Money or my happiness?
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I'm currently torn between choosing between doing accountancy and psychology for my university course.
I have a passion for psychology, esp counseling since a young age. Have been encouraged by both peers and seniors to carry out my dream cuz they feel i'm talented in the area of undertstanding emotions. It really satisfies me a lot being able to help others through their problems.
However, I fear the consequence of not being able to get a steady job esp in our realistic society if i do not complete the required phd. I've come to the realisation tat I may not earn enough to support a family in the future. How to offer proper help to others if I cannot handle my own life.
On the other hand, I am also very strong in the technical expetise required in areas, for example accounting. However, my interests do not lie a single bit in the area of the competitive business world. Money can be made in this area, but I have doubts my heart would be able to carry me through.
I've made a temporary choice of majoring in Accounting and taking a minor in Psychology in NTU. But i'm still having many sleepless nights becuz I keep feeling tat I am going against my heart. Anyone who has done psychology b4 please help me clear any misconceptions that I am having
Esp abt the area of job prospects. Will I be financially unstable if I dont do my masters/phd? I also do not have the means to study overseas. Thanks, your sincere advise would mean a lot to me. I do not want to make the wrong decision. -
aiyah....got chance to study also so hard to choose!! think about the people who would want to be in your shoes. just follow your passion la!! if not...don study!! become hawker!!...maybe can drive mercedes even!...not onli support family... support your extra marital affairs also can!!!
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Originally posted by Sandistur:
bro, i will think that u follow your interest.. do what you like... have no regrets!
I'm currently torn between choosing between doing accountancy and psychology for my university course.
I have a passion for psychology, esp counseling since a young age. Have been encouraged by both peers and seniors to carry out my dream cuz they feel i'm talented in the area of undertstanding emotions. It really satisfies me a lot being able to help others through their problems.
However, I fear the consequence of not being able to get a steady job esp in our realistic society if i do not complete the required phd. I've come to the realisation tat I may not earn enough to support a family in the future. How to offer proper help to others if I cannot handle my own life.
On the other hand, I am also very strong in the technical expetise required in areas, for example accounting. However, my interests do not lie a single bit in the area of the competitive business world. Money can be made in this area, but I have doubts my heart would be able to carry me through.
I've made a temporary choice of majoring in Accounting and taking a minor in Psychology in NTU. But i'm still having many sleepless nights becuz I keep feeling tat I am going against my heart. [b]Anyone who has done psychology b4 please help me clear any misconceptions that I am having Esp abt the area of job prospects. Will I be financially unstable if I dont do my masters/phd? I also do not have the means to study overseas. Thanks, your sincere advise would mean a lot to me. I do not want to make the wrong decision.[/b]
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you can get a degree with psychology and practice for a year or two.
then if you think you still want to take up the degree in accountancy, you can still do it on full or part time and still about to practice psychology as profession.
but if you start with accountancy, I dont think you will have time even for a coffee
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sandistur, this guy volunteered be your first patientOriginally posted by mhcampboy:aiyah....got chance to study also so hard to choose!! think about the people who would want to be in your shoes. just follow your passion la!! if not...don study!! become hawker!!...maybe can drive mercedes even!...not onli support family... support your extra marital affairs also can!!! -
Originally posted by Sandistur:
I'm currently torn between choosing between doing accountancy and psychology for my university course.
I have a passion for psychology, esp counseling since a young age. Have been encouraged by both peers and seniors to carry out my dream cuz they feel i'm talented in the area of undertstanding emotions. It really satisfies me a lot being able to help others through their problems.
However, I fear the consequence of not being able to get a steady job esp in our realistic society if i do not complete the required phd. I've come to the realisation tat I may not earn enough to support a family in the future. How to offer proper help to others if I cannot handle my own life.
On the other hand, I am also very strong in the technical expetise required in areas, for example accounting. However, my interests do not lie a single bit in the area of the competitive business world. Money can be made in this area, but I have doubts my heart would be able to carry me through.
I've made a temporary choice of majoring in Accounting and taking a minor in Psychology in NTU. But i'm still having many sleepless nights becuz I keep feeling tat I am going against my heart. [b]Anyone who has done psychology b4 please help me clear any misconceptions that I am having Esp abt the area of job prospects. Will I be financially unstable if I dont do my masters/phd? I also do not have the means to study overseas. Thanks, your sincere advise would mean a lot to me. I do not want to make the wrong decision.[/b]
If you want to be in the counselling field and if you look at the monetary returns, to be truthful, it pays peanut and you will be demoralise by the what I will be telling you.
For a counselling psychologist, you probably have to study until Masters. If you pursue your education overseas, everything will probably cost you about 200k to 300k, depending on where you go. The education plus, say 2 years of working experience will easily spent about 7 years before you could come back to Singapore and be a registered Psychologist (currently, I think there is about only 80+ registered Psychologist with the local psychological association)
100% of your client - 20% are generally rich or could afford to pay you well. The other 80%, which are the ones in crisis, often don't have and not willing to pay so much. The psychologist (he went private after 15 years) I spoke to told me that he sometimes have to go FOC, $20, $30, $40 or $50 per session. $80 - $100 and people start to complain. You got to understand the counselling package you are buying, is different from say Expression or SlimFit - you probably can see some results after the beauty therapy, but for counselling, you can give a thousand session and some people still remain the same.
You probably get paid better if you are working in Government sector or involved in other form of psychology - military psychology? Sports psychology? Business Psychology? A lecturer? One hour of lecture, you can probably earn $100-$150 per hour? (Compared to one counselling case, which you spent maybe say 3 hours and your average returns is say $50?)
And if you look at the amount you spent on your education, with the same investment say in Accounting, your earning will differ ALOT, say you become an auditor in a respectable firm.
And to make things worst, counselling is VERY draining for the soul. You face all sort of people: People with marital affairs, relationship problems, suicidal cases, addiction, army-wanna-chao-keng case, gay person and all sort of thingy.
On top of that, you still have to study and upkeep your professional knowledge - It carries with you for life.
P.S: Only the intangible keeps counseller going. The psychologist I spoke to wanted to move into corporate business. It pays better and is easier on the soul. Give a stress management talk - it earns much more than doing counselling cases and is so much easier.
P.S: What's your astrological sign?
Cheers -
Originally posted by coffeeortea:sandistur, this guy volunteered be your first patient
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Originally posted by Yunhaier:
eek. i see my own future! If you want to be in the counselling field and if you look at the monetary returns, to be truthful, it pays peanut and you will be demoralise by the what I will be telling you.
For a counselling psychologist, you probably have to study until Masters. If you pursue your education overseas, everything will probably cost you about 200k to 300k, depending on where you go. The education plus, say 2 years of working experience will easily spent about 7 years before you could come back to Singapore and be a registered Psychologist (currently, I think there is about only 80+ registered Psychologist with the local psychological association)
100% of your client - 20% are generally rich or could afford to pay you well. The other 80%, which are the ones in crisis, often don't have and not willing to pay so much. The psychologist (he went private after 15 years) I spoke to told me that he sometimes have to go FOC, $20, $30, $40 or $50 per session. $80 - $100 and people start to complain. You got to understand the counselling package you are buying, is different from say Expression or SlimFit - you probably can see some results after the beauty therapy, but for counselling, you can give a thousand session and some people still remain the same.
You probably get paid better if you are working in Government sector or involved in other form of psychology - military psychology? Sports psychology? Business Psychology? A lecturer? One hour of lecture, you can probably earn $100-$150 per hour? (Compared to one counselling case, which you spent maybe say 3 hours and your average returns is say $50?)
And if you look at the amount you spent on your education, with the same investment say in Accounting, your earning will differ ALOT, say you become an auditor in a respectable firm.
And to make things worst, counselling is VERY draining for the soul. You face all sort of people: People with marital affairs, relationship problems, suicidal cases, addiction, army-wanna-chao-keng case, gay person and all sort of thingy.
On top of that, you still have to study and upkeep your professional knowledge - It carries with you for life.
P.S: Only the intangible keeps counseller going. The psychologist I spoke to wanted to move into corporate business. It pays better and is easier on the soul. Give a stress management talk - it earns much more than doing counselling cases and is so much easier.
P.S: What's your astrological sign?
Cheers -
Thanks everybody for your quick and sincere replies. Have gained a much stronger perspective about wat to expect in the field of psychology. Appreciate the help very much. By the way, I'm CapricornOriginally posted by Yunhaier: If you want to be in the counselling field and if you look at the monetary returns, to be truthful, it pays peanut and you will be demoralise by the what I will be telling you.
For a counselling psychologist, you probably have to study until Masters. If you pursue your education overseas, everything will probably cost you about 200k to 300k, depending on where you go. The education plus, say 2 years of working experience will easily spent about 7 years before you could come back to Singapore and be a registered Psychologist (currently, I think there is about only 80+ registered Psychologist with the local psychological association)
100% of your client - 20% are generally rich or could afford to pay you well. The other 80%, which are the ones in crisis, often don't have and not willing to pay so much. The psychologist (he went private after 15 years) I spoke to told me that he sometimes have to go FOC, $20, $30, $40 or $50 per session. $80 - $100 and people start to complain. You got to understand the counselling package you are buying, is different from say Expression or SlimFit - you probably can see some results after the beauty therapy, but for counselling, you can give a thousand session and some people still remain the same.
You probably get paid better if you are working in Government sector or involved in other form of psychology - military psychology? Sports psychology? Business Psychology? A lecturer? One hour of lecture, you can probably earn $100-$150 per hour? (Compared to one counselling case, which you spent maybe say 3 hours and your average returns is say $50?)
And if you look at the amount you spent on your education, with the same investment say in Accounting, your earning will differ ALOT, say you become an auditor in a respectable firm.
And to make things worst, counselling is VERY draining for the soul. You face all sort of people: People with marital affairs, relationship problems, suicidal cases, addiction, army-wanna-chao-keng case, gay person and all sort of thingy.
On top of that, you still have to study and upkeep your professional knowledge - It carries with you for life.
P.S: Only the intangible keeps counseller going. The psychologist I spoke to wanted to move into corporate business. It pays better and is easier on the soul. Give a stress management talk - it earns much more than doing counselling cases and is so much easier.
P.S: What's your astrological sign?
Cheers -
the stereotype psychologist often ends up needing to see a shrink himself, right?
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Almost all jobs in the psychology field require at least an Honours! I would advise you to take overseas degree instead of local degree.
Cheers. -
Definitely your happiness which I believe comes from your passion.
Follow your heart and you will always be happy.
Follow money, you would have sacrificed your heart and would even sacrifice your passion, love, integrity, etc. Will gaining money at those expense make your happy?
Not for me.
But I can't decide for you. You have to decide for yourself and be prepared to live for or with it. -
dun be an idiot like me..follow ur passion..
accounts is terribly tough to do when u lack the interest.. -
I'm sori to hear tat. But would appreciate it a lot if u could elaborate on yr experience. Did u do accounting before?Originally posted by stellazio:dun be an idiot like me..follow ur passion..
accounts is terribly tough to do when u lack the interest.. -
I'm having the same delima as u actually.. I was choosing b/w Biz admin and Accountancy..
Biz Admin coz i like interacting wif ppl and stuff, Accounting for the relatively high pay..
But aft hearin that Acc is boring like hell.. Well man.. I cant stand routine job and i guess it's gonna flop so bad..
Moreover.. Sumone said " I't's betta to fail in sumthing u like than to succeed in sumthing u haf no passion in"
Well, i dunoe if this sentece still holds in today's society, but it's all up to u..
Well, i heard SG psy degree not that good though.. Good luck any way.. -
This is a misconception u have. Accounting is not boring at all. Of cuz if u mention about the content. But in the real working world, there is so much interaction u would have to do. For example, i'll draw this case from an external auditor. He travels around the island frequently to interact with different companies eg, F&N and TTSH. Over there he can meet many new pple and in the process largely expand his network. If u prove yrself to have a good interaction and analytical ability, u would most likely be sent overseas, esp if u work for an MNC. Basically I can assure u, there is no lack of life and interaction in accountancy at all. It is not at all routine! Dont tell me F&N and TTSH are similar in nature? Straight from the horses mouth, in fact 2 horses.Originally posted by motoway:I'm having the same delima as u actually.. I was choosing b/w Biz admin and Accountancy..
Biz Admin coz i like interacting wif ppl and stuff, Accounting for the relatively high pay..
But aft hearin that Acc is boring like hell.. Well man.. I cant stand routine job and i guess it's gonna flop so bad.. -
Ok dude.. Auditing is fun..
But do ya noe u haf to work 7 yrs as a basic accountant b4 u can qualify for an auditor? Moreover.. Auditors dun get good paychecks for nothing..
My cousin's fren is an auditor and they work up till 18 hrs a day just to meet deadline..
Well i belief if u're a workaholic, accounting is the way to go then.. -
Hmm I agree very much as u do. I in no way resemble a workaholic, which is why I say I do not think I would be able to take to the lifestyle. But I guess the info we get sort of differs. My senior in his twenties started off as an auditor, and is still! But he told me he's paid much less than an accountant. But he's doing it for experience. Three others I spoke to also tell me the same thing leh. I'll try go confirm again. Thanks for sharing yr opinions!
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Dunoe man..
Choosing courses sucks yea.. I wanted to go Chinese Medicine in NTU but my mum held a protest wif my father against it..
Verdict: 2 VS 1
I LOSE.
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i'm in accounts...Originally posted by Sandistur:I'm sori to hear tat. But would appreciate it a lot if u could elaborate on yr experience. Did u do accounting before? -
wah nice quotation by "sumone", bery valuable advice indeed. accountancy sux, but qian hua jie jie rocks!Originally posted by motoway:I'm having the same delima as u actually.. I was choosing b/w Biz admin and Accountancy..
Biz Admin coz i like interacting wif ppl and stuff, Accounting for the relatively high pay..
But aft hearin that Acc is boring like hell.. Well man.. I cant stand routine job and i guess it's gonna flop so bad..
Moreover.. Sumone said " I't's betta to fail in sumthing u like than to succeed in sumthing u haf no passion in"
Well, i dunoe if this sentece still holds in today's society, but it's all up to u..
Well, i heard SG psy degree not that good though.. Good luck any way.. -
i would say choose a job that you enjoy. it may pay low but you find happiness and satisfaction in what you do. that's sth monwy cant buy. it may not allow you a good life then you may want to settle on a frugile one, nothing wrong without luxuries. or you could supplement your job with other jobs like giving tuition.
money cant buy happiness remember that
all the best -
Perhaps you can read this and decide for yourself.
http://singaporedreaming.com/?q=node/6 -
Perhaps you can read this and decide for yourself.
http://singaporedreaming.com/?q=node/6 -
In the world today, you will always need to make sacrifices. People can do what they enjoy but its rare to see them earn much from it artists