Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications?

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:05:58 GMT

verykiasumummy — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:05:58 GMT

Lynn2010:
USgrad:
I think the issue isn't so much whether a degree is recognized, but rather how it compares with other degrees. An NUS degree may be recognized but chances are you won't compare as favorably with a summa cum laude graduate from Harvard applying for the same job. A correspondent course or part time degree may be recognized but if you're competing against a graduate from the local uni or those who have studied on campus in a recognized overseas uni for an entry level position, chances are you'll not be viewed as favorably. Unless you have relevant or related experience such that you can bring in expertise, contacts etc that will be valuable to the company.

IMO, a part time degree from those PEIs is usually only of value if you stay within the company and they needed you to have the qualification to justify a promotion, or in very specialized areas not offered in the local unis. If you're planning to use it to apply for an entry level graduate position, it'll be tough.
Absolutely agree!!! Distant not distant doesnt matter much. Whether self study or not doesnt matter too. What if someone self study for example 6 O level subjects and gets straight As versus someone study through a very popular/good school but get As & Bs?

no lynn, i think distant or on campus does make a difference... if both of same qualifications, but 1 on campus and the other distant, i think the on campus wins if all other deciding factors of the 2 people are the same....

having to compete with someone with a similar qualification may not be rare as i have compared many times when i was with a recruitment centre earlier...

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:00:40 GMT

verykiasumummy — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:00:40 GMT

USgrad:
I think the issue isn't so much whether a degree is recognized, but rather how it compares with other degrees. An NUS degree may be recognized but chances are you won't compare as favorably with a summa cum laude graduate from Harvard applying for the same job. A correspondent course or part time degree may be recognized but if you're competing against a graduate from the local uni or those who have studied on campus in a recognized overseas uni for an entry level position, chances are you'll not be viewed as favorably. Unless you have relevant or related experience such that you can bring in expertise, contacts etc that will be valuable to the company.

IMO, a part time degree from those PEIs is usually only of value if you stay within the company and they needed you to have the qualification to justify a promotion, or in very specialized areas not offered in the local unis. If you're planning to use it to apply for an entry level graduate position, it'll be tough.

food for thought....

oh ur comments struck my brain nerves... i must justify what i'm doing it for before deciding then....

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:59:00 GMT

verykiasumummy — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:59:00 GMT

hquek:
I think it's the pm office or civil service that sets out if a qualification is respected. Afterall if govt accept, private sector also will. It's on their website somewhere

oh is it?? i did a search on that but it doesnt seem to get me anywhere.

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:57:48 GMT

verykiasumummy — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:57:48 GMT

Kissgurami:
verykiasumummy:

applying for PR?? ICA?? why are they the approving authority for qualifications??
Need to validate against fraud or unknown universities degree papers. so they only have a specific drop down list of universities or schools to select.

apart from that, i believe ica only approves the certs from the recognised unis but doesnt justify which qualifications from which uni is better... i just have the guts feel that ica is just doing it on a general scale, not specific fields...

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:25:12 GMT

USgrad — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 15:25:12 GMT

Lynn2010:
USgrad:
I think the issue isn't so much whether a degree is recognized, but rather how it compares with other degrees. An NUS degree may be recognized but chances are you won't compare as favorably with a summa cum laude graduate from Harvard applying for the same job. A correspondent course or part time degree may be recognized but if you're competing against a graduate from the local uni or those who have studied on campus in a recognized overseas uni for an entry level position, chances are you'll not be viewed as favorably. Unless you have relevant or related experience such that you can bring in expertise, contacts etc that will be valuable to the company.

IMO, a part time degree from those PEIs is usually only of value if you stay within the company and they needed you to have the qualification to justify a promotion, or in very specialized areas not offered in the local unis. If you're planning to use it to apply for an entry level graduate position, it'll be tough.
Absolutely agree!!! Distant not distant doesnt matter much. Whether self study or not doesnt matter too. What if someone self study for example 6 O level subjects and gets straight As versus someone study through a very popular/good school but get As & Bs?

For O and A levels, as well as IB, you take the same exam at the same time if you're from the same country. So all that matters is the grade, which reflect comprehension and achievement.

A uni degree is different. All unis differ to some extent in terms of what is being taught, the expectation and the ease of getting an A. For uni education, the major way to learn is by interaction with faculty and peers etc, not just by self-study. Anyone can read a book and regurgitate what is found in the book in answer to question. What a uni education provides is the exchange of views and ideas, as well as debating such views and ideas. Even if the subject matter of what is taught and tested doesn't differ much amongst unis, a top uni is highly sought after because you get to interact and exchange views with the best and brighest.

There is a world of difference between a degree obtained by distance learning and on campus, and that is reflected in the job prospects, pay etc.

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:52:41 GMT

Lynn2010 — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 13:52:41 GMT

USgrad:
I think the issue isn't so much whether a degree is recognized, but rather how it compares with other degrees. An NUS degree may be recognized but chances are you won't compare as favorably with a summa cum laude graduate from Harvard applying for the same job. A correspondent course or part time degree may be recognized but if you're competing against a graduate from the local uni or those who have studied on campus in a recognized overseas uni for an entry level position, chances are you'll not be viewed as favorably. Unless you have relevant or related experience such that you can bring in expertise, contacts etc that will be valuable to the company.

IMO, a part time degree from those PEIs is usually only of value if you stay within the company and they needed you to have the qualification to justify a promotion, or in very specialized areas not offered in the local unis. If you're planning to use it to apply for an entry level graduate position, it'll be tough.

Absolutely agree!!! Distant not distant doesnt matter much. Whether self study or not doesnt matter too. What if someone self study for example 6 O level subjects and gets straight As versus someone study through a very popular/good school but get As & Bs?

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Sun, 14 Oct 2012 16:10:29 GMT

USgrad — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 16:10:29 GMT

wonderm:
verykiasumummy:

how do u define easy to obtain?? some of the courses are assignment based, is this called easy to obtain?
No, it is hard to judge just like that. You would need to look into it deeper to make a judgement or ask around from people who are familiar with the specific field of study.

It usually takes 3 to 4 years full time to obtain a baccalaureate degree. Any degree that takes you that amount of time, or shorter, to obtain, and on a part time basis is definitely not going to be of an equivalent standard. Added to it, many of these part time courses have very low entry requirements.

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Sun, 14 Oct 2012 16:04:13 GMT

USgrad — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 16:04:13 GMT

Bookwrappers:
Even if ICA does recognise some uni, it doesnt mean all certs from the same uni are recognised. If u get what i mean.

You're definitely right. A degree from, say, LSE in London is definitely going to be viewed very differently from a part time degree obtained locally through a PEI or by distant learning.

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Sun, 14 Oct 2012 15:59:33 GMT

USgrad — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 15:59:33 GMT

I think the issue isn’t so much whether a degree is recognized, but rather how it compares with other degrees. An NUS degree may be recognized but chances are you won’t compare as favorably with a summa cum laude graduate from Harvard applying for the same job. A correspondent course or part time degree may be recognized but if you’re competing against a graduate from the local uni or those who have studied on campus in a recognized overseas uni for an entry level position, chances are you’ll not be viewed as favorably. Unless you have relevant or related experience such that you can bring in expertise, contacts etc that will be valuable to the company.

IMO, a part time degree from those PEIs is usually only of value if you stay within the company and they needed you to have the qualification to justify a promotion, or in very specialized areas not offered in the local unis. If you’re planning to use it to apply for an entry level graduate position, it’ll be tough.

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 20:19:52 GMT

Bookwrappers — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 20:19:52 GMT

Even if ICA does recognise some uni, it doesnt mean all certs from the same uni are recognised. If u get what i mean.

Vkm, i think u should reconsider this sma institution cos a friend told me their courses are distant learning, so means the lecturers from that uni will fly over to hv lessons once in a module, after that u will be left to self study online. After each module will hv either exams or projects. This is those kind with very minimal teaching, in my opinion not very recognised.

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 13:05:43 GMT

Kissgurami — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 13:05:43 GMT

verykiasumummy:

applying for PR?? ICA?? why are they the approving authority for qualifications??

Need to validate against fraud or unknown universities degree papers. so they only have a specific drop down list of universities or schools to select.

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 10:30:38 GMT

verykiasumummy — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 10:30:38 GMT

Lynn2010:
Bookwrappers:
[quote=\"MMM\"]

verykiasumummy,

whatever you do, pls make sure the degree is recognised. Otherwise you are wasting your time and $ doing it. I am unsure if there is a statutory board that can confirm if your degree is recognise by them. if stat board recognises it, I suppose it should be fine. Make sure you do your due diligence and not trust the private school's comments.

I cleared my professional paper just before my 1st child arrive. I recalled going to JB for a revision paper as a famous UK lecturer was conducting revision classes there. Did that when I was heavily pregnant as I wanted so badly to clear a particular paper.... Fortunately I did it....

Contemplated doing a MBA couple of years ago on co. sponsorship. Comes with a bond... well not bad huh given that job is insecure nowadays... But at this point of life (with a P5 and P4), I felt that I rather dedicate my time to their education. So what if I have a MBA, does that value add??? Probably makes no diff... Sometimes I thought maybe I will do it when they go to sec school.... but but... my P1 will be P4 by the time my no. 2 goes to sec 1. And there we go again....
Hi mmm,

Is there a statutory board that recognised qualifications in singapore? I dun think so. According to what i know, sg does not have a central authority for cert recognition.

Who can confirm this?

I've seen the list before. It is definitely not MOE. I think something like ICA or MOM. If i remember correctly, this is a list of universities that our govt will recognise if you apply for PR or something. So, i assume if this is the list. But if it is Aus uni, i'm familiar. I can tell you.[/quote]applying for PR?? ICA?? why are they the approving authority for qualifications??

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 09:32:19 GMT

hquek — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 09:32:19 GMT

I think it’s the pm office or civil service that sets out if a qualification is respected. Afterall if govt accept, private sector also will. It’s on their website somewhere

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 09:26:25 GMT

wonderm — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 09:26:25 GMT

verykiasumummy:

how do u define easy to obtain?? some of the courses are assignment based, is this called easy to obtain?

No, it is hard to judge just like that. You would need to look into it deeper to make a judgement or ask around from people who are familiar with the specific field of study.

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 09:10:00 GMT

verykiasumummy — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 09:10:00 GMT

wonderm:
verykiasumummy:
[quote=\"straffan23\"]Our local universities offers very comprehensive part time and full time masters programme. There's also huge subsidies for citizens and PR - good to make use of this, right? I feel that there's an unspoken preference amongst the employers for local uni certs, or those direct from overseas; compared to distant learning programmes.

yes it is true... but taking from local uni will take much more time that will disrupt my quality time with my kids...

m i looking for trouble... oh my...

I don't know anything about the courses you mentioned. Just be careful, if a cert is too easy to obtain, it may not be of much value in the eyes of employers, unless you are taking it just for interest sake.[/quote]how do u define easy to obtain?? some of the courses are assignment based, is this called easy to obtain?

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 09:05:32 GMT

Lynn2010 — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 09:05:32 GMT

Bookwrappers:
MMM:
[quote=\"verykiasumummy\"] i'm not going for any government uni, this sma opposite bras basah is the first time i hear of them... do u hv any advice? how to chk if their courses are recognised?

verykiasumummy,

whatever you do, pls make sure the degree is recognised. Otherwise you are wasting your time and $ doing it. I am unsure if there is a statutory board that can confirm if your degree is recognise by them. if stat board recognises it, I suppose it should be fine. Make sure you do your due diligence and not trust the private school's comments.

I cleared my professional paper just before my 1st child arrive. I recalled going to JB for a revision paper as a famous UK lecturer was conducting revision classes there. Did that when I was heavily pregnant as I wanted so badly to clear a particular paper.... Fortunately I did it....

Contemplated doing a MBA couple of years ago on co. sponsorship. Comes with a bond... well not bad huh given that job is insecure nowadays... But at this point of life (with a P5 and P4), I felt that I rather dedicate my time to their education. So what if I have a MBA, does that value add??? Probably makes no diff... Sometimes I thought maybe I will do it when they go to sec school.... but but... my P1 will be P4 by the time my no. 2 goes to sec 1. And there we go again....

Hi mmm,

Is there a statutory board that recognised qualifications in singapore? I dun think so. According to what i know, sg does not have a central authority for cert recognition.

Who can confirm this?[/quote]
I've seen the list before. It is definitely not MOE. I think something like ICA or MOM. If i remember correctly, this is a list of universities that our govt will recognise if you apply for PR or something. So, i assume if this is the list. But if it is Aus uni, i'm familiar. I can tell you.

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 08:14:58 GMT

sembgal — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 08:14:58 GMT

I would say it’s good to further your studies. The biggest guilt reminder would be you will have less time to spend with the kids. Husband has to be supportive of your decision now and in the future. Husband may need to spend time to look after the kids when you are on course, help you out with household chores and the kids’ school work. You would have to think 2 to 3 years ahead if you can cope with the increased in demand and not to mention the lack of sleep. This decision has to be made by you and I applaud you for furthering your studies.

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 05:29:47 GMT

Kissgurami — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 05:29:47 GMT

Funz:

I recognised what my Director was telling me. But at that time, in my 20s, I was tasting freedom, financial as well as from the grind of assignments and exams and results. I was still being promoted and even poached by other companies and unethically so, by other divisions in the company. My attitude then was too bad for those companies, their loss, not mine, if they want only to look at paper qualifications. So egoistic hor.

:rotflmao: I know what you mean, I was given a counter offer increment but being egoistic, I said declined

Being egoistic is the 20's forte :rotflmao:

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 05:02:24 GMT

Funz — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 05:02:24 GMT

Kissgurami:
Funz:
I was never the academic type. I remember my Director, after giving me my promotion, told me to go get a Masters. I asked why? Is it because the job requires me to gain the knowledge from doing a Masters degree? He told me not really, just that it will look good on my CV. Told him I will consider. He told me that is the reality of the working world now. He said he knows me and have seen my work and know that I have what it takes but for other hirers, they do not have the benefit of working with me so all they can go on is my CV, so that piece of paper will help open more doors. I found out later that my immediate boss who was rather new to our team recommended another guy to be promoted over me because on paper that guy was better qualified though his tenure at the company was shorter and he has lesser experience.

I hate it but if you are looking to climb in the corporate world these days, those papers seem to be a necessity.

Right now, I do not have any intention to further my existing paper qualification. I may choose to do something totally different, maybe food and nutrition, haha. But must find out more about it first.
Was your company willing to sponsor for your masters? I would take it up if they sponsor for the master I want

Shucks, I hate that when it happens. :grphug:

Happened to me before as well and that was with my diploma so I left the company. Pointless when all they are looking at is paper, though that propelled me to get a degree of my preference (had to do additional bridging modules since dip and degree were un-related)

No lah, they not sponsoring. But the company does have interest free loans that staff can use for further studies.

I recognised what my Director was telling me. But at that time, in my 20s, I was tasting freedom, financial as well as from the grind of assignments and exams and results. I was still being promoted and even poached by other companies and unethically so, by other divisions in the company. My attitude then was too bad for those companies, their loss, not mine, if they want only to look at paper qualifications. So egoistic hor.

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 04:29:20 GMT

Kissgurami — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 04:29:20 GMT

Funz:
I was never the academic type. I remember my Director, after giving me my promotion, told me to go get a Masters. I asked why? Is it because the job requires me to gain the knowledge from doing a Masters degree? He told me not really, just that it will look good on my CV. Told him I will consider. He told me that is the reality of the working world now. He said he knows me and have seen my work and know that I have what it takes but for other hirers, they do not have the benefit of working with me so all they can go on is my CV, so that piece of paper will help open more doors. I found out later that my immediate boss who was rather new to our team recommended another guy to be promoted over me because on paper that guy was better qualified though his tenure at the company was shorter and he has lesser experience.

I hate it but if you are looking to climb in the corporate world these days, those papers seem to be a necessity.

Right now, I do not have any intention to further my existing paper qualification. I may choose to do something totally different, maybe food and nutrition, haha. But must find out more about it first.

Was your company willing to sponsor for your masters? I would take it up if they sponsor for the master I want

Shucks, I hate that when it happens. :grphug:

Happened to me before as well and that was with my diploma so I left the company. Pointless when all they are looking at is paper, though that propelled me to get a degree of my preference (had to do additional bridging modules since dip and degree were un-related)

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 04:24:34 GMT

Funz — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 04:24:34 GMT

I was never the academic type. I remember my Director, after giving me my promotion, told me to go get a Masters. I asked why? Is it because the job requires me to gain the knowledge from doing a Masters degree? He told me not really, just that it will look good on my CV. Told him I will consider. He told me that is the reality of the working world now. He said he knows me and have seen my work and know that I have what it takes but for other hirers, they do not have the benefit of working with me so all they can go on is my CV, so that piece of paper will help open more doors. I found out later that my immediate boss who was rather new to our team recommended another guy to be promoted over me because on paper that guy was better qualified though his tenure at the company was shorter and he has lesser experience.

I hate it but if you are looking to climb in the corporate world these days, those papers seem to be a necessity.

Right now, I do not have any intention to further my existing paper qualification. I may choose to do something totally different, maybe food and nutrition, haha. But must find out more about it first.

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 03:48:37 GMT

Kissgurami — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 03:48:37 GMT

MMM:

IMHO, I don't think so... it's actually a waste of time... If the person already has a accountancy degree from recognised unis, might as well do a MBA instead.. But I do have friends who have accountancy/ non-accountancy degree (eg. banking and finance) from some unis that are not recognised by ICPAS, they are the ones taking ACCA....

They do have recognised accountancy degree and said the extra \"ACCA\" is to add on in terms of paper plus tends focus more on the technical side of accounting practices? which means wider spectrum of being auditors?? and there is CA also ?? :? (my mind kind of shut down trying to grasp :rotflmao: ) :imdrowning:

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Sat, 13 Oct 2012 03:39:38 GMT

Kissgurami — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 03:39:38 GMT

verykiasumummy:
straffan23:
Our local universities offers very comprehensive part time and full time masters programme. There's also huge subsidies for citizens and PR - good to make use of this, right? I feel that there's an unspoken preference amongst the employers for local uni certs, or those direct from overseas; compared to distant learning programmes.

yes it is true... but taking from local uni will take much more time that will disrupt my quality time with my kids...

m i looking for trouble... oh my...

that isn't entirely true. There are employers who view it indirectly that the person is good at \"time management\" (has to go hand in hand with good results for your paper).

Reply to Any working mums thinking of furthering your qualifications? on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 10:51:49 GMT

wonderm — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 10:51:49 GMT

verykiasumummy:
straffan23:
Our local universities offers very comprehensive part time and full time masters programme. There's also huge subsidies for citizens and PR - good to make use of this, right? I feel that there's an unspoken preference amongst the employers for local uni certs, or those direct from overseas; compared to distant learning programmes.

yes it is true... but taking from local uni will take much more time that will disrupt my quality time with my kids...

m i looking for trouble... oh my...