On the move with IT National Infocomm Scholarship holder Lin Guan Rui finds excitement in handling overseas projects as a technical consultant By Kent Chan THOSE who think that a job in information technology (IT) means working behind a desk in a server room with a cooling fan whirring in the background have not met Mr Lin Guan Rui. Mr Lin, 26, a technical consultant with the professional services team of Frontline Technologies — one of the largest IT services companies in the region — spends a lot of time on the road visiting overseas clients, solving their problems and helping them grow their businesses. He says: “I am constantly on the move, working with my colleagues to engage our customers, so as to gain a firm understanding of their IT environment. “We’ll then recommend solutions to structure their IT environment for greater efficiency and effectiveness in their operations.” Mr Lin, a member of the Computer Club back in Victoria Junior College, graduated from Nanyang Technological University with a Bachelor of Engineering in computer engineering. On why he took up the National Infocomm Scholarship, which is given out by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, he says: “The scholarship is offered in partnership with many renowned IT companies. Scholarship recipients can choose to work in these companies upon graduation, gaining valuable private industry experience. “All these partner organisations are among the leaders in the industry that many fresh graduates would aspire to join. “The scholarship has been an invaluable platform to kick-start my career, and the experience has been very enriching, fulfilling and enjoyable so far,” says Mr Lin, who has been working for the past one and a half years. Thanks to his company’s regional presence, he is given the chance to handle several overseas projects. Being involved in such projects has been an “eye-opening” experience for him. Even though he is still new in the job, he says he can feel that he has matured since he started working. “I’m growing and developing myself every day, be it in technical or personal skills — thinking on my feet, picking up new technical knowledge, learning how to best manage projects, taking up new challenges, discovering my capabilities. “Through my work, I hope I’ve done my part for the advancement of the Singapore IT industry, and I certainly wish to play a bigger role in the future,” he says.