A vision by Mr Abhijit Ghosh, managing director (tax leader Southeast Asia @ Alvarez & Marsal), and his family to help young Singaporeans bridge the gap between university and the workplace has taken shape with the launch of the CareerBridge Mentorship Programme, a six-month pilot initiative developed in partnership with the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA).
Officially launched on Aug 1 at SINDA’s headquarters, the programme will support six final-year university students through one-to-one mentoring by accomplished CEOs and senior industry leaders, equipping them with the confidence, practical insights and professional networks needed to successfully transition into the workforce.
While SINDA has long supported youth development through a range of mentoring initiatives, CareerBridge is its first programme dedicated specifically to final-year university students and recent graduates preparing to embark on their careers.
The Ghosh family’s sponsorship and close collaboration with SINDA have enabled the pilot to become a reality, creating a structured platform that connects promising young people with experienced professionals across industries.
Over the next six months, participants will take part in monthly learning sessions covering topics such as self-awareness, communication, leadership, resilience, and career planning. They will also benefit from personalised mentoring, fireside chats, and networking opportunities with leaders from sectors including finance, technology, business and the public service.
Guest of Honour Dr Hamid Razak, Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC, said the programme comes at a crucial time when many young graduates are entering an increasingly complex and competitive employment landscape.
“For many young people, graduating is not the end of their journey – it is the beginning of a new one,” he said.
“CareerBridge was created to help make that transition smoother by connecting our youth with professionals who can broaden their understanding of the workplace and expose them to different career pathways.”
He added that the initiative demonstrates what can be achieved when community organisations, industry leaders, and individuals work together to create meaningful opportunities for the next generation.
Speaking on behalf of his family, Mr Abhijit said the initiative was born from a belief that mentorship can have a lasting impact on a young person’s career and personal development.
“Starting a career can be both exciting and daunting. Mentorship can make all the difference by providing guidance, confidence and perspective,” he said.
“We are proud to partner with SINDA on the CareerBridge Mentorship Programme and hope it empowers young people to pursue their aspirations with purpose. We look forward to seeing its impact grow in the years ahead.”
The inaugural cohort comprises six students from diverse academic disciplines, including engineering, business administration, fintech and business analytics. Each has been paired with a mentor from a different professional background, allowing them to gain exposure to a broad range of industries while receiving personalised advice on career decisions and workplace challenges.
Among the mentors is PwC Partner Yuneswaran Keraishnasamy, who believes mentorship extends far beyond career advice.
He said it is about listening, helping young people discover their strengths, and supporting them in building resilience, confidence and a mindset of continuous learning. Having benefited from mentors throughout his own career, he sees CareerBridge as an opportunity to give back.
For mentee Tasha Maria Abraham, a final-year Fintech and Business Analytics student at Singapore Management University, the programme arrives at the perfect time.
“As someone preparing to begin my career, I know the transition from university to the workplace can be challenging,” she said.
“I look forward to learning from experienced leaders, gaining practical insights and building the confidence to make informed career decisions. I hope this experience will help me grow both professionally and personally.”
The long-term ambition stretches well beyond the inaugural cohort. Mr Siddhant Ghosh, who helped develop the initiative alongside his family, described CareerBridge as an effort to “democratise wisdom” by giving young people greater access to experienced mentors, valuable networks and decades of professional experience that might otherwise remain out of reach. The family hopes the initiative will grow into an enduring mentoring ecosystem that inspires future generations of leaders to give back in turn.
Building on the success of the pilot, SINDA intends to expand partnerships with industry and community stakeholders, enabling more young people to benefit from structured mentorship, stronger professional networks, and greater confidence as they begin their careers.
