Can Upskilling Really Make A Difference In Your Pay?

Sponsored content by Kaplan Higher Education Academy.

Imagine Sarah Tan, a 25-year-old who started out in the marketing industry early in her life.

She has been working as a Marketing Executive at a homegrown company in Singapore for the past five years.

Sarah started working early, after a vocational training qualification in Digital Marketing.

Sarah is deeply passionate about her job, but her career has remained stagnant for some time. Even with sheer dedication and hard work, she often finds others progressing ahead of her. Although opportunities for promotion arose, she was frequently overlooked as others possessed higher qualifications.

As the digital marketing landscape evolves, she is faced with a plateau in her career. The rapid emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and various AI-driven marketing tools have spurred her to update her knowledge and skills to stay ahead.

The need for upskilling: How a working professional like Sarah figures it out

Sarah notices that newer entrants in the marketing field come equipped with cutting-edge skills in data analytics, social media strategy, and consumer behaviour analysis—areas she feels less confident in.

Realising that these skills could be the key to advancing her career, she decides after a long discussion with her family that she would pursue a Diploma that can help her upskill and remain competitive at work.

She comes across Kaplan’s Diploma in Digital Marketing programme but is unsure if it would be suitable for her busy schedule.

A gateway to advancement in her career goals

After enquiring about the programme, she discovers that Kaplan offers both part-time and full-time studies along with robust support and flexible learning options to meet the distinct needs of mid-career professionals.

For someone like Sarah, assessing personal and professional goals, financial situation, and current job flexibility are key in deciding the best path to advance her education and career simultaneously.

She will need to seek a path that offers unique advantages that can significantly aid her in achieving her goals of career advancement and skill enhancement, while striking a good balance between work and life.

Sarah decides to try out part-time studies as it best fits her schedule.

Impact on Sarah’s career

As Sarah progresses through the programme, she begins to apply her newfound knowledge at work.

For instance, using her skills picked up from her data analytics classes, she supports a data-driven campaign that significantly improves return of investment (ROI) by targeting underserved customer segments.

With her new skill sets driving positive results for her company, Sarah is recognised for her efforts to upskill and recommended for promotion to Senior Marketing Executive. She also starts being assigned to larger-scale projects.

The promotion and expansion in job scope reflect Sarah’s enhanced value to her company and leads to a salary increase. Sarah’s learnings from upskilling also allows her to leverage newly learnt consumer behaviour insights.

Her strategic approach to digital marketing gives her more exposure to work and learning opportunities, further supercharging her confidence in her abilities. Sarah is considering furthering her studies in the future, with the intention of obtaining a Degree.

Upskilling in Singapore’s dynamic job market

In the competitive job market of Singapore, especially for motivated professionals who want to advance in their careers, upskilling has become a vital strategy to not only remain relevant but also to potentially increase earnings.

Singapore’s economic landscape is rapidly evolving with shifts towards high-value industries such as cybersecurity, digital marketing and fintech. For professionals, keeping pace with these changes without the relevant skills can be a daunting task.

Upskilling could be the key to unlocking your full potential and ensuring your relevance in an ever-evolving market.

Kaplan’s role in professional development for working professionals

Kaplan in Singapore specialises in offering comprehensive educational programmes catering to working professionals.

Based on the Kaplan Graduate Employment Survey 2021/22, nine in 10 Kaplan graduates are employed within six months.^1,2 The Kaplan campus is also conveniently located in the heart of the city – near six MRT locations.

There are also more than 20 Diploma programmes across a wide range of pathways available with possible completion in eight months.³

With programmes in fields such as Accounting and Finance, Human Resources, and Marketing and Management, Kaplan provides its students with education that aligns with industry demands.

These programmes are designed to be flexible and are available in part-time and full-time formats, allowing individuals to continue earning while they learn, minimising financial disruption and maximising career advancement opportunities.

With a Kaplan Diploma, you may also progress to Year 2 of a Bachelor’s Degree with the school, to further sharpen your competitive edge.⁴

Besides the Diploma in Digital Marketing, Kaplan in Singapore has launched three new double major Diploma programmes, offering students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in two distinct fields simultaneously, thereby enhancing their versatility and career prospects:

Diploma in Marketing and Management

Through a combination of lectures, case studies and exercises, students will develop the necessary skills to excel in marketing and management roles across a wide range of industries.

Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices vital for success in the dynamic fields of Marketing and Management. Future career options include Content Marketer, Brand Executive, Digital Marketer and Sales and Marketing Executive.

Diploma in Accounting and Finance

Pick up essential knowledge in corporate finance, financial accounting, financial reporting analysis and management accounting, and gain a thorough understanding of key accounting and finance concepts.

Through a mix of lectures, case studies and practical exercises, students will get to develop the skills necessary for success in this field. Future careers include Account Executive, Finance Executive, and Bank Operations Executive.

Diploma in Human Resources and Management

You will acquire essential knowledge in managing people, including recruitment, training, performance evaluation, and employee relations.

The curriculum is a mixture of theoretical knowledge and applications, and students will learn how to address real-world human resource challenges and contribute effectively to organisational success. Future careers include Human Resource Executive, Employee Engagement Executive, and Talent Management Officer.

Sponsored content by Kaplan Higher Education Academy

If you, like Sarah, feel the need to refresh your skill sets and reignite your career, why not invest in yourself for long-term career growth, and consider how Kaplan’s diverse range of Diploma and Degree programmes can serve as your springboard.

Explore how Kaplan in Singapore can help you achieve your professional goals and take your career to the next level here.

¹Based on total survey respondents of the Kaplan Graduate Employment Survey 2021/22: 3,107 full-time and part-time graduates. 

²Base: FT & PT Diploma + External Degree Programme graduates (FT & PT employed + Self-employed + Freelance + Seeking employment).

³The full-time Diploma programme duration is 11 months with possible completion in 8 months. Subject to programme and meeting entry requirements.

⁴With our university partners and other higher education institutions from Australia, Ireland and the UK (relevant disciplines and/or subject to university’s requirements).