Hot take: Blindly following my teacher’s advice cost me years
I wish someone told me this when I was 16.
I prepared for the wrong future.
One of my biggest regrets?
Blindly following career advice.
At 16, I thought success was simple.
Study hard.
Get good grades.
Go uni.
Get a good job.
Make money.
That’s the Singapore formula that most of us are taught right?
Then a tuition teacher told me:
“Chemical engineering pays 5 figures.”
To a teenager?
That sounded like the dream.
So I followed that path.
Worked hard.
Got into uni.
Did the degree.
Then by the time I graduated?
The world had changed. The industry was going downhill 🥲
Today with AI, things move even faster.
Some jobs are growing.
Some jobs are shrinking.
Some will look completely different in 5 years.
Yet students are still being asked:
“What do you want to be?”
Before they even understand how the real world works.
No one taught us:
How industries change.
Which jobs are growing.
What skills companies actually pay for.
How to make smarter career choices EARLY.
Where are money making opportunities?
Crazy thing?
I know students who topped their cohort…
but are earning less than average.
Not because they’re not smart.
Because being academically strong ≠ understanding the market.
Compare to US where we see more self-made billionaire or millionaire youths that invested into the right trends early.
That’s why I believe students need exposure EARLIER.
Not just academics.
But awareness.
Exploration.
Real-world understanding.
Because in an AI world…
The students who thrive won’t just be the ones who study the hardest.
They’ll be the ones who adapt the fastest.
If you’re 15–21 and figuring life out, follow for more.
Looking back, I realize that blindly following my teacher's advice without questioning was one of the biggest mistakes I made at 16. At that age, I believed that the conventional path of studying hard, getting good grades, and entering university to pursue a supposedly lucrative degree like chemical engineering was the foolproof route to success. However, by the time I graduated, the industry had shifted dramatically, and the demand for that field was in decline. This experience taught me an important lesson: career advice should never be accepted without considering broader context and future trends. In today’s rapidly evolving world, especially with AI transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, it’s vital for students to gain real-world awareness early on. This means going beyond academics and understanding how industries change, recognizing which jobs are expanding or shrinking, and identifying the specific skills that employers truly value. For example, technology-related roles in AI, data analysis, cybersecurity, and digital marketing are seeing rapid growth, while some traditional engineering roles are becoming less relevant. Moreover, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of adaptability. Success today is not just about academic excellence but about being flexible and willing to learn new skills, pivot when necessary, and leverage emerging opportunities. Witnessing others who invested in right trends early—such as tech entrepreneurship or digital content creation—reinforces that having curiosity and the courage to explore beyond conventional advice can open doors to financial and professional success. One practical approach I recommend is for students to engage in internships, mentorships, and self-driven projects early in their education. These experiences help bridge the gap between textbook knowledge and the realities of the labor market. Also, building networks and staying informed on industry developments can provide valuable insights that traditional schooling often overlooks. Lastly, I urge educators and parents to foster an environment that encourages exploration and critical thinking about career paths instead of promoting rigid formulas. As AI redefines the job landscape, we must equip young people not just to excel academically but to think strategically, adapt quickly, and seize emerging money-making opportunities. Reflecting on my own experience, I hope more students avoid the trap of blindly following outdated advice and instead cultivate a mindset geared toward lifelong learning and growth.