SHOULD I CHANGE COURSE?

[Shaunsforum]

Apologies guys as I am new to this website and I did not know that I had already posted this. Therefore this is my complete forum.

Hi guys,
My name is Shaun and I am hoping to get some advice on my current dilemma.

You see I am currently studying for my Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering at PSB Academy under the University of Newcastle, into my third trimester in my first year.
I am a rather curious person, in the sense that I am often interested in learning how things work and always wanting to find something purposeful to do, which is why I would think that Engineering is a suitable course for me to study as it involves problem-solving skills, which I can apply in ways such as helping the environment. Right now I am adjusting decently to the hectic school life and I would currently consider pursuing Environmental Engineering after I graduate from UON.

However on the other hand, going back to the time when I finished my 0-levels, I initially wanted to study Mass Media because I thought that it might suit me better. Unfortunately my scores were too high to be accepted and I decided to study Engineering at NYP instead, which was how I had acquired my current purpose of pursuing Engineering.

But after being a Part-Time writer for sometime has made me consider changing to the Media Industry instead. This is because that the knowledge I gain from writing seems to be much fun and broader than Engineering as its purposeful job scope involves me researching on as many different topics I can find(Engineering included), expanding awareness and educating the public on various controversial topics to be discussed about such as Animal Cruelty, the Environment, lifestyle and etc.

It is safe for me to say that Engineering enables me to gain a vast amount of knowledge on the scientific, technological and structural aspects of the field I would eventually work on. However it seems very controlled and regulated, dull, and boring ,with a lot re-inventing the wheel work being involved. As these might be the only things I can gain in the long run, I would probably leave the industry eventually.

Therefore my Dilemma is whether I should continue and finish my Engineering course or drop out now and pursue Media studies instead? I would not want to think that I should stay and finish it just because I have paid for the first year, knowing that money can be earned back. I am hoping anyone from from either the Media or the Engineering sectors to also give me their perspectives about these 2 different fields.

 

[fireblaster_lyz]

I do not see a dilemma here. Maybe you should continue studying lol

 

[patryn33]

Guess u suggested us to read your mind?

Didn’t like your current want to change but invested time and $$ in current feel waste?

 

[owchan]

You want some advice on your dilemma but you don't want to tell us what it is lol

 

[KonnieIsland123]

It's like OP forgot to type finish (notice the missing fullstop...)

 

[darksiedluv]

Can elaborate more??

 

[Ottoke]

I am actually going to close thread if TS doesn't complete his sentence in 24 hours.

O

 

[patryn33]

But after being a Part-Time writer for sometime has made me consider changing to the Media Industry instead. This is because that the knowledge I gain from writing seems to be much fun and broader than Engineering as its purposeful job scope involves me researching on as many different topics I can find(Engineering included), expanding awareness and educating the public on various controversial topics to be discussed about such as Animal Cruelty, the Environment, lifestyle and etc.

It is safe for me to say that Engineering enables me to gain a vast amount of knowledge on the scientific, technological and structural aspects of the field I would eventually work on. However it seems very controlled and regulated, dull, and boring ,with a lot re-inventing the wheel work being involved. As these might be the only things I can gain in the long run, I would probably leave the industry eventually.

Therefore my Dilemma is whether I should continue and finish my Engineering course or drop out now and pursue Media studies instead? I would not want to think that I should stay and finish it just because I have paid for the first year, knowing that money can be earned back and I would rather "waste" part of the course's total sum than the whole sum itself before pursuing another degree. I am hoping anyone from from either the Media or someone who went through what I intend to do about their experience and the outcome of their decision.

Media also regulated in SG. depends on assignment things can also get dull. U read those news reports and that seems fun not everyone with a Media degree does that kinda work. if U don't get those job then how?

Being in Engineering school, yes u are taught how wheels are invented. With AI, the companies of tomorrow don't need us to reinvent the wheel if a machine can do better with fewer or no mistakes.

the grass always seem greener on the other side. U could finish your engineering degree go into the industry for a few yrs and do a Arts Masters degree to go onto Media.

oh... this is a post grad forum for ppl with Bach looking for higher degree.

 

[owchan]

However on the other hand, going back to the time when I finished my 0-levels, I initially wanted to study Mass Media because I thought that it might suit me better. Unfortunately my scores were too high to be accepted and I decided to study Engineering at NYP instead, which was how I had acquired my current purpose of pursuing Engineering.

Wait what?

Is this real? I've never heard of academic scores being too high preventing you from joining your preferred course of study... ??? wtf

 

[cherryblossoms]

Wait what?

Is this real? I've never heard of academic scores being too high preventing you from joining your preferred course of study... ??? wtf

too high as in o level points big number la.

btw TS, i also know a friend changed course to mass media after completing 1trimester in psb uon. would suggest u to change if u know u confirm want to work in that field after u graduate

 

[owchan]

too high as in o level points big number la.

btw TS, i also know a friend changed course to mass media after completing 1trimester in psb uon. would suggest u to change if u know u confirm want to work in that field after u graduate

Omg sorry it's been a while LOL

for whatever reason I just assumed GPA, scores out of 100s and forgot about RPs and O level scores...

 

[thyninja]

I'd suggest you to finish up your current studies first, and go work for prolly a year or 2 after that to save up. Once you're ready to move on, you can consider studying Mass Comm as your 2nd degree At the very least, you'd hold 2 different degrees that enable you to land a job depending on the job market and maybe your level of passion in the future.

 

[MoonLight555]

Omg sorry it's been a while LOL

for whatever reason I just assumed GPA, scores out of 100s and forgot about RPs and O level scores...

Sometimes I wonder if it wise to ask questions in hardwarezone,ppl dun give useful advice instead felt like we are teaching u o levels score system

 

[FadedBoy]

My gut feeling tells me that you are a fickle minded person. But anyways, perhaps you should complete your engineering degree and work first before going on for your next choice. Who knows, you might have a change in perspective again in months or years to come. Do one thing at a time... Unless you are loaded with $.

 

[KonnieIsland123]

I'd say, just continue with your engineering course and graduate. Don't do something so risky so as to drop out halfway just to pursue something else only to regret it later. Opportunities don't come again and again.

This, especially if you're looking to pursue something as general as writing. You don't really need some specialised course or anything to pursue a writing job. Just write some books, some articles online or something and it'll help in your portfolio and resume. You don't need a degree for it. Do this in your free time, as a hobby, while working in another stable job (engineering perhaps). And once you think you're ready, then hop over to writing full-time.

 

[owchan]

Sometimes I wonder if it wise to ask questions in hardwarezone,ppl dun give useful advice instead felt like we are teaching u o levels score system

Keep your passive aggression in check.

 

[Shaunsforum]

@konnieisland

I'd say, just continue with your engineering course and graduate. Don't do something so risky so as to drop out halfway just to pursue something else only to regret it later. Opportunities don't come again and again.

This, especially if you're looking to pursue something as general as writing. You don't really need some specialised course or anything to pursue a writing job. Just write some books, some articles online or something and it'll help in your portfolio and resume. You don't need a degree for it. Do this in your free time, as a hobby, while working in another stable job (engineering perhaps). And once you think you're ready, then hop over to writing full-time.

Um.. thank you for your point Konnieisland. I hope that you're from the media or know someone from there thinking that this is fine as I too thought of this initially , including that writing would not really require me to have official documents to pursue a writing career.

But unfortunately I just talked to my friend who works in the Media Industry and he said that I do need FORMAL DOCUMENTS to make me qualified to have a writing job. Over the last 6 months, I have been applying to numerous writing companies and because I have zero qualifications and experience in the field, only Nestia hired me and publishes my work. Another way for me to build my protfolio without going through a uni course is by going through Internships to gain experience, that is if I am lucky enough to land one while I am currently studying Engineering Full-Time.

 

[Shaunsforum]

@Fadedboy

My gut feeling tells me that you are a fickle minded person. But anyways, perhaps you should complete your engineering degree and work first before going on for your next choice. Who knows, you might have a change in perspective again in months or years to come. Do one thing at a time... Unless you are loaded with $.

You maybe right to call me fickle-minded in this situation as I have not actually worked in the Media industry. However I maybe certain that I would do well in the media though, despite knowing how competitive and demanding it can be. If I have loads of $$, I would certainly spend money on finishing this course and then doubling my expenditure on another course. But i don't, which is why I would consider walking away from Engineering, a course which I have studied for a few years already since Poly and being certain that I may not stay in engineering for long.

 

[Illumuniate]

You maybe right to call me fickle-minded in this situation as I have not actually worked in the Media industry. However I maybe certain that I would do well in the media though, despite knowing how competitive and demanding it can be. If I have loads of $$, I would certainly spend money on finishing this course and then doubling my expenditure on another course. But i don't, which is why I would consider walking away from Engineering, a course which I have studied for a few years already since Poly and being certain that I may not stay in engineering for long.

I have a friend who is an ntu mass communication and has difficulty finding a job in sph despite being an intern there.

Same for me, ex-mediacorp intern, polytechnic graduate.

I can only say the positions are few and between, and the pay is incredibly low. U can work long hours for low 2k+ and below even though u are media graduate. Not trying tk even sugarcoat it, even in mediacorp the pay is below average for local university graduates and are on contracts.

Frankly the industry is not as rosy as u think it is. SPH just let go of so many staff, u sure u want to go to a sunset industry?

I am not exactly trying to discourage u but telling u the hard truths in the industry. How fluent is your chinese? Can you work 11 hours to 15 hours shoot? Good at multi-tasking othef Willing to work for less than $2k? What else can u do other than being able to write well? Most mass comm people are 10 pointers and the bare requirement is to be able to write well. Are u good-looking? Resourceful? Adaptable? Willing to learn on the job? Willing to take ****? Can u stand keep being on contract basis? Fast on your feet? Can drive?

 

[Shaunsforum]

@thyninja

I'd suggest you to finish up your current studies first, and go work for prolly a year or 2 after that to save up. Once you're ready to move on, you can consider studying Mass Comm as your 2nd degree At the very least, you'd hold 2 different degrees that enable you to land a job depending on the job market and maybe your level of passion in the future.

Hi Thyninja, I would love to do that but I fear that may not be the right path for me to go, as by the time I have done all that, I will be probably 30 years old then, which maybe an age that is much tougher to kickstart a career. Whereas my other friends who have already worked for sometime had already furthered their careers, not to mention that I will be competing with the much younger generation.