Lifestyle

10 S’poreans Who Didn’t Have a Degree yet Made it Big in Life

2018-05-10 , 3:57 pm

Last Updated on 2021-11-10 , 1:07 pm

Too many graduate-wannabes, too few university places. That’s what happening in Singapore right now.

Although the Government keeps telling us that Singapore can’t be 100% full of university graduates and that there is no need to go to university to succeed, not many people listen.

However, it is true that you can still succeed without a degree. Just look at these Singaporeans!

Jennie Chua

She first started out as a teacher in St. Margaret Secondary School, after dropping out of university due to financial problems. After quitting her job as a teacher, she became a hotel trainee, slowly rising through the ranks to take charge of Ascott, a Capitaland subsidiary. She is now the president and CEO of the Ascott Group, and also holds important board positions in other companies.

Mark Lee

While you drink your favourite Old Town White Coffee, don’t forget this famous actor who was the one who brought the brand over from Malaysia. Despite his mediocre education background, he now owns his own production company along with the Monsoon chain of salons.

Charles Wong

He doesn’t even have an O-level certificate, but the man started Charles & Keith from scratch with his brother. Now, the shoe shop is all over the world, with 300 stores all the way from Singapore to far-flung places like Turkey.

Neo Kah Kiat

He dropped out in Secondary Two despite being a top student, so that he could start working. Today, he is the CEO of Neo Group, which has three catering businesses amongst a variety of other businesses like yacht-renting.

JJ Lin

Singapore’s favourite golden boy is armed with just an A-level certificate, having graduated from SAJC. Besides composing for big names like Ah Mei, he has also won the prestigious Golden Melody Award back in 2014 for being the best Male Artiste.

Addy Lee

The Penang-born hairdresser came to Singapore at the tender age of 19 to make his mark on the world. Till today, he has laid claim to being a businessman too, and also stylist to celebrities like Mark Lee and Joanne Peh. Oh, and he has an apartment in Sentosa Cove.

Ben Yeo

He has a diploma in culinary skills but first started out as a Mediacorp artiste, hosting shows and acting small roles. Now, he is the owner of two food stores, an author of a kids’ cookbook and father to two sons.

Dick Lee

The homegrown musician hails from SJI with just a college certificate. However, he is now revered as one of Singapore’s top composers, having also written plays and musicals. He has also ventured into businesses with his restaurants Slappy Cakes and Dancing Crab.

Ryan Tan

Hailing from ITE, he has a popular YouTube Channel with Sylvi Chana. Initially, they merely wanted to improve their videography skills but one of their videos went viral with over a million views – Shit Singaporean Girlfriends Say.

Mathilda Koh

This list indeed lacks some flower power, so here is one to encourage girls! She is the founder and CEO of Bioskin, which currently has 6 stores in Singapore. Mathilda was awarded the Spirit of Enterprise award in 2010 and the Successful Entrepreneur award for 2010 – 2012.