Contributed by Sim En Qi
3rd Year Undergraduate in Psychology and Linguistics & Multilingual Studies, Nanyang Technological University
My Journey with Communications & Engagement
If I were to summarise my internship experience in a phrase, it would be “an empowering and inspiring journey that serves as an impetus for positive change in healthcare”.
My three-month internship (from May to July 2023) with the Communications & Engagement (C&E) team (previously known as Communications, Outreach, Patient Experience & Design (COPED)) at MOH Office for Healthcare Transformation (MOHT) was an enriching journey filled with cheers, challenges and invaluable lessons. In this blog post, I will share my internship experience, the projects I contributed to, and the insights and skills acquired during my stint at the MOHT.
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From left: En Qi, Kimberly, Michelle, Hwee Ting, Si Jie and Danny at D4I 3 Community Showcase
Design4Impact 3: A Glimpse into Innovation
Design4Impact (D4I) is an open innovation platform where social-minded innovators co-create sustainable community-owned solutions for health and social challenges faced in Singapore. I was working closely with grassroots leaders and key community partners during the D4I Pitch Day and Community Showcase, facilitating the implementation of projects for the D4I winning teams, and offering support in their piloting efforts. This experience honed my people and project management skills, and taught me the importance of cross-team collaboration and effective communication.
At the D4I incubation workshop, I conducted a sharing session, presenting insights derived from the analysis of findings from the D4I Community of Practice soft launch to the organising committee. While it was a stressful experience, my communication skills definitely improved, and I was exposed to design thinking capabilities to generate ideas and concepts. Furthermore, as part of my flagship internship project, I supported the implementation of a reverse job fair. This event facilitated the matching of employers to persons with intellectual disabilities based on their strength and abilities. The D4I journey was definitely an eye-opener, and I thoroughly enjoyed the innovative solutions from the D4I teams to uplift vulnerable families in Singapore.
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Marketing & Communications Projects: A Heart Behind Every Story
One of my primary responsibilities was to support MOHT’s marketing and communications efforts. This involved designing collaterals, compiling media coverage articles, and liaising with stakeholders. I was initially worried that I could not bring much to the table, but subsequently learnt that excelling in this field required more than just the technical know-how — it is also about the heart — an individual’s passion and enthusiasm that shine through one’s own communicative abilities. I am extremely fortunate to have met people who are passionate about the work that they do and I am grateful to have had the experience in this fast-paced and ever-evolving field.
MOHT Website Analysis: A Dive into Digital Dashboards and Data Analytics
Another project that I worked on was the creation of digital dashboards to analyse MOHT’s website performance. I remembered being apprehensive about the task as I was unfamiliar with metrics and terminologies like “landing pages”, “data streams” and “bounce rate”. However, I decided to be proactive in my learning and started researching extensively on data visualisation, watching instructional videos, familiarising myself with Business Intelligence (BI) tools and various testing insights. Eventually, I developed proficiency in tools like Google Analytics 4 and Google Looker Studio.
With time, my knowledge grew, leading me to assess areas for improvement and recommendations for increased online optimisation and engagement. I also developed a holistic understanding of user trends, audience behaviour and interaction across MOHT’s website. To deepen my knowledge and consolidate my skills, I completed a Google Analytics 4 certification course. This was a meaningful experience as I acquired new skills and capabilities.
Photo taken at ‘Beyond The Limits’ — Disability Awareness Games Carnival in Boon Lay
The End of a Chapter: Final Musings and A Heartfelt Thank You
My internship with C&E has been a fruitful journey, fostering personal growth, self-discovery, and the cultivation of meaningful relationships. It also deepened my understanding of key challenges in the healthcare sector, inspiring a continued commitment to contribute to the enhancement of our public health system. This internship has empowered me to become a more confident and resilient individual who is ready to take on hard-knocks and opportunities that lie ahead. I am grateful and look forward to embracing the future with gratitude, passion and a deep sense of purpose.
C&E at the launch of MINDS Hub @ Bukit Batok
To Hwee Ting, Danny, Si Jie, Kimberly and Michelle… Thank you for your mentorship, guidance and constant encouragement. Your collective effort and support made my internship an enjoyable one, and I will definitely miss the convivial atmosphere, weekly huddles and the many conversations that we shared.
To all future interns… Never stop learning and growing! Seek knowledge, explore new interests and challenge yourself to step outside of your comfort zone. Remember that growth is a lifelong journey, and every experience, whether big or small, will teach you something valuable!