Ready for the future

Some of our Tanglin graduates come back as Tanglin interns. Why did they decide to intern at their alma mater and what did they gain from it? In this segment, we catch up with Mina Sockett (2021 Cohort) who interned in the Maths department at the Senior School.

What’s your Tanglin story?
I’m currently in my second year studying Biochemistry at the University of Manchester. I joined Tanglin in Year 1 and stayed until I graduated in Year 13 (aside from 18 months in Australia).

What inspired you to join as a Tanglin intern?
I have always enjoyed teaching and helping people better understand the subjects I enjoy from helping my younger sisters with their homework to helping kids with their home-based learning during Covid or preparing them for their exams. Because of this, I thought the internship would be something I would really enjoy and give me a chance to get some professional work experience. 

How does the internship benefit Tanglin graduates like you?
I think this internship gives you a good insight into teaching and a better appreciation for all the work that happens in the background around classes. I also found teaching gives you a unique opportunity to improve your communication of possibly difficult complex content in a much simpler manner so it is more accessible to others, a useful skill for any field in the future. 

What was it like working at Tanglin? 
In general, I really enjoyed working with the children in class. They were all really welcoming to the help I could provide and very friendly so I really liked all the activities I got to take part in like classroom scavenger hunts or work on the whiteboards. I also really enjoyed being able to go back to a subject (maths) which I really enjoyed in school but don’t have as much exposure to now in my degree. 

How did Tanglin prepare you for life beyond school?
I think Tanglin prepares you well for the work aspect of university, providing its students with a good work ethic and study skills which will help them keep up with all the assignments, lectures and tutorials. 

What are your future plans?
First I have another couple years on my course to get my degree in Manchester but after that I’m not sure, I am looking into possibly studying a master’s but with the end goal of entering the pharmaceutical industry or general research and development lab work. 

Want to read more stories about the Tanglin graduates who interned at their alma mater during term 1? Then click here to read The Voice issue 38.