In recent years, an increasing number of SPM leavers have expressed interest in skipping university to pursue alternative careers. A study by UCSI reveals an interesting shift in mindset among SPM leavers. While 51% still plan to pursue higher education—outnumbering those who want to join the workforce (39%) or have no plans (10%)—Sinar Daily described the trend as “worrying.” Why? Because a surprising 34% of students now aspire to become influencers instead.
The logic seems simple enough: “If Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg made it big without finishing university, so can I!” But before you hit pause on your education, it’s crucial to understand a common pitfall called survivorship bias—and why it could be leading you down the wrong path.
What Is Survivorship Bias?
Survivorship bias happens when we focus only on the rare success stories—like Gates and Zuckerberg—and ignore the countless others who followed the same path but didn’t succeed. It creates a skewed perception of reality. The media, of course, loves to amplify these outliers.
For example, a New York Times article once called university unnecessary, featuring a cartoon that read “College is for Suckers.” In 2011, entrepreneur Peter Thiel even started a program offering $100,000 to young people willing to drop out of school and start their own ventures.
According to BBC (Miller, 2020), this idea of skipping university has gained traction thanks to stories like these. They’re inspirational—who doesn’t want to hear about people beating the odds? But the problem is that these stories are the exception, not the rule.
In fact, as reported by MySense (2023), a survey by Malaysian marketing firm Envisage Media Solutions found that influencers with up to 50,000 followers earned an average of RM10,000–15,000 per month, while those with over 500,000 followers could rake in RM50,000–100,000 monthly. Influencer income in Malaysia varies widely based on factors like follower count, content type, and platform monetization strategies. Typically, influencers with larger followings earn significantly more than those with smaller audiences.
But does this mean becoming an influencer is a viable alternative to pursuing higher education? Let’s break it down.
The Hidden Costs of Being an Influencer
The appeal of being an influencer lies in creative freedom and flexible work schedules. But what isn’t often discussed are the downsides: intense competition, mental health struggles, and the constant pressure to remain relevant in a saturated market. Many influencers also face uncertainty regarding long-term financial stability. These challenges illustrate how the influencer dream may not be as attainable—or sustainable—as it seems.
What the Data Actually Shows
We mentioned how much money a Malaysian influencer could earn. We also mentioned how business tycoons like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are able to be rich without completing university. Zoom out, and the full picture looks quite different. According to BBC (Miller, 2020):
- In 2018, the UK’s employment rate for university graduates was 88%, compared to 72% for non-graduates.
- Graduates earned a median annual salary of £34,000 ($43,000), while non-graduates earned £24,000 ($30,000).
While it’s true that a degree doesn’t guarantee success, the data makes it clear: higher education offers more stability, better job opportunities, and higher earning potential.
Conclusion: Think Twice Before Skipping University
Yes, some people have built empires without degrees. But for every Gates or Zuckerberg—or Malaysian influencer earning six figures—there are countless others who tried and failed. These outliers shouldn’t be the sole reason you choose to skip university.
And if you’re an SPM student considering your future, there’s no better time to prepare than now. That’s why you should start gearing up with the Pandai App! With access to quizzes, practice papers, and interactive learning tools, Pandai is here to make sure you’re fully prepared to ace your exams and keep all your future options open.
Citations
- MySense.”How Much Does a Malaysian Influencer Earn?”. 12 March 2023.
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