Education-for-Career Cycle

Growing up, it has been impressed upon me that a good life is guaranteed if one has a good education. I aced every exam in school, obtained a First Class Honours in my degree and Distinction in my masters. I even have international work experience in the field I studied in a reputable insurance company in UK for 1.5 years.

You’d think with all these, the world would be my oyster, right?

…

Well, no! It’s not because I lack hard work or talent, it’s simply because there is no opportunity and there will probably not be one in this country for a long, long time. There are more graduates then there are jobs available.

Expectation of Gen X versus reality for Gen Y:

Our parents tell us we need a good education for a good job. I will most likely be telling my children that education means nothing in the world today, just go out, explore the world and get a job. It's going to be a cycle. Every 50 years or so, there will be a change in attitude towards the effect of a good education on future career.

In the1960s, when many only had high school education, they were told education is important for a good future. Maybe at that time it was easier to get the job you wanted and you got paid adequately. As time goes on, with education, you don’t get the job you want! Everyone has a degree today. You will be successful if you can pull strings to get a job. You fail. You then tell your children education is not the key ingredient to a successful life. A few decades from their time, things will change and start to look like the time of our parents again. That, my friend, is the cycle of education-for-career!

Yup, it’s like the power of thinking without thinking, except I used the power of forecasting without forecasting. Genius!