After more than a decade in the interior design and architecture industry, Shannon Loh‘s days had been filled with floor plans, client meetings, construction drawings, and project coordination. One key challenge in her previous role as a Senior Project Executive was managing unforeseen circumstances and constraints when liaising with contractors and suppliers. Over time, the realities of the work began to shape her thinking about her next step.
Motivated to move into a new field and pivot into something totally different from what she has been doing, she signed up for the Digital Solution Development Kickstart programme at NUS-ISS.
“The digital world is full of illustration, interaction, and creativity, and this sparked my curiosity about how software and applications are built,” Shannon shared. “I wanted to move into a new area and learn something different from my past experience,” she added.
Armed with a Bachelor of Arts in interior design from Curtin University, software development felt unfamiliar at first. The part-time blended learning programme demanded strong self-discipline, especially when juggling independent assignments and technical exercises. Undeterred, Shannon found the learning process deeply rewarding.
“Though it was challenging, the hands-on activities helped me understand the concepts better,” she said. “Working with teammates to deliver projects and meet deadlines felt very similar to real-life work situations. The lecturers were supportive, and the flexibility of the online learning programme allowed me to manage my learning at my own pace.”
One of Shannon’s biggest breakthroughs was her growing confidence with coding. “I gained practical skills in coding and basic programming, which helped me understand how websites and software are created behind the scenes,” she explained. She added that the experience changed how she viewed herself. “These skills showed me that I am capable of learning technical subjects, even though my background is in interior design.”
After completing the programme, Shannon found herself increasingly drawn to web and software development, with motivations to explore building offline websites and simple applications.
“The programme encouraged me to continue learning coding and programming so that I can understand how digital products are created and eventually learn how to bring them live,” she said.
This growing interest soon translated into her next academic step. Shannon has since enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Systems Analysis (GDipSA) offered by NUS-ISS.
The Digital Solution Development - Kickstart programme has given Ms Shannon Loh a structured first step into learning software development with clarity and confidence.
“The Digital Solution Development Kickstart programme definitely influenced my decision to enrol in GDipSA. It gave me the foundation I needed and encouraged me to continue developing my skills in this new field,” she shared. Looking ahead, she hopes to move into roles related to IT systems, digital solutions, or project coordination, where she can apply structured thinking to improve workflows and deliver more efficient outcomes.
For professionals considering taking up the Digital Solution Development KickStart programme, Shannon's advice is simple. “Stay fully engaged with the course, and while having some familiarity with web or software development can be an advantage, it is by no means essential. Having an open mind and being prepared to learn something new will help you benefit more from the programme.”
This programme is a practical stepping stone for those exploring a career transition. Through 180 hours of structured learning that blends self-paced modules, live sessions, and hands-on activities, you will gain the clarity, skills, and confidence to make informed decisions about your future in tech. Visit our website on the Digital Solution Development Kickstart programme and start your learning journey today!