Suddenly Thinking So Much At 30

[Junkay 1]

If you are like me, in our 30s ,married,no kids (at the moment), planning for everything in the future... please take some time to give an unwise person aka me some cool tips on how to stretch that FREAKIN dollar (wooooooozaaaaaaaaaaaa).

First my back ground

Company : Was a stat board, turned corporate 2 years ago.

Nature of job : they called it technical executive i call it lab tech

Duration : 8 1/2 years

Starting pay : 1600 Current pay 3000/mth nett with 13 month and fluctuating PBs

Take home : 2400 Out going : 1.2k compulsory to settle reno loan, insurance and bills so left about 1.2k

Annual pay : 43k

Education : Diploma

I wish to upgrade to a degree. Need to get an edu loan (24k max) pte uni so no subsidy.

Thinking of changing jobs to up the pay to pay the loan. Should I? What are your considerations to change jobs considering my position.

Anyone knows how Keppel treats its staff? (FMO side)

Should I change my job if I can get at least 3.5k/month gross?

Should I get a deffered paying edu loan ? pay once the degree ends? But monthly still must pay a nominal some when the course starts.

Its a long situation just want to be clear. And thanks in advance if you reply.

[yokine9a 1]

Upgrade to a degree is good as uni graduates are so common that if you stand at a busy street and throw a stone, will definitely hit a grad

But one thing to consider, is this degree going to add value to your CV? If you are of technical background, hands-on experience + knowledge could be more than enough. My team leader is just a dip holder, but with > 10 yrs on-the-job experience, getting a degree does not add much $$ value to his pay.

Change job just for pay increment will only make you financially better, it might not make you more happy/satisfied. Job prospect, career enhancement are worth to consider too.

High salary does not come easy, you have to pay back with your time and hardship. One of my friend is working in a bank, pay is pretty good. One of his subordinate resigned recently. Her reason was she wants to balance her married life and work life. She doesn't want to work till 8/9pm everyday in the office, then reach home with a tired brain & body. She rather gets a lower-paid job but can leave office early. I believe you are a guy, but think of your wife, are you going to work till 9pm everyday and leave your wife at home alone?

Money is never enough but you have to learn to live your life with what you earn.

If you still want to change your job, either change now, get settle down with it, then take a loan for your degree, or upon completion of your degree. Because a new job env = unknown env, you will never know if that will work out. At least you won't stuck in a loan but jobless.

[TPY 0]

Academic should be established early before joining the workforce as it gives you a head start in the career and an entrance to the stat board.

However career advancement always base on performance and X factors.

Career enhancement, changes explore oneself to gain experiences, this is always good when you are young and in-expeiences. This is great before 30+

However after this stage, should seek for more responsibilities as the burden of life getting more and more mouth to feed if you had plans to growth in famaliy.

So think twice before commit

Edited May 2, 2008 by TPY

[howlupjac 0]

My personal knowledge, If you were to change job now, its quite difficult to get an education loan cos as an applicant you must be at least 6months in service in the company. I suggest you should decide on the course and proceed with the loan, then change your job. But then again, if you are able to get a joint applicant + 2 other guarantor, then by all means change to a job which you deem have a better prospect.

Just to share, my husband also just completed his part-time degree at age of 29. Working full-time night shift and attending private insitute for his degree.

Its a paper chase world and we have to accept the fact that we must have a piece of paper (worth at least 25K) as a stepping stone for better prospect jobs.

Good luck

[NiVleK 0]

Paper chase is the way to go IMO. At least a degree.

Take for example, my other half, she got a dipolma in some IT course but she is now doing admin work and not interested in programming or whatsoever. Instead she is interested in financial and biz, so I told her to take up more education to pave her way.

Doing degree immediately with her dipolma cert should be no issue, but then she is afraid of the difficulty in doing so. So I told her to take a dipolma in a related biz course first to build the background and her confidence.

In short, I always believe the minimum one should get now, is a degree. I think now anyhow throw a stone 80% also kanna a person holding a degree.

my 0.0005cts

[Junkay 1]

Thank you guys for the advice.

Another question though : Where can a basic degree in psychology take you? I read that people taking pyschology should always take at least a masters. I think there are lots of people taking degrees in psychology.

[howlupjac 0]

Thank you guys for the advice.

Another question though : Where can a basic degree in psychology take you? I read that people taking pyschology should always take at least a masters. I think there are lots of people taking degrees in psychology.

yes you are right. degree in psych takes you no where. If you are keen in this industry, you have to follow a intern and then pursue your masters.

However, you have to decide what is your interested major. childhood? aged ?

My suggestion, do think about what you wish to do rather than opt for a specialise degree and realised that you have additional commitment which takes you nowhere ultimately.

My 2 cents worth

[Junkay 1]

I just got a confirmation from my HR dept. So sneaky too they are. They insisted on talkin over the phone but not thro email. I asked them if they would recognise my degree if its part time, they say should be no problem but here comes the downer. Even though I have a degree they wont automatically push me up to the next grade of senior officer. It should be able to help in my promotion but its not guaranteed.

I intend to get a degree in sports science cos thats the field that I like. They suggested that I apply for a transfer to another department but it doesnt make sense.

So that only means after I get the degree, I need to FO from there, but I like my job!

[TPY 0]

I just got a confirmation from my HR dept. So sneaky too they are. They insisted on talkin over the phone but not thro email. I asked them if they would recognise my degree if its part time, they say should be no problem but here comes the downer. Even though I have a degree they wont automatically push me up to the next grade of senior officer. It should be able to help in my promotion but its not guaranteed.

I intend to get a degree in sports science cos thats the field that I like. They suggested that I apply for a transfer to another department but it doesnt make sense.

So that only means after I get the degree, I need to FO from there, but I like my job!

We needed to be realistic in the bussiness world. If we are doing engineering how is the sport science going to meet the organization needs? We needed to be relevant and suit the needs and requirement of the company. No one will want to pay an amount for something that they do not required!

Thus in-directly the HR's answer is a no but making it a nicer way to put through. HR have a policy to encourage growth in personal life or career otherwise. Ther will be no one that say individual should not room for improvement and become a redundancy in the society. So if we like our job should look for archievement or plans to reach the next level but not the peak.

Edited May 7, 2008 by TPY

[Junkay 1]

We needed to be realistic in the bussiness world. If we are doing engineering how is the sport science going to meet the organization needs? We needed to be relevant and suit the needs and requirement of the company. No one will want to pay an amount for something that they do not required!

Thus in-directly the HR's answer is a no but making it a nicer way to put through. HR have a policy to encourage growth in personal life or career otherwise. Ther will be no one that say individual should not room for improvement and become a redundancy in the society. So if we like our job should look for archievement or plans to reach the next level but not the peak.

Hi TPY

I am in the sports science industry. A degree education is perceived also as a level of crucial thinking. What my HR says is that even if its relevant to my job, it wont put me in a better position. But I understand what you are saying.

My dilemma now is do i spend 14k to get a degree in psychology or do i spend 30k to get a sports science degree, something which i like. If its just a paper chase, it makes sense to just get the former yes? But somehow it might make more sense also to do what I like. I guess I am asking for a poll here.

Be practical or do what you like to do?

Cheers everyone!

[yokine9a 1]

We need to fill up our stomach. You can do what you like provided you have a rich daddy, or you are financially stable.

Ask yourself, by doing what you like, what are the risks and gains? Can you & your wife pay for the bills, be it housing, phone, electricity, transport, food etc?

Alternative is, be practical now, try to save as much as you can, then do what you like later. I have been wanting to study TCM since years ago but no time & $ for it.

[TPY 0]

Hi TPY

I am in the sports science industry. A degree education is perceived also as a level of crucial thinking. What my HR says is that even if its relevant to my job, it wont put me in a better position. But I understand what you are saying.

My dilemma now is do i spend 14k to get a degree in psychology or do i spend 30k to get a sports science degree, something which i like. If its just a paper chase, it makes sense to just get the former yes? But somehow it might make more sense also to do what I like. I guess I am asking for a poll here.

Be practical or do what you like to do?

Cheers everyone!

If you hace enough bread then go after the dream, else you will be dreaming of bread

[xlan 0]

i'm in a similar situation now.. hitting my 30.. but i'm more a loser.. i'm rotting for my bread..

[Phantom 1]

i'm in a similar situation now.. hitting my 30.. but i'm more a loser.. i'm rotting for my bread..

What do you mean rotting for your bread?

[xlan 0]

i'm rotting in my current job to get my bread