SINGAPORE: More degree holders in Singapore are returning to school to pursue a second degree.

This is according to latest statistics from the SIM University (UniSIM) which shows the figure balloon from just three people to 52 within five years.

Thirty-five-year-old Jap Ren Fang graduated with a degree in business from Nanyang Technological University in 1998 and is now working as an administrative manager at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore.

But four years ago, she decided to pursue her second degree in psychology purely out of personal interest.

Ms Jap said: "It's not really related to what I'm doing right now so I don't intend to use it as a ticket to a higher promotion or a pay raise kind of thing. It's more of a self-actualisation kind of pursuit that I'm going for.

"I'm pretty grateful that I actually met a group of friends who are interested in psychology, and we still keep in touch and have gatherings. We even form an informal social group where we even went to IMH for visits."

For others, obtaining a second degree can be a ticket to a career change.

Twenty-nine-year-old materials engineering graduate Kang Lifang unexpectedly discovered her new passion for translation while working in New Zealand.

Over there, a colleague asked for her help to translate a Chinese website into English.

She said: "When I was doing it, I realised that even though I know both languages, I couldn't really do it very well and thought that maybe I should do something about it.

After returning to Singapore, she signed up for a degree in translation and interpretation with the ideal of switching careers and doing something different.

"I thought it would be better to start from the basic rather than skip to the masters because I didn't really have basic training in translation and interpretation. If you have a masters, it would definitely stand out more than two basic degrees. But I guess for personal growth, I think it's a worthwhile investment.

"Being trained in translation will actually help you to spot things that untrained people can't really see, so I guess it helps to be trained in it. And if you're untrained and you go into it, of course you can do it well, but I suppose it will take more time for you to figure out how to really do it properly."

The two are among the 52 degree holders who got their second degrees at UniSIM's sixth convocation ceremony.

Just five years ago, there were only three people getting second degrees at UniSIM.

The numbers has been increasing over the last five years. There were three in 2006, 12 in 2007, 19 in 2008, 43 in 2009, 42 in 2010 and 52 in 2011.

The university said the number of current degree holders applying for courses at UniSIM has also gone up.

In 2007, there were 121 such applicants, which took up 3.5 per cent of total applications.

But in 2011, the number rose to 339, or 6.4 per cent of total applications.

UniSIM president, Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, said: "What I see is that they come mostly for two reasons. One is to change to something else for another kind of job or career. The second one is to do something that they like and love to do.

"In the first case, where they want to change profession, it's very useful because only when you get a degree in that profession, then will you have recognition and be able to practise. But as far as the second type is concerned, where they're doing it for the love of the discipline, I think it's useful in the sense that it gives the person a fresh meaning in what they're doing."

Among such students, psychology, counselling and language courses are most popular.

While time management remains the greatest challenge whether one is taking a first or second degree, the university said those taking a second degree may need a mindset shift as well.

Prof Cheong said: "First of all, you may have to unlearn quite a bit of the things you've learnt in your first degree or the things you've learnt at work. Secondly, you may think that there are certain things that you already know from your first degree and yet you're having to do it again. That causes you to be less enthusiastic about those courses. That will actually cause a person not to learn because... principles or conditions may have changed and you do need to relearn.

"But if you come with the idea that 'I've already done that for my first degree, I've already done some things in that area, therefore, why am I wanting to do this?' Then I'm afraid that the person may not learn and pick up as quickly or as much. That is something that the person himself has to handle.

But once that is overcome, there is no stopping them from tackling their second degrees.

Prof Cheong said: "With a change of career, you need a second degree of a different type. With a degree that you want to go in to enjoy, that's the advantage by itself. There's no disadvantage in that sense.

 

Our professional team provides knowledgeable & customized services to prospects seeking overseas academic advancements, migration, transfers, application of visas, arrangement of accommodation & relocation, pre departure arrangement etc. Seeking consultation, please call : China Customer Service Hotline: 400-7160816 or Singapore Service Hotline：+65 6737-9958

We have established long term strategic partnerships with various well-known portals, one of which will be Agoda, please click: :"http://www.agoda.com.cn/asia/Singapore/Singapore.html?Cid=14459

Below are our affiliates' homepage:

Overseas Educational Services 新加坡留学网www.eistudy.com

Rental of Residential Properties 新加坡公寓网http://www.65house.com

Immigration 新加坡移民网http://www.65pr.com

Singapore Property Investment 新加坡房产网http://house.heysg.com

(Chief Editor:xiaoya)