The "Internship Arms Race": How Students Can Escape the Grind and Build Real Impact

CNA’s recent report on the growing “internship arms race” made one thing clear: the game has changed. The natural instinct for younger students and concerned parents, is to panic and start stacking activities.

It feels like the jobs ladder is getting taller, and to even stand a chance later, you have to start grinding earlier. To every secondary, JC, and poly student (and parent) dreading this endless race: let’s stop and reframe the conversation.

If we tell you to start building a portfolio early, the reaction is usually a collective groan. It sounds like the ultimate kiasu move. Just another task added to an already suffocating pile of homework, tuition and exams.

But building a portfolio early isn't about hoarding certificates or trying to act like an undergraduate aspiring to be corporate executive at 15.

It’s about curiosity, exploration and putting yourself out there.

Follow What's Intriguing, Not What's Expected

Your secondary school (JC and poly count as well) years are the ultimate sandbox. The pressure to lock down a permanent career isn't there yet, which means you have total freedom to test things out:

• Curious about how things work? Jump into a hackathon/SSEF/EIC with a few friends. You don't need to win. You just need to learn how to get your hands dirty and build something. You can fail fast but figure out how to fix it. Bonus if you are able to clinch a prize.

  
  

• Care deeply about a societal issue? Write for an essay competition or start a local community drive. It gives you an outlet to articulate what you actually care about.

  
  

• Wondering what a real job feels like? Take advantage of your mid-year or year-end holidays to intern (both paid and/or free) just to peek behind the curtain and see if the industry is suitable for you.

The "Hidden" Superpower: Real Human Connections

When university admissions officers, scholarship boards or hiring managers look at top applicants, grades are the baseline. What sets students apart isn't a long list of achievements. It’s self-awareness and authentic stories.

Every mentor who guides your project, every peer you collaborate with becomes part of your journey. "Networking" sounds like a cold, corporate word, but at this stage (secondary and pre-university years), it simply means finding your tribe and connecting with people who inspire you.

When you eventually sit in a high-stakes interview, you won't be reciting memorized answers. You’ll just be sharing real experiences, real mistakes and genuine passions.

Don't wait until university to figure out who you are under pressure. Get out there, try things that excite you and build your confidence step by step. Not to beat the system, but to discover your own path.