SMU’s Industry Graduate Diplomas allow me to work & study smarter in the face of change

When I graduated from university, I thought I was done with school forever.

I majored in English. Not exactly a technical major, but one that bestows a very specific skill: the ability to write.

Soon after I graduated, though, OpenAI and ChatGPT became a thing.

And when ChatGPT started writing essays and even poetry, I got a little antsy.

Suddenly, that one skill which I had honed and developed for four years began to look a tad outdated.

Well, I still write for a living. ChatGPT has yet to replace me, but it certainly makes me worried.

ChatGPT is also likely to be the first of many disruptions to the working world.

With new technological developments brewing, who knows what’s in store for us?

So, I have tried to broaden my skills and horizons, just to be on the safe side of things.

In my current job, for instance, I don’t just write. I have dabbled in graphic design, video editing, and more.

As they say, don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

The emergence of Generative AI has made me realise the need for lifelong learning - to constantly develop new skills, and not rest on the laurels of your existing ones.

It doesn’t mean that you have to start from scratch.

But, you need to constantly train new muscles if you want to stay ahead.

Staying relevant

And I’m not the only one who thinks this way.

Mid-career professionals are increasingly heading back to the classroom to stay relevant in our rapidly changing world.

While some head back to school to get a degree, many seem to prefer more modular and targeted courses for developing specific skills.

In 2024, for instance, a whopping 550,000 people participated in SkillsFuture courses.

The majority took up courses in tech fields, like AI, cybersecurity and digital marketing.

37 per cent of Singaporeans, roughly 1.05 million, have used their SkillsFuture credits too.

The most active users have been those aged 30 to 39, and 40 to 49 —people smack in the middle of their careers.

SMU Academy’s Industry Graduate Diplomas

Anecdotally, a lot of my mid-career friends hesitate to go back to school because they don’t want to take a whole year or two off work.

They appreciate the need to develop new skills, but a traditional degree or Master’s programme would be too much of a time sink and commitment.

That’s where SMU Academy’s Industry Graduate Diplomas (IGDs) come in.

They are postgraduate programmes designed for working professionals and structured in a modular and stackable way.

The graduate diplomas are designed to be industry-relevant.

Areas of focus include digital economy and innovation, data governance and compliance, supply chain and operations, procurement, leadership and management, and customer experience.

You could enrol in an Industry Graduate Diploma (IGD) in Python programming, for instance, and go for the classes after work from 7pm to 10:30pm on weekdays, and from 9am to 6pm on Saturday.

Better yet, the modules can be taken over time to stack towards an Industry Practice Master of Digital Economy (IPMDE).

It is a flexible higher-degree programme that builds on the various diplomas and equips professionals for leadership in the digital economy.

You are free to complete the modular degree programme at your own pace, but encouraged to do so within 36 months.

The best part? Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs) can receive up to 90 per cent in SkillFuture subsidies for both the IPMDE and IGDs for all skills-based modules.

Plus, if you're eligible, you can further offset S$4,000 with your SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) as well.

Upskilling is inevitable

Though upskilling is essential in today’s world, it does not have to be a sian experience, nor does it need to burn a hole in your pocket.

The IGD and IPMDE give mid-careerists options to work and develop skills at the same time.

SMU Academy trains over 20,000 learners annually each year across more than 1,500 approved courses.

So, whether you’re eyeing a career pivot, or just want to stop feeling outdated, SMU Academy’s IGDs could be your next best move.

This article is brought to you by SMU Academy.

Top photo from Singapore Management University.