How a postgraduate degree changed my life

by SC Chua

“Undecided on whethe r you should sign up for th at post-graduate course? SC Chua speaks to three individuals who did and learns how it benefited

Unlike some of your friends who are already applying for jobs, you may be pondering whether you should take your education qualification further and opt for a post-graduate study instead. Or you could be someone who has been working for a few years and reached a point in your career when you think an additional or higher qualification will come in handy, especially if you are eyeing that promotion.

Whatever your reason, more and more people today are opting to enrol in post-graduate studies. For some, it is the satisfaction of having a higher degree.

For others, it is the knowledge that with a post-graduate degree, they are doing themselves and their career a favour, putting them a notch higher than their colleagues who only have an undergraduate degree. In some cases, a post-graduate degree is even essential, especially if you work in a scientific field.

However, pursuing a postgraduate degree is not something to be taken lightly. If you have been working for many years now, going down this path will mean making many sacrifices. Also, because it is specialised, a post-graduate course is relatively harder and may take longer to complete than an undergraduate degree. At the same time, the manner in which the programme is conducted is completely different.

In fact, even your course mates may be very different from those you had during undergraduate studies. But having said all that, a postgraduate degree is not impossible to achieve. In fact, it is something to be extremely proud of. To help you make this important decision, we speak to three people who have successfully completed their post-graduate degrees to find out if it was worth the time and effort, as well as what the experience was like. Their verdict? Well, read on.

Bryan Chan, 30+ Product Manager, Pharmaceutical Industry. General MBA

What prompted you to take up a post-graduate programme?

I wanted some sense of self-fulfilment and personal development in my life.How did you pick the course and the school to pursue this? I looked at how much I was willing to spend as well as the course programmes that were available.

What was most tiresome thing about doing a post-graduate programme?

Attending classes and tutorial sessions! You are basically sacrificing your personal time after work to commit to two years of hardship.

On the flipside, what was most interesting?

An MBA gives you an insight into, as clichéd as it may sound, the management perspective of decisionmaking in all levels of an organisation. You could say it’s about bridging common sense and business sense.

What was the most difficult thing about juggling your time between studying and working?

Finding the right balance of commitment. I had to choose a programme that provided weekend classes, and exam- and assignmentbased evaluations. This enabled me to focus on classes during the weekend without compromising my work on weekdays.

How did you juggle your time?

It is all about prioritising. Always have a plan and set a goal for what you want to achieve. Know what you want, and you will find a way to achieve it (this may or may not be about furthering your studies).

What did you enjoy most about your programme?

Meeting people from all walks of life and from different industries, but all sharing one common goal.

How has your post-graduate programme benefited you?

It gave me the opportunity to expose myself to other industries through my course mates. It was also enriching in many aspects. Not to forget challenging, too, especially juggling work and study. It made me reevaluate my life goals. A post-graduate degree is a long-term investment.

It is essential to bear in mind that graduating does not guarantee success. Working hard and smart is as important, if not more, than a paper qualification. In other words, I will still get where I am if I work for it – with or without an MBA. An MBA just oils the process.

What advice do you have for someone thinking of pursuing postgraduate studies?

Be ready and committed. Speak to seniors who are pursuing such studies. They will be able to give you a thorough insight into particular courses as every course differs from one college or university to another.

What prompted you to take up a post-graduate programme?

The challenge that awaited me.

How did you pick the course and the school to pursue this?

Plenty of research!

What was most tiresome thing about doing a post-graduate programme?

The preparation of materials and understanding them for dissertation.

On the flipside, what was most interesting?

Believe it or not, I actually enjoyed the dissertation, even though it was tiring!

What was the most difficult thing about juggling your time between studying and working?

Having 100 per cent concentration on the subject at hand when there was so much going on at work and in my personal life.

How did you juggle your time?

Unfortunately, it meant making a few sacrifices, especially on my personal time.

What did you enjoy most about your programme?

Being able to exchange points and ideas, as well as working as a team on a project.

How has your post-graduate programme benefited you?

It changed my perspectives on things. It was also interesting to see how people of different backgrounds tackled the same issues and worked towards resolving them. It gave me a different perspective on how to approach things.

What advice do you have for someone thinking of pursuing postgraduate studies?

Be clear on why you want to do your post-graduate study in the first place. Also, learn to swim with the sharks. It is all about the experience and learning to cope with challenges. Remember, too, that the school and the people behind it must be worth your while to invest your hard-earned money and time.

Michele Goh, 29 Assistant Product Manager, FMCG Industry. General MBA Majoring In Strategic Management

What prompted to you take up a post-graduate programme?

It was an opportunity to upgrade my education level, as a basic degree was starting to become a common diploma.

How did you pick the course and the school to pursue this?

I had a friend who was also doing her MBA. She encouraged me to apply there.

What was the most tiresome thing about doing a post-graduate programme?

The assignments and exams! We were not spoon-fed, like in an undergraduate programme. I had to do so much research. I never spent so much time in the library than during the 1½ years doing my MBA.

On the flipside, what was most interesting?

Analysing and understanding a business from so many different aspects. It gives you the opportunity to look at a business in ways you never realised during your undergraduate years.

What was the most difficult thing about juggling your time between studying and working?

I quit my job to pursue my MBA. Because of that, I didn’t have a steady income to support my previous lifestyle. I was on a back-to-school budget!

How did you juggle your finances?

Thankfully, the assignments and classes occupied most of my time so I didn’t have much time to think about the money.

What did you enjoy most about your programme?

I enjoyed meeting different people from different walks of life, as well as learning from them and about their industries. It was an opportunity to concentrate on what I was interested in.

How has your postgraduate programme benefited you?

In many ways! I am able to understand and analyse my industry in a more strategic manner. Rather than looking at it as a problem, I now take it as a challenge to find solutions or alternatives.

What advice do you have for someone thinking of pursuing postgraduate studies?

Do it only if you are committed and have the time. Also, make sure you are comfortable with the school and its location, whether locally or overseas. Don’t opt for a course just because it is the best. Sometimes, even the best school may not be what you are looking for.