Schools are meant to prepare students for what comes next, and at Nexus International School Singapore, that preparation is forward-looking. Here, students follow the globally recognised International Baccalaureate (IB) programme (complete with AI literacy) while staying busy with CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service), co-curricular activities (CCAs), and sports programmes. That combination of depth and balance helps explain why Nexus graduates are building futures that span the globe: over 21% study in North America, 43% in Europe, and 36% across Asia and Australasia.
Yet academic excellence and enriching experiences are only part of the equation. Another key factor is Nexus’s dedicated Careers and University team.
“Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that ‘best-fit’ is paramount,” says Head of Careers and University Guidance Aine Massey. “We aim for every learner to graduate not just with a university offer, but with the confidence that they are moving in a direction that aligns with their personal and professional aspirations.”
The team stays on top of application processes so that students can fully concentrate on their studies. Source: Nexus International School Singapore
Uncovering interests and future possibilities
Its Careers and University Guidance programme starts early in Year 9 with trained Nexus staff coaches. “Through psychometric tools and guided prompts, we help learners get to know themselves long before they start looking at brochures,” shares Tram Hoang, a Careers and University Counsellor. From Year 10 onwards, the focus shifts to connecting classroom learning with the real world. There’s the annual Next Steps Careers Event, for example, an “immersive experience that focuses on entrepreneurial mindsets, CV writing, and interview techniques, and culminates in networking sessions with industry professionals,” Massey says.
Later, in Year 12, each student works together one-on-one with a counsellor to figure out their next steps. “Before a single application is submitted, we meet as many times as needed throughout Year 12 and 13 –– typically between two and five times, with sessions extending up to an hour,” explains Hoang. “Furthermore, our office is located within the IB Common Room. This integration into their daily environment means that advice is never more than a few steps away; learners frequently drop in for quick queries.”
Other support is available. When preparing references or recommendation letters, the team works with academic faculty to gather examples that highlight each learner’s strengths. Going the extra mile is simply part of the culture. “I find that being involved in school life beyond my typical desk duties, such as attending school shows or leading CCAs, has helped me get to know the learners,” shares Hoang. “These moments allow me to see our learners in their element, showing sides of their personality that you just can’t capture in a formal counselling appointment.”
As the Careers and University team expands, it’s working with Year 9 to 12 leaders to keep its services relevant and age-appropriate. Source: Nexus International School Singapore
Opening doors across continents
At a school as international as Nexus, it’s only natural that students dream big when it comes to university. They apply to the US, UK, Australia, Asia, and Europe, so the Careers and University team makes staying globally relevant part of the job. “We host university representatives for workshops and information sessions almost weekly. It keeps us up to date on college admissions information and gives students a chance to chat with universities one-on-one,” says Massey. The team also connects with professional groups such as the International Association for College Admission Counselling and the Council of International Schools, and attends conferences to stay on top of higher education and career trends.
To ensure no one misses out on important opportunities, the team keeps everyone in the loop with regular bulletins and newsletters. “We share what we’ve been covering in our weekly sessions with learners, recap past events, and highlight upcoming opportunities like summer programmes,” says Careers and Alumni Officer Monica de Waal. They run evening workshops for parents and take part in IB and IGCSE options evenings too, so students can choose subjects that fit their future goals.
And because every student’s journey is different, the team offers personalised online and in-person meetings year-round. A Parent Panel featuring alumni parents is in the works for families to hear from those who’ve been through international admissions systems. As Hoang shares, “We want our students to feel continuously supported and our parents to feel supported not just by experts, but by a community that understands the journey.”
Find out more about how Nexus supports its learners through its Careers and University Guidance services, or book a tour with its Admissions team to see the school in action.
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