SHOULD I CHANGE COURSE?

[Shaunsforum]

@cherryblossoms

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

O.. I supposed that your friend studies Engineering too? how is he/she doing in the media studies now?

 

[Ottoke]

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.

Hi

I am almost 30, and also trying to get into the media industry. Probably the only thing better is that I am currently pursuing a Mass Comms degree part time @ SUSS, otherwise I am pretty much have zero exp trying to get into the media line.

Currently I am in the IT line, which I will be quitting for good.

 

[FadedBoy]

Hi

I am almost 30, and also trying to get into the media industry. Probably the only thing better is that I am currently pursuing a Mass Comms degree part time @ SUSS, otherwise I am pretty much have zero exp trying to get into the media line.

Currently I am in the IT line, which I will be quitting for good.

this makes me motivated to study harder. Thank u haha. *I’m serious*

 

[Ottoke]

this makes me motivated to study harder. Thank u haha. *I’m serious*

Go for it

Which reminds me exams are next week... whoops

 

[Shaunsforum]

@Illuminate

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?

Thank you for your point Illuminate. I have been wanting to ask more people from the media industry about the reality of working there. Yes I am aware of the difficulties encountered and the fact that the industry is not making enough money. Mediacorp is definitely a place I would not want to work at as I know how tough and long the work is there. They are also the reason why I avoid watching Channel 5 and 8 besides the news or movies on Saturday Night. I am hoping that you can tell me more about the field like Journalism and online writing websites and companies like the Smartlocal & Rice media

 

[Shaunsforum]

Ottoke

Hi

I am almost 30, and also trying to get into the media industry. Probably the only thing better is that I am currently pursuing a Mass Comms degree part time @ SUSS, otherwise I am pretty much have zero exp trying to get into the media line.

Currently I am in the IT line, which I will be quitting for good.

You are in the IT line?! how come bro ? Isn't the IT industry doing well?

 

[Ottoke]

You are in the IT line?! how come bro ? Isn't the IT industry doing well?

I found out it's not suitable for me, I would probably be better off pursuing my interests.

It would be a challenge for me now, which is why I gotta be patient.

 

[Shaunsforum]

@ottoke

I found out it's not suitable for me, I would probably be better off pursuing my interests.

It would be a challenge for me now, which is why I gotta be patient.

You see that worries me, wondering when decide to leave engineering in the years to come, will all that $$ and time spent on something I might not even stick to become a waste? It must be much harder for you right now. Hang in there man and good luck for your exam

 

[Ottoke]

Ic. Yes that worries me, to wondering if I decide to leave engineering in the years to come, with all that $$ and time spent on something I might not even stick to becoming a waste. It must be much harder for you right now. Hang in there man

If you are determined, why not go for it, at the very least you tried.

Things might not be favourable along the way. But I think we should hang on. Might see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Oh well the journey hasn't even started

 

[patryn33]

Thank you for your point Illuminate. I have been wanting to ask more people from the media industry about the reality of working there. Yes I am aware of the difficulties encountered and the fact that the industry is not making enough money. Mediacorp is definitely a place I would not want to work at as I know how tough and long the work is there. They are also the reason why I avoid watching Channel 5 and 8 besides the news or movies on Saturday Night. I am hoping that you can tell me more about the field like Journalism and online writing websites and companies like the Smartlocal & Rice media

U want to enter the industry but you not supporting the industry?
ppl with English/Lit major also going to Journalism.

https://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-The-Smart-Local-EI_IE982522.11,26.htm

9 yrs past, doubt this has gotten better
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/20...-to-do-journalism-don’t-do-it-in-singapore-”/

 

[Illumuniate]

Thank you for your point Illuminate. I have been wanting to ask more people from the media industry about the reality of working there. Yes I am aware of the difficulties encountered and the fact that the industry is not making enough money. Mediacorp is definitely a place I would not want to work at as I know how tough and long the work is there. They are also the reason why I avoid watching Channel 5 and 8 besides the news or movies on Saturday Night. I am hoping that you can tell me more about the field like Journalism and online writing websites and companies like the Smartlocal & Rice media

Sph and mediacorp can be considered the biggest glc linked in singapore. All media are in some way or other linked to mediacorp, unless u are talking abt online social media. Unless u yourself are the entrepreneur, working as an employee does not usually nett u a lot of income.

I do not know about journalism and online media since these are not my areas of expertise. You can write to them and ask directly. Be prepared for hard knocks, maybe u can try being an intern for the feels of it.

You have to knock on their doors a lot. http://thesmartlocal.com/read/about-us. Rice media might be linked to today newspaper. You can try and write in to them.

http://ricemedia.co/about/

 

[HaveFaith_InGod]

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.

My advice would be to think twice before withdrawing unless your university score is great. If you want to apply for local university , they will look at your latest degree result. If it's very good then go ahead but if it's average then I suggest try and look for alternative ways to pursue your mass media. It's not only with a degree you are able to pursue mass media right?

Alternative 1: After you completed your degree , go one step behind and search for local diploma conversion course . I remember readin somewhere that you can convert and diploma you are holding right now to the diploma you want to pursue within a 12 months . At the end of the day a degree is just a degree to have increase pay and you can use your diploma to find passion related job of yours.

Alternative 2 : take some temporary jobs or part time job relating to Your passion. Do well and request from the company if it is possible to have this as a permanent career after you completed your current degree .

Alternative 3 : Jump ship ,take the risk of not being able to pursue your academics for at least a year until the next opening date of application opens. Think of how can you best make use of the 1 GAP year. It will be a Long ride with 50/50 percent chance of entering the course you want . No garantees.


In all , all the best!


Warmest Regards
HaveFaith

 

[Shaunsforum]

@havefaith

My advice would be to think twice before withdrawing unless your university score is great. If you want to apply for local university , they will look at your latest degree result. If it's very good then go ahead but if it's average then I suggest try and look for alternative ways to pursue your mass media. It's not only with a degree you are able to pursue mass media right?

Alternative 1: After you completed your degree , go one step behind and search for local diploma conversion course . I remember readin somewhere that you can convert and diploma you are holding right now to the diploma you want to pursue within a 12 months . At the end of the day a degree is just a degree to have increase pay and you can use your diploma to find passion related job of yours.

Alternative 2 : take some temporary jobs or part time job relating to Your passion. Do well and request from the company if it is possible to have this as a permanent career after you completed your current degree .

Alternative 3 : Jump ship ,take the risk of not being able to pursue your academics for at least a year until the next opening date of application opens. Think of how can you best make use of the 1 GAP year. It will be a Long ride with 50/50 percent chance of entering the course you want . No garantees.


In all , all the best!


Warmest Regards
HaveFaith

Thank you for your help Havefaith. Do you mean that I can enroll into a local Uni and study a course different from Engineering if I am excelling in my current course? If so, I have never heard of this path at all and unfortunately I probably will not be able to do that since my scores from my previous trimester are all borderline. I will evaluate these alternatives.

 

[Shaunsforum]

@Illuminate

Sph and mediacorp can be considered the biggest glc linked in singapore. All media are in some way or other linked to mediacorp, unless u are talking abt online social media. Unless u yourself are the entrepreneur, working as an employee does not usually nett u a lot of income.

I do not know about journalism and online media since these are not my areas of expertise. You can write to them and ask directly. Be prepared for hard knocks, maybe u can try being an intern for the feels of it.

You have to knock on their doors a lot. http://thesmartlocal.com/read/about-us. Rice media might be linked to today newspaper. You can try and write in to them.

http://ricemedia.co/about/

Thank you for your help Iluminate. yes I have applied for numerous Social Media websites. Unfortunately, only Nestia answered and accepted my application. Currently I am trying to build up my portfolio from there. However i was told by my friend, who works in the Media Industry, that writing for Nestia will only do little to help me build my portfolio.

 

[Shaunsforum]

@patryn

U want to enter the industry but you not supporting the industry?
ppl with English/Lit major also going to Journalism.

https://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-The-Smart-Local-EI_IE982522.11,26.htm

9 yrs past, doubt this has gotten better
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/20...-to-do-journalism-don’t-do-it-in-singapore-”/

Thank you Patryn33 for the links. Ironically you can say that. Based on the article, i can see that the online social media is gradually exercising more freedom of speech against certain censorships. I did apply for the Smart-Local but was ultimately rejected, probably because I did not have any qualifications. i would probably want to apply somewhere else.

 

[cherryblossoms]

O.. I supposed that your friend studies Engineering too? how is he/she doing in the media studies now?

no idea, didnt keep in touch already. but should be doing pretty good because my friend is strong in language and not engineering mathematics problem solving type.

 

[patryn33]

Thank you Patryn33 for the links. Ironically you can say that. Based on the article, i can see that the online social media is gradually exercising more freedom of speech against certain censorships. I did apply for the Smart-Local but was ultimately rejected, probably because I did not have any qualifications. i would probably want to apply somewhere else.

social media? facebook? its hosted in USA... even forum has freedom of speech just look at EDMW.

don't think U lack the paper therefore U not hired, hiring process is complex. if base on paper alone life is so simple.

I am not in this industry just heard of the frustration from my pal or seniors who entered the industry. 1 left SPH and went to teach.

good luck

 

[Shaunsforum]

@patryn33

social media? facebook? its hosted in USA... even forum has freedom of speech just look at EDMW.

don't think U lack the paper therefore U not hired, hiring process is complex. if base on paper alone life is so simple.

I am not in this industry just heard of the frustration from my pal or seniors who entered the industry. 1 left SPH and went to teach.

good luck

O..Can I ask what are you teaching now? Also you mean that your friends entered the writing industry right?

 

[Illumuniate]

Thank you for your help Iluminate. yes I have applied for numerous Social Media websites. Unfortunately, only Nestia answered and accepted my application. Currently I am trying to build up my portfolio from there. However i was told by my friend, who works in the Media Industry, that writing for Nestia will only do little to help me build my portfolio.

I'm afraid I can't offer much help.

My lecturer was a channel 5 screenwriter with no prior experience as well. I think it also boils down to whether you are useful to them in one way or other:

Looks, skills, likeability, connections or unique selling point.

I can only say, please don't quit your course because you dislike the path. It could be a worse situation.

 

[Illumuniate]

Spoiler

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1780877505333359&id=225524117535380

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We'll be paying a finders fee of $2,000 SGD for successful full-time hires. They have to pass the 3 month probation as well.

We have a total of 5 full-time positions open for the above positions so if you're a networking God and help us fill all the positions you'll get $10k!

More info: http://thesmartlocal.com/jobs