My Singaporean friend, Tiger, said that he doesn't like Singapore expanding the university places to 40% of Singapore's cohort. He wishes my country cap University places because University is over-valued, and does not prepare graduates with a job in the relevant area.
I agree with him. However, I concede we both seem to miss the point - for the government seems to know better than us. From my observations, Singapore still limits degrees in social sciences and humanities, for people doing them will get unemployed anywhere unless bonded by scholarships.
So now, we have to ask ourselves, why do we do science, IT, engineering and business degrees we dislike, do not do well in, and still be unemployed?
My opinion is, we do university because we want the monies to continue the Singapore dream: a house, a car and societal recognition for what we do - for our case - a good degree. Because of strong pressure to be part of an in-group, Aspies are pushed to the four areas as mentioned above, when they do not really fit into such areas. They may do well in the arts, humanities and social studies, as seen in my Aspie friends who have moved overseas, just to pursue careers in these areas. Why do they even move out of Singapore? Well, at least they're older than I do, and there still aren't much opportunities in Singapore to do these unemployable areas, for better or worse.
I think for ASDs, in particular, unfortunately, they may get a house or a car, and maybe even an advanced degree. Indeed, ASDs do have the potential to get the highest degrees they set for their minds, like what I see all over the world. However, I'm skeptical, that even with a degree, we ASDs still don't get recognition to live out our dreams.
Either special schools push us to do vocational schools, where the more theoretical Aspies may be like ducks out of the water, or we do traditional schools, undergo group pressures and don't have strategies to overcome them, and thereafter fail in schools. Hence, in Singapore, there are only 3 Aspies out of the 20+ Aspies I know from my country, in my age group, doing University - including me.
For many of us ASDs, we'd rather want to be hated for what we truly love to do, that is, making music full of hate and fear and living with not much monies, than to do a high-paying career that fulfills our material dreams, but not our inner, deeper aspirations, to really express ourselves.
So university may not be our way out. However, for most people, doing a job we enjoy and can mature in both skills and competence, or doing some other things that bring positive effects on others, could be a better option than staying in the ivory tower.
I agree with him. However, I concede we both seem to miss the point - for the government seems to know better than us. From my observations, Singapore still limits degrees in social sciences and humanities, for people doing them will get unemployed anywhere unless bonded by scholarships.
So now, we have to ask ourselves, why do we do science, IT, engineering and business degrees we dislike, do not do well in, and still be unemployed?
My opinion is, we do university because we want the monies to continue the Singapore dream: a house, a car and societal recognition for what we do - for our case - a good degree. Because of strong pressure to be part of an in-group, Aspies are pushed to the four areas as mentioned above, when they do not really fit into such areas. They may do well in the arts, humanities and social studies, as seen in my Aspie friends who have moved overseas, just to pursue careers in these areas. Why do they even move out of Singapore? Well, at least they're older than I do, and there still aren't much opportunities in Singapore to do these unemployable areas, for better or worse.
I think for ASDs, in particular, unfortunately, they may get a house or a car, and maybe even an advanced degree. Indeed, ASDs do have the potential to get the highest degrees they set for their minds, like what I see all over the world. However, I'm skeptical, that even with a degree, we ASDs still don't get recognition to live out our dreams.
Either special schools push us to do vocational schools, where the more theoretical Aspies may be like ducks out of the water, or we do traditional schools, undergo group pressures and don't have strategies to overcome them, and thereafter fail in schools. Hence, in Singapore, there are only 3 Aspies out of the 20+ Aspies I know from my country, in my age group, doing University - including me.
For many of us ASDs, we'd rather want to be hated for what we truly love to do, that is, making music full of hate and fear and living with not much monies, than to do a high-paying career that fulfills our material dreams, but not our inner, deeper aspirations, to really express ourselves.
So university may not be our way out. However, for most people, doing a job we enjoy and can mature in both skills and competence, or doing some other things that bring positive effects on others, could be a better option than staying in the ivory tower.
