Career of the Week - Doctor

Doctor

Relevant degrees: Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Medicine, BSc Medical Biochemistry, Bachelor of Surgery, Master of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine

Some suggested universities: UBD Brunei, University of Queensland Australia, University of Otago New Zealand, University of Calgary Canada, University of Newcastle Australia, University of Glasgow UK

(Image courtesy of http://www.palisadespost.com/storyphotos/doctor_11.jpg)

Admission requirements: AAB in any science-related subjects (in UK). Interestingly, universities in Australia such as Uni of Newcastle accepts those who do not even have science-related subjects during their A levels!

Duration of study: 4 - 7 years (full time)

Testimonial:
"Like any other occupation, working as doctors has its own pros and cons. Some of the vital benefits that this career offer include having the opportunity to improve people's life physically and emotionally and feel good when patients get better. This career is a worldwide commodity so we are able to work anywhere and obtain different life experiences. However, the challenges that goes alone with this career are numerous. One, it requires long period of training which involves ample amount of stress due to ongoing assessments, tests and exams. It involves lifelong learning that requires a lot of motivation, determination and practice. At some times, we can be overworked, undervalued, underpaid and feel helpless when it comes to death and other social issues. We enjoy this career so much that we just cannot imagine ourselves doing anything better!"

From two of our dedicated doctors in Brunei (University of Otago, New Zealand alumni)

Career of the Week - Speech Language Therapist / Speech Pathologist

Known in the UK is speech language therapists and elsewhere in the world as speech pathologists, we are allied health professionals who are trained to assess, diagnose and treat adults or children with difficulties in speech communication, voice and swallowing. Besides assessment and intervention, SLTs also provide some counselling, advice and information for families and caregivers.

What kinds of clients are referred to us?

Adults and children are referred to the SLTs for intervention in the following problems:

- Speech-Difficulties pronouncing words

- Language and/or learning-Difficulties understanding and using spoken or written words

- Voice-Problems with voice fatigue or hoarseness

- Swallowing and feeding-Problems arise secondary to strokes or other neurological conditions

- Hearing loss - Hearing impaired children or adults with speech and language difficulties

The SLTs provide paediatric services for children who have speech delay or other developmental disorders such as a learning disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Down Syndrome. Paediatric feeding assessments and intervention are conducted on children as young as one or two months for conditions such as a Cerebral Palsy, Cleft lip and/or palate, global developmental delays.

The SLTs also provide adult rehabilitation services for adults who experience swallowing and/or language problems secondary to a stroke or other neurological disorders. Typical problems encountered in Brunei are dysphagia, aphasia, dysarthria and apraxia of speech.

Manpower

In Brunei Darussalam, we currently have five speech language therapists (SLTs) working under the Ministry of Health (huge focus on clinical setting) and one SLT under Ministry of Education (focus is in education). These SLTs are placed in different settings to accommodate the increasing case load in Brunei.

Scope of work

The MoE SLT works alongside class teachers, special needs teachers as well as parents to assist students with speech and/or learning difficulties. This is essential to maximize his/her potential within a school setting. The MoE SLT is also involved in individualizing a specific education plan for students.

The MoH SLTs work in hospital settings, playgroup centres and the Child Development Centre. Currently, there is one SLT who covers KB and Tutong hospital. Visiting SLT services to Temburong are conducted once every the three months.

Relevant degrees

Bachelor of Science in Speech Therapy and Pathology, Bachelor of Speech Pathology, Masters of Speech Pathology Studies

For potential students interested in pursuing a career in speech language therapy, please make sure that the degree is relevant to the profession and accredited by the Ministry of Education.

Universities

United Kingdom- University of Reading, University of Sheffield, Newcastle University

Australia- University of Queensland, LaTrobe University

For potential students interested in pursuing a career in speech language therapy, please make sure that the University that you are applying to is accredited by the Ministry of Education.

How to contact us

We are located in the:

Speech Language Therapy Clinic

3^rd Floor

Specialist Clinic Block

RIPAS Hospital

You can also call us at 2232111 ext 4201/4203/4204 for more information, or should you have any questions.

For potential students interested in pursuing a career in speech language therapy, make contact with us and arrange for a week’s attachment so you can see what speech therapy is like “from the inside”!

Images Courtesy of and Written by one of the speech pathologists in RIPAS Hospital, Brunei

Career of the Week - System Analyst

System Analyst
Image Courtesy of http://camosun.ca/learn/programs/csacc/index.html

Relevant degrees: Bachelor of Science, BSc Computer Science

Universities:
Brunei: UBD,
Australia: University of Queensland,
New Zealand: University of Auckland, University of Otago
UK: University of Glasgow, University of Bradford, and many more

Recommended A level entry requirements:
For UBD, you need to get 160 Tariff points for 2 A level credits and a minimum of grade C 6 for English O level or a grade C in IGCSE English or a 6.0 for IELTS
For other universities in overseas, you need to get a B for Maths A level with other science related subjects. Some prefer a CCC for relevant subjects. Computing in A level is an advantage.

Duration of study: 3 - 4 years

Work Placement in Brunei: System analysts are needed in many ministries and private companies such Ministry of Finance, RBA, BAG Networks, banks for example TAIB, HSBC etc

Testimonial:
"A system analyst is responsible for coming up with a solution that meet an organisation's business requirement. Analytical and technical skills are the few abilities that are required to be a good system analyst. They must be able to interact with their clients, designers, developers and testing teams throughout the project and for some, ensuring resources are well managed can also be a common activity for such system analyst."

System Analyst

Career of the Week - Chemical Engineer

"Career of the Week" section provides you a better picture on careers that you might consider pursue in the future.

It comprises the description of the job, relevant degree courses that you can take after A level, universities that offer certain courses, recommended entry requirements and the duration of study. Suggested work placements will also be included here so that you can get some slight ideas on your whereabouts and your working atmosphere. We will update you preferably every week. In every end of this section, we will present you testimonial(s) from those people who are currently working on the job.

We will start off with "Chemical Engineer" because we noticed that quite a number of you want to be an engineer without knowing that there is a wide range of engineering-related careers out there.

Image Courtesy of www.ceac.aston.ac.uk
Chemical Engineer

Relevant Degrees: BSc Chemical Engineering, BEng Chemical Engineering

Universities:
Brunei - ITB
Australia - University of Melbourne, University of New South Wales, University of Sydney,
Canada - McGill University,
New Zealand - University of Auckland,
Singapore - Nanyang Technological University,
UK - Imperial College London, University of Nottingham, University College London

Recommended A-level entry requirements: ABB - BBB (Maths/Chemistry/Physics (or else Physics O level))

Duration of study: 3-4 years

Work placements in Brunei: BSP, BLNG

Testimonial:

"I've worked as a Technologist in an LNG plant for the past 10 years. The plant treats and liquefies raw natural gas to become LNG that can be shipped to customers overseas. One major part of the job is to provide daily technical support to operations such as performance monitoring and troubleshooting of problem areas. Technical support for projects is also another major aspect. Being a chemical engineer, it is important to understand how a particular unit or a system operates. Having a keen eye for detail and an inquisitive mind are also beneficial especially when conducting performance monitoring or doing troubleshooting. Making use of these skills in a challenging job is one of main benefits. The main challenges as a chemical engineer include obtaining the correct data needed and critically analysing the data. Having good interpersonal skills is also very important especially when dealing with people from different departments at all levels."

Chemical Engineer, BLNG

Radiation Therapist

The Radiation Therapist is an essential member of the Radiation Oncology team who primarily functions in a specialized area of radiation therapy technology in the role of direct patient care provider in the Department of Radiation Oncology. Scope of position is defined by the Medical Radiological Technology Act of the State of Texas, the American Registry of Radiological Technologists, and the standards of Radiation Therapy. The Radiation Therapist is responsible for the performance of all duties relating to the administration of a prescribed course of Radiation Therapy. The Radiation Therapist must be able to understand and carry out complex medical prescriptions and be able to work under pressure. Furthermore, the Radiation Therapist must be able to communicate verbally in a clear and concise manner to personnel, patients, and physicians, and be task and detail oriented. Most importantly, the Radiation Therapist provides quality patient care in relation to the patient's prescribed diagnosis, treatment, age group, development, and other identified needs.

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Cryptanalyst

A person expert in analyzing and breaking codes and cyphers

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Ecologist

Ecologists are concerned with the relationships between organisms, and between organisms and their environment and carry out a wide range of tasks depending on their specialist knowledge (e.g. freshwater, marine, terrestrial, fauna, flora, etc.). When starting out, ecologists often conduct surveys, identifying, recording and monitoring habitats. Work becomes more wide-ranging, depending on how careers progress, with senior ecologists being generally more involved in policy, appraisal and interpretation work.

The work supports compliance with European and UK environmental legislation and the UK Biodiversity Action Plan , so ecologists must be aware of environmental policies and legislation, which they also have an influence on shaping.

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