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Memories...

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

ON SLOWER ECONOMIC GROWTH NEXT YEAR

I was thinking, it might not be a bad thing to graduate in May 2008. Recent reports indicate that the economic growth rate for Singapore is projected to be lower next year, prob around 4.5% to 6%. Rising oil prices and the US subprime crisis (which could possibly pull down the American economy further) largely complicate the slower growth rate.

There seems to be a general sense that the economic curve is starting to come down, after hitting a peak this year. Which saw the 2007 graduates largely being able to secure a relatively smooth transition to job employment. We had the lowest unemployment rate and tightest labour market in years as well.

Lots of companies are also expanding this year and set to expand well into 2008, which makes it still relatively optimistic for 2008 graduates to secure jobs. Coupled with the Beijing Olympics and the F1 in Sg next year, it ll be good to graduate next year. 2009 would be harder to say though haha.

Was really glad to receive a call from Don halfway when I m typing this. Finally, he's back haha! But we also realize how time flies so fast man ..and a lot of our peers when we were year 1 oredi graduate lo. Yah, and he's so lacking in the latest gossip and updates man haha.

Oh i wanted to say 1 more thing. I think that its supremely impt that year1 to year3 students participate in CCAs & really beef up their CVs, nurture their passions & interests outside school work, as well as get to noe as many friends as possible, which ll also aid in future networking.

Think about it, almost everybody has a degree these days (& set to increase in future with a 4th Sg university). What really sets 1 potential graduate from the rest is really leadership track record, CCA records, reputable testimonials from supervisors, SEPs or overseas experiences, knowledge of foreign/ multiple languages, internship/working experiences, & sporting achievements. There are a lot of soft skills and transferable skills acquired amidst all these things, which are really significant.

The danger I see in a lot of juniors is that they just study blindly or think that joining 1 or 2 small-scale activities ll be enough. Its really very risky, unless u re so sure that u can get 1st class honours (which btw, normally only achieved by 1 or 2 out of the entire cohort for a particular Honours major). And frankly, even if u get 1st class but u only noe how to study & lack EQ, I dun think its very attractive to employers also.

Ok, I think i m being quite lo sor here. Shall stop haha. Guess I just dun want to see my juniors regret it when they become year4s, coz I really witnessed 1st hand a lot of Hons years students regretting that they werent more active in uni life when they were younger.

Then again, everybody is entitled to their own individual choices in life. But u live with the consequences of the decisions u make, including possible difficulty in finding employment upon graduation.

The Incredible Hock