Are you waiting to enter University and exploring potential career options? Or are you a mid-career switcher keen to explore other prospects?
You might find your future direction within a growth industry! Growth industries are industries that see rapid developments and increases in size, which often arise from changes in regulations or the arrival of new technologies. In this article, we present you six professions you can consider, along with six universities that can help you get a foot in the door.
Let’s get started!
1) The Finance Professional
Singapore is a financial centre that is well-regarded worldwide, taking fifth place for the most competitive financial centre after New York, London, Tokyo and Shanghai in The Global Financial Centres Index[i]. The finance and insurance sector saw an expansion by 8.0 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2020[ii], and has seen steady recruitment amidst the COVID-19 pandemic[iii].
As Singapore’s finance sector works toward digitisation—the Monetary Authority of Singapore will be awarding up to five digital bank licenses by the second half of 2020[iv]—aspiring financial professionals will definitely benefit from keeping up with the latest Fintech trends!
Why University of Wollongong?
The University of Wollongong is the tenth-best university in Australia according to the QS World University Rankings 2021[v] and the fourth-best Australian university offering External Degree Programmes in Singapore! Their Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) has been accepted into the Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute University Recognition Programme as it incorporates at least 70% of the CFA Programme Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK), which provides students with a solid grounding in the CBOK and will give them a good head start for the CFA exam.
2) The Data Analytics Professional
More and more organisations are growing aware of the benefits of big data and the need to invest in it.
The International Data Corporation has forecasted that worldwide revenue for big data and business analytics (BDA) solutions will see double-digit annual growth to reach USD$274.3 billion by 2022[vi]! The 2019 Data + Visualization Report commissioned by American software company Alteryx, however, has noted a significant talent gap for this growing sector[vii].
In Singapore and Japan, 65% of large corporations do not have a dedicated team for analytics work and at least one-third of medium-sized businesses have found it challenging to find trained data workers[viii]. Will you become the person whom they seek?
Why Massey University?
Massey University is double accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for its Business and Accounting programmes. This is no easy feat as less than 5 percent of more than 16,000 schools worldwide are AACSB-accredited[ix].
The university’s Master of Analytics programme is sponsored by leading business analytics software provider SAS, whose applications are used by corporations such as Nestlé and HSBC[x]. Graduates of this programme will be awarded the SAS certification, giving them an edge over their peers during their job searches.
Offered as a postgraduate taught programme at PSB Academy, the Master of Analytics offers the option to explore the finance track or the marketing track, so that students can pick up knowledge better suited to their needs or career goals!
3) The Engineering Professional
Engineers have always been been hard at work to better society. Without the combined efforts of mechanical engineers, electronic and electrical engineers, and computer engineers, for example, our smartphones wouldn’t exist today!
The Singapore Government has always stressed the importance of strong engineering capabilties to achieve Singapore’s Smart Nation vision, and is keen on attracting and recruiting engineering talents to our little red dot[xi]. This, however, has been a challenge: according to the (2018) Talent Shortage Survey[xii] for Singapore by the ManpowerGroup, employers found the role of engineers to be the second hardest in-demand role to fill.
Currently, one sector in major need of engineers is the rail industry[xiii]!
Why The University of Newcastle, Australia (UON)?
UON is the eleventh-best university in Australia according to the QS World University Rankings 2021[xiv] and the fifth-best university offering External Degree Programmes here with engineering being one of its research strengths[xv]! In fact, UON professors and researchers were recently involved in the conceptualisation and designing of a range of projects to help address the shortage of medical equipment in the fight against Covid-19[xvi].
UON also has a strong presence in Singapore through UON Singapore, a wholly-owned entity of UON! This gives students studying UON degrees in Singapore access to regular alumni events held here, as well as the opportunity to join UON Singapore’s student chapters and clubs.
4) The Biomedical Science Professional
We’re sure you’ve heard of and walked past Biopolis at One-North, but did you know that the biomedical research hub is undergoing expansion works to meet the needs of biotechnology start-ups[xvii]?
Regarded as the fourth pillar of Singapore’s manufacturing industry[xviii], the biomedical sciences industry has been thriving! Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies like Amgen and GlaxoSmithKline have a presence here[xix], and the Singaporean Goverment continues to invest heavily in the biomedical sector[xx].
At present, the Covid-19 pandemic has seen high demand for local biomedical innovations and products around the world[xxi]. In fact, according to data from the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), biomedical manufacturing output grew by 100.5% in April 2020 compared to the same period last year[xxii]!
Why La Trobe University?
In the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2018 report—the ERA being the Australian Government’s national research evaluation framework—La Trobe University’s research in biological and chemical sciences have been ranked ‘well above world standard’[xxiii]. The young university has also ranked 50th in the Times Higher Education Asia-Pacific University Rankings 2019, which featured over 300 universities from 13 different countries[xxiv].
La Trobe University is also home to the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, which brings together its leading researchers to address crucial problems in the fields of cancer, infection and immunity, molecular design as well as nanoscience[xxv].
5) The Data Analytics Professional
Cybersecurity has become paramount in today’s increasingly connected world. There has been a spike in cyber threats, due to increased Internet use among telecommuters during the Covid-19 pandemic[xxvi], highlighting the pressing need for robust cybersecurity systems once more.
Globally, the cybersecurity market has been growing year on year. In fact, it is estimated to be worth US$270 billion by 2026—an 86% increase from US$145 billion in 2018[xxvii]! With such tremendous growth and opportunities in store, there’s no better time than the present to become a cybersecurity professional.
Why Edith Cowan University (ECU)?
If you’re keen to enter this in-demand and highly dynamic field, a cybersecurity degree from ECU will be highly advantageous. The programme not only imparts computer and network security skills to students through modules such as Ethical Hacking and Defence, but also prepares you for rising trends in the industry such as artificial intelligence[xxviii].
ECU is currently one of only two Australian universities to be recognised as an Academic Centre of Cyber Security Excellence by the Australian government[xxix], and has a dedicated Security Research Institute (SRI) specialising in the areas of Critical Infrastructure Security, Human Security, Cyber Security and Digital Forensics[xxx]. The university has also achieved a 5-star rating for teaching quality for 13 consecutive years[xxxi]!
You can find out more about ECU’s cybersecurity programmes here!
6) The Business Professional
If you dream of going into business and rising up to become a C-level executive, be warned that you’ll have to be extremely driven. You’ll have to buff up your leadership skills and learn how to communicate well. You’ll also need to acquire extensive on-the-job experience. Most importantly, you must be highly resourceful and adaptable!
While there is no one-way to become a successful business leader, it has been observed that many CEOs and C-level executives have pursued a postgraduate education. In fact, at least 54% of CEOs on the Fortune 100 list have been found to hold a graduate degree[xxxii]! When you begin career-mapping, check out a few graduate-level degrees and narrow down a few that will help you achieve your goals!
Why the University of Canberra?
Established in 1967, the young University of Canberra has come far in a short time to be ranked 193rd in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020[xxxiii]—in just four years after first entering them in the 501-600 band during 2016[xxxiv]!
The University of Canberra prides itself in high-quality research and a strong research culture[xxxv], which will be beneficial when exploring higher degrees by applied research like the Doctor in Business Administration (DBA)! DBA candidates often identify businesses issues, problems or gaps that they’d like to solve, such as an organisational challenge at their workplaces, and base their research and dissertations around it to find a practical, data-driven solution that will drive actual change.
As a DBA is a terminal degree, graduates will also gain the option to pursue a career in academia as Professors or lecturers if they so desire!
Would you like to find out more about these universities, and whether their programmes will fit your goals? If so, we have good news! These universities offer a range of programmes here through PSB Academy, and you’ll have a chance to learn about them in greater detail through the ANZ Virtual Uni Fair.
Happening soon on 4th July 2020, the fair will have a series of live talks with fascinating topics that will give you a peek into the disciplines you might study, so don’t forget to reserve your slot!
That’s not all! Other highlights include a live quiz with Grab vouchers up for grabs and a virtual tour of PSB Academy’s City Campus and STEM Campus. Head on over and sign up for the PSB Academy ANZ Virtual Uni Fair today!
[I] https://www.longfinance.net/media/documents/GFCI_27_Full_Report_2020.03.26_v1.1_.pdf
[ii] https://www.singstat.gov.sg/-/media/files/news/gdp1q2020.pdf
[iii] https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/no-shortage-of-vacancies-in-thriving-tech-finance-sectors
[iv] https://www.mas.gov.sg/regulation/Banking/digital-bank-licence
[v] https://www.topuniversities.com/qs-world-university-rankings
[vi] https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS44998419
[vii] https://www.alteryx.com/sites/default/files/2019-10/EMEA_ResearchReport.pdf
[viii] https://www.alteryx.com/sites/default/files/2019-11/Singapore-Japan-Research-Report.pdf
[ix] https://bestbizschools.aacsb.edu/aacsb-accredited
[x] https://www.sas.com/en_us/customers.html
[xi] https://www.pmo.gov.sg/Newsroom/PM-Lee-Hsien-Loong-Smart-Nation-Summit-Week-Closing-Dialogue
[xii] https://www.manpowergroup.com.sg/talent-shortage-2018
[xiii] https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/rail-sector-remains-bright-spot-for-jobs-says-khaw
[xiv] https://www.topuniversities.com/qs-world-university-rankings
[xv] https://www.newcastle.edu.au/research-and-innovation/global-leadership/research-strengths
[xvi] https://www.newcastle.edu.au/newsroom/featured/university-minds-meld-to-address-covid-19-equipment-shortages
[xvii] https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/biopolis-to-expand-as-part-of-moves-to-better-support-biotech-start-ups
[xviii] https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/20131023003.htm
[xix] https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/our-industries/pharmaceuticals-and-biotechnology.html
[xx] https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/industries/type/healthcare-and-biomedical/industry-profile
[xxi] https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/home-grown-firms-linked-to-pandemic-work-will-continue-to-attract-demand
[xxii] https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/news-and-events/news/monthly-manufacturing-performance.html
[xxiii] https://dataportal.arc.gov.au/ERA/Web/Outcomes#/institution/LTU
[xxiv] https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-universities-asia-pacific-region
[xxv] https://www.latrobe.edu.au/lims/about
[xxvi] https://www.csa.gov.sg/singcert/publications/capitalising-on-covid19-pandemic
[xxvii] https://www.austcyber.com/resources/sector-competitiveness-plan/chapter1
[xxviii] https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/06/19/2050757/0/en/Artificial-Intelligence-AI-in-Cybersecurity-Market-Worth-46-3-billion-by-2027-Exclusive-Report-Covering-Pre-and-Post-COVID-19-Market-Estimates-by-Meticulous-Research.html
[xxix] https://www.education.gov.au/academic-centres-cyber-security-excellence-accse
[xxx] https://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/science/research-activity/ecu-security-research-institute/overview
[xxxi] https://www.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au/course-provider/edith-cowan-university-ecu
[xxxii] https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimberlywhitler/2019/09/28/new-fortune-100-ceo-study-the-top-graduate-schools-attended-by-fortune-100-ceos/#7eb3f85f2719
[xxxiii] https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/university-canberra
[xxxiv] https://www.canberra.edu.au/about-uc/media/newsroom/2019/september/impressive-rise-in-the-world-rankings-for-the-university-of-canberra
[xxxv] https://www.canberra.edu.au/research/landing-page-content/research-and-innovation-plan/Research-and-Innovation-Plan-2018-2022-1.pdf
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