Kaplan

SHE had initially enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Finance programme.

But Ng Siling, 21, decided that she did not want to limit herself to just studying finance.

Luckily, the realisation came before her course began.

She then applied to Kaplan, formerly known as the Asia Pacific Management Institute, to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting Management, awarded by the Northeastern University in Boston, US.

The 15-month programme is being offered for the first time in Singapore and will start in September.

Local polytechnic graduates are eligible for exemptions on a case-by-case basis, subject to the university's approval.

Siling said: "I would like to be exposed to both accounting and finance as this would provide me with a broader range of knowledge.

"A US degree will let me stand out from the rest of the job-seekers, and the University is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

"It would also give me the choice of pursuing either an accounting or a finance career."

The former Nanyang Polytechnic student, who graduated with a Diploma in Business Informatics, said she has always had a keen interest in money matters.

EARLY START

She was in secondary school when she stumbled on a television programme depicting a stockbroker's life.

She said: "Since then, I have been interested in business matters, such as investments and accounting."

Former Singapore Polytechnic student Siau Chai Yee, 22, who has a Diploma in Banking and Finance, also applied to the same degree programme.

She said: "I've always been interested in accounting and finance. This is what I've always wanted to do. I chose this programme as the degree is well-recognised in the US."

Miss Siau noted that obtaining a degree will give her an edge over other polytechnic graduates.

The 12-module degree programme is conducted over eight terms. It includes five online courses and seven classes.

Students will be taught by full-time lecturers from Singapore as well as the University?s lecturers from Boston, so students can expect to be exposed to industry experiences from different parts of the world.

There is no internship requirement for the course.

Both students have thus opted to study part-time so they can work at the same time.

Miss Siau, an accounts assistant, said she felt work experience is as important as academic qualifications.

She said: "Studying part-time lets me gain the necessary knowledge and garner work experience at the same time.

"I will have an advantage when it comes to applying for jobs compared to those without working experience."

Her decision to work in a field specific to her choice of degree is part of her strategic career plan.

She said: "This way, whatever I learn in school can be applied to work immediately. This will also help reinforce what I learn in school."

Miss Ng, on the other hand, did not think it necessary to find a job directly related to the course.

She is now working as a recruiter in a job agency. She feels that experience in any industry would prepare her for the future.

She said: "If I enrol in a full-time degree course without having any work experience, I will still be considered a fresh graduate when I join the workforce."

Besides the Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting Management, Kaplan is also offering Northeastern University's Bachelor of Science in Management programme.

Kaplan recently launched several new business degree programmes by Swinburne University of Technology, based in Melbourne, as well.

The Bachelor of Business programmes offer students five specialisations to choose from.

They are: Business Administration, Professional Accounting, Tourism Management, Marketing and Management.

Local polytechnic graduates in related areas of study for these programmes will be granted direct entry into the final year.