Work-Study Dilemma: Avoiding short-term money pleasures for long-term income bliss

Finishing all mandatory and basic level of studies up to Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) is a requirement. Once done, should you now get a job or get a new certificate and degree? Which decision is better for modern-day youngsters?

Government statistics have found that 72.1 per cent of SPM graduates do not want to continue their studies after secondary school.

A report by the Malaysian Statistics Department (DOSM) in 2019 showed that 390,000 out of 560,000 SPM candidates were interested in joining the workforce immediately after the exam, while only 170,000 students were interested in continuing their studies.

I feel both options can be positive choices, provided your decision is well-thought-out.

When I finished my SPM exam, I too, was excited to earn my own money and live life according to my own preferences. Well, you know what I mean. I am sure everyone has had that youthful energy filled with intense enthusiasm and curiosity.

Turn those into productivity and maturity and there you have it; “I’m set out to conquer the world” vibe.

These are good characteristics to possess provided you are not easily influenced or tend to jump on the bandwagon each time; always following a certain trend and continuously do what everyone else is doing.

These days, however, the three main factors behind why those aged 17 and 18 do not want to continue their studies are the availability of job opportunities in the gig economy, interest in becoming influencers on social media, and believing that furthering their studies do not guarantee better jobs.

I am not saying all these are entirely bad. In fact, they can be good if you know how to manage and filter these accordingly.

For instance, take a closer look at the content creation industry. Human are not created to consume a massive amount of content at such an accelerated rate.

Learning to filter is not as easy when you are continuously bombarded with these visuals repeatedly. Thus, the importance of education and learning comes in.

One should control the content and not let the content controls you.

Hence, there are numerous benefits of pursuing higher studies including better chances of employment and financial opportunities, to pursue a passion, improve self-confidence and well-being, develop self-discipline, and improve networking and communication skills.

“That is why the road to financial security and increased earning potential is almost always specialized, higher-level education,” said Saidah Asilah Abdul Shukor, a Licensed Financial Planner who graduated from University of Edinburgh.

Even when a job does not specifically require a degree, 91% of these jobs go to degree-holders. Even so, take note that most employers think learners do not have the skills they need in the workplace.

Graduates especially those without working experience tend to apply for work without people skills, and many say that Generation Z lacks problem-solving, creative thinking, communication, and teamwork skills.

Kudos to being digitally literate but Generation Z’s inability to remain focus has to do with their preference to indulge in short-term pleasures such as internet and screen addiction rather than aiming for long-term income bliss.

The reality in today’s fully-digital world is that we need to teach every single generation how to learn, unlearn, and relearn — quickly — so they can transform the future of work, rather than be transformed by it.

Why not stand out in a crowd and have the best of both worlds, instead? Not preaching to be greedy here but moderation is key.

Every work and progress towards expanding your own knowledge and skillset, is building up towards your personal improvement despite whichever generation category you belong to.

Nothing is guaranteed in life. One thing is for sure, if you do nothing, that is exactly what you will get.

Life is about trying, and how do you try to get the best of both worlds?

By committing yourself to both equally through lifelong learning.

SYAZUIN SAZALI is a Subject Matter Expert in soft skills. She aims to continuously advocate for progressive growth in education. Linkedin & Instagram: @syazuinsazali, Email: [email protected]

The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of Sinar Daily