By all accounts, Christian James Sethmohan seems to have everything going smoothly for him. He has a successful career as a Specialist (Teaching & Learning) at Singapore Polytechnic’s Media, Arts and Design School, and was a President’s Award for Teachers finalist in 2022.

But what if we told you that his path to getting there was quite the opposite – and that his first job was actually as a marine technician in the Republic of Singapore Navy?

After passing his O Levels on his second attempt at 18, James joined the Navy. For someone whose learning journey has seen many twists and turns, this would seem like an odd starting point. But it was a decision he made as the eldest of six children; to help ease his father’s burden as the sole breadwinner.

From Technician To Teacher

Eight years later, and by this time enjoying more financial stability, James was suddenly reminded of his childhood dream – to pursue filmmaking. 

But with only an O Level certificate under his belt, James knew he had to start from the bottom. So he applied to be a technician in Singapore Polytechnic’s Educational Development Unit. From there, he progressed to become a cameraman and video editor. Coincidentally, his Navy experience came in handy, as he worked on educational videos for the engineering department and was adept at writing and producing videos that could easily be understood by the students. 

His talent and potential did not go unnoticed, as the polytechnic granted him a partial sponsorship to study mass communications in Perth. This set him on a path to becoming an educator in the field he loves the most. Years later, the polytechnic even fully sponsored his Masters in Visual Effects in Canberra, and upon his return, made him Course Chair for its new Diploma in Visual Effects and Motion Graphics course.

When James had to move to Australia to further his education, his wife gave up her florist business to go with him and support him through his pursuits. Later, she joined him and became an educator too! 

Said James of his wife’s support, “She’s my greatest supporter. I was apprehensive about returning to a formal education setting after so many years, but she truly believed in me. Not everyone would give up their own successful career to support their spouse’s ambition.” 

"Personally, it has instilled a sense of continuous growth and adaptability, influencing not just my career, but also my approach to life and learning."

Learning To Teach And Teaching To Learn

Having witnessed rapid advancements in visual effects, motion graphics, and digital production, James recognised the need to continuously update his skills to remain relevant and provide the best education and mentorship to his students. 

He was also initially concerned about balancing the demands of his role with the commitment required for upskilling. Managing his time effectively was one thing, keeping up with the rigorous pace of technological advancement in his chosen field would be another. 

So James decided to integrate his learning journey into his teaching methodology, creating a relationship between teaching and learning. “This not only allowed me to manage my time more effectively, but also enriched my classroom with real-time updates and hands-on projects reflecting my newly acquired skills,” he shared.

He added, “Professionally, it has positioned me as the go-to person in Media, Arts & Design thus far in media and design education, evident in the successful projects and awards received. Personally, it has instilled a sense of continuous growth and adaptability, influencing not just my career, but also my approach to life and learning.”

The Neverending Story

When asked to share some final thoughts for people thinking about upskilling and reskilling, James said, “This path is filled with challenges, but the rewards, both personal and professional, are immense. Don’t let the fear of stepping out of your comfort zone deter you from pursuing your passions and expanding your skillset. Remember, the investment you make in your education and skills development not only benefits you, but also those you educate and inspire along the way.”

Of course, we couldn’t resist sneaking in one last question about his plans for his $4,000 SkillsFuture credit top-up for mid-career workers. 

“I haven’t decided what to do with it yet, because I’m still attending a course on virtual production. Most likely it’ll be something related to what I teach, but if it’s not – maybe something to do with new communication techniques? I’m always looking for different ways to engage students, especially special needs students who may have unconventional ways of communicating.” 

Spoken like a true educator and lifelong learner, we say.