Tuesday, November 09, 2004

Paper Chase

Last night's episode of the local documentary Get Rea! was about the paper chase. Apparently a lot of polytechnic graduates are dissatisfied with their diplomas and are pursuing degree courses straight after their graduation. This is despite having to work full time while attending lessons and having to fork out a considerable sum of money to pay for their degree courses in private education institutions. They feel that the hardship and pricey fees are worth it. Some even feel that currently the minimum to have is at least a degree and they would stand to lose out if they are caught without one.

Perhaps they are not entirely to blame for harbouring such a perception. Indeed many companies do have certain basic requirements before hiring candidates and in most cases diploma holders can only rise to a certain ceiling within the organisation. The market forces of demand and supply has the seen the rise of degree holders into the industry. Now some employers are even demanding that degrees be of a certain quality, for example minimum second upper class honours can be found in many job advertisements.

This results in the great paper chase where many people are signing up in the numerous private learning institutions in Singapore to further their paper qualifications. Yet does that paper signify that the individual is better qualified for the job? Most of the time only a small percentage of what we learn in schools is applicable to the job and the rest is experience. A taxi driver once told me that we should not discount experience altogether. Many companies have retrenched senior staff possessing a wealth of experience to make way for cheaper fresh graduates. However if you pay peanuts, you'll get monkeys. Companies must learn to strike a balance.

One of those interviewed in the show felt that taking courses are a waste of time and effort. He felt that a lot of time is spent on homework, assignments and studying for the examinations which are not focussed on practical skills that can be applicable for work. Many people are only taking up courses for the sake of getting that piece of paper and not for the genuine thirst for knowledge. This is a pity and the idea of lifelong learning may just be out of fear of losing your job.

Yet as the market forces dictate, people rush to chase paper qualifications. Even now the competition amongst degree holders is heating up and many are already looking towards pursuing their masters. Maybe in the near future the minimum requirement is at least a masters? The great paper chase seems like a neverending marathon where you have to keep running.

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