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Whether it’s a stint at a local company or a government ministry,
internships in Brunei could be your best shot at landing that dream job
Internships: Your trial run
into the 9-to-5 life
So you’ve graduated, finally tossed the
mortarboard in the air, and now everyone’s
asking the dreaded question.
“Where do you work?”
Cue the nervous laughter, awkward eye
contact with the floor, and a silent plea for
your iced coffee to teleport you out of the
conversation.
Before you start panicking and applying for
every job opening on JobCentre, let’s talk
about your not-so-secret secret weapon:
internships.
WELCOME TO THE REAL
WORLD
In Brunei, internships — or
latihan industri
as
they’re known in uni forms — are more than
just a box to tick before graduation. They’re
the training wheels for your career.
Whether you’re based at a private company
in Kiulap or shadowing someone at aministry
in Bandar, internships give you a taste of the
working life. You get real deadlines, real
meetings (yes, you’ll learnwhat “circulate this
to the relevant parties” means), and maybe
even a real office chair if you’re lucky.
It’s not just about observing and sitting
quietly in the corner. You’ll pick up soft
skills, learn to email like a boss (bye bye
emoji overkill), and maybe even get to join
the lunchtime discussions over some
ayam
penyet.
ENTER: SKIPPA AND I-READY
For those floating in the post-grad abyss,
an apprenticeship might just be the life raft
you need.
Under the Civil Service Apprenticeship
Scheme (SkiPPA) and i-Ready Apprenticeship
Programme, fresh grads get to work in the
private or government sector for 12-18
months. Think of it as an extended internship
with purpose. Not only do you gain first-hand
experience, you’re alsomentored and trained
with the end goal of potentially securing full-
time roles.
SkiPPA and i-Ready are especially helpful
for graduates whose degrees don’t match
immediate job openings, allowing them to
build transferable skillswhile still contributing
meaningfully.
The cherry on top: SkiPPA and i-Ready
apprentices receive an allowance, so you
won’t be surviving on instant noodles alone.
It’s not a full salary, but it’s a solid stepping
stone. Especially when paired with guidance,
structure and the possibility of a full-time
career.
MORE THAN JUST ADDING TO
YOUR CV
Employers in Brunei, like anywhere else, are
looking for more than straight-As or a fancy
degree.
They want experience. They want someone
who’s reliable, independent, and can handle
responsibilities without messaging their
supervisor every two minutes asking what
font to use.
Internships are where you build that
reputation. You might start off as “that intern”
who helps with filing or makes coffee but
with the right attitude, you’ll quickly become
“that intern who handled that client meeting
prep like a pro.”
It matters. Word travels fast in Brunei, and
trust us, a good recommendation from one
place can open unexpected doors in others.
There are real stories-like an intern at a local
creative agency who helped out during a
last-minute pitch, impressed the boss with
her ideas, and landed a permanent gig. Or
the guy who interned at a telco, showed
initiative by creating a database system (that
actually worked!), and got hired before his
internship even ended.
The key? Show up. Be early. Take initiative.
And whatever you do, don’t treat the
internship like a holiday with air-conditioning.
BE THE INTERNWHOMAKES
A GOOD IMPRESSION
Here’s some tips on how to level up your
internship game:
Be curious
Ask questions. People appreciate internswho
want to learn, not just sit quietly waiting for
the day to end.
Take notes
Whether you’re in a meeting or getting
feedback, jot it down. Trust us, your future
self will thank you.
Be friendly
Say hi to everyone. Even the
kaka
in admin.
You never know who can put in a good word
for you.
Keep track of what you did
If you helped run a campaign, made
infographics, or compiled reports, add
those to your portfolio. It’s gold for future
job applications.
EDUCATION
74
BORNEO BULLETIN YEARBOOK 2026