My mom first heard about the National University of Singapore (NUS) and its reputation for producing graduates who could get high-paying jobs.
She was convinced that a degree from NUS would be the perfect way for me to secure a well-paid job in Singapore. She was so sure of this that she encouraged me to apply to the university and even offered to pay for my tuition fees.
I was hesitant at first because although I had always been a good student, I had never been particularly interested in a degree from NUS. But my mom was so passionate about it that I eventually agreed to give it a try.
I applied for a degree in Business Administration, and to my surprise, I was accepted. I was really excited to be part of the NUS community and I was determined to make the most of my experience.
My mom was overjoyed and she quickly started telling everyone she knew that I was studying at NUS. She was sure that having a degree from such a prestigious university would guarantee me a well-paying job.
So when I graduated, I was almost certain that I would get a high-paying job. After all, my mom had said that I would get a job that paid at least $11,000 a month.
Lack of experience
However, reality soon set in after graduation. After months of searching, I was only able to find a job that paid $4,000 a month. I was disappointed and my mom was devastated. She had been so sure that I would get the job she had promised me, and now she felt like she had failed me.
We had a long talk about it, and she eventually realized that the job market had changed since she was my age. She had overestimated the value of a NUS degree and the job opportunities that it could bring. She also realized that the job market was highly competitive and that I had to be willing to work hard and take risks if I wanted to get the job I wanted.
In the end, I was able to find a job that I enjoy and that pays me more than I would have expected. I still remember my mom’s disappointment when I told her that I would only be making $4,000 a month. But now, I think she is proud of me for finding a job that I love and for having the courage to take risks.