CAOnversations with Phillip Tan: Guiding Careers with a Personal Touch

Phillip Tan, the dedicated career coach for the School of Social Sciences (SSS) at NTU, has been with the Career & Attachment Office (CAO) since December 2021. With a background in Human Resources and a Master's in Psychology, Phillip brings a unique blend of expertise and empathy to his role, helping students navigate their academic and professional journeys.

Through CAOnversations, we gain insights into the lives and motivations of various stakeholders, including colleagues, alumni, employers, students, and their unique approaches to career guidance.

The Symbolic Spectacles and Frog Mascot

Phillip’s distinctive pair of glasses, featuring one square-shaped and another circle-shaped lens, is more than just a quirky fashion choice. “My glasses represent my students. I want them to know: no matter who you are, I won’t judge you. You can be a circle or a square. As long as you come to see me, I’ll help you,” he explains.

In addition to his symbolic spectacles, Phillip has adopted a frog mascot, inspired by a TikTok trend and the Jinro Frog. “I wanted to capture my students’ attention positively and tell them, ‘Come and hop by my office.’ for a conversation about your academic interests or career aspirations,” Phillip shares. He even gives out frog keychains to SSS students who visit him, encouraging them to invite others to seek his advice.

A Day in the Life of a Career Coach

Phillip’s day is packed with activities aimed at supporting students. From interactions on the Social Science career coaching Telegram channel to interview preparations, Phillip’s commitment to his students is unwavering. He creates a welcoming environment with tidbits like Super Rings and goodie bags to foster open conversations about career goals and academic challenges.

“Building relationships with students is crucial,” Phillip notes. “I want to create a sanctuary where they feel comfortable discussing anything, from their FYP topics to the modules that might kickstart their dream careers.”

Educational Background and Motivation

Phillip’s journey to NTU’s CAO was driven by a desire to address career planning issues at their root. “Back in 2017, I helped pioneer a centre to coach unemployed Singaporeans and PRs, and those going through a career switch. I detected a common trend: many mid-career switchers were actually unemployed because they didn’t plan their careers well while in school and even after graduation.?To tackle the fundamental problem, I decided to work directly with students at the school level, and that’s how I ended up at NTU,” he explains.

Career Advice and Strategies

Phillip is a strong advocate of using Bloom’s Taxonomy for career planning. “The concept helps students understand and apply their knowledge to create value. For those who want to bulletproof their career, it’s essential to evaluate the modules they study, the market they wish to enter, and create corresponding value,” he advises.

He also encourages students to engage in self-reflection using Socratic questioning. “Look in the mirror and ask, ‘If I’m not you, then who am I?’ This helps them discover their values and interests, leading to career paths that match their liking.”

Unique Services and Memorable Success Stories

One of the unique services Phillip offers is a weekly self-assessment workout as part of the SODA framework , helping students identify their key skills and areas for improvement. He emphasises that career coaching is a journey of gradual self-internalisation, not just a one-time meeting.

Phillip’s dedication has led to many success stories, including a notable one involving a sociology graduate, Wan Er Chua . “Nobody expected her to land one of the most coveted jobs in the market, given her background as a Sociology student. Yet, she managed to secure a position as an Assistant Director at the Ministry of Trade and Industry. We had many conversations, fine-tuned her CVs, and prepared her for interviews. Now, she’s paying it forward by sharing her experiences with current students,” he proudly recounts.

Fun Fact

Phillip stopped celebrating his birthday at age 18 and instead dedicated his time to charity work. “I decided to pay it forward to society, doing things like cooking for 1,000 people at Willing Hearts and packing supplies for those in need,” he shares.

Through his empathetic approach and dedication to student success, Phillip significantly impacts the career readiness of NTU students.