Forward-Looking Introduction: New Job-Seeking Mindset in Times of Change

In contemporary society, the speed of change exceeds imagination. What were once golden rules may now be difficult to adapt to. Singapore Member of Parliament and Second Minister for Manpower Dr. Tan See Leng recently delivered an insightful discourse, pointing university students toward a new path: not about flashy compensation, but about practical immersion and cultivation of core capabilities. These words hit the mark of current issues, directly addressing the crux of the new generation employment landscape. In traditional thinking, university students often regard high salaries and prestigious positions as the standard, but Dr. Tan's argument seeks to correct this misconception, advocating for a more far-sighted career perspective. This is not merely about personal choices but a macro strategy for responding to the paradigm shift in the global labor market.

Evolution of Career Views: Transcending Short-Term Compensation Temptations

Examining the current labor market, its characteristics are no longer the stable and unchanging features of the past. Instead, it exists within a torrent of dramatic transformation. Technology advances daily, with artificial intelligence, big data, automation, and other technologies progressing by leaps and bounds, reshaping the face of all industries at an unprecedented pace. The former concept of "iron rice bowl" has become a historical relic, replaced by the core values of "mobility" and "adaptability." In this context, focusing solely on starting salary levels is like looking at a leopard through a tube—seeing only a part, not the whole picture. While short-term rewards are certainly attractive, their value may rapidly depreciate with industry cycles and technological innovation. What truly enables individuals to maintain evergreen careers is their core competitiveness and ability to continuously learn and adapt to new environments. Dr. Tan's argument demonstrates foresight, penetrating this deep structural transformation and advocating that students should look toward the future and carefully assess long-term value.

Competency-Based: The Core Proposition of Future Workplaces

The so-called "competency-based economy" encompasses far more than the scope of single specialized technologies. In this emerging landscape, what enterprises value is no longer limited to the halo of academic credentials or proficiency in specific professions. More crucial is the individual's ability to demonstrate problem-solving, critical thinking, cross-domain collaboration, effective communication, and even resilience and adaptability in real situations. The organic combination of these "soft skills" and "hard skills" constitutes the core competitiveness of future workplaces.

Increasingly, enterprises are shifting their recruitment and talent development focus from "academic qualifications and experience" toward "practical performance." This shift clearly indicates the direction students should pursue: what they should seek is not merely textbook knowledge but should, through diverse pathways, hone their practical knowledge and abilities to address real challenges. This type of knowledge and ability is the cornerstone for establishing oneself in future workplaces and achieving continuous upward development.

Practical Immersion: Strategies for University Students to Accumulate Experience

Given the above paradigm shift, how should students respond? The "immersion" that Dr. Tan emphasizes is indeed the key. This is not empty talk but a guide for concrete action.

First and foremost, actively participate in various internship programs. Regardless of compensation levels, as long as they provide real work environments and challenges, they should be considered invaluable treasures. Through practical operations, students can transform classroom learning into practical application abilities and gain insights into industry dynamics while building professional networks. Secondly, on-campus and off-campus project planning, volunteer services, and interdisciplinary collaboration are also excellent opportunities for accumulating experience. These non-traditional learning models can effectively cultivate students' abilities to solve complex problems. Even participating in international exchanges and overseas internships can broaden horizons and develop cross-cultural communication skills. These experiences cannot be measured in money but are the foundation for future career development. This process of "exposure" is indeed the only way to move from "knowledge" to "wisdom" and transform "potential" into "capability."

Lifelong Learning: The Only Method for Adapting to Change

In today's world, the speed of knowledge iteration is unprecedented. While university education is foundational, it is not the endpoint of one's career. Dr. Tan's argument also implies the profound meaning of lifelong learning. Once students develop the habit of learning through "immersion," they will be better able to proactively explore new knowledge and master new skills. This "growth mindset" enables them to continuously self-renew and adapt to industry changes throughout their long future career journey. Whether through on-the-job training, professional certifications, online courses, or self-study, all are necessary pathways for maintaining personal competitiveness. Therefore, what university students should cultivate during their studies is not only specific professional skills but also a passion for learning and an attitude of embracing the unknown and agile adaptation. These abilities are the foundation for establishing themselves in an ever-changing world.

Long-Term Returns: Strategic Vision for Self-Investment

Some students may worry: if they abandon the temptation of short-term salaries, how will they bear their personal economic pressure? This is indeed a short-sighted view. What Dr. Tan advocates is a macro perspective on "self-investment." When individuals focus on accumulating practical experience and honing core skills, the "intangible assets" they acquire far exceed paper compensation. These experiences and abilities will provide more possibilities for their future career choices and give them higher bargaining power in the market. Career resilience, adaptive sensitivity, and even potential leadership all emerge from this deep cultivation. From a long-term perspective, this strategic choice can indeed bring individuals more substantial economic returns and career satisfaction. It is no longer a simple consideration of income and expenditure but a thoughtful strategic layout for personal future development.

Conclusion: Charting the Path to the Future

Looking at Dr. Tan See Leng's discourse comprehensively, its core message is clear and profound: facing the rapidly changing future workplace, university students should abandon traditional short-sightedness and turn their gaze toward broader practical domains and capability development. While salary is important, it is merely the initial return of a career, not the standard for long-term development. Only through continuous "immersion," accumulating real experience, and honing core skills can one remain invincible in the "competency-based economy." This is not only a new way of thinking for personal career planning but also an issue that the education system and all sectors of society should collectively reflect upon. May all students understand the deep meaning herein and bravely take steps in their quest, using practice as sails and capability as oars to navigate toward broader, more promising future horizons.