What will be shall be

Life after that

Many people have been discussing this question throughout NS serving time. "What are you going to do after NS?"

Majority of the people have said that most likely they will continue studying after they have served their 2 years sentence. The people I am referring to are those who went into NS after completing their diploma. Their common response was," Of course study la. With diploma can do what in Singapore?" It's quite true and sad at the same time. Apparently in Singapore, one's capability is measured just by a piece of paper. The worst thing is most people don't even know what to study. "Can get the degree can liao la," they will say.

Most of my friends who have completed their studies seldom find jobs related to their study field. Their bosses just hired them based on their qualifications because the higher your education, the higher your ability to learn things.

For me I think I will go and work in the society for a couple of years before deciding whether to upgrade my education. One reason is of course to save up some money first. You don't really expect your family to support you finacially at the age of 25++ do you?

I did some calculations too and decided that this seems to be a better way:

Let's say a year of University fees cost $10000 (on average as different courses varies in fees)

4 years of education = 4 x $10000
= $40000

4 years of studying without income:

Let's say you spend an average of $300 per month

$300 x 12mths x 4 years = $14400

If you have started working 4 years earlier with a Dip compared to people who only will start working after completing their University:


The average Dip holder commands a pay of around $1600,
$1600 x 12mths x 4 years = $76800

After that you add all of them up:

4 yrs University fees + 4 yrs expenditure without income + the amt you could have earned if you started working 4 years earlier =

$40000 + $14400 + $76800 = $131 200

So here you are, you have already made a loss of $131 200 even before you have started working after your degree.
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A degree holder commands an average pay of $2000 to $2200.

Which means:

The difference between a dip and a degree a month is around $400.

Then take $131200 divide by $400 to see how many months it takes to catch up:

$131200 / $400 = 328 months

328 mths = 27 years plus.

Take 27 years plus 27 (the age you start working after getting the degree) = 54.

Which means you will already be near retirement age when you have caught up with the money web.

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Some people may argue that a degree brings better prospect in your future working life. True to some extent, but if you are really capable and I am your boss, I certainly don't give a hell whether you are a degree holder or O level holder.

Also don't forget that the degree is just a passport to an opportunity. If you have that opportunity already, why need a passport? At the end of the day, I think it's the work attitude and capabilty that counts rather than that piece of paper.

Furthermore if you have started 4 years earlier, you would have accumulated more working experience than others and have made more friends in the same field. And these Friends could equal to new Opportunites. There is this theory ' It's not what you know, but rather who you know' and I certainly agree with this theory.

Of course eventually it's all about choices and personal opinions. Some people may disagree with what I say but it doesn't matter. Just don't forget me if you strike it rich one day. :)

posted by malmoncolo @ 10:40 PM