We're curious - How is NYP's Diploma in Information Technology (DIT) relevant for pursuing a Computer Science degree and a career in tech?

When I first enrolled in NYP DIT, I honestly wasn’t 100% sure what path I wanted to take. I was curious about how software worked and loved building things with code.

With the diploma, I could try out the different areas of technology and find out what I enjoy – from web and mobile app development, to cybersecurity and data analytics. It wasn’t just textbook learning either: my classmates and I constantly worked on hands-on projects and assignments that mimicked real-world scenarios, which helped me build a portfolio I could show to universities and future employers.

I chose to specialise in AI in my third year, and found it to be exciting. So, I confirmed my interest in pursuing a degree in Computer Science, and aspired to have a career in technology – maybe an AI tech entrepreneur, AI product/project manager, or AI/ML engineer.

It was then that I realised how much of a head start NYP's DIT had given me. By then, I am already familiar with concepts like programming logic, databases, and software engineering principles - my groundwork has been set.

Beyond academics, the course trained me to think like a developer. How should I troubleshoot, how do I learn new tech quickly, and how do I work in teams? In the tech world, soft skills matter just as much as hard ones.

This course made me well-prepared for some of the courses at university, especially coding and software engineering. I also use some of the technologies I picked up in poly, like React and SQL, to build my personal and university projects. 

Most importantly, DIT taught me skills like design thinking, problem-solving, and critical thinking – and how to articulate these into how I could brand myself and successfully pitch proposals. Since we had to present every project, I gradually overcame my fear of public speaking by preparing scripts to improve the presentation flow and cater to possible questions during Q&A sessions. 

Although I still feel the jitters occasionally, I feel a lot more comfortable and confident now. In fact, I recently returned to NYP as a panellist to share some of my experiences with my juniors! I'm glad to be able to progress to a university of my chance and acquire a scholarship offer, so that I'm one step closer to my career goals.

We're glad you enjoyed your experience at NYP. Was NYP DIT your first choice? What considerations did you make when choosing courses to apply for?

I considered factors such as:

• genuine interest & aptitude (could I see myself working in this field?), 
• whether the course/polytechnic can help me achieve my goal (university/ career), and 
• whether I have something to show for (do I have past experience/portfolio in this area?)

Other consideration points included the strong industrial partnerships that NYP's School of Information Technology has established, how NYP students have excelled in competitions like WorldSkills, and the innovative and enterprising environment. Also, the campus is close to home, so I save time from travelling!

Although NYP DIT was my second choice at EAE, I am glad to have met some of my closest friends here. The lecturers are kind, helpful, and knowledgeable!

Were there any NYP lecturers or mentors who played a significant role in your success? How did they guide or inspire you?

Ms Jasmine Ng and Ms Joanne Foo helped me greatly with my university & scholarship applications. Without their appraisal, I might not have received my university scholarship. Ms Jasmine kept in touch with me even after graduation, inviting me for the recent SCS WIT x NYP SIT event!

What advice would you give to prospective students considering a polytechnic pathway?

Go for it! I had the most fun during polytechnic out of all the institutions I attended. If you are applying through EAE, show your passion. Even small projects could show your passion. During my NYP EAE interview, I showed the lecturers a small web app that I built.

With the PCM fully integrated into DIT, I can see how you'd would be even more well-prepared for university or their career. Instead of learning skills in isolation, students now tackle integrated projects and real-world problems from the very start. That’s something I appreciate, because in the real world, problems don’t come neatly labelled as “Week 3: Java” or “Semester 2: SQL.” You need to know how to connect everything, and I think PCM does a great job preparing students for that. If I had the chance to go through the current curriculum, I think it would have accelerated my growth and given me more confidence when stepping into internships or taking on freelance work. 

In fact, you'll be getting valuable learning experiences that mirror the pace and complexity of the tech world.