Go as High as You can

by Ah Pek

After a few posts about making a living without going for further studies, I beginning to sound like as if I am against people attaining a higher education. Please don’t be mistaken. I am all for a higher education. Anyone who has a chance should go for a higher education. As high as they can possibly attain. Knowledge is power. Even if what you learn cannot be applied to what you do in future, it does more good than harm.

A Bachelor’s degree nowadays a so common that it is said that if you throw a pebble down a busy street you will probably hit someone who has a one. That basic degree isn’t worth as much as it used to be. It’s getting too common. When my eldest daughter graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Economics, most of the job offer she got was from Insurance Companies. They give you a very fancy job title, befitting your status, but in fact the job is no different from an Insurance Salesperson. It’s tough getting a good job of your liking with just a basic degree if you don’t have any extra skills.

Lots who can afford it, continue on to do their Masters. This makes them a level higher than a degree holder and prospects are brighter.  For those who don’t have this opportunity, arming yourself with some extra skills might be a better option. Learn a foreign language maybe. Attend a course in communication skills. Practice public speaking. Something that will put you in an advantage over others. Something that will get you into that Organization.

However, once you are employed, the scroll don’t mean anything anymore. Your prospect of advancement will depend entirely on your job performances. Even if you have a Master’s degree and you perform miserably in work, the guy with a basic diploma, but works diligently, will get promoted before you. But then of course if the inevitable happens and the Company folds up unexpectedly, the guy with the Master’s degree will have a brighter prospect of getting employed again.

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{ 6 comments }

Cedric Ang March 7, 2007 at 11:41 pm

Yet another great post, my father always tells me to study hard study hard!!! And I know why is he so concern about my studies… just like u said… we should go as high as we can!!! We live to learn! Cheerz LouYeh!

Angeleyes March 19, 2007 at 1:14 am

Ah Pek!

I took my degree when I was almost 30 leh! But after graduation I kahwin so
never get to use the knowledge coz now SAHM pulak! :P

btw, I can’t seem to go to your AhPek.com leh…. dono why… only the header and
blank elsewhere….

Ah Pek March 19, 2007 at 11:57 am

Angeleyes,

Are you using I.E.? I tried with I.E. and it takes about 2 or 3 seconds before the page loads fully. Dunno why.
Myabe you should use Firefox. It’s more friendly with WordPress Blogs.

Jez April 6, 2007 at 8:27 am

I recently completed a BSC it was the best thing I ever did, I got a job I really like of the back of it and will do a Masters in a year or so.

You are right, a degree is not worth what it used to be, but where does that leave people who do not have a degree?

It is a minimum requirement for many jobs. I don’t think this is right, I dont see why people should be held back for lack of a qualification that they dont actually need, but, thats the way things are now, and if you want to get on in employment (as opposed to being self employed) then you really have to tow the line, and, dont end up with a mediocre grade, you need a good one….

Even within companies they often set minimum requirements for jobs, I used to work for a multinational and their internal vacancies stipulated first degree / masters degree / professional qualifications for jobs at different levels.

Besides, you don’t mention the person who works diligently and has a Masters, they will get promoted ahead of the diligently person with no degree….

Ah Pek April 6, 2007 at 12:01 pm

I agree Jez,

I figure my last paragraph says it all. If the guy with a higher qualification works as hard and as diligent as the guy without the qualification, I think it’s needless to say who will get promoted first. So in the end, it all boils down to work performance and it does not mean that if you have a masters, you can shake your leg and get promoted.

Jez April 9, 2007 at 8:28 am

I would say you are not so much advantaged by having a degree (as once was the case) as disadvantaged if you don’t.

What does the fact that:

“A Bachelor’s degree nowadays a so common that it is said that if you throw a pebble down a busy street you will probably hit someone who has a one”

say about people that don’t have one?

Employers now stipulate a degree as a requirement for even basic jobs… because they can.

In the UK the government is pushing HE and over 50% of people now go to University, this number will continue to rise. A masters is now what a Bachelors once was…

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