The discussion on, Cross Fire 针锋相对, a forum-styled programme on Ch U, this Monday, was about whether a degree is necessary for one to be successful in Singapore (eh... or something along that line... lol). Two of the guests are successful businessmen, while the other two are graduates, one of them is the Superstar contestant, Shi Xin Hui. Anyway, I managed to follow their opinions although I did not quite get the topic for that episode.
One of the businessmen, Mr Eddie, commented that graduates and interns in their companies do things step by step, according to instructions. And the interns (doing their PA) are usually quite slow. He added that most of them are usually incapable of producing extraordinary results, which is quite important in the field of marketing. According to him, degree merely shows that you have the IQ, but only people with high EQ have the real talent. In short, to be successful in Singapore, a degree is not a necessity.
I do agree with him that most graduates, especially those from the Singapore education system tend to do things according to instructions, following the tested methods when they first start working. However, I think Mr Eddie's comments were abit bias.
Firstly, why should someone be penalised for getting the job done? According to him, its the preference of having an employee who "Doing the right thing" over "Doing the thing right". I suppose his expectations are considered high to most of us. I think it is fair that as fresh graduates on the job, before getting the ropes of the trade, we should at least try to "do the things right". Only after getting the basics of the jobs, are we able to inject more creativity and efficiency into our work. Of course I will not deny that some are capable of doing that right from the start, and its good to do so, but he/she should not be penalised for not doing so. Afterall, a diamond will only shine after being polished. Why should he be so quick to deny his employees the chance to proof themselves?
Next, I think he gave his comments based on the field of marketing where he had been running his trades for over a decade. For other industries having a professional degree is a basic requirement. For example, a lawyer, an auditor, a doctor, an engineer, all require a basic degree. To be fair, let me just comment on the IT industry in Singapore. I don't deny that without a degree, one can still be an IT professional in Singapore, perhaps beginning with a diploma and some professional certifications, they can work their way up. And some, with natural talent, can be successful even when they don't finish their college - famous dropouts such as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. However, to work in a MNC, or major Singapore IT company, a degree is the first requirement in the job advertisement. Having a degree means having the advantage and headstart to work in one of these companies for a better starting pay and better future job prospects. And how many in Singapore are actually capable of emulating what Steve Jobs and Bill Gates had done?
I am also quite surprised that in the programme, he also mentioned that of all the interviewee he seen, only two did a background study on his companies profile. I thought that reading up on the company which you are going for an interview is one of the most basic thing you need to do? It shows one's sincerity and interest in the company. And I am sure many interviewers will start with this question, "Can you tell me what you know about us?". I suspect those whom Mr Eddie interviewed did not prepare well in that aspect, but I doubt others will commit the same mistake.
Thus in most industries, having a degree is neccessary for one to get a good job, before going about becoming successful. But of course, having a degree, a good degree, or many degrees as a matter of fact, do not ensure a successful career.
I think that at the end of the day, it is not just the certificate that one obtains that matters. It is the process of learning in the institution that matters. I know this may sound cliche, but it is true. Perhaps for some, their degree courses are "a piece of cake", but for many they are not. They are alot of hard work. At least I think this is true for engineering students in NTU. I am sure my counterparts in other schools will say that same. In the past, I seen my friends in NBS putting in hours after hours in preparing for seminars, projects, presentations, weekly. Those were no easy tasks too. And while my juniors are now whining how difficult their courses are now, ours was tougher back then, and even so for my seniors. One may not be academically inclined to do very well, but one has to be at least hardworking, and capable of continuous self-learning to be able to graduate in time. At least two important qualities employers are looking for. And those are also two qualities to achieving a successful career.
Of course, these days, there are many graduates, ie. probably many people has the above two qualities and graduates have to somehow differentiate themselves from the rest. Therefore this is where other factors such as opportunities, luck, connections, etc. come in. So having a degree is still somehow important to becoming successful in Singapore, but the probability of doing so is getting lower too.
It is true that there are alternate routes to being successful in Singapore, and there is no one path that guarantees so (with or without a degree), but having one definitely gives the much needed window of opportunities (the basic requirements in most jobs) and a more levelled ground for competitions (since more people are degree holders). My deep feeling is that with a degree, no matter if it is a first class hons, 2nd upper, lower, 3rd or even merit, everyone has an equal chance to success if he/she has a passion for it, continue to work hard and learn, and given the guidance and opportunities from their superiors. Everyone 加油！ Gambate orh!
One of the businessmen, Mr Eddie, commented that graduates and interns in their companies do things step by step, according to instructions. And the interns (doing their PA) are usually quite slow. He added that most of them are usually incapable of producing extraordinary results, which is quite important in the field of marketing. According to him, degree merely shows that you have the IQ, but only people with high EQ have the real talent. In short, to be successful in Singapore, a degree is not a necessity.
I do agree with him that most graduates, especially those from the Singapore education system tend to do things according to instructions, following the tested methods when they first start working. However, I think Mr Eddie's comments were abit bias.
Firstly, why should someone be penalised for getting the job done? According to him, its the preference of having an employee who "Doing the right thing" over "Doing the thing right". I suppose his expectations are considered high to most of us. I think it is fair that as fresh graduates on the job, before getting the ropes of the trade, we should at least try to "do the things right". Only after getting the basics of the jobs, are we able to inject more creativity and efficiency into our work. Of course I will not deny that some are capable of doing that right from the start, and its good to do so, but he/she should not be penalised for not doing so. Afterall, a diamond will only shine after being polished. Why should he be so quick to deny his employees the chance to proof themselves?
Next, I think he gave his comments based on the field of marketing where he had been running his trades for over a decade. For other industries having a professional degree is a basic requirement. For example, a lawyer, an auditor, a doctor, an engineer, all require a basic degree. To be fair, let me just comment on the IT industry in Singapore. I don't deny that without a degree, one can still be an IT professional in Singapore, perhaps beginning with a diploma and some professional certifications, they can work their way up. And some, with natural talent, can be successful even when they don't finish their college - famous dropouts such as Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. However, to work in a MNC, or major Singapore IT company, a degree is the first requirement in the job advertisement. Having a degree means having the advantage and headstart to work in one of these companies for a better starting pay and better future job prospects. And how many in Singapore are actually capable of emulating what Steve Jobs and Bill Gates had done?
I am also quite surprised that in the programme, he also mentioned that of all the interviewee he seen, only two did a background study on his companies profile. I thought that reading up on the company which you are going for an interview is one of the most basic thing you need to do? It shows one's sincerity and interest in the company. And I am sure many interviewers will start with this question, "Can you tell me what you know about us?". I suspect those whom Mr Eddie interviewed did not prepare well in that aspect, but I doubt others will commit the same mistake.
Thus in most industries, having a degree is neccessary for one to get a good job, before going about becoming successful. But of course, having a degree, a good degree, or many degrees as a matter of fact, do not ensure a successful career.
I think that at the end of the day, it is not just the certificate that one obtains that matters. It is the process of learning in the institution that matters. I know this may sound cliche, but it is true. Perhaps for some, their degree courses are "a piece of cake", but for many they are not. They are alot of hard work. At least I think this is true for engineering students in NTU. I am sure my counterparts in other schools will say that same. In the past, I seen my friends in NBS putting in hours after hours in preparing for seminars, projects, presentations, weekly. Those were no easy tasks too. And while my juniors are now whining how difficult their courses are now, ours was tougher back then, and even so for my seniors. One may not be academically inclined to do very well, but one has to be at least hardworking, and capable of continuous self-learning to be able to graduate in time. At least two important qualities employers are looking for. And those are also two qualities to achieving a successful career.
Of course, these days, there are many graduates, ie. probably many people has the above two qualities and graduates have to somehow differentiate themselves from the rest. Therefore this is where other factors such as opportunities, luck, connections, etc. come in. So having a degree is still somehow important to becoming successful in Singapore, but the probability of doing so is getting lower too.
It is true that there are alternate routes to being successful in Singapore, and there is no one path that guarantees so (with or without a degree), but having one definitely gives the much needed window of opportunities (the basic requirements in most jobs) and a more levelled ground for competitions (since more people are degree holders). My deep feeling is that with a degree, no matter if it is a first class hons, 2nd upper, lower, 3rd or even merit, everyone has an equal chance to success if he/she has a passion for it, continue to work hard and learn, and given the guidance and opportunities from their superiors. Everyone 加油！ Gambate orh!
Comments
How many degree holders, both fresh and "stale" ones, are daring, creative, thinking out of that boring box? It's true that the practice of reading up on companies' profiles is almost a must before attending interviews, and almost all are doing that now. But how many would and could actually offer their own perspective and insight into what the trend would be in a certain area a few years later, when the interviewer throws the question? Just like Mr Eddie's question of what would the situation of his industry be, lets say 2 years down the road? Interviewers are not only looking at practical and realistic opinions, but also creative and daring answers. And it would only serve as a "demerit" point if the interviewee just rant off stuffs he "memorised" from the company's website, that ranting was a plus point in the past, but not now.
If you feel that no matter what level of degree one has, everyone has an equal chance to succeed if one has the passion, why not feel that everyone, really everyone, regardless of his education level, has an equal chance to succeed if he has the passion?
What does better future job prospects mean? A high possibility to climb to managerial status? Or a shorter time to have that "prestigious" senior engineer tag? Does all these post n status suggest anything that one is more sucessful than another one who is just a salesperson or customer service officer or driver? Sad to say, most of us would nod our heads to this. I have lots more to share, but lets end for the moment
I think Mr Eddie's expectation of an interviewee does not represent most employer and it is not very realistic to expect the interviewee to be competent in the job and having a great vision as well. Of cuz it'll be good to employ such a person, especially if the company is only hiring one or two. But this may not be the case for other companies. In fact I think most companies will recruit candidates who are competent, and train them to be creative. By being competent I mean capable of doing the job and the other traditional qualities employers look for.
I mentioned that everyone with a degree has an equal chance, but not regardless of his education level, as having a degree is a prerequisite for many jobs, so how can it be equal to those who don't have one? But by no means will I say that one will not be able to succeed in Singapore if he/she don't have a degree.
It seems that there is a need to define what exactly it means to be successful in Singapore. I think better future job prospects will be accelerating the promotion and increment process, which usually also mean a change in job title.
I think that for an engineer, having that "prestigious" senior engineer tag does contribute to the definition of successful as I feel it is an accomplishment to be proud of. And as we continue to improve ourselves, other job titles like Project Manager will have similar meaning to us. Perhaps having alot of money does not equate to being successful, how we achieve that matters too.
Of course like you mentioned, certain professions need one to get a basic degree to get started, like doctor, lawyer, engineer, accountant, auditor etc. But without others assisting them, can they do well? can the company do well?
For example, doctors need their nurses, lawyers need their assistants, even managers need their secretaries. I feel actually everyone has an equal chance, if and only if the society allows it. But our society clearly doesn't.
How many times have someone been rejected a job because his qualifications are too "high"? If a degree holder applies for a driver or sales assistant job, do you think he would get the job?
A senior engineer compared to a factory operations supervisor? Who is more successful?
A project manager compared to a fast food restaurant floor manager, who has achieved more?
Before many of us go too deep into the discussion and debate about degrees and degree holders, lets not forget the rest who are also the pillars of our economy, the ones who have contributed in the past but have been retrenched due to structural employment, the ones whose jobs deemed "low class" by some degree holders. Just consider the ratio of degree holders to non-degree holders in a company, and the latter includes those who might not be present in the same office. And more often than not, these guys are the ones who actually play a big role in the success of the former, production operators, nurses, sales assistants, drivers etc etc.
And lets face the big fact, that's only so much degree holders a company needs to employ, and with time, more graduates would have to turn to those "lower class" jobs. I only hope that day would not be so soon, and would not turn out to be too bad.
Last of all, i was from NTU too, so I'm not purposely blasting degree holders. But I feel we have to look at this issue from other perspectives as well. There's no right and wrong. Rather, we have to be stepping out of our normal circle of friends (who are degree holders etc), and profession, and give things a much broader thought and ponder.
-the popular "story" of a guy reading the assembly instructions only after he have finished assemblying a piece of furniture. Was he wrong? But could he have discovered, in the process, an even better way then that described in the instructions? Or something more innovative?
So perhaps starting to think about creativity, only after one gets the things right, is not the only good way. But many graduates are trained in this manner.
I'll say I was speaking for myself, and people in my "normal circle of friends" as you put it, in particular to Mr Eddie's comments in the show, in my entry and comments. And that is why I never comment anything about non-degree holders in my entry. Personally I think speaking out what thoughts is enough, and anything more will take the fun out of blogging.
But thanks for filling in and giving the more rounded view of this topic.