HRadiO: Study or work first? Alan Tan on building a career without a fixed path
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 Nasir 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.






