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NYJC Education and Career Guidance Portal

Importance of work attachments

Work attachments help you explore careers, build workplace skills, and grow your network. Find out why gaining real work experience early can give you an edge in university admissions and future job applications.

Last updated 16 June 2026

Why are work attachments important?

1. Figure out what you like and don't like

Even if  you did not enjoy the job experience, you now know what you do not like. This will allow you to avoid choosing a career and university education that does not fit your personality and interests.

2. Pick up soft skills important in workplace

Through the interaction with working professionals, you can observe and learn soft skills that are needed in the workplace e.g. emailing etiquette, communication, team work. 

3. Networking

Majority of jobs now are found through networking. Building a good relationship with your work attachment supervisor could help you secure a future internship with the same company. You would also make friends with fellow interns and make new connections from there. Find out more here.

4. Build your portfolio

While the main objective of a work attachment is not for portfolio building, having work experience in a relevant field enhances your in-depth knowledge of the career and gives you an edge over other applicants. Universities like SMU favours applicants who have relevant noteworthy work experience under the aptitude-based admissions scheme.

5. Gain professional feedback

While teachers can give you feedback with regards to your academic attitude and potential, your work attachment supervisor can give you valuable feedback with regards to your professional working attitude. If you work long enough with a particular mentor, you may even be able to request for a referral from your mentor.