Is a master's degree still worth it? Maybe not, say some recent graduates
"My late dad was a teacher. After O Levels, I went to ITE (Institute of Technical Education). Back then, being associated with ITE felt like the end – and for a parent who was an MOE teacher, it was a bit of a disappointment,' he said.
Mr Low later went on to complete his polytechnic diploma and bachelor's degree. 'Sadly, my dad didn't live to see me pursue my master's. He passed away in April 2023 from liver cancer. I dedicate this achievement to him.'
In CNA TODAY's conversations with other master's degree holders, many said they still believe in the value of the qualification, especially for those who want to stay up-to-date with changes in technology and how industries are evolving.
Ms Wong Jian Hui, 39, a planning manager at Tower Transit Singapore, believes that with artificial intelligence, automation and sustainability reshaping businesses, a master's degree can provide the cross-industry knowledge needed to see the bigger picture and stay adaptable.
"It's most useful for those who are curious, open to learning beyond their current scope and looking to stay relevant in a fast-evolving work environment," she said.
She graduated with a master's in information technology in 2023, driven by a mix of curiosity and a desire to future-proof her career.
Ms Janice Tay, 45, left her finance role after her son was diagnosed with global developmental delay – a condition where a child shows slower progress in multiple areas of development – and other learning needs, and started an early intervention centre in 2017.
She said she had initially tried shorter courses and certificates, but they felt too piecemeal. Seeking a programme that connected child development, teaching strategies, and inclusive practices, she enrolled in a master's in special education in 2020.
'Without the master's, I might still have been able to start a centre, but I doubt I would have earned the same level of trust from professionals, government partners, or even families as quickly,' Ms Tay said.
'The master's wasn't a direct path to a higher salary in the traditional sense, since I transitioned from the corporate sector to founding a social enterprise. But it enabled me to build a sustainable business model that now supports a full-time team, allows us to reinvest in services, and continues to grow.'
Then there is Mr Zhuang Changzhong, 34, a former litigator whose 2023 master's in information technology armed him with the technical skills to leap from the courtroom to a financial-sector role overseeing data privacy and regulatory compliance.
'Being a litigation lawyer, it would have been difficult to go in-house into a corporate role," he said.
'But the master's programme equipped me with the skills that allowed me to find my place in regulatory legal work. I would say it had a measurable impact, where I am able to contribute meaningfully even in a new role in a new industry.'
Mr Imran Khan, 39, a communications educator, completed his second master's degree, in creative writing, in 2021. His first, an MBA, had enabled him to relocate from Dubai to Singapore in 2015.
That MBA, which cost him about US$16,000, delivered a clear return on investment. 'I don't think moving to Singapore would have been possible without it,' he said. It opened doors to a new market, industry and roles, and he more than recouped the cost.
After years of working in Singapore, he pursued the creative writing degree purely out of passion for the craft and the chance to connect with like-minded people.
'I went in knowing it wouldn't necessarily pay off financially. But I wanted to be intellectually stimulated, immerse myself in the local writing scene and meet people I wouldn't have otherwise connected with,' he said.
While the monetary returns are 'debatable', he said that was not the reason he pursued creative writing.
'I had the opportunity, I could afford it, and I finally had the time. So I thought, why not? Let's fulfil this childhood dream I've always had. And I'm much happier for it.'
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