Studying part-time is a unique option that empowers students to balance their careers and other commitments. It's a popular choice among working professionals and individuals with diverse schedules, offering benefits tailored to their needs and flexibility.
TMC Academy recognises the challenges that full-time study poses for many, particularly mature-aged students, and offers the majority of its courses part-time. This flexibility means TMC can enhance students' career opportunities by helping them maintain a constructive work-study balance.
What are the benefits of studying part-time?
TMC Academy Part-time degrees provide flexibility
Many full-time professionals and people cannot commit to a full-time study load because of their current responsibilities. This can result in several negative consequences for their careers. For example, a person may not be able to re-skill or keep up with emerging trends within their industry, which may make it difficult to advance in their career or to switch careers to another preferred sector if they so wish.
Switching careers is increasingly common for Singaporeans. In 2022, 31% of respondents to a Randstad survey agreed they were looking for a new job; in the six months between July and December 2021, 18% of respondents had changed their employers or switched careers.
The three main drivers for Singaporeans to change jobs or careers are
Work-life balance (64%)
Salary and employee benefits (63%) and
Pleasant work atmosphere (51%)
Changing careers or employers can be challenging if a person does not have current skills. This is one of the advantages of part-time study. It allows a person to learn new skills or keep current with emerging trends, making the transition to a new career or employer much more accessible.
Part-time degrees are cost-effective
There are several financial benefits to studying part-time.
Reduced opportunity cost
Because a person can continue working full-time while studying, they do not lose their regular income. This is an important consideration, particularly if a person has financial commitments like rent, a mortgage or supporting other family members.
If a person earns an average wage of S$51,000 annually and goes back to full-time study, they have lost the opportunity to earn their annual average wage. This opportunity cost is minimised when a person studies part-time.
Easier to manage tuition fees
Because many part-time students continue to earn their salaries, they are, in many cases, able to pay for tuition fees, allowing them to complete their studies without accumulating debt from taking on student loans.
This can be important, particularly if a person plans to change careers. Switching careers often involves taking an entry-level role and salary. Doing this without the debt burden can make the transition process much more manageable.
The cost-effectiveness of studying part-time makes it an attractive option for many people.
Part-time degrees allow for the development and application of skills
There are two aspects to the development of skills that occur with part-time study.
Part-time study and the development of soft skills.
Employers increasingly value soft skills or interpersonal skills as they contribute to a collaborative and constructive work environment. Examples of soft skills include:
Time management skills and the ability to successfully manage competing demands.
Being flexible and adaptable to change.
Finding solutions to problems and obstacles.
By its very nature, studying part-time allows a person to learn these soft skills. Juggling full-time work and part-time study requires excellent time management skills. It also requires the ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing demands while at the same time developing creative problem-solving skills.
The soft skills learnt through part-time study mean the person can contribute constructively and be a crucial team member.
The immediate application of theory to practical situations
One significant challenge for many students who enter the workforce after completing full-time studies is how to apply the theory to the practicalities of the work situation. This challenge does not impact students who study part-time because they can use the theory and skills they are learning in the situations they are facing in the workplace.
This is one of the great advantages of part-time study. The theory and skills are reinforced by their day-to-day application in the working environment.
Part-time degrees and the power of networking
One of the other great benefits of studying part-time is the opportunity to network with others from different professional backgrounds and walks of life.
Part-time degrees attract professionals from different industries, creating a rich learning environment where people share their experiences and learn from each other.
Studying and learning from peers in the classroom has several benefits.
1. Development of soft skills. Studying and learning with people from different backgrounds develops other soft skills than those mentioned above. Interacting and listening to people with different experiences enables a person to understand diverse perspectives and broaden their understanding. The skill of listening and being able to appreciate other points of view is essential in today’s workplaces, where teams are often multi-cultural and multi-generational.
The soft skills learned in studying part-time are crucial for being a successful team member or team leader in the work environment.
2. Career Opportunities. For students looking to switch careers, the networks and relationships formed with others studying part-time degrees often open the door to career opportunities.
The informal discussions and sharing often provide new insights and ideas about career opportunities that a person hasn’t considered or is unaware of. Having, as it were, “inside information” means a person can make a more constructive decision about any career change.
3. The benefit of friendship. One of the other powerful benefits of networking is the value of developing strong friendships. The importance and benefits of friendships are often overlooked in the busyness of life and staying on top of work pressures. However, having solid friendships, particularly with people from different walks of life, is essential for our mental well-being and overall satisfaction in life.
In recent years, the educational scene in Singapore has transformed towards more flexible study arrangements and part-time degrees. This shift has occurred due to the changing needs of employers, students, and the ever-changing job market.
TMC Academy has over 40 years of excellence in education and is committed to lifelong learning. Its goal is to equip students with the essential skills they need in a dynamic and changing economic environment. As part of its commitment to lifelong learning, TMC provides many of its courses and degrees on a part-time basis.
This provides an excellent opportunity for people who are not able to commit to a full-time study load to study to advance in their current careers or to switch careers.
For further information on finding the part-time course that is right for you, contact TMC Academy here.
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