I wrapped up my internship at the Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) under Dr. Marcus Ang, Head and Senior Consultant of the Corneal and External Eye Disease and Refractive Surgery Departments at SNEC, I reflected on more than two weeks filled with remarkable experiences and invaluable lessons in the field of eye care. Walking back and forth between buildings, I was hit by a powerful sense of wonder and amazement at Singapore’s healthcare infrastructure. There was hustle and bustle in every corner of every room, with patients, doctors, and other staff all talking and carrying out important tasks at once.

​I observed that most of the patients waiting were elderly. However, I noticed an outlier the moment I entered the waiting room: a seemingly teenage or young adult boy staring into space near the far corner of the room. When I asked Dr. Ang about the young man, he brushed it off and returned to his work. Within that hour, he ushered the nurses and the attending consultant into a neighbouring room as the young man stumbled in with his family members behind him. Dr. Marcus closed the sliding door, and everything was tense and silent for what felt like an hour. Eventually, he slid it back open, and the patient, his family, and the nurse emerged, while Dr. Marcus looked noticeably worse for wear.

When I asked what had happened, Dr. Ang explained that the patient was a 27-year-old man with severe autism. He had a severe eye infection in both eyes that had already led to near total blindness. Dr. Ang added that he would have to examine his eyes under general anaesthesia as the patient was uncooperative. I was shaken and enlightened by the realisation that medicine is never as simple as prescribing the right medication; one must understand people and their struggles to treat them effectively.

I saw more of Dr. Ang’s skills when he performed a very complex lens transplant involving ultrasound in a procedure known as phacoemulsification. In this procedure, a small incision is made under the eye, and a device I later learnt was a sonic instrument capable of emulsifying the lens is inserted, with blood being suctioned out by the assisting surgeons. “I think I did a pretty good job,” said Dr. Ang. However, nothing in medicine is ever that simple, as I noted many times over my internship. Moments later, the lens he had implanted ended up upside down, and a lengthy lens flipping procedure had to follow.

Throughout my time at SNEC, I learnt about various diagnostic tools used in eye care. We utilised specular microscopy to assess corneal health and monitor cell counts after transplants. It was fascinating to see how these technologies help me understand conditions such as glaucoma, which can cause inflammation and complicate treatment.

One memorable incident involved a patient who had just undergone corneal surgery. Unfortunately, his contact lens fell out after the procedure, leading to significant discomfort since the lens was meant to alleviate pain during recovery. This required the resident assisting Dr. Marcus to use a specular microscope to help replant a new contact lens. This lengthy and drawn-out process left a deep impression on me, particularly respect for the doctor’s care and the blessings of technology in modern medicine.

I learnt not just technical details, but also matters related to eyesight surgery and other practical skills. A significant topic of discussion during my internship, and the source of many questions from me to the clinic staff, was the difference between two popular vision correction surgeries. I noted that SMILE, or Small Incision Lenticule Extraction, is less invasive, requiring only a small incision of about 3.8 mm to remove a lenticule from within the cornea. This flapless approach generally results in quicker healing and less risk of dry eye symptoms post surgery. LASIK, on the other hand, involves creating a larger corneal flap of approximately 20 mm, which can lead to dry eye. I also learnt how doctors must demonstrate care. They have a special responsibility to remain focused on providing healthcare while staying connected with the patient, avoiding situations where they may seem detached or uncaring.

In conclusion, my internship at SNEC was an enlightening experience that deepened my appreciation for the scientific and humanistic aspects of eye care. The lessons learnt there will undoubtedly shape my future endeavours in medicine and remind me that it must always be practised with compassion, understanding, and a commitment to patient well-being."

Jayden Christian Budiman (centre) 

Class of 2026

Published with permission from Bonnie Kwok LLC

"​During the March holidays in 2025, I had the privilege of job shadowing at Bonnie Kwok LLC, a boutique law firm that specialises in traffic related accidents. I was motivated to undertake this experience because of my extensive background in speech and debate, academic writing, and the humanities; consequently, I have long aspired to pursue law as a future career.

Throughout my time at the firm, I was entrusted with a range of tasks, from recording firm transactions to drafting court documents and researching legal precedents. I was given a genuine insight into the everyday responsibilities of a lawyer. My favourite part of the shadowing period, however, was visiting the State Courts to observe a real life settlement process. It was incredibly fascinating to witness how lawyers meticulously negotiated for favourable outcomes on behalf of their clients.

Following this experience, I have further solidified my decision to study law at university. I also developed and strengthened many of the qualities required to succeed in this field, including flexibility, meticulousness, and a deep commitment to justice."

Zhou Suxi (left) 

Class of 2026

Published with permission from InCorp Singapore

"I am very grateful for this job shadowing experience at InCorp Singapore, where I gained so much insight into the different positions in the corporate world. The staff were friendly and supportive; we had many meaningful conversations, which helped clarify my career aspirations for the future. During the attachment, I was also assigned several hands on tasks, which made me more familiar with Excel, as well as handling data. These three days were truly fruitful and meaningful."

Nathan Tjhe (left) 

Class of 2026

Published with permission from Mewah Group

"Shadowing at Mewah Group was an invaluable opportunity for me! It allowed me to learn the interplay of the interconnected nature of each department. Starting from the Production process, Marketing techniques, Logistics and Purchasing, to even Quality Assurance. This experience taught me the overall structure of a business and how I should structure my corporation in the future to achieve success."