University courses
-
slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2134793\" time=\"1717721318\" user_id=\"28674:
You are not wrong. Many who did well in A level will opt for double degree and of cos because their RP qualifies. In reality, many dropped along the way bc being good in your single degree plus all those things I mentioned is more impt than 2 separate degrees.
I also believe that studying what they have interest in is better than just going where the money seems to be. 4 years or 10 years later, the landscape will have changed, and the money may have shifted to some other area anyway. Studying something they have intrinsic interest in will at least make their 4 years more interesting to them, and they are more likely to do well.
I have some reservations about taking 2nd majors (as opposed to a minor) as they could result in students spreading themselves too thin, with less depth. I know that this is completely against the current flow of thinking, but I wonder if some students will regret this in future. -
Actually, I feel exhausted for the kids just thinking about how it is a never ending ‘rat race’ to build on the CV and the ‘build competitive advantage’. Whether it be school life academic achievements + CCA + VIA to university life academics + internships + networking.
When do we learn about being content with our choices, that it’s okay not to be climbing or losing out, that it’s okay not to strive for this and that, that it’s okay to take time to build relationships, smell the roses and see the world even if it will come at the expense of academics or career climbing? -
doodbug\" post_id=\"2134795\" time=\"1717724744\" user_id=\"13281:
Agree although very hard NOT to fall into the rat race. After all we all want our kids to be self sufficient, earn comfortably to afford their lifestyle and not leech on us when they graduate from school.
Actually, I feel exhausted for the kids just thinking about how it is a never ending 'rat race' to build on the CV and the 'build competitive advantage'. Whether it be school life academic achievements + CCA + VIA to university life academics + internships + networking.
When do we learn about being content with our choices, that it's okay not to be climbing or losing out, that it's okay not to strive for this and that, that it's okay to take time to build relationships, smell the roses and see the world even if it will come at the expense of academics or career climbing?
Even if parents do not push the kids, the environment will. Those kids who are slightly motivated will want to be ahead of the curve. -
doodbug\" post_id=\"2134795\" time=\"1717724744\" user_id=\"13281:
I think when it becomes constantly exhausting (rather than occasional), when family and social life starts being overly compromised, when going to work becomes a daily drag (rather than occasional), then it's time to dial back. The problem is that some people aren't prepared to do that, or feel that they cannot do that because they feel impelled to reach ever-higher or else they will be a \"loser\". It's a choice the person has to make for himself, if they can withstand the pressure of \"reach for the top\" that Singapore society and some parents impose. I'm not talking about people with very low income that can't make ends meet; for most graduates, they have the choice to live more simply if they are prepared to.
Actually, I feel exhausted for the kids just thinking about how it is a never ending 'rat race' to build on the CV and the 'build competitive advantage'. Whether it be school life academic achievements + CCA + VIA to university life academics + internships + networking.
When do we learn about being content with our choices, that it's okay not to be climbing or losing out, that it's okay not to strive for this and that, that it's okay to take time to build relationships, smell the roses and see the world even if it will come at the expense of academics or career climbing?
My kids are both working now - for one, she doesn't have the energy or personality to climb. We ask her to focus on doing her current job as well as she can, and if she doesn't go far, she will still have a decent salary. We don't ask her to aim high, or necessarily seek promotion, etc. It means she will always have to live within her lower salary, but that is preferable to having her mental health suffer.
For the other, I see that she is still well within her comfort zone despite working quite hard, being exposed to more roles, doing additional training, etc. When she was a student, she did a lot of things - some work-related with CV in mind, others for interest and community service. She learned to turn down things along the way because she knew they weren't her main interest and took up her limited time even when others thought she was crazy to give up those opportunities. She didn't apply for jobs in areas that others were gunning for (finance!) because she wasn't interested and thought the working hours were mad. Instead, she chose to apply for jobs that interested her, and she gets asked \"Why are you working here instead of in ____?\" She learned to prioritise sleep, church, friends! She will probably do less well in society's eyes than many who have poorer academic results than she does. So maybe she won't go as far as someone with greater ambitions, but if she is happier and healthier, we are in no position to complain as that is exactly what we did ourselves. -
I totally agree, slmkhoo.
I feel that the environment already pushes the kids to desire a certain level of schooling and career success and material achievements. As such, I find that my role as a parent is actually to calibrate against these excessive pressures and kids forming their self-esteem over these achievements (or feeling bitterly disappointed over not reaching their goals). Perhaps I am also seeing how severe mental health and self-esteem issues among youths are today and the poor relationships within many families that I am perhaps overly mindful of not fuelling kids farther along this narrative of pushing oneself and striving for excellence. It's a challenge though, cos I am also 'kiasu-educated'? Lol
But faith and church keep us focussed and going. -
doodbug\" post_id=\"2134799\" time=\"1717727521\" user_id=\"13281:
I've had to \"change faces\" depending on situation! When we lived overseas, I felt that I had to set higher standards for work and discipline to counteract the laidback vibe of their international school. After returning to Singapore, I had to switch to dialling down the pressure the kids faced in school and from society in general.
I totally agree, slmkhoo.
I feel that the environment already pushes the kids to desire a certain level of schooling and career success and material achievements. As such, I find that my role as a parent is actually to calibrate against these excessive pressures and kids forming their self-esteem over these achievements (or feeling bitterly disappointed over not reaching their goals). Perhaps I am also seeing how severe mental health and self-esteem issues among youths are today and the poor relationships within many families that I am perhaps overly mindful of not fuelling kids farther along this narrative of pushing oneself and striving for excellence. It's a challenge though, cos I am also 'kiasu-educated'? Lol But faith and church keep us focussed and going.
Where we lived overseas, most of the families were working for non-profits, so everyone was on a tight budget, some even tighter than ours, and they were also exposed to people who were much poorer. So our kids grew up being careful with spending because everyone was, and I'm grateful for that early training. In Singapore, they were quite surprised by the way even quite young kids were brand-conscious and willing to spend. One of our roles as parents now is to help them strike a balance - they have a tendency to be too \"budget\" and unwilling to spend, and we sometimes encourage them to spend more on occasion so as not to be too different from everyone else or left out. But we also advise them to be aware of \"lifestyle creep\" which would mean that they would be caught in the trap of needing a certain salary just to sustain a lifestyle they had got accustomed to and couldn't give up. All part of \"adulting\"! -
slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2134726\" time=\"1717593431\" user_id=\"28674:
Someone I know, heard he began with technical numerical work analysing and producing products. Now moved upwards to deal with clients while getting staff to do the necessary number crunching work. His boss which is the regional account manager has the clients base covering those few staff dealing with different groups of clients. So it is a pyramid of some sort. If so, one in finance would ultimately not escape sales, and dealing with clients. May not be so suitable for ladies esp those academics types who are not so street smart, but more book smart?
Moves to improve the accountancy sector and groom accountants:
https://www.mof.gov.sg/news-publications/press-releases/shaping-singapore-s-accountancy-workforce-for-tomorrow
\"Finance\" is a huge area, and involves a lot more different types of jobs than just those that \"touch\" the money. The ones who are in the more technical fields would need to be highly numerate or with IT skills. Then there are the marketing and sales types who go out and get clients, and encourage them to invest/deposit etc. There are those who look to the future and try to see trends. There are the backroom ones who deal with the accounting, audit, record-keeping, cybersecurity, anti-money-laundering, and every institution needs HR, PR etc. Of course, not every job gets the same amount of limelight and pay.
Takes all kinds. -
zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134725\" time=\"1717592099\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134725 time=1717592099 user_id=53606]
Useful trait!
People who have detailed Excel sheet to track their personal finances, and stare at it regularly, thinking of where to invest & grow their money so that they can achieve their next target/retire early.
I believe some very young people already like that :siam:[/quote]
True, one who likes looking at numbers day in and out vs those looking at words. -
I am amused to have given the (mis)impression that I want my daughter to go out to earn a lot of money. Perish the thought, Business Degree was DD1’s 1st choice, subsequently she changed her mind to Economics.
DH and I aren’t from the financial sector so we are not familiar. Instead, DD1 was the one who kept updating us like what her seniors advised her to do. She yearns to go overseas for her intership that is why she refused to list down NTU Biz as a back-up because the 3yr course does not include the opportunity to go for overseas internships. She clearly knows what she is looking out for.
Just to share, DD1’s JC prom night was on 4th Dec 2023, the very next day, on 5th Dec morning, she started working already. She is those motivated to earn her own keep. She started working part-time job when she was just 14yo and I had arguments with her over this.
I guess a near equivalent would be kids who are self-driven to get into Law or Medicine. Not every child who wants to do well to get into these coveted courses is being forced by their parents. These kids are very busy beefing up their CVs, doing internships but they themselves want to and are sufficiently motivated to do so. -
lee_yl\" post_id=\"2134805\" time=\"1717733764\" user_id=\"17023:
Sounds like totally opp of mine. my posts were referring to my child actually. She is the type to likely to daydream through her 7 months after A levels if we never impose for her to do something. But too early to jump into any conclusion for now I hope.
I am amused to have given the (mis)impression that I want my daughter to go out to earn a lot of money. Perish the thought, Business Degree was DD1’s 1st choice, subsequently she changed her mind to Economics.
DH and I aren’t from the financial sector so we are not familiar. Instead, DD1 was the one who kept updating us like what her seniors advised her to do. She yearns to go overseas for her intership that is why she refused to list down NTU Biz as a back-up because the 3yr course does not include the opportunity to go for overseas internships. She clearly knows what she is looking out for.
Just to share, DD1’s JC prom night was on 4th Dec 2023, the very next day, on 5th Dec morning, she started working already. She is those motivated to earn her own keep. She started working part-time job when she was just 14yo and I had arguments with her over this.
I guess a near equivalent would be kids who are self-driven to get into Law or Medicine. Not every child who wants to do well to get into these coveted courses is being forced by their parents. These kids are very busy beefing up their CVs, doing internships but they themselves want to and are sufficiently motivated to do so.
Your DD1 sounds like street smart type, to have start work so young. What are the part time or temp jobs suitable for girls of 16 yo or 18 yo? I hope mine will do some work at 16, then 18. Not necessary internship but just for work experience that worklife is not easy.
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login