While Generation Z may argue that attending college is a waste of time, others still see the benefits of pursuing a degree. Recent research conducted in 2019 in the United States of America revealed that people who were at least 25 years old and had a bachelor’s degree recorded a total unemployment rate of 2.2%, while those with only a high school diploma recorded a rate of 3.7%1.
Martin Pang Yee Fung, who started working with merely an SPM certificate, managed to graduate from the part-time Diploma in Business Management programme at INTI International College Penang with a CGPA of 3.98.
Thirty-year-old Martin Pang Yee Fung, who had started working with merely an SPM certificate, is a Malaysian that proves the US findings.
After completing his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations 13 years ago, Martin impatiently joined the labour force, mainly for the money. He disregarded his parents’ advice to obtain a tertiary education before starting a career and he gradually suffered the consequences of not having a proper college degree. Despite having superiors who were willing to promote him for the skillsets he possessed, Martin got stuck while trying hard to climb the corporate ladder.
“When working with an established organisation, especially an international company, a college degree is a ‘must’ for job promotions,” he said. Martin, who had just started a family, is has been employed as a sales personnel at an international technology company headquartered in Germany for the past four years.
He kickstarted his working life as an insurance agent upon leaving Chung Hwa Confucian High School, Penang, before securing a job as a sales executive for a global industrial gases and engineering company about three years later. For someone his age, he has already accumulated ten years of working experience!
“Had I listened to my parents, I would have been able to reach a managerial level and a better paycheck in these 10 years,” he shared.
Martin Pang (left) having a small group discussion with his coursemates before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Performing well wherever he works, Martin recounted one of his proudest achievements was being part of an aggressive sales team that kept making sales breakthroughs for three consecutive years. The highest sales made was RM1.32 million a year.
Martin dreams of career advancement and hopes to one day join the top management and continue to gain knowledge about the market and at the same time help the company grow. However, he lacks academic qualification.
Luckily, his wife is a strong supporter of his intentions to upskill. “My wife encouraged me to go back to school to earn a tertiary education qualification before I get too old to do so,” Martin laughed, adding that he had begun researching the courses that he could pursue while working full-time.
Martin finally decided to enrol in the Diploma in Business Management – Flexible Learning programme, a two and a half year part-time course offered by INTI International College Penang. “I like the weekly lectures that are conducted virtually using the Blackboard Learning Management System. I save a lot of time, especially since I do not need to rush to campus after office hours. Even if I miss a class, I can access the recorded lectures anytime and anywhere,” explained Martin.
He continued, “I like the way INTI arranges our learning schedule. It is very well planned and allows us to juggle work and our studies without having to sacrifice much of our weekend. I usually make use of Saturdays to do course discussions and assignments, then I use my Sundays to rest and spend quality time with family.”
Rushing to meet deadlines remain the biggest challenge for working professionals who are studying part-time. In pursuing a Diploma in Business Management, Martin needs to complete a discussion within three days after each lecture after which he and his coursemates would need to give feedback on each other’s viewpoints.
The main purpose of the exercise is for students to learn from each other by reading the threads in the discussion, including the lecturer’s feedback, which ultimately helps sharpen their critical thinking skills. Additional marks are awarded to students who can provide critical comments on other’s viewpoints.
Dr Racheal Poh Su Ying, Head of Programme (Working Adult), School of Business, INTI International College Penang.
With 60% of their result based on assignments, and discussions making up 35% of student assignment, Martin reiterated how important it is to be disciplined.
Meanwhile, Dr Racheal Poh Su Ying, who is a Head of Programme at INTI International College Penang’s School of Business, lauded Martin and his efforts. “Martin is an outstanding student who cares more about others than himself and gives full respect to his coursemates and lecturers. He was recently announced as a top student with a CGPA of 3.98! His hard work in the past two and a half years paid off and he will officially graduate this year!”
With Martin a great testimony of how a high school leaver who discontinued studies for more than 10 years can achieve stellar results in college, Dr Racheal hopes that working adults can follow in his footsteps to not only upskill but also acquire the right attitude like Martin.
“They need to be proactive and independent as all study materials are ready in the Learning Management System. Students can log in to Blackboard and study before they come to class. If they have a question, their lecturer can address it in class,” she said.
Dr Racheal added that by upskilling, working adults can achieve more in their career. “Education breeds confidence. When you further your studies, it might turn out to be a journey of reflection in knowing one’s weaknesses and an opportunity to ‘sharpen the saw’ as mentioned by Stephen Covey in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Furthermore, an investment in knowledge pays the best interest, as it stays with us for an infinite time!”
1 https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/education-vs-experience/