Three interns reflect on their time at HomeTeamNS, taking us behind the scenes to reveal what goes into making every visitor’s experience both safe and enjoyable.
TEXT: MELODY TAN
PHOTOS: HOMETEAMNS
As an intern at T-Play, an indoor playground for kids at HomeTeamNS, Ms Rachel Poh enjoys birthday celebrations the most – though she is never the birthday girl.
Ms Poh, who is studying for her Nitec in Sport Management at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) West, helps to manage children’s activities and host birthday parties in addition to her other duties at T-Play: Conducting safety briefings, assisting guests with their enquiries and handling day-to-day operations.
During one party, where she was doing her utmost to ensure her young guests were having a great time at T-Play, she was touched to find her efforts recognised with a slice of cake offered by the birthday child.
“I find joy in my internship because it pushes me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to engage with diverse groups of kids in a work environment,” she reflected.
HELPING TO MAKE THE GYM A HOME FOR MEMBERS
Ms Poh’s fellow interns Muhammad Izuan from ITE East and Jordan Oh from ITE West – who are both enrolled in the Nitec in Sport Management programme as well – agree that their internships at HomeTeamNS have been enjoyable and educational.
Mr Izuan, an intern at Fitness Workz Garage at HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir, said that working at HomeTeamNS “feels like being home”.
“Everyone, from my colleagues to supervisors, is super friendly, making me feel like I’m part of the team,” he explained. “The comfort they offer while I’m working fills me with energy and confidence, helping me give my best every day. I’m grateful for the support I receive from each one of them.”
His responsibilities include conducting group fitness classes for members and visiting guests, as well as ensuring that the gym remains a secure and welcoming space for members daily.
For gym users who are uncertain about how to use the equipment or those who need advice on their exercise routines, Mr Izuan suggests seeking assistance from Fitness Workz Garage employees like himself.
“We’re here with a friendly smile to offer a helping hand and share tips. It’s our responsibility to assist and make sure everyone feels comfortable and confident, creating a supportive fitness community.”
He considers having chats with gym members as one of his favourite moments at work. “I truly love these talks because they build strong and happy connections,” he said. “There are countless times when members share stories about their day, and we end up laughing heartily together.”
LOOKING UP TO ROLE MODELS AT AQUA ADVENTURE
Learning to work with the public has also been part of Mr Oh’s internship experience at HomeTeamNS Bedok Reservoir’s Aqua Adventure. Besides organising games, he delivers safety briefings and assists with participants’ needs throughout their visit.
“Working at HomeTeamNS equips me with customer service training and teaches me how to handle challenging situations. I’ve learnt the value of teamwork, too. Collaborating with my colleagues has not only enabled me to quickly grasp new concepts but has also propelled us to make substantial progress together.”
One memorable event for Mr Oh was a full-time staff member’s last day at work.
“He is normally very strict and stern during operational hours, but on that particular day, he expressed his love working at Aqua Adventure and conducted the games for participants himself when usually the part-timers and interns do it,” he recounted.
NEW YEAR, NEW HOPES AND DREAMS
The staff member’s care and dedication – even on his last day – made an impression on Mr Oh, who hopes to set up his own badminton coaching venture one day.
“From my time at HomeTeamNS, I’ve learnt strategies to attract and retain customers for the academy I plan to establish,” he said, adding that his new year’s resolution for 2024 is to excel in his modules and continue working on his business ideas.
Ms Poh, who aspires to work in the sporting industry, said that her internship has taught her to be persevering and emotionally resilient. “It’s a fast-paced job which needs multi-tasking at times, as we have an administrative workload in addition to customer service interaction. I’ve learnt to master my emotions, especially during peak periods. It’s a skill that’s significant when it comes to handling overwhelming situations effectively.”
Her new year’s resolution is to pursue a lifesaving course and to continue upgrading herself.
Similarly, Mr Izuan expressed his desire to continue improving himself in the coming year. “My big education goal is to get my diploma. Being at HomeTeamNS has taught me to always try my hardest. Even when things get super tough, I won’t give up – I’m determined to do my best!”
He is motivated by the desire to give back to the community, after seeing the efforts made by HomeTeamNS staff when serving members and the public daily.
“What makes me feel all warm and fuzzy is seeing how much the people at HomeTeamNS care. They’re always working hard to give their best, and their dedication to making things awesome for everyone just makes my heart happy.”
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