KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

There are Pitfalls of taking one year sabatical after A-level.

A friend's daughter passed A-level in Dec-2009 with great grades still haven't registered for any of Uni education locally or internationally

Enjoys working & earning so much that she finds 'Working is so much fun rather than studying'

Should be applying as it is already Jan-11 for courses starting in July, but status is still undecided.

Lady boss also encourages to go back to workplace part-tim even if she register for UNI education. She has been handed over day-to day running of the company

Parents are worried that she may never go to University & would continue to work for current company.

I think it is not that uncommon.

My company is involved in the community immersion programmes with some schools and I have spoken to girls who say that they will be taking a sabbatical of 1 or 2 yrs after the 'A's some say they will be travelling but there is this one that stands out. Apparently she already has a business set up. She has negotiated with her father to give her 1 year to do her business. I asked her if her Dad agreed she said took some persuading. Apparently her Dad is a businessman and she had to present her business plan to him. As she needs funding she has to take a loan from her father as well and she has to pay him back with interest. I told her but realistically for a business to be able to take off and to repay a loan in 1 year is quite tough. That was when she told me the business is already up and running and sustaining. I asked her then if the business takes off then what. Wouldn't it be a pity to have to give it up. She said sell it off, take the profits and invest it somewhere while she finish her studies and thereafter she can use the money to start something else.

17yrs old, foresight or idealism? The way she explained things seem so logical. She did not factor in emotions, I guess. But I salute her courage. She did say something, paper qualifications are common these days, even a masters is not worth much. If I can gain experience and insight into running a business that beats any paper qualification.

I want to hire her. Paper qualification or not. haha.

Funz wrote:I think it is not that uncommon.

My company is involved in the community immersion programmes with some schools and I have spoken to girls who say that they will be taking a sabbatical of 1 or 2 yrs after the 'A's some say they will be travelling but there is this one that stands out. Apparently she already has a business set up. She has negotiated with her father to give her 1 year to do her business. I asked her if her Dad agreed she said took some persuading. Apparently her Dad is a businessman and she had to present her business plan to him. As she needs funding she has to take a loan from her father as well and she has to pay him back with interest. I told her but realistically for a business to be able to take off and to repay a loan in 1 year is quite tough. That was when she told me the business is already up and running and sustaining. I asked her then if the business takes off then what. Wouldn't it be a pity to have to give it up. She said sell it off, take the profits and invest it somewhere while she finish her studies and thereafter she can use the money to start something else.

17yrs old, foresight or idealism? The way she explained things seem so logical. She did not factor in emotions, I guess. But I salute her courage. She did say something, paper qualifications are common these days, even a masters is not worth much. If I can gain experience and insight into running a business that beats any paper qualification.

I want to hire her. Paper qualification or not. haha.

It is not so easy to go back to Study for 4 years UNI program after gap of 3-4 years. It is also common knowledge that Boys after doing NS for 2 years ,finds it hard to get back to mode of attending class /studying & passing exam. That's probably is reason , Girls are doing so well in local Uni & first few years in Job market.

In all probability, both cases above, they will never go to Uni for pursing meaningful degree & built carrer around it.

Really sad... more so for my friend's daughter case as she is employee with illusion of enterpruner. What if they decide to let her go in 3 years time?

Funz wrote:I think it is not that uncommon.

My company is involved in the community immersion programmes with some schools and I have spoken to girls who say that they will be taking a sabbatical of 1 or 2 yrs after the 'A's some say they will be travelling but there is this one that stands out. Apparently she already has a business set up. She has negotiated with her father to give her 1 year to do her business. I asked her if her Dad agreed she said took some persuading. Apparently her Dad is a businessman and she had to present her business plan to him. As she needs funding she has to take a loan from her father as well and she has to pay him back with interest. I told her but realistically for a business to be able to take off and to repay a loan in 1 year is quite tough. That was when she told me the business is already up and running and sustaining. I asked her then if the business takes off then what. Wouldn't it be a pity to have to give it up. She said sell it off, take the profits and invest it somewhere while she finish her studies and thereafter she can use the money to start something else.

17yrs old, foresight or idealism? The way she explained things seem so logical. She did not factor in emotions, I guess. But I salute her courage. She did say something, paper qualifications are common these days, even a masters is not worth much. If I can gain experience and insight into running a business that beats any paper qualification.

I want to hire her. Paper qualification or not. haha.

Usually for these type, they'll end up in a business course, and most likely excel both studies & work because they bring what they learnt from school into their business, and what they learnt from their business into schoolwork.

My mum used to tell me: If you are good, you don't need to study it to be good.
She was referring to fashion designing & managing a business.

Depends on what plans, if any, do I have for my (pseudo) child. I think a 2-yr sabbatical with the army, if i may call it, was a great experience. It turned me from a mugger who was only concerned about physics and the correctness of English, into someone who understands what is really valued in the workplace and the market. Had it not been for the army, I would not have set up my business and discovered my passion for running a business.

My other friends who are much smarter are pursuing double degrees and accelerated Masters or PhD programs. I admire them for the kind of money that their scholarship organizations are willing to invest in them (between $100k-$500k). Their qualifications will be really useful, and cool!

Either ways, everyone will eventually start earning money. I guess what's more important is whether the individual does what he is truly passionate about, because with passion and skill brings greater financial reward and satisfaction