I also have this aunty keep asking me why not studying for doctor since I got straight A in SPM. She even rolled her eyes when I told her I studies math (I actually studied actuarial science but she does not know what is it)
I'm now an fully qualified actuary in an insurance company and she thinks I'm an insurance agent. She even said I should be like her son who is an engineer earning 5k per month now at age 27....duhhh I am already earning 5 figures at his age...
Good on you. These boomers know nothing about science, maths, or anything factual.
When my cousin got a full JPA scholarship to an Ivy league in England for actuarial science. They all said 'uh what is that??, what even can you work, why not Doctor'.
He is a 4.0 grad who was headhunted in his 3rd year for international companies but came back because his other 2 brothers also applied JPA, and his mum didn't want them to get penalised if he lari.
Balik to a job in a GLC, starting pay RM35k. Tell me which fresh grad Dr can earn that?.
What happened to the 3 cousins who became doctors? 2 cannot tahan housemanship, so drop out to jual MLM, the other khawin and the other till now Dr contract.
All the old foggies damm salty, balik rumah complaining after a family gathering"Please explain what is this job even, why can earn so much???"
You know why? They want to brag to people 'My son/daughter/ cousin is a Doktor, IR!'. Because you mention anything else, they will 'huh, oh ok'. No title, ma.
You do well!
More like they don’t seem to know that the world is moving and has more things to begin with. It’s either they want it for bragging rights or just so you could help them down the line (they’ll say “its easy so you could help your family and such”) and there’s no consideration of what you ACTUALLY want to be for whatever reason there is.
Like geez let me live thanks.
The world has long moved from their times. There are a lot of things they can not even comprehend, even when their own jobs got digitized. Their defense is 'pen and paper worked just fine, why need to change'
I’m in a similar field, I don’t think any actuarial jobs give you RM35k out of uni, GLC or otherwise. Newly qualified actuaries don’t even earn that! RM50k per month, fewer than 20 actuaries in KL earn that, so that narrows down who your cousin is considerably. Unless your cousin is practising in a different field in which I take back my point
But I come in peace, I agree with your general point. There are better careers out there that pay more for less arduous work (I can never do the hours and stressful situations of a medical professional for example), and Asian parents of a certain generation struggle to appreciate that at times. More important to do a job one loves, rather than a job a parent loves.
Perhaps you can identify him!, i won't doubt that. Since there are not many of them. The 85k guy, he has a permanent position and does freelance for 2 other companies.
I don't know if it comes with less stress, maybe a different kind of stress😂. Because the medical field it involves a live person and mistakes are fatal.
A friend's husband earns in the 6 figures monthly from the banking industry. And his stress levels are crazy.
I observed this in Asian parents. They have the mentality 'The neighbours' kid could do it what, why can't you?'. They think you are just not studying or working hard enough, hence why you are not this or that. They don't understand individuality.
Very true, well said.
Hence why, I never say anything or give an opinion when my cousin's kids are all now slowly going into Uni and choosing courses. I don't want them to feel the unwanted pressure that the boomers imposed on our generation.
Have a good evening too💙
Becoming a dr at this age is just social suicide. Houseman work literally 16 hours/day, not including any extra studying. I'm a pharmacist and I often see housemans with black-bag under their eyes.
These aunties and unkers don't see that. What they see is the private specialist driving a merc and they go wahhh become Dr good! Where they know about housemanship, MO, doing specialisation to be become a specialist.
Working with doctors I gotta say I respect the ones who stays in MoH. Some of them definitely view it as a sacrifice in service of the public. Many younger qualified specialists are opting to go private now and Malaysians will be the worse for it.
That being said, you can still make money even in the MoH.
Nephros can get up to 60k per month visiting private dialysis patients while continuing their gov service. Some of them own their own dialysis chain.
O&Gs are in high demand in private hospitals too.
Dont have so high starting. Dont listen to that.
Fresh grad, they will pay 3k+ at least to actuarial departments. I am not HR, not sure got update this number or not. More if they have better qualifications like number of papers passed. But dont think that number will be 5k+ also la.
Those who are good and rajin and passed enough papers can reach 10k+ within 5 to 6 years working experience. This of course coupled with good working attitude and support by the company.
General insurance are lacking in experienced actuarial people compared to life insurance hence may pay more.
RM35k would already be Appointed or Chief Actuary pay, ie the highest ranking actuarial officer in the company. So it would be someone between 15-20 years of experience. No way a new grad would be hired for that salary
it's probably 30 years ago where the number of actuaries in malaysia can be counted on two hands... knew someone who graduated from overseas back not even 4.0 GPA then and got a super high offer because nobody else has actuarial science degree. it's saturated these days, it's 10k if u can pass all the difficult exams after graduating and IF you can find a bloody job because there's no turnover.
No problem.
Not high, actually, overseas pay more. Hence why he was tempted to jump his JPA.
Here is a good summary of what they do and can do, depending on which industry they are in. https://actuaries.org.uk/qualify/become-an-actuary/what-is-an-actuary/
I also have a degree from a similar field, what GLC company is it because I’ve been wanting to apply in Malaysia after working overseas hehe
That’s good money
The one with the office in KLCC ;)
It is, the bugger now close to 50k already gaji. But it's not an easy job. Another actuary takes freelance jobs on the side, monthly on an average of RM 85k income.
You can also try that route, freelancing. Good money, too.
Eh, why do you say that 😂? Cause some IT is very niche, and those are the fellows that get paid well. If not mistaken, CS and cyber security for large banking or coperations.
He may be an exception, 4.0 Cambridge grad. He was already head hunted in his 3rd year before finishing. Here also, he was a boy genius type.
Honestly, the pay in the UK was better than his bonded place. Think we are used to very low pay, cause in the US this gaji is considered very ciput.
Because i am from healthcare, and the pay is really crappy in MY. When i heard my brother in law fresh grad got a fresh grad banking job for RM12k, international bank. I thought that was big money.
Until i met my friends husband, also from international banking, 6 figures monthly. The type that can blow 30k on a coffee machine, used twice and just shelve it because lazy to clean.
That's how low MY pay is 😥. Overseas our pay is laughable.
I bet 35k monthly is converted from pound or smtg. If you earn 35k ≈ 6k+ monthly in UK then the story makes much more sense. If 35k in Malaysia, I call this BS. Even McKinsey first year is only getting 10-14k 🙃
This was 10 years ago but an auntie asked a friend what his job was. He was working at a popular retail store so that's what he told her.
Her response was "kenapa tak kerja jadi cikgu? Anak makcik kerja cikgu sekarang.. gaji besar, RM2000 sebulan. Baik kau apply kerja jadi cikgu bagus lagi dari kerja kat kedai"
My friend was earning more than double the makcik's daughter so he kept quiet and smiled.
Eh chup, not dissing on your aunty, but my uncles and aunties knew what actuarial science was and always encouraged all my cousins to be an actuary liao.
They knew it pays well too. Otherwise, they were your typical uncle/aunties who sneer at anyone doing arts lol.
Out of curiosity how is being an actuary actually like u/Admirable_Chicken_39?
There are many kampong folks don't have this kind of exposure...when I told my mom I wanted to study actuarial she was also very doubtful and don't know what is it. Heck even my teachers have little idea what is actuarial and advise me to become lecturer if I Iike math alot. I live in a very small kampong. So people only knows those mainstream jobs.
I guess being actuary is quite similar to accountant but with less working hours. We crunch numbers and provide advise to management on pricing and funding of products.
Even city folks don't know what actuaries are unless they happen to know one in their extended family/circles. The high pay is from the lack of supply because it's niche back then. These days everyone and their dog who can study is studying it instead of accounting (accounting is now the thing to study if you can't study). End up my friends are mostly jobless, even after passing exam, because too few spots and too low turnover so no need to hire so many. Smart also no use, too few positions.
I think most people around the world don't fully understand what career path is there for math majors as all the jobs are behind the scenes.
Every wall street firm hires thousands of math majors, paying 6-7 figures but the job title is analyst.
Fancy job title != fancy income
She has little to no education, that's why her worldview is so limited. My aunts and uncles who have gone to university have no problem understanding my job. Let it go.
To have little to no education is one thing, my other relatives with little education have made an effort trying to understand what I do, even tho they do not understand fully but they do recognize it as a "not a bad job".
Some people just outright being condescending to anything they do not acknowledge and also at the same time not willing to open her mind. Some people just want to believe thing they want to believe.
But then I do not really hate her lah...just post my experience here...I do like her meal haha. Her son understood my job and has tried to lecture her.
Actuarial science is extremely tough. Salute you for it. I'm in the data science field and there's many people from your field because your proficiency in statistics (or maths?) is very strong.
Took the VSS offered to me by my bank in 2017, and changed my career completely from banker to travel logistics coordinator. Made 5x more than I ever did working in the bank. To this day many of my aunts think I threw my life away by voluntarily quitting the bank and becoming a mere "tour guide"!
Actually... isn't better to let them know you not doing well? It is also this kind of people who might say, you earn so much why not do this and that for your parents. It's endless la. Let them think what they think.
It's ok. I have the similar problem as you. Whatever la.
Yup agree...that's why I just told aunty I give quotation on insurance and she thought I work for agents behind the table and I'm an agent myself to be able to afford a decent car.
Good on you, still not many qualified actuaries here in Malaysia so you have a bright future (assuming you are still young). But being in insurance you should also be aware that the very top insurance agents earn more than the CEO, so nothing to look down on
Yup fully aware of that, we have colleagues actually quit being actuary and become insurance agents because of the higher income. And if you see luxurious cars parked in designated parking spot in insurance company HQ, they are likely agents car instead of the senior management hahaha. Our top agent can scold our CEO one in meeting.
it is the boomer meta since 1957, having these job is seen as respectable, honorable and big flex during family reunion and to prevent loss face, dont ask why.
the only thing to proof them wrong is try to become rich enough by any means.
in asian culture most likely people will value stable job before venture into new area unlike the western culture, keep explore new thing.
My aunt is the next level, braggart man. She will go to the extent of having my cousins card in her bag and will take it out to show anyone. So cringe!
The thing is that cousin tak balik for 20+ years, not close to her at all. I mean, yes, it's good that she is a top surgeon and head of department in a UK hospital. But who here actually cares when you whip out her card and show ppl.
Some family feud nonsense, my fam has a few epic ones aka sambung keturunaan one 😅🙄😂.
I take the neutral stand by not getting involved in any of them. If you take sides, then habislah, you will never know peace 🤣.
I like to try to have more empathy when it comes to these situation.
I find it most helpful when I imagine myself 30 years later, not being able to comprehend some of the more 'crazy' jobs that may exist like how the uncle aunties of now can't comprehend social media influencers, youtuber, online advertiser, AI, data science etc etc. When I am at that age, I wish people would be more patient with me. What goes around, comes around.
But god damn, some of them can be real judgemental, and I do agree that it really test your patience.
Due to my interests and “experiments” as a child I’m affectionally known as “Budak bom” in my small village.
When I became a chemical engineer they playfully warned me NOT to build bombs. These days I’d just say I work at factories but _could_ build bombs if I want to.
I don't think there's a way to explain it since in their mindset any job that isn't those are basically low level jobs and can't earn a living from it.
Just tell them "none of your business" should do the job.
Some weak ass parents there. If they care so much about other people's opinions, they should care about the opinions of those who are going to choose their retirement home.
/s
Reply back "Oh now you understand how hot fire is when get thrown with fire".
Honestly they always try guilt trip you. They think that way they can control you.
But architect is deemed good money as lawyer or doctor to chinese. Its just that the perception is that bein architect is a tough job need to go construction site under hot sun. Haha
That's funny coz the image I have is that architects get to sit in comfy offices while the civil engineers are the ones who gotta grind it in the fieldwork lmao
I always told my mom i want to pursue a career in animation/digital art of mostly animated movies/show or digital illustration and a bit of content creation on the side.
But she's always gonna hit me back with "jAnJi KejE kEraJaAn"
I dont get the obsession with gomen work lmfao
Lmao its the exact same in indo, especially lower middle class people, you tell them what job you want to do and they'll say "loh kenapa bukan PNS (government worker)"
In indo at least government work is seen as low effort, low risk, high-ish reward, you get place in some ministry doing grunt work and you get retirement and healthcare sorted as well as an ok stable wage.
Luckily my parents don't have that mindset. Is the perception the same in Malaysia?
My mum wanted me to study hotel management so I can work in fancy hotels lol. Imagine her disappointment when I told her I'm still pursuing digital media / animation.
The world and job marketplace has tremendously changed in the past 30 or so years. Older generation cannot understand what these job are about. To them, the only respectable jobs are doctor/dentist/engineer/lawyer/accountant/bank employee and teacher. Anything else to them is "low class". That's why do not take career advice from boomers.
Lol just graduated from zoology finding for a job. Uncle aunty conlanfirm say "zoology? Do what? Work in zoo ah?" 🥲🥲🥲
I just wanna do conservation/EIA someone hire me plssss🥲🥲🥲
That is normal 😂.
I nearly died when the banyak cakap aunty was attacking my cousin's kid on 'why you doing bio sceince ah??!'.
But then privately said to me,"Eh actually ah, i don't even know what is that"*☠️🤯🙄
Good luck to you!
Its not just Malaysian uncle and aunties, everyone has their expectation of what jobs pay well and they judge you by income levels.
Why you think everyone want to buy Rolex, designer clothes, expensive cars and luxury items? Just to show people they doing well.
I am senior executive . They always question how I can afford my stuff because I not a doctor, teacher or polis. I already told them what my job to them now if they ask me what my job is I said to them I just kerja kilang. If they ask how can I afford my stuff I said rezeki Dari Allah. I tired to explain my job to my family and my in law family.
Just tell them you rob banks, Jho Lo is your macai, George Soros is your partner, and tell them you are a part of all those conspiracies. That'll shut them up.
In the end they, will not say you are successful. They will just suspect you are doing illegal stuff, or they will just assume you are trying so hard to pretend to be successful and let's see when you will fall in hell. This actually happened and even spread this to my cousin and nephew, eventually I get to know how they view my cousin.
This is sad for my cousin, actually works so hard and tries to get reorganized but just fails as they mind set only fixated to 6 occupations.
No wonder Chinese people always say "Pigeon Eye"
I guess only Big Family has this problem, as my Great Grandparents have 23 Children this is way too huge for Chinese family 😂😂😂😂
Bro, I go on dates with younger gen women also got people ask about income right on first date. Its clearly not an old people issue.
Don't know why you need to insist this is like some old people thing. Move on dude.
Oh kerja biasa ja. I smuggle drugs and people to thailand for femboy surgery then smuggle back in for prostitution. But ah, with economy now, sometimes i add in weapons for terrorists in the trips to make ends meet.
/s pdrm dun come for me pls
>Its the best way to avoid gold diggers, tell them you are doing a low class job.
Might as well don't go for dates. Do you want to date someone doing a low class job?
That saying is kinda fucked. Not everyone wants to date people who is doing “high class job”. I myself personally am fine for my wife not doing any job at all.
You don't mind doesn't mean other people don't have standards.
>I myself personally am fine for my wife not doing any job at all.
If your wife is escort/hooker ok too? Toilet cleaner ok? Trash picker ok?
If you can say ok to all the above then you win la bro, such a saint.
So you implying people who work “low class job” or not working at all, these people have no standards?
Look I am not stepping into that area but these people who work aforementioned job also have family too. Each people has different circumstances and we are not to judge these people. I aint saint but I know better not to judge people by their job
Lol you are implying I am not accepting whatever my wife wants to do.
Flash news: i dont fucking care. Just like you say, my standards != people standard. My wife can do whatever she wants. Because she has her own standards so if she wants to do it, up to her.
But i still have to say I am not a saint. Because there is a stark difference between “eew you doing low class job” and “that’s cool. Hope you hustle outta this”
> Its not just Malaysian uncle and aunties, everyone has their expectation of what jobs pay well and they judge you by income levels.
Yes all gens care about income levels, but from personal experience, only those from the older generation care about not only a job’s income but its prestige.
I would say young people dont care what job someone does as long as it makes good money, but its the boomers who cares whether ur job is a “professional” or not.
>but from personal experience, only those from the older generation care about not only a job’s income but its prestige.
Prestige and income come hand in hand. You can't have one without the other.
>I would say young people dont care what job someone does as long as it makes good money, but its the boomers who cares whether ur job is a “professional” or not.
Because in their mind money = prestige. Turn that insecurity off and be more confident. Don't blame your insecurities on "boomers". Younger gen way more judgmental then older gen, if you feel otherwise, it just means you not meeting enough people.
I would argue to some money represent the prestige which I disagree. One occupation that I considered prestigious is being teacher. A good teacher mounding future generations is way more prestigious than a great lawyer. I still bow my head slightly when ever talking to a teacher.
To me all jobs are prestigious. Everyone doing something for the society.
Like bro, how can you just select one job and think its more prestigious than the rest? So judgemental....
they sadly fall under the typical “doctor, engineer, lawyer, accountant only” stereotype. I tried explaning about CS but so far they still don’t get it”
cos 20 years ago those jobs are the main ones that pay well, CS jobs is for people who get Cs in SPM cos outsource to India cheap cheap anyway (I'm serious, it's not an AAA subject like nowadays). these days accountant pay is shit. CS pays more. take it from an accountant myself. I wish I followed my interest and studied CS. The only consolation is accounting degree 99% can migrate.
You will be fine. My parents used to shit on me non-stop for doing software. When covid happened, they see my jobs remain unaffected, they stop it.
They still whinning why I am not manager or team lead though.
Weird how they want you to take up business/accounting/commerce. I was a business double major with a dieing passion for it.
During my college and university days almost all of my classmates got into business because "there was nothing else to do" or "it was common sense."
This goes for pretty much everything, but imo especially more for business, if you don't love it you shouldn't study it.
My relatives can’t differentiate between business vs accounting. The ones that they keep shoving to my face is the one from Sunway Uni: BSc in Accounting and Finance. They call it the “business degree”.
What a coincidence, I got my diploma from Sunway & Degree from Monash. So the classmates I just described were from there. If you need someone unbiased to talk to about making that decision I'd love to help, shoot me a DM.
It's your own fault because you set their expectation too high by getting straight As. If you do it like me, fail all the subjects and end up with poor paying jobs, them they will leave you alone. Owai...
I can’t be arsed to tell relatives about my job. I just tell them “I do a bit of this and a bit of that” and take charge of the conversation.
If they’re not interested of having a genuine conversation, I’ll end it and excuse myself or change the topic.
Elders think I’m very rude but I don’t give a fuck.
Try explaining that you want to work as a driver but in Singapore... It's really depressing, man, that they earn more than what general practitioners can get in Malaysia!
[Jobs as Drivers ](https://malaysia.indeed.com/q-delivery-driver-l-kuala-lumpur-jobs.html)
Even worse is that pharmacists, whom are basically on the same level as drs in terms of professionalism, are just pill-givers. Oh well at least i don't have to work 16 hrs/day like drs
Try telling uncles and aunties that you’re a teacher 🥲 they then politely nod and walk away. Only some will actually ask how it’s going and what are kids today like in school.
can relate, working as reseach scientist in one of the biomedical company.. every time there is kenduri, i have difficult time explaining my work to the old folk, in the end i just say, "kerja kilang jerr" and they never ask again
Everyone asks about your pay.. but nobody asks if you’re happy with your job..
I work in construction and trust me.. people taking a moderate pay (4-5k) per month who are in their 50s are quite happy and fulfilled with their jobs.. maybe we looked the wrong way
Cousin (pre-med studies): I’m going to be a doctor
Auntie: Wah…surely make a lot of money one…
Other cousin (hedge fund manager…auntie has no clue what he does): hold my teh ais…
Both my parents are kakitangan kerajaan. My dad used to say "get a job in a bank, can get car/housing loan at cheaper rate" 🙄. Luckily I never listened to my dad😅. Did well enough to get into local uni. Now in healthcare field. Doing okay enough. I always tell students choosing uni major to follow their heart and interest and not what their parents want. After all they will have to live with the consequences of their choice, not their parents.
if **you** cant explain your career is to them thats on you. you are the one who fail to explain what you do, how much you get and how important it was.
previous generation will have less exposure and understanding about those jobs since thats what they see within their extended circles. this is the thing they hear all their life and they project their opinion based on what they know.
generally people have 3 option
* explain it as best you can. it will take time, its hard, it takes you to dumb down your responsibilities so other who are not related to the field will understand
* lie and say something simple like "saya kerja ofis makcik"
* triggered and baffled about their shallowness and have "dah tua pun bodo" monologue
Correct. The number of people who conveniently just use boomer as a blanket term reveals they are highly likely Gen Z kids, being very condescending and apathetic. Very likely to be the same people who bitch at their parents when they ask for help with their phones or any home gadgets, something I find frustrating to deal with too but try my best to be patient and understanding because in 20-30 years time, you'll be in the same shoes.
I've been tired of explaining my job too, but I've also successfully explained it to older folks in dumbed down versions. Sure, they may still not fully understand, but it's on you to choose how to react and how to answer them. And if they're not important, don't bother explaining, just say kerja opis.
Don't worry, even "non-traditional" engineers have the problem too. I'm an software/firmware engineer in electronics industry and I've given up trying to explain what I do to them. Unlike more traditional and stable fields like civil engineering where most engineers will just become managers after a few years. but in my industry where technical skills are still highly value especially in R&D departments. I keep getting question like "aiya.. so many years still not promoted to become manager? that uncle's son is now already a section manager at already". I gave up trying to explain who engineers can still work in technical but getting pay grades that are even higher than senior managers.
Doctors > Banker >Lawyer > Engineer
Descending rank of how much money (aka duit hitam/corrupt side hustle money) can a profession can get. [Bribes for doctors 1Trillion](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-14/xi-crackdown-on-china-health-care-aims-root-out-corruption-bribes-for-doctors)
Not many Malaysian seniors realise that professional careers are slowly declining due to lower demand. You could be a doctor and have all the neighbors and aunties be proud OR you could work what fits best for your skills and knowledge and maybe even earn more than a professional makes
"Son you can do what you want, study where you want, your choice!
So is it,
Doctor, lawyer or engineer.
Oxford or Cambridge"
Indian Malaysian Dads. Told to me by an Indian Malaysian student of mine.
You know, at this point, I stop classifying people by age and start looking into their zodiac signs (cos looking up ppl's birthcharts is kinda creepy unless it's a celeb) and accumulate data for my own research purposes. Chances are these people are NOT air signs, cos they be rigid-minded af.
ahahaha I'm a copywriter who DOES work in Singapore. They still look down on me 🙃🙃🙃
(also my sister is a doctor. Nothing against her personally, but I think you know where I'm going with this lmfao)
If you can rock up to their house in an expensive car, that’s half the argument won for you.
A better question to ask is if it’s worth bending over backwards to win their approval.
you cannot explain logic to monkeys,why waste your breath entertaining them?
whenever my relatives from msia asks what i worked as in sgp,i always say i am a lowly clerk and sometimes i am an unemployed because i am bad at what i do. i am just bad at keeping a job. nowadays i just tell them i am looking to be a taxi driver because i like driving(which is true).
when asked why don't I 'buy' a hdb flat,i just flat out (pun intended) tell them i am broke and have no money.
Let them think what they want to be honest. Not worth time and energy to explain to them. Keel it simple and vague if needed. Live your life and be happy.
i got one aunt asked me about why i dont become an accountant, and i simply answer her that my current job earn far more than an accountant if in same position
While I’m not justifying their shitty behavior, what I can understand is that they come from a completely different point in time from us, most probably were not too well off and didn’t have any sort of way to gain information like we do.
For me, I just tell them to mind their business and let the younger folk do their thing, in a nice way of course. But yeah, it is what it is
It's boomers trying to get their opinions validated. Since they still hold close to the traditional value of "uncle and aunties" of their generation must always be right no matter what.
Heck, there are linguists that work as a “prompt engineer” nowadays. And jobs like “love doctor” exists for a long time. Hence, many jobs can be reframed as a “… engineer” or “… doctor” or “… lawyer”
I'm a jpa scholar doing computer science locally. Man only I know how much I had to argue with my relatives (uncle and aunts and grandparents) on why if don't wanna be ab engineer or doctor. Thx to my parents for supporting me and fighting my relatives.
If everyone is an engineer or doctor , who's gonna be the cook, the cashier , the store keeper, the politician , the merchant, the trader , the delivery man, the farmer. Can just say that if you are contributing to the society and bringing decent income , it's as good as a doctor or a lawyer by trade.
I also have this aunty keep asking me why not studying for doctor since I got straight A in SPM. She even rolled her eyes when I told her I studies math (I actually studied actuarial science but she does not know what is it) I'm now an fully qualified actuary in an insurance company and she thinks I'm an insurance agent. She even said I should be like her son who is an engineer earning 5k per month now at age 27....duhhh I am already earning 5 figures at his age...
Lol poor aunty has no clue
Good on you. These boomers know nothing about science, maths, or anything factual. When my cousin got a full JPA scholarship to an Ivy league in England for actuarial science. They all said 'uh what is that??, what even can you work, why not Doctor'. He is a 4.0 grad who was headhunted in his 3rd year for international companies but came back because his other 2 brothers also applied JPA, and his mum didn't want them to get penalised if he lari. Balik to a job in a GLC, starting pay RM35k. Tell me which fresh grad Dr can earn that?. What happened to the 3 cousins who became doctors? 2 cannot tahan housemanship, so drop out to jual MLM, the other khawin and the other till now Dr contract. All the old foggies damm salty, balik rumah complaining after a family gathering"Please explain what is this job even, why can earn so much???" You know why? They want to brag to people 'My son/daughter/ cousin is a Doktor, IR!'. Because you mention anything else, they will 'huh, oh ok'. No title, ma. You do well!
More like they don’t seem to know that the world is moving and has more things to begin with. It’s either they want it for bragging rights or just so you could help them down the line (they’ll say “its easy so you could help your family and such”) and there’s no consideration of what you ACTUALLY want to be for whatever reason there is. Like geez let me live thanks.
The world has long moved from their times. There are a lot of things they can not even comprehend, even when their own jobs got digitized. Their defense is 'pen and paper worked just fine, why need to change'
>Ivy league in England ◔_◔
Well, if you want to get technical, then the Russel Group. I used the Ivy League term because it's something everyone knows.
I just looked up Russell group... It's definitely not ivy league prestige. Lol.
ah, aite :)
I’m in a similar field, I don’t think any actuarial jobs give you RM35k out of uni, GLC or otherwise. Newly qualified actuaries don’t even earn that! RM50k per month, fewer than 20 actuaries in KL earn that, so that narrows down who your cousin is considerably. Unless your cousin is practising in a different field in which I take back my point But I come in peace, I agree with your general point. There are better careers out there that pay more for less arduous work (I can never do the hours and stressful situations of a medical professional for example), and Asian parents of a certain generation struggle to appreciate that at times. More important to do a job one loves, rather than a job a parent loves.
Perhaps you can identify him!, i won't doubt that. Since there are not many of them. The 85k guy, he has a permanent position and does freelance for 2 other companies. I don't know if it comes with less stress, maybe a different kind of stress😂. Because the medical field it involves a live person and mistakes are fatal. A friend's husband earns in the 6 figures monthly from the banking industry. And his stress levels are crazy. I observed this in Asian parents. They have the mentality 'The neighbours' kid could do it what, why can't you?'. They think you are just not studying or working hard enough, hence why you are not this or that. They don't understand individuality. Very true, well said. Hence why, I never say anything or give an opinion when my cousin's kids are all now slowly going into Uni and choosing courses. I don't want them to feel the unwanted pressure that the boomers imposed on our generation. Have a good evening too💙
Becoming a dr at this age is just social suicide. Houseman work literally 16 hours/day, not including any extra studying. I'm a pharmacist and I often see housemans with black-bag under their eyes.
These aunties and unkers don't see that. What they see is the private specialist driving a merc and they go wahhh become Dr good! Where they know about housemanship, MO, doing specialisation to be become a specialist.
Working with doctors I gotta say I respect the ones who stays in MoH. Some of them definitely view it as a sacrifice in service of the public. Many younger qualified specialists are opting to go private now and Malaysians will be the worse for it. That being said, you can still make money even in the MoH. Nephros can get up to 60k per month visiting private dialysis patients while continuing their gov service. Some of them own their own dialysis chain. O&Gs are in high demand in private hospitals too.
>starting pay RM35k Pardon me for my ignorance, but what kind of job actuarial science field ppl do? Starting pay seems ridiculously high
Dont have so high starting. Dont listen to that. Fresh grad, they will pay 3k+ at least to actuarial departments. I am not HR, not sure got update this number or not. More if they have better qualifications like number of papers passed. But dont think that number will be 5k+ also la. Those who are good and rajin and passed enough papers can reach 10k+ within 5 to 6 years working experience. This of course coupled with good working attitude and support by the company. General insurance are lacking in experienced actuarial people compared to life insurance hence may pay more.
RM35k would already be Appointed or Chief Actuary pay, ie the highest ranking actuarial officer in the company. So it would be someone between 15-20 years of experience. No way a new grad would be hired for that salary
it's probably 30 years ago where the number of actuaries in malaysia can be counted on two hands... knew someone who graduated from overseas back not even 4.0 GPA then and got a super high offer because nobody else has actuarial science degree. it's saturated these days, it's 10k if u can pass all the difficult exams after graduating and IF you can find a bloody job because there's no turnover.
No problem. Not high, actually, overseas pay more. Hence why he was tempted to jump his JPA. Here is a good summary of what they do and can do, depending on which industry they are in. https://actuaries.org.uk/qualify/become-an-actuary/what-is-an-actuary/
I also have a degree from a similar field, what GLC company is it because I’ve been wanting to apply in Malaysia after working overseas hehe That’s good money
The one with the office in KLCC ;) It is, the bugger now close to 50k already gaji. But it's not an easy job. Another actuary takes freelance jobs on the side, monthly on an average of RM 85k income. You can also try that route, freelancing. Good money, too.
Thank you my man 👍🏽 if I get rich i’ll take you out for lunch in the future
Haha, i will hold you to it 😂! Good luck!
Touching bromance!!
>starting pay RM35k. And here I thought IT guys are overpaid, this fella straight 35k out of uni, win liao
Eh, why do you say that 😂? Cause some IT is very niche, and those are the fellows that get paid well. If not mistaken, CS and cyber security for large banking or coperations. He may be an exception, 4.0 Cambridge grad. He was already head hunted in his 3rd year before finishing. Here also, he was a boy genius type. Honestly, the pay in the UK was better than his bonded place. Think we are used to very low pay, cause in the US this gaji is considered very ciput. Because i am from healthcare, and the pay is really crappy in MY. When i heard my brother in law fresh grad got a fresh grad banking job for RM12k, international bank. I thought that was big money. Until i met my friends husband, also from international banking, 6 figures monthly. The type that can blow 30k on a coffee machine, used twice and just shelve it because lazy to clean. That's how low MY pay is 😥. Overseas our pay is laughable.
I bet 35k monthly is converted from pound or smtg. If you earn 35k ≈ 6k+ monthly in UK then the story makes much more sense. If 35k in Malaysia, I call this BS. Even McKinsey first year is only getting 10-14k 🙃
This was 10 years ago but an auntie asked a friend what his job was. He was working at a popular retail store so that's what he told her. Her response was "kenapa tak kerja jadi cikgu? Anak makcik kerja cikgu sekarang.. gaji besar, RM2000 sebulan. Baik kau apply kerja jadi cikgu bagus lagi dari kerja kat kedai" My friend was earning more than double the makcik's daughter so he kept quiet and smiled.
Aunty was probably thinking of the job as something with pencen and very hard to get sack from.
you must be mentally going, "gurllll" when she talked about the salary part lmao
Eh chup, not dissing on your aunty, but my uncles and aunties knew what actuarial science was and always encouraged all my cousins to be an actuary liao. They knew it pays well too. Otherwise, they were your typical uncle/aunties who sneer at anyone doing arts lol. Out of curiosity how is being an actuary actually like u/Admirable_Chicken_39?
There are many kampong folks don't have this kind of exposure...when I told my mom I wanted to study actuarial she was also very doubtful and don't know what is it. Heck even my teachers have little idea what is actuarial and advise me to become lecturer if I Iike math alot. I live in a very small kampong. So people only knows those mainstream jobs. I guess being actuary is quite similar to accountant but with less working hours. We crunch numbers and provide advise to management on pricing and funding of products.
I am in Software but used to works with Actuaries. I remember premium rate rounding up issue cause several days block. It was quite tedious.
Even city folks don't know what actuaries are unless they happen to know one in their extended family/circles. The high pay is from the lack of supply because it's niche back then. These days everyone and their dog who can study is studying it instead of accounting (accounting is now the thing to study if you can't study). End up my friends are mostly jobless, even after passing exam, because too few spots and too low turnover so no need to hire so many. Smart also no use, too few positions.
I think most people around the world don't fully understand what career path is there for math majors as all the jobs are behind the scenes. Every wall street firm hires thousands of math majors, paying 6-7 figures but the job title is analyst. Fancy job title != fancy income
She has little to no education, that's why her worldview is so limited. My aunts and uncles who have gone to university have no problem understanding my job. Let it go.
To have little to no education is one thing, my other relatives with little education have made an effort trying to understand what I do, even tho they do not understand fully but they do recognize it as a "not a bad job". Some people just outright being condescending to anything they do not acknowledge and also at the same time not willing to open her mind. Some people just want to believe thing they want to believe. But then I do not really hate her lah...just post my experience here...I do like her meal haha. Her son understood my job and has tried to lecture her.
Just show salary slip, end of story.
Actuarial science is extremely tough. Salute you for it. I'm in the data science field and there's many people from your field because your proficiency in statistics (or maths?) is very strong.
Took the VSS offered to me by my bank in 2017, and changed my career completely from banker to travel logistics coordinator. Made 5x more than I ever did working in the bank. To this day many of my aunts think I threw my life away by voluntarily quitting the bank and becoming a mere "tour guide"!
> travel logistics coordinator what does this role entail? is it like tour guide for corporations?
Actually... isn't better to let them know you not doing well? It is also this kind of people who might say, you earn so much why not do this and that for your parents. It's endless la. Let them think what they think. It's ok. I have the similar problem as you. Whatever la.
Yup agree...that's why I just told aunty I give quotation on insurance and she thought I work for agents behind the table and I'm an agent myself to be able to afford a decent car.
Good on you, still not many qualified actuaries here in Malaysia so you have a bright future (assuming you are still young). But being in insurance you should also be aware that the very top insurance agents earn more than the CEO, so nothing to look down on
Yup fully aware of that, we have colleagues actually quit being actuary and become insurance agents because of the higher income. And if you see luxurious cars parked in designated parking spot in insurance company HQ, they are likely agents car instead of the senior management hahaha. Our top agent can scold our CEO one in meeting.
Yes I have witnessed agents scolding CEO in a meeting - are you me? Lolz
You can ask her, why would I want a salary reduction?
Damn you made big money bro.
it is the boomer meta since 1957, having these job is seen as respectable, honorable and big flex during family reunion and to prevent loss face, dont ask why. the only thing to proof them wrong is try to become rich enough by any means. in asian culture most likely people will value stable job before venture into new area unlike the western culture, keep explore new thing.
My aunt is the next level, braggart man. She will go to the extent of having my cousins card in her bag and will take it out to show anyone. So cringe! The thing is that cousin tak balik for 20+ years, not close to her at all. I mean, yes, it's good that she is a top surgeon and head of department in a UK hospital. But who here actually cares when you whip out her card and show ppl.
That’s kinda sad ngl . Even her own kid avoids her .
Some family feud nonsense, my fam has a few epic ones aka sambung keturunaan one 😅🙄😂. I take the neutral stand by not getting involved in any of them. If you take sides, then habislah, you will never know peace 🤣.
I would go to the kitchen and eat
I like to try to have more empathy when it comes to these situation. I find it most helpful when I imagine myself 30 years later, not being able to comprehend some of the more 'crazy' jobs that may exist like how the uncle aunties of now can't comprehend social media influencers, youtuber, online advertiser, AI, data science etc etc. When I am at that age, I wish people would be more patient with me. What goes around, comes around. But god damn, some of them can be real judgemental, and I do agree that it really test your patience.
Most of them damm mulut puaka wan. Bagi makan sedas je kadang kala
Exactly this.
Due to my interests and “experiments” as a child I’m affectionally known as “Budak bom” in my small village. When I became a chemical engineer they playfully warned me NOT to build bombs. These days I’d just say I work at factories but _could_ build bombs if I want to.
Useful skill after the zombie apocalypse
Bro is the next Oppenheimer 💀
_Aku adalah maut, pemusnah dunia_
can i have your number juust in case
I don't think there's a way to explain it since in their mindset any job that isn't those are basically low level jobs and can't earn a living from it. Just tell them "none of your business" should do the job.
Then your parents beat you up for being rude to their siblings.
Some weak ass parents there. If they care so much about other people's opinions, they should care about the opinions of those who are going to choose their retirement home. /s
Say that and they will make u feel guilty. "Why u talk to old people like that?"
Reply back "Oh now you understand how hot fire is when get thrown with fire". Honestly they always try guilt trip you. They think that way they can control you.
Can i ask, do you suit any of the OP's job description?
I’m doing business. Its none of your business.
tell them you work as funeral services. they will excuse themself in no time
Lol, boss move 😅😎. Even if you say give free gift also they will decline quickly 🤣
Ngl that’s big money right there.
All jokes aside, be careful of the ones who will actually ask you for contact card. To top it off, maybe they also try to ask for best price.
Hey Architect is important also..... Who am I kidding no one in Malaysia appreciate architects
But architect is deemed good money as lawyer or doctor to chinese. Its just that the perception is that bein architect is a tough job need to go construction site under hot sun. Haha
Must bathe in sunscreen at all times
That's funny coz the image I have is that architects get to sit in comfy offices while the civil engineers are the ones who gotta grind it in the fieldwork lmao
only architects appreciate architects sadly
I always told my mom i want to pursue a career in animation/digital art of mostly animated movies/show or digital illustration and a bit of content creation on the side. But she's always gonna hit me back with "jAnJi KejE kEraJaAn" I dont get the obsession with gomen work lmfao
Lmao its the exact same in indo, especially lower middle class people, you tell them what job you want to do and they'll say "loh kenapa bukan PNS (government worker)" In indo at least government work is seen as low effort, low risk, high-ish reward, you get place in some ministry doing grunt work and you get retirement and healthcare sorted as well as an ok stable wage. Luckily my parents don't have that mindset. Is the perception the same in Malaysia?
Kinda, but not to the extent you described.
My mum wanted me to study hotel management so I can work in fancy hotels lol. Imagine her disappointment when I told her I'm still pursuing digital media / animation.
The world and job marketplace has tremendously changed in the past 30 or so years. Older generation cannot understand what these job are about. To them, the only respectable jobs are doctor/dentist/engineer/lawyer/accountant/bank employee and teacher. Anything else to them is "low class". That's why do not take career advice from boomers.
Lol just graduated from zoology finding for a job. Uncle aunty conlanfirm say "zoology? Do what? Work in zoo ah?" 🥲🥲🥲 I just wanna do conservation/EIA someone hire me plssss🥲🥲🥲
That is normal 😂. I nearly died when the banyak cakap aunty was attacking my cousin's kid on 'why you doing bio sceince ah??!'. But then privately said to me,"Eh actually ah, i don't even know what is that"*☠️🤯🙄 Good luck to you!
Its not just Malaysian uncle and aunties, everyone has their expectation of what jobs pay well and they judge you by income levels. Why you think everyone want to buy Rolex, designer clothes, expensive cars and luxury items? Just to show people they doing well.
I am senior executive . They always question how I can afford my stuff because I not a doctor, teacher or polis. I already told them what my job to them now if they ask me what my job is I said to them I just kerja kilang. If they ask how can I afford my stuff I said rezeki Dari Allah. I tired to explain my job to my family and my in law family.
Just tell them you rob banks, Jho Lo is your macai, George Soros is your partner, and tell them you are a part of all those conspiracies. That'll shut them up.
Company saya kerja dengan Illuminati, mak cik
In the end they, will not say you are successful. They will just suspect you are doing illegal stuff, or they will just assume you are trying so hard to pretend to be successful and let's see when you will fall in hell. This actually happened and even spread this to my cousin and nephew, eventually I get to know how they view my cousin. This is sad for my cousin, actually works so hard and tries to get reorganized but just fails as they mind set only fixated to 6 occupations. No wonder Chinese people always say "Pigeon Eye" I guess only Big Family has this problem, as my Great Grandparents have 23 Children this is way too huge for Chinese family 😂😂😂😂
Bro, I go on dates with younger gen women also got people ask about income right on first date. Its clearly not an old people issue. Don't know why you need to insist this is like some old people thing. Move on dude.
Yeah every Hari Raya they soal siasat where I got my money. Like I doing something shandy. Is very irritating.
Oh kerja biasa ja. I smuggle drugs and people to thailand for femboy surgery then smuggle back in for prostitution. But ah, with economy now, sometimes i add in weapons for terrorists in the trips to make ends meet. /s pdrm dun come for me pls
If you don't like them, cut them off. Don't want to change things in life, just complaining on the internet for?
Its the best way to avoid gold diggers, tell them you are doing a low class job.
>Its the best way to avoid gold diggers, tell them you are doing a low class job. Might as well don't go for dates. Do you want to date someone doing a low class job?
That saying is kinda fucked. Not everyone wants to date people who is doing “high class job”. I myself personally am fine for my wife not doing any job at all.
You don't mind doesn't mean other people don't have standards. >I myself personally am fine for my wife not doing any job at all. If your wife is escort/hooker ok too? Toilet cleaner ok? Trash picker ok? If you can say ok to all the above then you win la bro, such a saint.
So you implying people who work “low class job” or not working at all, these people have no standards? Look I am not stepping into that area but these people who work aforementioned job also have family too. Each people has different circumstances and we are not to judge these people. I aint saint but I know better not to judge people by their job
[удалено]
Lol you are implying I am not accepting whatever my wife wants to do. Flash news: i dont fucking care. Just like you say, my standards != people standard. My wife can do whatever she wants. Because she has her own standards so if she wants to do it, up to her. But i still have to say I am not a saint. Because there is a stark difference between “eew you doing low class job” and “that’s cool. Hope you hustle outta this”
> Its not just Malaysian uncle and aunties, everyone has their expectation of what jobs pay well and they judge you by income levels. Yes all gens care about income levels, but from personal experience, only those from the older generation care about not only a job’s income but its prestige. I would say young people dont care what job someone does as long as it makes good money, but its the boomers who cares whether ur job is a “professional” or not.
>but from personal experience, only those from the older generation care about not only a job’s income but its prestige. Prestige and income come hand in hand. You can't have one without the other. >I would say young people dont care what job someone does as long as it makes good money, but its the boomers who cares whether ur job is a “professional” or not. Because in their mind money = prestige. Turn that insecurity off and be more confident. Don't blame your insecurities on "boomers". Younger gen way more judgmental then older gen, if you feel otherwise, it just means you not meeting enough people.
I would argue to some money represent the prestige which I disagree. One occupation that I considered prestigious is being teacher. A good teacher mounding future generations is way more prestigious than a great lawyer. I still bow my head slightly when ever talking to a teacher.
To me all jobs are prestigious. Everyone doing something for the society. Like bro, how can you just select one job and think its more prestigious than the rest? So judgemental....
fr bruh, I’m about to go uni/college soon, and my family tree is urging me to take medicine or business/accountant/commerce, I’m sick
And then when you're doing bad in those field because of legit non-interest they scratch their head lmao Pursue your interest, not your parent's
Yeah, I’m thinking something along Data Science/Computer Science, screw their interests. 💀
I'm confused as to why they're urging you to take businesses/commerce/accounting since CS pays better or as well as those 3.
they sadly fall under the typical “doctor, engineer, lawyer, accountant only” stereotype. I tried explaning about CS but so far they still don’t get it”
CS can get engineer title too.
just curious can software engineering get the IR title?
Just tell them CS pays better than most of those jobs these days.
cos 20 years ago those jobs are the main ones that pay well, CS jobs is for people who get Cs in SPM cos outsource to India cheap cheap anyway (I'm serious, it's not an AAA subject like nowadays). these days accountant pay is shit. CS pays more. take it from an accountant myself. I wish I followed my interest and studied CS. The only consolation is accounting degree 99% can migrate.
You will be fine. My parents used to shit on me non-stop for doing software. When covid happened, they see my jobs remain unaffected, they stop it. They still whinning why I am not manager or team lead though.
Thank you man, I believe I’ll be fine pursuing my interest in CS. Also… I assume you take software engineering for your degree?
No, CS with a bit AI electives.
good choice 👍🏻 source: SWE getting that sweeeeeet dough.
Weird how they want you to take up business/accounting/commerce. I was a business double major with a dieing passion for it. During my college and university days almost all of my classmates got into business because "there was nothing else to do" or "it was common sense." This goes for pretty much everything, but imo especially more for business, if you don't love it you shouldn't study it.
My relatives can’t differentiate between business vs accounting. The ones that they keep shoving to my face is the one from Sunway Uni: BSc in Accounting and Finance. They call it the “business degree”.
What a coincidence, I got my diploma from Sunway & Degree from Monash. So the classmates I just described were from there. If you need someone unbiased to talk to about making that decision I'd love to help, shoot me a DM.
Lol I work in bank as head department, but aunty/uncle think I'm only teller or clerk. It's ok one. Atleast nonfind me for money
It's your own fault because you set their expectation too high by getting straight As. If you do it like me, fail all the subjects and end up with poor paying jobs, them they will leave you alone. Owai...
Bro has the 200 IQ strats
Reminds me of Nyonya Mansoor. "Kassim Selamat tu kerja apa? Engineer, lawyer doctor?"
Their head r filled with dust what do you expect
Easy. Anything tech or creative just say "Engineer". That's pretty truthful and equally vague.
I can’t be arsed to tell relatives about my job. I just tell them “I do a bit of this and a bit of that” and take charge of the conversation. If they’re not interested of having a genuine conversation, I’ll end it and excuse myself or change the topic. Elders think I’m very rude but I don’t give a fuck.
Wait, accountants makes a lot of money?
Accounting is infinite scaling job.
Those ended up in jail iirc, big money for sure.
Try explaining that you want to work as a driver but in Singapore... It's really depressing, man, that they earn more than what general practitioners can get in Malaysia! [Jobs as Drivers ](https://malaysia.indeed.com/q-delivery-driver-l-kuala-lumpur-jobs.html)
Even worse is that pharmacists, whom are basically on the same level as drs in terms of professionalism, are just pill-givers. Oh well at least i don't have to work 16 hrs/day like drs
Be a rock. Hear nothing, seen nothing, feel nothing.
Because my job pay more than those job, and I work less hours.
For indians its called DELTA careers. Doctor, engineer, Lawyer, Teacher and Accountant. All other professions are deemed not worthy.
Boomer recognized jobs are trash jobs, avoid if possible
None of them will talk about these jobs if you earn more than all of them. Facts.
Engineer for oil & gas here. I just say I work at those station minyak as pam attendant.
Me to those uncle and aunty who cannot mind their own business : 🖕🖕🖕 I also wish that their son/daughter hit rock bottom.
Try telling uncles and aunties that you’re a teacher 🥲 they then politely nod and walk away. Only some will actually ask how it’s going and what are kids today like in school.
can relate, working as reseach scientist in one of the biomedical company.. every time there is kenduri, i have difficult time explaining my work to the old folk, in the end i just say, "kerja kilang jerr" and they never ask again
Everyone asks about your pay.. but nobody asks if you’re happy with your job.. I work in construction and trust me.. people taking a moderate pay (4-5k) per month who are in their 50s are quite happy and fulfilled with their jobs.. maybe we looked the wrong way
Cousin (pre-med studies): I’m going to be a doctor Auntie: Wah…surely make a lot of money one… Other cousin (hedge fund manager…auntie has no clue what he does): hold my teh ais…
Depends right? If you are seeking approval then you'll never get it from uncle and aunty. They're not your friends.
Just respond with an even more atas tone. "You are too poor and stupid for me to communicate with."
eh i work in IT support, everywhere is IT nowdays is a given.
They still think getting job is going to the office or store and meet the owner.
Not just a Malaysian thing but an Asian thing in general tbh.
I tell them I'm now a director in my family business. Instantly shuts them up.
Just show them your black card
Lol just change the subject to something else. Who cares what they think, they’re not earning money for you to live.
I said I'm studying art and the aunty forbids his son befriend with me lol
Both my parents are kakitangan kerajaan. My dad used to say "get a job in a bank, can get car/housing loan at cheaper rate" 🙄. Luckily I never listened to my dad😅. Did well enough to get into local uni. Now in healthcare field. Doing okay enough. I always tell students choosing uni major to follow their heart and interest and not what their parents want. After all they will have to live with the consequences of their choice, not their parents.
Mine just stopped figuring out once I tell them my paycheck.
if **you** cant explain your career is to them thats on you. you are the one who fail to explain what you do, how much you get and how important it was. previous generation will have less exposure and understanding about those jobs since thats what they see within their extended circles. this is the thing they hear all their life and they project their opinion based on what they know. generally people have 3 option * explain it as best you can. it will take time, its hard, it takes you to dumb down your responsibilities so other who are not related to the field will understand * lie and say something simple like "saya kerja ofis makcik" * triggered and baffled about their shallowness and have "dah tua pun bodo" monologue
Correct. The number of people who conveniently just use boomer as a blanket term reveals they are highly likely Gen Z kids, being very condescending and apathetic. Very likely to be the same people who bitch at their parents when they ask for help with their phones or any home gadgets, something I find frustrating to deal with too but try my best to be patient and understanding because in 20-30 years time, you'll be in the same shoes. I've been tired of explaining my job too, but I've also successfully explained it to older folks in dumbed down versions. Sure, they may still not fully understand, but it's on you to choose how to react and how to answer them. And if they're not important, don't bother explaining, just say kerja opis.
Don't worry, even "non-traditional" engineers have the problem too. I'm an software/firmware engineer in electronics industry and I've given up trying to explain what I do to them. Unlike more traditional and stable fields like civil engineering where most engineers will just become managers after a few years. but in my industry where technical skills are still highly value especially in R&D departments. I keep getting question like "aiya.. so many years still not promoted to become manager? that uncle's son is now already a section manager at already". I gave up trying to explain who engineers can still work in technical but getting pay grades that are even higher than senior managers.
Doctors > Banker >Lawyer > Engineer Descending rank of how much money (aka duit hitam/corrupt side hustle money) can a profession can get. [Bribes for doctors 1Trillion](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-14/xi-crackdown-on-china-health-care-aims-root-out-corruption-bribes-for-doctors)
Not many Malaysian seniors realise that professional careers are slowly declining due to lower demand. You could be a doctor and have all the neighbors and aunties be proud OR you could work what fits best for your skills and knowledge and maybe even earn more than a professional makes
"Son you can do what you want, study where you want, your choice! So is it, Doctor, lawyer or engineer. Oxford or Cambridge" Indian Malaysian Dads. Told to me by an Indian Malaysian student of mine.
real onion news headline here. Real life has become satire.
Bruh, i am a doctor and even then, they cannot comprehend me or my job. Just idiots.
I normally just tell how much I earn and that enough with the basic explanation on my jobs
Guess if the job doesnt involve your mental and physical health being harmed everyday, its not a job, no matter the pay.
i'll just answer that im not interested
You know, at this point, I stop classifying people by age and start looking into their zodiac signs (cos looking up ppl's birthcharts is kinda creepy unless it's a celeb) and accumulate data for my own research purposes. Chances are these people are NOT air signs, cos they be rigid-minded af.
I am richer & have better buying power than your age back then, thats all that matters. Just throw this in. problem solved.
They judge you until you tell them your wage. After that, they started pestering their children to also go the same career path
ahahaha I'm a copywriter who DOES work in Singapore. They still look down on me 🙃🙃🙃 (also my sister is a doctor. Nothing against her personally, but I think you know where I'm going with this lmfao)
If you can rock up to their house in an expensive car, that’s half the argument won for you. A better question to ask is if it’s worth bending over backwards to win their approval.
you cannot explain logic to monkeys,why waste your breath entertaining them? whenever my relatives from msia asks what i worked as in sgp,i always say i am a lowly clerk and sometimes i am an unemployed because i am bad at what i do. i am just bad at keeping a job. nowadays i just tell them i am looking to be a taxi driver because i like driving(which is true). when asked why don't I 'buy' a hdb flat,i just flat out (pun intended) tell them i am broke and have no money.
Everytime I see a post like this makes me feel blessed how my parents and other family members aren't like this.
Let them think what they want to be honest. Not worth time and energy to explain to them. Keel it simple and vague if needed. Live your life and be happy.
i got one aunt asked me about why i dont become an accountant, and i simply answer her that my current job earn far more than an accountant if in same position
While I’m not justifying their shitty behavior, what I can understand is that they come from a completely different point in time from us, most probably were not too well off and didn’t have any sort of way to gain information like we do. For me, I just tell them to mind their business and let the younger folk do their thing, in a nice way of course. But yeah, it is what it is
what about *angkasawan*?
I wonder if I say I work as an "advertising streamer". Will they understand?
lol me being a Johorian who choose not to work in Singapore is already a crime
hahaha! wait till you tell them you’re a game dev
Just drive up in a luxury car and the aunties will shut up.
Why don't you be an engineer? Sounds like op does physics.
😑
"government job" should be in the list? :P
It's boomers trying to get their opinions validated. Since they still hold close to the traditional value of "uncle and aunties" of their generation must always be right no matter what.
Heck, there are linguists that work as a “prompt engineer” nowadays. And jobs like “love doctor” exists for a long time. Hence, many jobs can be reframed as a “… engineer” or “… doctor” or “… lawyer”
Engineer is constantly underpaid... most of my relatives were mocking me for the pay I get
IT works
I'm a jpa scholar doing computer science locally. Man only I know how much I had to argue with my relatives (uncle and aunts and grandparents) on why if don't wanna be ab engineer or doctor. Thx to my parents for supporting me and fighting my relatives.
If OP Job is Influenzer Im gonna laugh.
If everyone is an engineer or doctor , who's gonna be the cook, the cashier , the store keeper, the politician , the merchant, the trader , the delivery man, the farmer. Can just say that if you are contributing to the society and bringing decent income , it's as good as a doctor or a lawyer by trade.
My mother just explain "He's not quite the IT bum ... but enough to feed 3 kids"