SINGAPORE: Changing into a father has prompted one 24-year-old Singaporean to rethink his profession and funds.
Though he earns S$5,200 a month and says he and his spouse are financially snug for now, the information that they’re anticipating their first baby has left him questioning whether or not he can present the long run he needs for his rising household.
On Monday (Aug 3), he turned to Reddit’s r/asksg discussion board to hunt recommendation on how he might “go additional in life” with solely a diploma qualification.
The person shared that he at the moment works as a compliance supervisor on a set month-to-month wage, with no commissions or efficiency bonuses.
“I believe financials smart, my companion and I each spend little or no to start with. Collectively now we have about S$8k month-to-month after CPF deductions. Out of that S$8k, we solely spend about S$2.5k, and we save the remainder. We live at her dad’s place, so no mortgage or loopy payments to look out for.”
“I believe we’re each incomes comfortably sufficient to assist ourselves and our child that’s about to return, however after receiving this piece of reports I want to do higher in order that I can present a greater life for the household I’m going to construct.”
“I hoped to obtain some recommendation on methods I can enhance my revenue, however I don’t actually know the place to start out.”
He went on to share that he graduated from polytechnic with a GPA of two.8 and doubts he would qualify for native universities resembling NUS, NTU, SMU, or SUSS.
“I extremely doubt I could make it to [these] universities. Even when I might, I doubt I can decide to research full-time as a result of that will imply I’ve to resign from my present job.”
With that in thoughts, he requested whether or not pursuing a part-time diploma could be a practical various, given the calls for of full-time work and fatherhood.
“How possible is it for me to juggle between my spouse, child, work and nonetheless pursue a part-time diploma? I’m not solely sure with the alternatives I’ve even, and I’m not even positive what I’d prefer to pursue. Would simply like to do higher for my household, so should you can present any recommendation, that will be of nice assist!”
“Simply keep within the trade and do certifications”
Within the feedback, many Redditors mentioned he was already doing exceptionally effectively for somebody his age with solely a diploma.
“Truthfully, a powerful wage for a 24-year-old with a diploma solely,” one consumer wrote.
“You’re doing higher than greater than 90% of diploma holders on the market. I’m 32 and holding diploma too, and my fundamental wage is S$4.3k lol. You bought a loopy headstart!” one other commented.
Past the reward, some additionally shared sensible recommendation on how he might proceed rising his revenue over the long run.
One steered pursuing a part-time diploma on the Singapore College of Social Sciences (SUSS). “SUSS part-time courses are largely at evening, and most are on-line,” they wrote. “It is going to take dedication and juggling however is manageable for many. Kudos to you for incomes that a lot with only a diploma; many contemporary uni grads make S$1k much less.”
One other Redditor, who mentioned additionally they work in compliance, advisable specializing in skilled certifications as a substitute.
“Simply keep within the trade and do certifications as a substitute of a generic diploma. The revenue cap for this trade is excessive, and it’s one of many few industries the place skilled certificates are each accessible and in demand by employers. Plus, if you find yourself deciding to get a level anyway, the certifications assist fast-track it a bit.”
A 3rd commenter inspired him to concentrate on excelling in his present position and dealing in the direction of a promotion earlier than shifting elsewhere.
“My recommendation to you is to change into nice at your present position and office. Ask how one can be promoted to supervisor/VP stage. Get that in writing, and be sure you hit KPI. Then leap to a much bigger firm with that title. I do know a diploma holder who’s at the moment drawing S$9k as a tech group supervisor. And his diploma, btw, was like a 1.4 GPA. However he’s rattling good with individuals and really hands-on, proactive, and an important mission supervisor.”
In different information, an area shared he was “baffled” after recognizing a job commercial for a Meals and Beverage Employee that required candidates to have the ability to converse Chinese language. He questioned why necessities like that, together with an age vary and nationality desire, had been nonetheless exhibiting up in job listings in 2026. GeographicReference
On Tuesday (Jul 28), he took to Reddit’s r/SMRTRabak discussion board and shared a screenshot of the job itemizing.
Learn extra: Singaporean questions why F&B job advert seeks employees aged 20 to 32 who can converse Chinese language
