I refer to the letter “Intelligent employees, not degree holders, secure higher salaries” (May 9).
I am stunned that the writer, while trying to disprove that degrees lead to high salaries, then tries to show that intelligence leads to high salaries. The reality then is that degree holders are assumed to have greater intelligence, whether true or not.
For example, the starting pay of a General Education Officer 1 at the Education Ministry is S$3,000 to S$3,310, and S$1,580 to S$1,920 for a General Education Officer 2. The difference? A degree or a diploma.
Is the writer thus saying that this is also a case of correlation and not causation? It is, therefore, an assertion to say that degrees do not lead to higher salaries. Why is the pay gap so wide between a degree and a diploma holder anyway?
Furthermore, society perceives degree holders as more capable, based only on their tertiary education. This may not be true, but a degree is the first foot in the door for job seekers. Hence, it is logical for many people to aspire to earn a degree.
One purpose of education is that it is the best means of social mobility. Whether people succeed or not, at least they are trying. Parents would encourage children and invest in their education so that they can lead similar or better lives.
The high-paying jobs of the world have a degree as a basic requirement anyway.
As a current undergraduate in a local university, I can say that pursuing a degree gives me a higher chance at being paid more. It is not wishful thinking, but a fact of our economy. My parents have said likewise; so have my school, my peers and many other adults I have met in the working world.
We should refrain from labels such as “intelligent” or “unintelligent”. The realistic acknowledgement is that we all run the rat race, and some will succeed, but others will not.
However, let us at least give them credit for attempting.
