How to get out of a dead-end job?

[boongaylim]

Hi,
I studied accounting in a Malaysian Uni and have now been working in a dead end job in a shipping company in Singapore for the last 3 years. I need to upgrade my education and thought of doing some MBA. Can someone suggest a suitable program for me? Also, should I go for a regular MBA or into an accelerated program? Any specific advice is welcome.
Thanks,
Boon Gay

Insead or Chicago Biz School

wun go wrong

Hi,
Many institutes in Singapore offer an "Executive MBA". You attend classes over the weekends or in evenings. This way you can learn without leaving your day job.
Try SP Jain Institute on Alexandra road. My bro attended their MBA program and landed the job of "supply chain manager" in a shipping company. No dead end here.

Originally Posted by boongaylim

Hi,
I studied accounting in a Malaysian Uni and have now been working in a dead end job in a shipping company in Singapore for the last 3 years. I need to upgrade my education and thought of doing some MBA. Can someone suggest a suitable program for me? Also, should I go for a regular MBA or into an accelerated program? Any specific advice is welcome.
Thanks,
Boon Gay

[aplover]

Originally Posted by boongaylim

Hi,
I studied accounting in a Malaysian Uni and have now been working in a dead end job in a shipping company in Singapore for the last 3 years. I need to upgrade my education and thought of doing some MBA. Can someone suggest a suitable program for me? Also, should I go for a regular MBA or into an accelerated program? Any specific advice is welcome.
Thanks,
Boon Gay

If you think that studying and MBA will give you the right to have a higher paying job. Think again, it maybe the case possibly for US and Europe and only selected MNCs in Singapore, but most of the time, you will not get the extra gain if you are just going to study any MBA.

If you want to study a MBA, you either spend alot of money and pay for a branded reputable uni or don't bother at all. More likely you are stuck in your current position because of your own abilities, lack of opportunities, luck etc.

You are better off just trying to build up your career properly by finding better jobs or network more.

[lazyplane]

Well, I can share what worked for me as I asked myself what i wanted to do and what was driving me in terms of change many times.

Eg , Is it the job nature that i was tired of ? Or the pay ? Or the prospects. Or the people ?

For me at different points in my life, it was different things.

Since this forum is usually about pay, i will share what i did to enhance that.

1. I did my home work by researching the skills required for my "next job".
Eg, did the job ads ask for CFA, or MBA ? Did they ask for knowledge in regulatory matters ? or specific industry knowledge

2. I actively sought out to build out my skills. In terms of the industry knowledge, i even did a lateral shift in job just to "soak" the knowledge.

3. I forced myself on a weekly basis to digest companies annual reports of the industry i wanted to be in. I took 3 years of annual report of top leading companies, and forced myself to read every word in terms of outlook etc, do some ball park estimates of the financials, margins etc... just to gain this perspective as well

4. At work, i expanded my circle of influence by just doing every thing no one wanted to do. Eg dead end IT projects, build spreadsheets , draw up process charts, write minutes, volunteer for Dinner and dance committee etc.

5. I got my family to support me in believing that things will be better. When u are tired, negative thoughts can come in especially after putting much effort and seeing no visible result. As much as we strength our minds to cancel them, we can get discourage. This is where family support is very important as it can define whether u can sustain the changes you are seeking to make.

6. Finally, i prayed.

All in all, i cant say the above is a winning formula for success for all...
But i am thankful i have moved slightly beyond this stage of seeking more pay now.

Hope it helps. Dont get too discouraged in this journey. Change that happen via small steps are more likely to last than changes in big steps.

Originally Posted by boongaylim

Hi,
I studied accounting in a Malaysian Uni and have now been working in a dead end job in a shipping company in Singapore for the last 3 years. I need to upgrade my education and thought of doing some MBA. Can someone suggest a suitable program for me? Also, should I go for a regular MBA or into an accelerated program? Any specific advice is welcome.
Thanks,
Boon Gay