The connections between a Singapore education and experience to professional success: the stories, perceptions and future possibilities

Singapore is known for having one of the most successful education systems in the world. Its competitive performance in international standardised testing regimes such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) place it near the top of the world ranking for the past two decades. In addition, Singapore’s is also known for its thriving economy, diverse culture, peaceful society, and political stability, which are attributed to the government’s foresightedness. As a country that has almost no natural resources and relies mostly on its human capital, education is perceived to be at the heart of the country’s success. In spite of the nation’s very public profile, little is known about the perspectives of Singaporeans themselves on success. This study investigates success in Singapore through the perceptions of a sample of its most publicly successful people. This study used a two-part mixed methods approach including an online survey to 48 selected successful Singaporean professionals, followed by a sample of 12 individual in- depth interviews. Findings from the study revealed that the participants believe that acquiring non- technical skills through a secondary schooling and then the reinforcement of those skills in professional experience are essential in building a successful career. In their post-secondary lives, participants perceived success inwardly through a self-efficacy lens and, outwardly, through their impact on others. The thesis concludes with recommendations that might influence the future preparation of secondary students. For Singapore to maintain its competitive standing on the global scale, it may need to widen its opportunity landscape for career growth by developing non-technical skills earlier than present, enhancing that part of the current secondary education.