CYSummit Recap: How Can Youths Thrive In Singapore’s Digital Landscape?

Technology is an integral part of our lives, and it is constantly evolving and transforming the way we live, work and play. For youths in Singapore, technology offers a plethora of opportunities and challenges, as well as a platform for learning, innovation and growth. 

On 5 June 2023, Cyber Youth Singapore (CYS), a digital focused youth non-governmental agency held a summit to foster 2-way conversations between panellists and Singapore youths. Workshops on Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Computing were also held.

Presented by prominent partners like United Overseas Bank (UOB), The Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS), CYSummit 2023 was undoubtedly a fruitful one. Let’s recap the topics that were put into the spotlight and discuss what’s important for Singapore youths in today’s society.

This Article was written in partnership with Cyber Youth Singapore.

YouthxIndustry

To kick off the summit, YouthxIndustry, a day-long career development festival connecting youths and industry professionals was launched. It employs a fresh take on mentorship by condensing the often long process and monitoring into short bursts of advice.

Through what CYS calls “speed-mentorship”, participants were given the opportunity to share their CVs and resumes to representatives from participating organisations like UOB, ST Engineering and Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies (CSIT).

Through this sharing, participants gained personalised guidance and insights into what the technology sector is looking for, as well as forge connections with the representatives.

This innovative approach to mentorship is especially relevant in Singapore’s competitive job market, where employers are looking for candidates with not only the right skills, but also the right fit and attitude.

Therefore, it is important for youths to stay updated and relevant in their chosen fields, and seek guidance from experienced mentors who can help them navigate the challenges and opportunities in the industry. 

By seeking CV advice and feedback, the mentors can help the youths to showcase their strengths and achievements, and increase their chances of landing their dream jobs.

YouthxWorkshops

The next main event is the morning YouthxWorkshops series. These workshops are designed to help youths gain valuable knowledge and skills in the tech industry, offering bite-sized knowledge and tips to increase exposure to the latest developments in the field. 

Some of the topics covered by the workshops include:

• Cybersecurity: Learn how to protect yourself and your organisation from cyber threats and attacks, and explore the career opportunities in this dynamic field.

• Banking and Finance: Discover how technology has revolutionised the banking and financial services industry, enhancing customer experiences and optimising traditional practices.

• Law and Technology: Understand the intricate interplay between law and technology, and how the legal profession can adapt to navigate the ever-changing digital space.

• Consulting: Find out how consulting serves as a catalyst for personal growth and professional development, offering a unique blend of strategic thinking, problem-solving and collaboration.

Upskilling is essential for youths who want to stay relevant and competitive in the fast-changing world of work. Technology is constantly evolving and creating new opportunities and challenges for various sectors and professions. 

By upskilling, youths can acquire the latest knowledge and skills that are in demand by employers, and enhance their career prospects and employability. Upskilling also allows youths to explore their interests and passions, and discover new possibilities for personal and professional growth. 

Singapore is a global hub for innovation and technology, and offers many resources and platforms for youths to upskill and reskill. The YouthxWorkshops series is one such example, where youths can learn from industry experts and practitioners, and gain valuable insights and tips on how to succeed in the tech industry.

YouthxForum

The first forum of the day was presented by ST engineering, on the topic of training the next generation of Cyber Defenders. As the world becomes more digital, we need more competent cyber defenders to protect our online systems. 

With ST Engineering being a leader in various domains and capabilities, it offers a unique platform for youth to improve their skills and gain valuable experience across different domains and use cases. 

Cyber defence is especially important for Singapore, as it is a small but highly connected nation that relies on digital technologies for its economic and social development.

On this note, representatives from The Digital and Intelligence Services (DIS), the new branch of the Singapore Armed Forces also gave a presentation about the need for the creation of this new branch of the military, as well as the job scopes they cover.

To thrive in the current digital landscape, youths should have good digital security practices like setting good passwords, and be aware of new exploits and scam attempts.

Conclusion

CYSummit 2023 was a successful and enriching event that brought together youths and industry professionals to share and learn about the latest developments and opportunities in the tech industry. The summit offered various activities and platforms for youths to gain valuable knowledge and skills, as well as to network and connect with mentors and peers.

The summit also highlighted the importance of technology for Singapore’s future, and how youths can play a vital role in shaping and contributing to the nation’s digital transformation. 

Technology is an integral part of our lives, and it is constantly evolving and transforming the way we live, work and play. Therefore, it is essential for youths to stay updated and relevant in their chosen fields, and seek guidance from experienced mentors who can help them navigate the challenges and opportunities in the industry.