Benedict Lee

Share with us on how you are a #FutureMaker at Siemens. Describe a typical day in your work.

I am part of the Smart Infrastructure Project Execution team. Though innovative building technology, we provide intelligent automation technologies and services for commercial, industrial and public buildings and infrastructures.

With the world becoming ever more reliant on electricity, I see myself as a #FutureMaker in line with the company’s aim to build a more sustainable future and to make the world a better place for today and tomorrow.

We try our best to make buildings run efficiently by saving energy. We aim to harness renewable energy to reduce our carbon footprint.

Describe what working at Siemens means to you.

Working in Siemens means being able to challenge myself in many different ways. The work is always changing and there is no set task. We work with different people from different countries which helps to broaden our horizons.

Describe the most memorable project you’ve worked on to date with Siemens.

My most memorable project was during my six-month secondment in Hobart, Australia, after one year in the Engineering Graduate Programme (EGP). We were tasked to install a building management system for a hospital. Although I was very new, my colleagues in Australia were very helpful and willing to teach me to understand the requirements of the project.

Is there anything about Siemens and your role which surprised you upon joining?

I have come to learn that Siemens is a very diversified company with many different opportunities. You are not limited to one job role but can have many ways to contribute to the company.

Describe the interview and selection process. How did you stand out?

The interview process consisted of a phone interview, written assignment, video presentation, and a full-day assessment centre with eassy essay writing and group collaboration.

Coming from NTU, we had many group assignments on different projects in school. This helped me to present my ideas effectively to interviewers.

How do you get to own your career path at Siemens? How would you describe Siemens’ organisational culture?

The culture is very open and you’re encouraged to present your ideas to senior management. People are always willing to listen to your ideas. You can also work in different departments or create new roles which can help the company.

What do you appreciate most about the graduate training at Siemens?

We had three training sessions on people behaviour, sales and marketing, and project management, which can help you decide how you can best contribute. We are also encouraged to undergo trainings in different cities – I did so in Beijing and Seoul.

How are you supported in your career?

The managers and division heads have been very supportive in encouraging me to try out new opportunities and sending me to Australia which broadened my horizons working for a global company.

What keeps you motivated and what do you enjoy most about working in Siemens?

What keeps me motivated is knowing that while doing small things everyday may not have a big impact, but in the long term, we can make a difference on how the community progresses.

What we have now is a stepping stone, with opportunities to create a greater and greener future. I enjoy the constant challenge to improve, as well as the strong sense of camaraderie among the staff.

What advice would you give graduates who are looking to join Siemens?

Join Siemens with an open mind and a willingness to learn, and the opportunities are endless.