Graduated TODAY. Unemployed TOMORROW!

It worries me when there is an increasing trend of people going for their second or third degree, without a clear and purposeful goal. This is common in certain countries such as China and the Philippines, where unemployment or the lack of employment is an issue. In the Philippines, about 10 million people are unemployed as reported in the local newspapers. In 2004, 7000 graduates in Bacolod, the city where the recent SEA Games was held, were jobless. As the Chinese saying goes, "there are more monks than the amount of porridge available."

While being unemployed, many graduates would think, "Why don't I further my study instead of idling away and not working?". I believe this might be the reason why many of them end up holding multiple degrees. When I was in the Philippines, I met a good number of people on the streets and found out later that they were professors!!! Eventually, does having a few degrees get us a better job, or better pay? If it does, by all means, go for it! But, the truth is, it does not, in most instances.

A very good friend of mine in China has just graduated from the university in Xi An and the parents are already planning to send her to UK for further studies. She communicated with me and asked me for advice. My advice was, read the book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert T Kiyosaki before finalising the decision. She said she has read it before. Then, I told her to ask the parents to read the Chinese version of the book. Hopefully, the father would be able to read the book soon and apply the thinking of a Rich Dad as advised in the book. Otherwise, the daughter is going to join the MD (Multiple Degrees) Club soon.