Get Ahead!

Starting with JC and/or polytechnic, you’ve probably begun to make some choices about what you want to learn and where you want to learn it. University will be the next big step in that journey, as you will be choosing a major you want to specialise in and devoting most of your study to that particular subject.

While there is plenty of advice out there for this decision, we’re going to help you narrow it down further by detailing some of the pros and cons of scholarships in the various fields. Importantly, we’ll describe some of the characteristics of these scholarships and how they might apply to yourself and your learning journey.

First up is the most popular major of them all both then and now – healthcare. With the Covid-19 pandemic, the importance of this sector cannot be under-emphasised. Reflecting demand, there are many healthcare scholarships available under many sponsoring organisations such as MOH Holdings, NUHS, NHG, HPB and Parkway Pantai.

But what does it mean for you to go into healthcare on sponsorship? Let’s look at some pertinent points.

Be in Demand

Healthcare is always in demand and only set to get even more so, as Singapore struggles with the impact of Covid-19. As a sector, healthcare enjoys a sizable budget, with more and more funds being pumped in every year.

This translates to a wealth of opportunity and growth. Sponsorship offers include internships, placements and overseas travel opportunities to ensure our healthcare professionals receive a well-rounded education – which means more opportunity for you to grasp!

But, it’s a good idea to start researching scholarships early so you know what you’re applying for. Some scholarships, like the Healthcare Merit Scholarship, cover courses of study specific to Allied Health Professionals. Other scholarships focus on preparing you for an occupation like nursing or radiography. If you have your sights set on something, why not apply for a relevant scholarship?

A Career Helping Others

One of the main reasons people go into the healthcare field is in order to save lives in a direct, obvious manner. This is arguably the greatest reward in the healing professions – the ability to prevent death, cure disease, ease pain and forestall harm.

This passion is also what keeps people going in the field. No matter how grueling the work or how long the hours, healthcare professionals continue to work with willing hearts to bring light to other’s lives. Never undermine the ability to spread joy to the lives of others. The satisfaction you at the end of the day, knowing you have made such a difference, is amazing.

Financial Stability

Speaking of money matters, a degree in medicine is one of the most expensive. NUS tuition fees for dentistry and medicine courses came up to almost $28,900 per year, with a minimum of five years of study (almost $144,500 total). In comparison, most undergraduate courses ranged around $8,200 to $9,600 per year, or roughly $24,600 to $28,800 for a 3-year course.

These costs mean that scholarships in the field of medicine are very desirable even just for the financial waivers they grant. After all, such high costs can be prohibitive, and some have given up their dreams of entering the healthcare field because they don’t have the funds to support it. But with a scholarship, there is no need to make that agonising decision, and the money saved can be put forward to other pursuits or learning.

Meeting Diverse People

Everyone needs to see the doctor when they fall sick. As a result, the doctor gets to meet many people from all walks of life. Same goes for any healthcare professional – therapists often find their clients come from backgrounds vastly different to their own, and nurses need to build rapport with their patients to foster trust and confidence.

Healthcare scholars often report even broader experiences, as their university studies allow them to meet even more people (often overseas). As part of their training, they also go to other countries to learn about their healthcare systems, and bring back valuable knowledge and new insights. Health is a field that equalises all – which leads to meetings and stories not found anywhere else.

If you are looking for a career in healthcare, consider a healthcare scholarship as well. There could be great gains waiting for you! (Search the BrightSparks portal for details.)