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IHI Asia Pacific’s APAC HR Director speaks to Umairah Nasir on education, work experience and continuous learning, saying: There is no right and wrong, it really depends on individual.”
For generations, the career formula seemed fairly straightforward: study first, start working, and build experience over time.
But as Generation Z and Generation Alpha entera rapidly changing workforce, that sequence is becoming less clear-cut. Young professionals are starting work earlier, studying alongside their jobs, taking time to travel before entering the workforce, or returning to education later in their careers.
It is a question that also hits close to home for HRO’s journalist Umairah Nasir, who is balancing a job while pursuing a Bachelor of Communication. That experience sparked the conversation for this episode of HRadiO: does it really matter whether you study first or work first?
To find out, Umairah speaks with Alan Tan, APAC HR Director, IHI Asia Pacific (APAC), who is navigating a similar balance from a different stage of his career. Alongside his regional HR leadership role, Tan is pursuing a Master of Science in Human Capital Management and Analytics at NUS.
The conversation explores whether new professionals should study first or gain practical experience before returning to education, how much formal qualifications still matter as employers place greater emphasis on skills, and what Tan has learnt from being both an HR leader and a student.
Here are three highlights from the conversation:
1. There is no ‘right’ sequence for education and work
Tan believes the traditional path of completing a degree before entering the workforce is no longer the only option. Some may choose to study and work at the same time, while others may gain several years of experience before returning to education. He also pointed to Gen Z professionals who take time to travel after graduation, gaining new perspectives before starting their first job.
Having practical experience can also change how someone approaches education. If he could choose his career path again, Tan believes he would probably gain some work experience before returning to study, as workplace exposure can make it easier to connect classroom concepts with real situations. “There is no right and wrong, but it really depends on individual,” he said.
2. Formal qualifications matter, but learning should not stop there
Tan does not see formal qualifications losing their value. Academic credentials can help candidates get through the door, but skills, experience, and continued learning are important for progressing beyond it. His own decision to pursue a master’s after about a decade in regional HR reflects this approach.
3. Returning to the classroom can offer new perspectives
Studying alongside Gen Z has also given Tan a fresh perspective on the workplace and HR. Some of his younger classmates view HR differently, with greater interest in areas such as analytics, AI and specialist functions including compensation and data analytics.
A classroom discussion on recruitment offered one example. While traditional hiring may rely on interviews and psychometric assessments, Tan said his Gen Z classmates also highlighted the importance of “vibes” between candidates and teams. For Tan, the experience showed how returning to the classroom can be a two-way learning process, with experienced professionals bringing workplace knowledge while younger colleagues offer new ways of looking at established practices.
Keep learning, keep trying
Tan’s advice to younger workers entering the workforce is ultimately simple: believe in yourself and keep trying things you have not tried before.
Whether that means entering the workforce first, pursuing further education, taking on an internship or combining work and study, he believes there is no universal formula for building a career. What matters is continuing to gain experience and knowledge along the way.
In the podcast’s quick-fire round, Tan identified the ability to learn more as the skill he believes will matter most for younger workers. He also highlighted the value of finding a good mentor and learning through bite-sized content when time is limited.
“You will never know what will lead you to the end of the goal,” he said.
For a generation entering a workplace where skills, technology and career paths are constantly evolving, perhaps the more important question is not whether to study or work first, but whether professionals remain willing to keep learning as their careers develop.
Listen to the full conversation with Alan Tan for more insights on Gen Z, education, work experience and continuous learning. Tune in to the latest episode of HRadiO on your preferred podcast platform.
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Photo of Alan / Provided
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