SURVIVING LIFE AFTER UNIVERSITY
Being a student, I have always heard people say this is the stage which prepares you for life. I have been constantly reminded to study hard to build my future: that I may one day get a good job and climb that corporate ladder. I never gave much thought of life after my studies until my biological Dad gave the book Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki back when I was in Form 3. Since 2001, I have been reading materials relating to personal finance, and I must admit that it is hard to put into practice. Like many, I am weak when it comes to executing the budget. Unlike many more, at least I have my own picture of life after colleges, as well as the idea of the nightmares which it would bring.
To many, graduate and get a good and secure job is the best way to go. Influenced by Kiyosaki, I cringe everytime I hear people say that. Don’t get me wrong: I would like to graduate with exceptional grades and land a good job after that. But to stay and work? For the rest of my life?
LIFE’S GROWING EXPENSES
Let’s put aside the Ferraris and Lamborghinis for the moment and think realistic: life ain’t cheap. We’re going to need to live somewhere after graduation. Commuting to work? Unless it’s within walking distance, you’ll still have to cash in some money. Oh right, food! Man, living in the Klang Valley is just CRAZY! For food alone I spend RM15.00 to RM20.00 a day! I wish I was eating in KFC or Pizza Hut, but that’s the cost of eating lunch and dinner at a normal store.
From living the single life, one day we must marry. Initially it would bear down on the guys. I can’t imagine the dowry I’m gonna have to pay. Urm… yeah, I know I’m neither Muslim nor Malay, but we do have our own dowry system. I may be ignorant of it, but there are customary obligations which I must discharge. The ceremony itself would cost at least RM30,000.00! After the ceremony, you gotta have that dream house. Then you need to go get that loan – let’s not get into that. Maybe you’re gonna rent a while. For how long? Rent prices remain the same but prices of real estate raises fast. Before we retire, think of the children! Diapers, books, toys, food, etc. etc. etc.
Alright, maybe you decide not to get married – possibly freaked out by the last paragraph – but you will still have to pay for healthcare. No, botox treatments and facelifts does not count. Medications don’t come by cheap. My own bill costs RM50 per month. Thank God UiTM has a Clinic of it’s own to shift a bit of the burden.
Let’s face the facts: there are some who should be retired but continue to work. The aged security guards and cleaners. While some of my friends may say: “their time is different. They don’t have a degree or diploma like we do.” True; in their time the Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) is sufficient but remember that eventually everyone has SPM. In the past, diplomas and degrees are extremely rare, but today almost every other person you meet is a graduate or will be soon. Many are enrolling in MBA programmes. By our time, Diplomas and Degrees would virtually be common.
LEARNING FROM THE DEVELOPED NATIONS
The scenario in the United States and the European Union is fast spreading to our country. Why should we look at them? After all Malaysia is a developing country. Malaysia intends to reach the first world status in 2020. How old will we be by then? It’s already 2007. The cycle will happen here as well. When it happens, will we be prepared for it? As technology moves ever faster, acquisition of knowledge becomes easier and the scope becomes wider.
Before the invention of the printing machine, religion in Europe was the exclusive monopoly of the Church. Only important clergymen could read and a selected few could write. When books became more popular with the increase of literacy, the aristocrats and the middle classes could read. Eventually the whole population was able to. By then the society was exposed to many more information, and the development of knowledge and mental revolutions were frequent and rapid.
In the past, senior employees were guaranteed the top positions. Today, unless you’re either very good or very well connected, it’s impossible for you to report directly to the C.E.O. Chances are it would take a while before you leave that “entry-level” mentality. Shocking truth: the older directors of IBM were replaced by younger executives who were adapted for the information age.
Some will say that we should just cross the bridge when we get there. What happens if global warming caused the small stream to expand into the Yangtze? What bridge is there to cross? How do you build a boat or swim when you have no basic knowledge?
BRINGING IT HOME
Instead of waiting out the tide, we should learn and learn how to learn. Prepare and prepare that preparation before we embark on this lifelong journey. We have the option to learn at our own initiative and survive or we can die drowning and blaming the Government, the Americans, God, Luck and about everyone else for our own misfortune. Think “you being responsible for my hunger”.
In a globalised era and under the capitalist system, we are responsible for our survival. Trust Napoleon who said “if you want something done, do it yourself” in this case.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
The end may be scary when we look now. Life after university can be fun – when we are prepared. Read up personal finances books. Search for materials on the internet. Use common sense. Don’t rush for the first get-rich-schemes you find. No one, I mean no one got rich through this schemes other than the perpetrators. Whatever you do, make sure it is legitimate.
And to make life a journey worth dying for, set goals for life: What do you want to achieve? Who do you want to be? When? Why? Make life exciting by planning and taking charge. Don’t just go with the flow because you only live once.
