A degree can only get you that far. Discuss.

If this was an A-level GP topic, I would have called myself, "Siow" for even considering writing it.

But after almost 7 years, I have to say, the many MEs unanimously agree with the topic; A degree can only get you that far. There is no "A degree can get you very far" argument on my part, because honestly, it can't.

It can REALLY only get you that far. To put it visually, it can only bring you to the doorstep of a house. Whether you gain permanent residence or temporary residence is completely dependent on skills the education system never taught you.

To put what I have learnt in my working life in perspective, I constructed the following Q & A. Believe it or not but both my bosses have stressed some of these points to the staff time and time again...

You got straight As? Doesn't matter. Can you think fast in times of a crisis?

You are a dean's lister? Don't care. Are you responsible?

You got first class honours? Good for you. Can you think out of the box?

You can memorise well? Not important. I need someone analytical.

You are book smart? For what? I prefer someone with better common sense.

You worked hard to get your grades? Good, but I like someone who works smart.

You got better qualifications than her? Well, she can come up with better ideas than you.

You got more experience than him? He has a wider knowledge base than you.

You work alone the best? I see. Then you can just work from home.

A degree, a diploma or whatever printed document you have as evidence of your 4 years in a tertiary institute gets you maybe this far _. After that, its all up to you.

Skills is an exclusive term for an employee. The better your skills, or the faster you hone them, the greater your success.

Once my boss gauged our thinking skills by testing us to see how fast we fix and set up a (rather complex) foot stool. Where did I learn that? Which module taught me how to do that? Which book could I seek for reference?!!!

See, nothing in your education can prepare you for the concepts of "Work" and "Boss".

Work is not about dressing well, looking good and paying your bills. Work is a state of mind. You lose conscious momentarily, you can lose yourself forever.

Boss is not merely your superior. He/She is an impetus to your growth. Whether you grow steadily or stunt at the root, depends on how convincing you are as an employee.

If we all knew what our Boss was thinking, we would be the Boss by now.

Different Bosses, different expectations. Some like the smart ones, some prefer the hardworking ones. Some bosses think grades are all that matter, some bosses think grades can also matter.
Some bosses are highly encouraging, some bosses treat you like shit all the time.

Well, its good to do the basics of studying hard and getting a degree. Its a step on the stepping stone... But remember to also study more out of the constricted academic realm.

You got to study situations, actions, reactions, people and yourself, most importantly.

And if there is anything I have learnt from my working experience, its this: READ WIDELY.
READING gets you places you wouldn't even have dreamt of :)

Sigh... I like preaching.... I should do it more often.

Spar Mail

All the young ones at work have to attend a 5 day personal development (PD) programme

Info: There are 42 different courses in the programme, I need to select 4 or 5 to go for.

I conveniently did not sign up and intelligenlty thought my Boss wouldn't know (Boss was not in town).

I momentarily forgot that my boss is not stupid.

Hence, started the email war....

Boss's email : I see that you have not signed up for the courses. Out of the 42 nothing caught your attention? Well, since its compulsory I have taken the initiative and nominated you for the following courses:

1)Dressing Right to Work

2) Health Care and Management (Apparently its about Cancer, cancer and cancer)

3) Invest in the Right Things

After much deliberation, I have decided that YOU would benefit the most from these courses. If you are fortunate, you might attain some wisdom to impart to your fellow colleagues.

Get back to me asap.

Out of the 42 odd courses, my BOSS had to nominate me for the most borrring ones. What will I do in the health care course? If the lecturer asks me, excuse me where are you going?
What am I going to say? I am going to think about cancer repurcussions over a smoke?!

This sucks man. I am not going to take this lying down.

So I reply: Maybe you should add in one more course- Working for Difficult People. I think it would also benefit me greatly.

Boss's reply: Ya can also. Then I suggest you go for this one too - Retrenchment and Retirement plans. Its a follow up to your Working for Difficult People course.

So I reply: The three you mentioned earlier sound great. I think those are sufficient to complete my 5 day PD programme. Thanks.

Once again I sell my dignity because I got bills to pay. DAMN you society!!!!!!!!!!

Brother

Me: What would you do if I quit my job to become a dancer?

Brother: I will quit NS and become a book writer.

Background Info: The last time I saw my brother with a storybook, he was 14. He is 22 this year. When anyone asks him, what is his favourite book? He, very seriously, in a dignified manner goes, "The Merchant of Venice". The person who asked the question is immediately impressed. They would think, "Wow, here you have an Indian boy, who looks like the sort to pick a fight with Ali, Tan, Raja and Dick, reading Shakespeare! Who would have thought?!"

Well, nobody would have thought. Given the fact that it was his Sec 2 text for Literature, I am not surprised he used it to sound "glam".

In fact I am glad he didn't say Charlotte's Web. I don't know how manly that sounds....