Gen Z Speaks: As a graduate of the ‘Class of Covid’, trying to start my career mid-pandemic was rough. But I never lost hope

I graduated with a degree in life science in June 2020.
Upon completing our final semester two months earlier, my batchmates and I felt that that we had “graduated at the worst possible time” amid a raging Covid-19 pandemic. 
When we looked for encouragement from others around us — our parents and our seniors, for example — they too painted a pretty bleak picture.  
Despite the widespread cynicism, I remained optimistic and went for my first few job interviews with hopeful anticipation. 
However, my optimism was soon dulled by a series of rejections, before responses dried up altogether. 
After applying to over 40 jobs to no avail, my job search was turning into a fruitless journey to nowhere. 
As my friends started securing job offers, we would have online get-togethers to celebrate. 
I made sure to keep a smile and congratulate their success. But deep down, I had doubts and fears about the uncertainty of my own career.
I understood that everyone has their own struggles, and could not help wondering: “When will it be my turn? Am I not good enough?”
Soon, these thoughts morphed into growing pressure to meet expectations. 
Whenever my parents asked about my job search out of concern, I would deflect with a vague, brief response like: “Yes, finding” to avoid seeing their faces fall with disappointment.
I decided to take on a temporary job at a supermarket chain in May 2020 where I was tasked to man the temperature-taking and TraceTogether stations as well as handle inventory stock. 
While working in the supermarket, I met people from all walks of life and observed how the pandemic disrupted and affected their lives. 
This reminded me of the drive I had during my undergraduate days and my desire to help people.
Eventually, I embarked on a nine-month SGUnited Traineeship Programme at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), where I was part of a research team that was designing a novel ART kit to detect Covid-19 infection. At the time, I supported the team by running experiments to determine the accuracy of the kit. 
Like my stint working in the supermarket, this had not been in my original plans. But while I continued with my job search, working in a lab setting allowed me to strengthen my skills in conducting scientific research and data analysis. 
In 2021, I saw a job opening posted by an acquaintance on LinkedIn for a clinical research coordinator role at the National University Hospital.  While it was not a profession I was familiar with, it was a research-related role that opened a new area of possibility for my career.
After months of dismay, I did not dare set any expectations or raise my hopes even though I secured an interview. Imagine my surprise and relief when, after several weeks, I got a call-back — and then, finally, a job offer! 
When I started work in May 2021, the hospitals were still stretched thin by the ongoing pandemic. 
My first two weeks of training and orientation were a delicate balancing act of learning the ropes of my new role while also stepping up to fill urgent gaps. 
It was overwhelming at first as I had no idea what to expect each day. 
Before this job, I’d felt drawn to healthcare research because I thought I could make a difference for patients, but I soon found that facing the reality on the ground was a test of resilience. 
One of my first tasks was to approach clinic patients to participate in a research survey, but I was again faced with waves of rejection. 
Putting my discouragement aside, I consulted senior colleagues for advice and got helpful tips such as first building rapport with nurses. 
The more I interacted with patients, the more I realised how much my earlier stint at the supermarket had helped me to develop a more mature and resilient mindset. 
It prepared me to walk the tricky tightrope of addressing patients’ anxieties and handling instances of frustration and unintentional harshness with care and empathy.
Some patients would break down under the stresses of their difficult health journeys. 
It took me a while, but I now understand that most of the time, these patients are not seeking solutions but rather a safe space to share and release pent-up emotions. 
Most people are comforted just to know that someone is willing to listen and care.
Over the past year, I have been managing a dermatology research study on the care experience of over 1,000 patients being treated for chronic eczema and psoriasis. 
My job requires me to multi-task — from checking patient recruitment and research data documents to obtaining regulatory approval and honing my communication skills with stakeholders. 
Thankfully, I found the skills I’d picked up in my part-time gigs coming in handy yet again. These include planning my time effectively, which made the steep learning curve easier to tackle.
Our hard work paid off when findings from the study were published in the reputable journal JAMA Dermatology last year.  
In March, I even got the chance to present our research findings at a dermatology conference in San Diego, United States. 
The unexpected honour made me think back to where I was just a few years ago, feeling trapped and despondent in the face of stagnation. 
From over 40 job rejections to now being picked to represent my work organisation overseas in a big conference — I could hardly believe how far I’ve come in such a short time. 
Four years ago, the phrase “things will get better” uttered by well-meaning peers and family felt, at times, empty and cursory amid the struggles I faced. 
But I’m glad that I never gave up.
This year, I received the Distinguished Contributor Award for clinical research coordinators, an award given out by the Singapore Clinical Research Institute. 
Being on stage alongside other awardees who are much more experienced veterans, I felt small, but also immensely grateful for this affirmation early in my career. 
While I still have a considerable way to go, I find myself more determined than ever to give my best in the years ahead.
I am now pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Health at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. 
These days, when my friends and I meet up in person, we sometimes look back together on the various difficulties we pushed through in the pandemic. 
While each of our original plans may have been diverted or even derailed, we refuse to be disheartened.
To youths facing similar struggles now: Stay open to unexpected opportunities. 
Each setback is a stepping stone to grow and to build experience, skills and resilience for what’s to come. 
With determination and a little luck, each one of us will find ourselves on the right path for us, even if it’s not the one we’d originally planned for ourselves.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nur Qasrina Iskandar Lim, 27, is a clinical research coordinator at the Department of Medicine at the National University Hospital. She recently received the Distinguished Contributor Award for Clinical Research Coordinators (Finalist Award) for her commitment and significant contributions to clinical research that can achieve better outcomes for patients.