Heading back to the classroom

THEY have full time jobs, but they also dream of seeking a higher education.

More employees are thinking about upgrading themselves academically by taking up a master’s degree programme.

Driven by a passion for economics, postgraduate student Chan Ren Cheian is pursuing two master’s degrees – one in development studies in a public institution and another in economics in the United Kingdom.

And to pursue his dream of studying abroad, Chan opted to quit his job with a publishing firm.

Aside from self-fulfillment, he hopes such extra qualifications will make him more marketable to employers.

“Also, it has been proven that those with higher educational attainments like master’s degrees and doctorates, on average, have better wages.

“I’m not saying that secondary school leavers can’t earn high salaries. But in general, such is the trend,” he observes.

Chan, 26, says that he wants a better quality of life for himself and his future family.

“If studying more can help me attain this goal, then why not?” he asks.

Equipping himself with not one but two master’s degrees will also help him expand his future career options.

“Having a master’s degree will distinguish you from other applicants.

“But in the end, I think companies hire you because of your experience, the way you handle projects, and your skill in dealing with people,” Chan says.

For assistant manager Marcus Yang, obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the most relevant in getting a leg up in climbing the corporate ladder.

“I aspire to be a CEO (chief executive officer) or CFO (chief financial officer) one day. That is the dream,” says the 30-year-old who works in a fast moving consumer goods company.

He says a bachelor’s degree is a fundamental qualification that everyone has but it wouldn’t give you an edge in terms of paper qualification in the job market.

“The MBA is the most balanced qualification to pursue for self-de- velopment and as well as for academic qualifications,” Yang adds.

However, Yang admits that it is tough to find the time and energy to pursue a course with a full-time job.

“I would like to pursue a full-time programme but don’t have the means to support myself financially.

“But if I do, I will go to a local university. I just want to learn and earn the qualification,” he says.

Some want to be better prepared by going for postgraduate studies.

Company executive S. Anushka, 30, says she has plans to read for a master’s degree in public policy in case her current job gets mundane or if she loses interest in the field.

“Having proper academic qualifications is good but work experience counts too. There must be a balance.

“You may be a fresh graduate but may not necessarily be able to demand for the salary that an experienced person can get,” she says.

It is also partly personal fulfillment for Anushka, who has always wanted to do a master’s degree but has been held back due to tight finances.

“I initially wanted to do it after my degree but I couldn’t afford it.

“Now, I still have bills to pay. Scholarships are a tricky option because I cannot afford unpaid leave,” she says.

However, she is willing to use her savings and take a personal loan to fund her studies.

“If I decide to try a different industry after my studies, I do hope the master’s degree will help me get a bigger salary,” Anushka adds.