Just minutes ago, I was reading "WHAT IS THE RIGHT MINDSET" by Daniel Hazmy (stranger friend's friend). Which was well rebutted regarding a few points by Young (a friend from AUSMAT I wish I got to know better). Usually, I keep a low key in my reading/nosing into people's thoughts and lives, but this was an interesting topic I could not resist expressing a few of my opinions, although not consicely what they are talking about.
"what is the right mindset?
what are we trained for since young?study hard, get into a good university and eventually get a good job?have you heard your parents said:"go to school and be an entrepreneur?"
Daniel's opening paragraph. Basically he was expressing opinions on how our education does not teach us to take risky jobs, ie entrepreneur.
"Our society, namely Asians, have this mindset that life is just about studying, get into a good uni and get a good job, not forgetting also to get a good family."
This is so true, the narrow route that most typical kiasu Asians follow summarised in one sentence.
p/s. Lets narrow the view dowm to the typical Chinese family.
In the big picture, parents expectations towards us is simple: get a well respected job, that provides enough income to support a future happy close knit family. Minor details vary a little according to individual parent's level of expectations. Mainly, they hope their little precious babies will have more than they have, better than what they have. They do this by giving us the best education. Sending us to the best schools, and systems. Giving us the gift of opportunity. It is the natural sacrifice that every parents work to make. Why do you think parents will be willing to shelve out hard earned money for our education? We must love them for it.
But I digress.
Daniel says that our education does not teach us to take risk (hence not be an entrepreneur), while Young says that this is because entrepreneur success fluctuates too much, whereas a well known profession such as a doctor, lawyer and such is a more likely guarantee to success.
I say that our debate here is really should be whether or not our parents give time to ask: "What do you really want out of your life, my child?" Not everyone is cut out to be a doctor/lawyer, nor is everyone cut out to be an entrepreneur. But, everyone has something they are marvellous at. What happened to being able to tell your parents your own aspirations (however stupid they may seem at first), and them advising you as long as you are good in what you do, opportunity will come its way? Are you living out your parent's hopes and dreams, or your own? (if this does not apply to you, then lucky you, but I know alot who have this problem)
p/s: mom, if you are reading this, please know you were NOT one of them. lol
Ever wondered why this "mindset" debated about is so prevalent in the Asian, mostly Chinese society worldwide? In Australia, the Chinese here are no different. Almost 70% of students that make it in University are Asians. Why is this pattern so uniform amongst Chinese across the globe? Does it mean that Chinese are a smarter race, or we just tend to place more pressure on ourselves to perform academically? Academic results takes on a life on its own, it becomes student's sole purpose in life, and even becomes a means for student to value themselves. If a student performs badly (even after putting in true effort), he/she might place that label of "loser" on him/herself. Which is terribly sad.
The path road to success through education has started long ago in China's history (probably the Ching or Tang Dynasty). Where there is this public examination, so that they can ace it and be a "guan" (a highly respected position). Bleh, something around that la. This was in our own SEJARAH even. Those who did well in the public examinations, will be celebrated for like a HERO. Until now, there is not much change in that mentality. Despite how times have changed, and systems have evolved. Those who do well in examinations are cheered and admired upon, while the others who don't do well suffer the humiliation, no future no respect. Interestingly enough, at that same dynasty, businessmen were considered lower classes compared to the academics. Whether they are richer or not, it does not matter. That is how much education was important to the Chinese. That is the mentality of the society we live in.
When I ask students studying Bachelor of Commerce, UNSW their major, I swear 90% of them say Accounting, Finance or Actuarial. What happen to 20 other available majors out there? When I ask an Australian what are they studying at UNSW, mostly likely it is something I cannot fanthom anyone doing. Bachelor of Arts, Indonesian studies, Art and Theatre, Bachelor of Science, Physics. They don't follow trends. They do what they want, and what they are interested in. Some say they are stupid, but sometimes you have to respect them for their daring. If I said I was doing Bachelor of Arts, Indonesian Studies to any of my relatives, I bet they would look at me with a "SIAO ARRR", and turn up their noses.
Why are English people so daring? Why are Chinese always so keen on making money? Australians would shake hands with a rubbish collector, while a Chinese will pull her child away from one. Is a rubbish collector a bad guy? A loser label so scary you are afriad it is infectious? Do people know that one of the rich man in Singapore manages the rubbish collection system in the country?
The society, education wants to make duplicates of us. Everyone is expected to be a straight A student. I picture this like "squashing a cream puff through a keyhole" (inspired by Sex and The City movie). Only, I wonder what happens to the leftover creampuff that did not make it through the keyhole. What route do they follow? What is left for them?
We should all learn to break from the mould. DARE TO BE DIFFERENT. Be who we want to be, and not be a sheep of the society.
I think I have said enough
4 comments:
i think i'm a classic example. you have to realize that our education system perpetuates the stereotype too. there just isn't enough attention being paid to arts. i won't say that i dropped out of arts to change to commerce because of the success factor, but because i thought that as much as i knew my parents wanted me to do what i wanted, this was still hard-earned money, and not something to be trifled with. Uni just isn't the time, place or money for me to be "trying things out". And if i were being honest with myself, that was just what I intended to do with arts.
again, back to the system. i get this really strong feeling that if i had at some point, done these sort of subjects in high school, i might have gotten a better idea of what they were like and whether they were my thing. but i didn't. lack of opportunity and initiative (possibly) stopped me. but i figured the laying a good foundation part is true, and arts is always something i can explore later in life or on the side.
the daring to be different thing doesn't work for everyone. some people just aren't risk-takers, and that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Lols to creampuff.
Hmmm to me it's all down to personal choice; I feel lucky cause my parents have never tried to pressure me to follow a certain path or live their dreams. (not like they would be able to anyway)
They always tell me to do whatever the hell I want, as long as I'm happy doing it. Of course they give the expected "hrrrmmmmggh " when it comes to my physics stuff, but that's as far as their dissent goes.
Don't let stereotypes or anyone else influence your own interests :D It's nice to note that in most non-Malaysiae-esque places, a decent income can be made with most degrees (including physics).
Hi Sara! :)
A very well written post/opinion/response.
It is true that career options should be chosen based mainly on interest, ability and passion. However, it is also unwise to completely neglect the financial side of the the issue. A balance is usually required.
I personally, am sick of seeing fellow med students who are here solely because "Oh, it's good money" and "Oh, my parents made me do this."
:S
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