So what career are you aiming for?

[john_kun]

Originally Posted by JRendell

^ there's your ambition.

*starts looking* where, where?

[InB4Haruhi]

I was thinking for myself something along the lines of a voice actor. I enjoy acting, I just don't have the appearance for it, that and I love anime and I would like to be a part of the creative process.

I'm also thinking about writing, though more scenario writing like in visual novels. I'm kind of writing one right now to see if I enjoy it, and so far I do.

[Hari Michiru]

I'm thinking of going into forensics, but I'm not sure if there's a lot of spots in that area of work.

And no, I don't actually think that the stuff that happens in CSI is part of the job description in real life forensics.

[Bea Rabbit]

Imma going to focuse on literature,
only with writing we can got money. and I love writing. xD

or if I am smart enough, chemistry will do.
Its interesting to work in a laboratory and playing with those atomic. BD

[grylsyjaeger]

If I don't stay in the military I want to try and drive rally cars. I've caught the fever...

[john_kun]

Originally Posted by Hari Michiru

I'm thinking of going into forensics, but I'm not sure if there's a lot of spots in that area of work.

And no, I don't actually think that the stuff that happens in CSI is part of the job description in real life forensics.

dexter is the only criminal drama that is not scooby do like

[P99]

I am interested in becoming a Truama Surgeon. It will take a lot of work, but hopefully I will enjoy it.

[Full Metal Coast]

looking to become a brand manager or something in the field of Marketing and Management. would love to try it in either the anime of fashion industry eventually

[Jill Valentine]

Homicide Detective. But i'll study two career's so it will be HD and something more' not sure what yet.

[SaintessHeart]

Instead of starting a new thread and clogging up precious server space, I decided to ask a question here.

As this new year started I figured out that I am in really deep shit, and I am running out of options. Usually I wouldn't ask for advice but this is an exception. The problem is this :

1. I am finish my National Service soon.

2. I am not qualified for a real job due to that fact that I don't hold a diploma, only As.

3. I have no bloody idea what I want to do, but cycling through my dreams yield nothing more than just air because they are not realistic enough. Computer and/or mechanical engineer? Nope, don't qualify. Business? I have no head for it.

4. If you ask me what I really like, I can only give "solving problems". Seriously. I enjoy solving problems, as long as it does not involve two eggheaded royals lambasting each other. Be it repairing a PSP battery, plumbing the toilet or trying to talk a friend into letting me build a computer for her, I somehow enjoyed the satisfaction of putting together all the data I have researched and coming up with something practical.

In light of the highly competitive society I live in where many have both paper and practical qualifications, combined with my current age, it is do or die time. No mistakes. Any advice?

Being stuck like this makes me feel stupid for convincing myself out of the suicide attempt many years back.

[TinyRedLeaf]

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

1. I am finish my National Service soon.

ORD loh!

2. I am not qualified for a real job due to that fact that I don't hold a diploma, only As.

Start as a freelancer first perhaps? Something, anything, to bring in the dough as you work towards a professional qualification.

3. I have no bloody idea what I want to do, but cycling through my dreams yield nothing more than just air because they are not realistic enough. Computer and/or mechanical engineer? Nope, don't qualify. Business? I have no head for it.

Take a deep breath and tell yourself: "This is normal."

If I had a clue what to do after my NS, I wouldn't have taken up computing and business studies (it was the height of the dot-com boom). During the course of two plus years in camouflaged green, I managed to convince myself to drop a confirmed place in Arts & Social Science at NUS, and take up a degree that's "worth more than the paper it's printed on".

That's pragmatic advice. It also happened to be very bad advice, for me. The unnecessary detour in career development cost me four years, effectively putting me way behind what most of my peers are earning today.

So, the next piece of advice I'd give you is also the corniest (but no less true): Do what you like so you'll never have to work a day in your life.

Forget "realistic" for the moment. Think instead about what you like doing. More about this below.

4. If you ask me what I really like, I can only give "solving problems". Seriously. I enjoy solving problems, as long as it does not involve two eggheaded royals lambasting each other. Be it repairing a PSP battery, plumbing the toilet or trying to talk a friend into letting me build a computer for her, I somehow enjoyed the satisfaction of putting together all the data I have researched and coming up with something practical.

Sounds like you might want to explore options as a hardware technician for now. I don't know if they have started hiring, but you may want to try searching for openings at servicing centres, perhaps?

It's one possible starting point, at least. I don't expect them to ask for very high qualifications, probably nothing beyond what is offered by the various ITEs.

And, oh, the ITE system does work, because many of its programmes enjoy strong buy-in from industry partners. Don't let yourself be bothered with the associated societal stigma. Getting a paying job trumps whatever snide remarks that bigots come up with.

[Tenken's Smile]

Clinical Medicine.

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by TinyRedLeaf

ORD loh!

Start as a freelancer first perhaps? Something, anything, to bring in the dough as you work towards a professional qualification.

Though I waited less than you did back then (slightly less then 2 years in fact), the amount of R&D and planning for my future during this time still resulted in asking a question here. I am buried, under a whole mountain of facts about the working world and different job sectors, only to realise that all of these just change so rapidly that most I dug up already became irrelevant today.

Heck, most of my free time is spent on Google (and to a small extent, this forum). All for nothing. What a waste.

If I had a clue what to do after my NS, I wouldn't have taken up computing and business studies (it was the height of the dot-com boom). During the course of two plus years in camouflaged green, I managed to convince myself to drop a confirmed place in Arts & Social Science at NUS, and take up a degree that's "worth more than the paper it's printed on".

That's pragmatic advice. It also happened to be very bad advice, for me. The unnecessary detour in career development cost me four years, effectively putting me way behind what most of my peers are earning today.

So, the next piece of advice I'd give you is also the corniest (but no less true): Do what you like so you'll never have to work a day in your life.

I do know I am a very R&D-oriented kind of person, plus I enjoy writing essays. I am not sure if ghostwriting counts as a freelance job, or can data mining (legality of method doesn't matter) be learnt in an amateur form.

Is there a job other than accounting that requires one to sift through billions of pieces of information, then piece it together like a jigsaw puzzle?

Forget "realistic" for the moment. Think instead about what you like doing. More about this below.

Sounds like you might want to explore options as a hardware technician for now. I don't know if they have started hiring, but you may want to try searching for openings at servicing centres, perhaps?

There is one target. SITEX in March. But I am not sure if they will hire anyone unqualified like me, as my skills are pretty amateur, combined with the fact that without Google, I am screwed.

It's one possible starting point, at least. I don't expect them to ask for very high qualifications, probably nothing beyond what is offered by the various ITEs.

And, oh, the ITE system does work, because many of its programmes enjoy strong buy-in from industry partners. Don't let yourself be bothered with the associated societal stigma. Getting a paying job trumps whatever snide remarks that bigots come up with.

That is as good as getting disowned. Despite all my ability to read and write, I am still unable to convince my parents to look at my perspective of going ITE (they never did because I had been a troublemaker all my life ). Any education endeavour would require some serious financial backing that I can't cover. Plus, the reason why the ITE is so successful is because of government-assisted industrial backing, basically for all the reason of political support.

Tidbits aside, here are a few things I am worried about right now :

1. Specialisation in a sector, especially when officiated through these "paper" means, can result in me being a victim in structural unemployment (Microeconomics). I am not very good at predicting market and job demands, so I need something generic that can cover either cheek of my butt if one side is torn off.

2. Market saturation of degrees : Business degrees spiked in the last few years, and it will continue to go up in the next few years. The specifics of which kind (i.e Finance, Economics, Administration, Management), I am not sure about the details. I was contemplating a Hon Sci in Economics and Finance in UOL-SIM after taking a Diploma in Management, but there are a few big risks of

- Financial backing getting dropped (both in total cost a bloody huge sum, over $40,000 minus tuition)
- Late getting into the working world (calculated to be 26-27 when I enter)
- Flunking out in the degree course (I totally suck at Statistical Math)

3. With reference to 1 & 2, combined with how the market is doing right now, I predict myself to be a longterm NEET IF I ever graduate. Recoveries don't last for ever.

My age and the foggy market outlooks are pretty much my main concerns right now. As for job satisfaction......I will look into it later. I plan to get an Engineering degree AFTER this and do an industry switch (while still working as a freelance trader) later in life, but I seriously doubt that is viable.

P.S What is the difference between a Bachelor in Business (Fin & Econs) and Bachelor in Science (Fin & Econs)? Hiring, job options, etc.

[TinyRedLeaf]

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

Though I waited less than you did back then (slightly less then 2 years in fact), the amount of R&D and planning for my future during this time still resulted in asking a question here. I am buried, under a whole mountain of facts about the working world and different job sectors, only to realise that all of these just change so rapidly that most I dug up already became irrelevant today.

The specifics change, but the broad aspects of most jobs don't. If you're a doctor, you there to heal people. If you're a mechanic, you fix cars. No matter how skilled or knowledgeable both are when they started their careers, they still have to constantly keep up-to-date with changes in their line of work. Every doctor I've known spends some time every day reading up medical journals, so as to be aware of the latest developments in their field.

Meaning to say, the only constant in life today is change. You become "irrelevant" only when you don't push yourself to learn on the job.

I do know I am a very R&D-oriented kind of person, plus I enjoy writing essays. I am not sure if ghostwriting counts as a freelance job, or can data mining (legality of method doesn't matter) be learnt in an amateur form.

Ghostwriting can be done on a freelance basis although, as a beginner, you'd probably find it very hard to get any contracts. It's not much different from freelance writing (someone else would still have to edit your work), except that you'd expected to be a really good writer (because you're essentially performing the role of a copy-editor or copywriter), in order to convince the employer that you can write on his behalf. And the best way to convince others of your quality is with a portfolio of work done.

And the only way to build a portfolio is to start writing (and getting published!). A tiny number of publishers do post freelance/part-time jobs on jobs-listing websites (ST701 or JobsCentral, for example) but, by and large, most freelance writers get hired by word of mouth. Or by being thick-skinned and writing directly to the editors to offer their services.

Or, better yet, offer to be a writing intern. If you're hired, you'd likely to be paid peanuts (if anything at all) but, hey, it's a chance to gain experience.

Data-mining is one of those jobs that has become largely automated by now, thanks to large-scale enterprise systems. Data-research companies (for example, DP Information Group) might still hire part-time workers. Although, I can't say I know this for sure, as it's been a long time since I looked in that area.

Is there a job other than accounting that requires one to sift through billions of pieces of information, then piece it together like a jigsaw puzzle?

Almost all jobs require some level of attention to myriad detail, so I can't say there is any one particular job that focuses on just this aspect of work.

Well, one job does pop into mind: a financial analyst, especially forex or commodity traders. Here's the beautiful thing: You don't need a degree in economics to be a trader. You need only a good head for numbers, and a love for charts, to do technical analysis reliably.

I personally know two people who switched to full-time freelance trading. One was a former pit trader at the Singapore Stock Exchange, before it went fully electronic. He's now a full-time forex trader today. The other fellow used to work for a big bank, but has since left to trade full time as well, mostly in equity, I believe.

There is one target. SITEX in March. But I am not sure if they will hire anyone unqualified like me, as my skills are pretty amateur, combined with the fact that without Google, I am screwed.

Exhibitions in Singapore are dime a dozen nowadays — thanks to Suntec Singapore and the Singapore Expo — and events companies are always on the lookout for part-time labour, to help with setting up or manning booths. Again, a lot of such work goes to friends, or friends or friends. So, it's time to sound out your network of friends and family, to get clued-in to such opportunities.

That is as good as getting disowned. Despite all my ability to read and write, I am still unable to convince my parents to look at my perspective of going ITE (they never did because I had been a troublemaker all my life). Any education endeavour would require some serious financial backing that I can't cover. Plus, the reason why the ITE is so successful is because of government-assisted industrial backing, basically for all the reason of political support.

Government funding obliges industry players to hire the people trained by ITE. That's why it's almost usually a sure thing that someone would hire an ITE grad with credible grades. From what I've observed, the chances of getting hired are highest among those who focus on specialised, technical skills, rather than broad administrative disciplines.

My younger brother was the black sheep of the family until well after his national service. There was a time when we were seriously worried that he was going to be a leech for the rest of his life. But things changed; he picked up a trade and now works full-time in Bangkok.

In other words, there is always hope for a remarkable turnaround. But it's up to you to win back trust that has been lost.

1. Specialisation in a sector, especially when officiated through these "paper" means, can result in me being a victim in structural unemployment (Microeconomics). I am not very good at predicting market and job demands, so I need something generic that can cover either cheek of my butt if one side is torn off.

The risk is negligible. People become structurally unemployed only because they refuse to adapt. At your age, the opportunity cost of a career switch is very low. So, it doesn't matter what paper qualification you get at this point. If it turns out to be irrelevant to the career you'd like to pursue, get another one — if you really need it.

Frankly, paper qualifications are overrated. Once you get past the first door, how far you go and how high you climb depends on your performance on the job, and not on your past academic achievements. Degrees are more valuable than diplomas only because employers perceive it to be proof of higher learning, and they are right, but only to a certain extent. The idea is that, if you're clever enough to mix with other clever people, you'd probably be a good hire. But clever people are usually self-motivated to learn, irrespective of the quality of their teachers.

In other words, self-learning is the key, and paper qualifications are nothing more than a part of a massive branding exercise to justify human-resource efforts to hire the "best" people for the job. In reality, I've seen too many degree-level engineers who are as unimaginative and unproductive as your average, unmotivated Normal-stream student.

2. Market saturation of degrees : Business degrees spiked in the last few years, and it will continue to go up in the next few years. The specifics of which kind (i.e Finance, Economics, Administration, Management), I am not sure about the details. I was contemplating a Hon Sci in Economics and Finance in UOL-SIM after taking a Diploma in Management, but there are a few big risks of

- Financial backing getting dropped (both in total cost a bloody huge sum, over $40,000 minus tuition)
- Late getting into the working world (calculated to be 26-27 when I enter)
- Flunking out in the degree course (I totally suck at Statistical Math)

There are indeed too many business degrees, including MBAs, out there today. They've become commodities with barely any cachet. The best answer is to find a specialisation within the discipline but, of course, that's easier said than done when you've not started to work yet and have no idea what you'd like to do.

As for the cost, think of it as an investment rather than expenditure. And keep in mind that there's no such thing as a 100 per cent guaranteed return on investment.

Twenty-six or 27 is not that bad. I entered the workforce at 25, as do most male Singaporean degree graduates. Plus, you've got to put it in perspective: There will always be people, like me, who switch careers mid-stream, effectively negating whatever lead they had over their peers.

In other words, age is not a factor, not when you're still below 40. You've got at least until then to experiment. You could still go on experimenting after 40, but the opportunity costs (wife, kids, mortgages, etc) are likely to be much higher.

3. With reference to 1 & 2, combined with how the market is doing right now, I predict myself to be a longterm NEET IF I ever graduate. Recoveries don't last for ever.

By all accounts, this will be a BOOMZ year (gotta love Ris Low for introducing the word into the Singlish lexicon). The real economy usually lags the stock markets by nine to 12 months. If that's the case, you can expect to see hiring to pick up strongly by the middle of this year. The signs are already there — hiring expectations are up strongly across many sectors.

After this year, who knows? But uncertainty is a poor excuse for inaction. Something still needs to be done, or you'd just remain stuck wherever you are.

What is the difference between a Bachelor in Business (Fin & Econs) and Bachelor in Science (Fin & Econs)? Hiring, job options, etc.

Other than the different spelling, no difference. Theoretically, a BSc degree is supposed to be more quantitative than a BA or a general bachelor degree, but that is hardly a reliable assumption as much depends on the types of modules offered by either type of programme.

I don't think a HR manager is going to care very much, either way. As long as you've got a degree listed on the resume, you're a potential hire.

[Knyghtblade]

I want to get back into game design. I had to leave the field when I moved back home for a stint since there is nothing around here. Once I move in a few months i'll start tossing resumes out.

[Full Metal Coast]

Originally Posted by SaintessHeart

Instead of starting a new thread and clogging up precious server space, I decided to ask a question here.

As this new year started I figured out that I am in really deep shit, and I am running out of options. Usually I wouldn't ask for advice but this is an exception. The problem is this :

1. I am finish my National Service soon.

2. I am not qualified for a real job due to that fact that I don't hold a diploma, only As.

3. I have no bloody idea what I want to do, but cycling through my dreams yield nothing more than just air because they are not realistic enough. Computer and/or mechanical engineer? Nope, don't qualify. Business? I have no head for it.

4. If you ask me what I really like, I can only give "solving problems". Seriously. I enjoy solving problems, as long as it does not involve two eggheaded royals lambasting each other. Be it repairing a PSP battery, plumbing the toilet or trying to talk a friend into letting me build a computer for her, I somehow enjoyed the satisfaction of putting together all the data I have researched and coming up with something practical.

In light of the highly competitive society I live in where many have both paper and practical qualifications, combined with my current age, it is do or die time. No mistakes. Any advice?

Being stuck like this makes me feel stupid for convincing myself out of the suicide attempt many years back.

why not try and head to university as a mature age student for a bit it always helps to have that little piece of paper

[SaintessHeart]

Originally Posted by TinyRedLeaf

Meaning to say, the only constant in life today is change. You become "irrelevant" only when you don't push yourself to learn on the job.

Great, that line knocked me senseless. A bottomline quote that I totally ignored while doing registrations and research. Thanks for heads up.

My younger brother was the black sheep of the family until well after his national service. There was a time when we were seriously worried that he was going to be a leech for the rest of his life. But things changed; he picked up a trade and now works full-time in Bangkok.

My family members have that same vibe. As of yesterday, I introduced the term NEET to my parents and gave them a heart attack, so I might be able to get a CPF loan from them. It is sure cruel to use their pensions for my personal purposes, but compared to a bank education loan, it is so much cheaper at 2.5% interest rate.

So this is what being an unscrupulous businessman feels like. I will probably never get used to it.

The risk is negligible. People become structurally unemployed only because they refuse to adapt. At your age, the opportunity cost of a career switch is very low. So, it doesn't matter what paper qualification you get at this point. If it turns out to be irrelevant to the career you'd like to pursue, get another one — if you really need it.

Frankly, paper qualifications are overrated. Once you get past the first door, how far you go and how high you climb depends on your performance on the job, and not on your past academic achievements. Degrees are more valuable than diplomas only because employers perceive it to be proof of higher learning, and they are right, but only to a certain extent. The idea is that, if you're clever enough to mix with other clever people, you'd probably be a good hire. But clever people are usually self-motivated to learn, irrespective of the quality of their teachers.

In other words, self-learning is the key, and paper qualifications are nothing more than a part of a massive branding exercise to justify human-resource efforts to hire the "best" people for the job. In reality, I've seen too many degree-level engineers who are as unimaginative and unproductive as your average, unmotivated Normal-stream student.

Though paper qualifications are overrated, I don't deny the fact that the process of getting it is like walking through a treasure trove of valuable information with a genius level guide. That piece of paper is well-worth its 5-digit sum, but ultimately, it is how one puts the knowledge gained into a productive use.

To be continued in the next part, I already applied for a Diploma, but I am having second thoughts about doing so.

There are indeed too many business degrees, including MBAs, out there today. They've become commodities with barely any cachet. The best answer is to find a specialisation within the discipline but, of course, that's easier said than done when you've not started to work yet and have no idea what you'd like to do.

As for the cost, think of it as an investment rather than expenditure. And keep in mind that there's no such thing as a 100 per cent guaranteed return on investment.

I finally put forward a choice and applied for a Diploma in Management Studies. It is probably going to bore my head off, but what the hell. After doing that I would probably work my route to a BB of Economics and Finance from RMIT, but it seems to be a mistake because of it being an Australian degree, which is so generic.

I am not sure if it will be degraded by the HR branch of any potential company, but there seems to be a need for a risk-assessment.

Twenty-six or 27 is not that bad. I entered the workforce at 25, as do most male Singaporean degree graduates. Plus, you've got to put it in perspective: There will always be people, like me, who switch careers mid-stream, effectively negating whatever lead they had over their peers.

In other words, age is not a factor, not when you're still below 40. You've got at least until then to experiment. You could still go on experimenting after 40, but the opportunity costs (wife, kids, mortgages, etc) are likely to be much higher.

I am thinking of swapping to Engineering after I get a stable income. Don't intend to stay in the Biz sector permanently, after all my head isn't really built for money, management and politics. But I will be starting out as a freshie in the industry at a mature age of 30, there is a probability that I have to call it off.

By all accounts, this will be a BOOMZ year (gotta love Ris Low for introducing the word into the Singlish lexicon). The real economy usually lags the stock markets by nine to 12 months. If that's the case, you can expect to see hiring to pick up strongly by the middle of this year. The signs are already there — hiring expectations are up strongly across many sectors.

Given how China is a economic leader now and how it addresses its management of the world finances, I am thinking it would be for a torpedo in its ass if it doesn't change its style and bring the rest of the world down with it.

The dirty rule of doing business has always been "don't rock the boat". Self-interest is tolerated if it doesn't excessively tip the scale in solely someone's favour. Given the track of what they are doing (-utter- disrespect for copyright, blatant brute-force style of business espionage, large scale plans for market/world domination) through means like favouritism, compulsory joint venture and consolidating of incomes to the party officials, it is going to further widen the income between rich and poor, deter upstart of new businesses, and kill competition. The world is starting to look more and more like a small oligopoly with a dominating player who is willing to throw away all morals for the sake of money.

There is a limit to asinine behaviour. But China doesn't seem to care and looks to be laughing at the other countries' inability to do anything about them.

I may be looking from the wrong perspective, and probably shouldn't care because I am financially tight now. I doubt being employed to do business "the China way" will make me any happier than I am now. But from the quote of :

After this year, who knows? But uncertainty is a poor excuse for inaction. Something still needs to be done, or you'd just remain stuck wherever you are.

Looks like I have to suck it up.

I doubt my the choice I made is the right one. The world economy looks like a floating craps game right now.

Originally Posted by Full Metal Coast

why not try and head to university as a mature age student for a bit it always helps to have that little piece of paper

The problem is that I can't find a real paying job with my certification right now. The biggest problem with my society is its meritocratic reforms that placed too much emphasis on ACADEMIC meritocracy than real job capability. It is a "no paper, no job scenario" in which we can have brilliant heads working as bus/taxi drivers or CSC to get that mature applicant status while their "over-educated" peers snag the top jobs and screw them up.

[Irkalla]

Fashion designer! I'm on my way there, slowly, but looking swell so far.

[Toleen]

i study civil engineering so i aim to be agood civil engineer

[anti-random]

this thread, i remember this thread. well glad to say that im studying aerospace engineering.

p.s. i also had to demolish my parents hope of doing med but no regrets. only problem is that my sister replaced me as the favorite child because she wants to do med.