SHE got 10 points for her O levels and could have gone to junior college.

But she chose to start work immediately and along the way, studied part-time at MDIS for a business management diploma.

Now, as a sales specialist in a major bank, Miss Luwen Tan's salary, on most months, is double that of some degree holders who are just starting out.

She earns more than $5,000 on most months, she revealed.

Miss Tan said that she had decided to join the workforce immediately after her O levels despite her former principal's advice to continue with her schooling.

'I faced a lot of objections from my secondary school teachers and even the principal.

'But at that point in time, I felt I didn't have an option. I wanted to help my mum.'

She explained that her parents were in the midst of a divorce and she was moving out to live with her mother, an odd-job worker.

They needed the money for their daily expenses and wanted to save up for a flat, she said.

For personal reasons, she said, they did not want to take 'a single cent' from her father, who also does odd jobs.

So she decided to start working immediately after the O levels, while her peers continued with their studies.

Her first job was at an insurance company doing administrative work.

With sponsorship from her boss, she signed up for the MDIS business management diploma course, which is conducted in collaboration with the University of Bradford in the UK.

Miss Tan said: 'I chose MDIS because of its reputation as one of the most established schools here. I also heard good reviews about Bradford from my friends.'

The option to study part-time also helped, she said.

This programme is one of MDIS' most popular courses, according to its spokesman.

For Miss Tan, it was tough juggling work and studying for her diploma.

'I couldn't take it, and I wanted to give up,' she recalled.

'My hours were from 9am to 6pm. But at the end of the month, I often worked till 7 or 8pm.

NO DINNER

'I had to rush to get to my classes, which started at 7pm and I would often have to skip dinner.'

She spent her lunch hour studying, or going through assignments.

Meanwhile, at work, she struggled to deal with difficult insurance agents and handle their requests.

'Some of the top agents could be unreasonable, and they were demanding,' she said.

Feeling the strain, she considered quitting to be a full-time student like her friends.

But, when she spoke to her boss about it, he encouraged her to pursue her diploma and keep working.

She recalled: 'He told me that if I really wanted to give my mum a good life, I should continue with my part-time studies.'

She followed his advice and persevered in pursuing a diploma.

Her efforts during what she calls her 'toughest year' paid off.

She not only got her diploma, and she also learnt how to deal with all kinds of difficult people, she said.

Her qualification put her in good stead for the jobs she took on later.

She later left the insurance company and first worked at a local bank before joining her present company.

As a sales specialist, she helps her clients get loans from the bank.

Her diploma studies gave her a good foundation for her present job, she said, adding: 'We did a lot of presentations and that has helped me a lot in my work.

'What I learnt in the marketing module was also very relevant.'

She may sometimes have to work till midnight but, she said: 'I've gone through a rough patch and so, I value this job and I don't take it for granted.'

Business school is largest and most established

The MDIS Business School is the largest and most established school in the institute.

The school runs more than 40 programmes, ranging from certificate to doctorate level, in business and management, accounting and finance, entrepreneurship and marketing.

The school has five renowned university partners.

They are the University of Bradford and the University of Wales in the United Kingdom, Southern Cross University and Edith Cowan University in Australia, and the Grenoble Graduate School of Business in France.

More than 3,000 students enrol in the business school every year.

You may find out more about its programmes at www.mdis.edu.sg.

Is this article useful to you?