That the degree is no longer a guarantee of meaningful employment comes as no surprise to most undergraduates and those who have toiled for years in the workplace. As policymakers fret over the potential implications of underemployment - wherein "highly-skilled people work in low-paying or low-skilled jobs, as well as when part-time workers prefer to be employed full-time" (TODAY, May 24) - individuals should realise that there are differences across universities, degrees, and courses, and that lifelong learning is imperative. This is not necessarily a call for prospective employees to be "skilled in multiple disciplines", but for Singaporeans to develop a "craftsman-like approach" to continuous training and development, which could raise productivity or innovation. Continue reading →