Student Stories

Why I Chose PSB Academy

After seven years working at the front desk in a multinational hotel group, I had picked up some experience related to Human Resources (HR) – managing staff schedules and calculating overtime. As time went on, I realised I wanted a role with more predictable hours, and HR felt like a natural next step. That led me to an opportunity as a HR executive in the marine industry.

My hospitality diploma from Nanyang Polytechnic had served me well early in my career. But to move forward in HR, I knew I needed to upskill. I hadn’t studied in nearly a decade, so I was looking for a course that was practical, flexible, and manageable. That’s why I chose the Diploma in Business Administration (Human Resource Management) at PSB Academy.

A Programme That Fits My Life

It checked all the right boxes for someone like me – working full-time, planning to start a family, and trying to stay competitive against graduates who had relevant qualifications.

The diploma’s one-year duration made it less intimidating to commit to. Being able to attend classes after work meant I could keep my full-time job, which was important because I still needed to earn an income and support myself.

Juggling work and studies wasn’t easy. I gave up my social life, put dramas on hold, and used every spare moment I had. I spent lunch breaks at work and weekends at cafés finishing assignments and studying for exams.

As I progressed through the modules, I gained a clearer understanding of HR work. Learning about compensation structures and salary benchmarking helped me connect the dots with my job. It gave me the confidence to speak up more during discussions at work – and that felt empowering.

During my last semester, I found out I was pregnant. At the time, I was still working full-time, commuting an hour and a half from my workplace to campus, often skipping dinner just to make it in time for class. It was taking a toll on my health, and I knew I couldn’t keep pushing at that pace – not with a baby on the way.

I reached out to PSB Academy’s programme executive with a doctor’s letter, asking if I could attend lessons online. Although it wasn’t usually an option, I needed to find a way to make it work. They were supportive and helped make it happen. That flexibility gave me more breathing room, allowing me to take better care of myself, keep working, and stay on track with my studies.

All the sacrifices paid off. I completed the diploma while working full-time and pregnant – and graduated top of my cohort. It’s one of my proudest achievements because I knew exactly how hard I had worked to earn it.

I used to think that getting a diploma through private education might be easier – but you can absolutely fail if you don’t put in the effort. The standards are real, and the expectations for assignments and project work are just as rigorous as any other education pathway. Now I know how much commitment it takes to complete one, especially while juggling work, life, and everything in between.

My Perspective as an HR Professional

At work, we focus on how the candidates present themselves, and what experience they have. We’ll consider these candidates as long as they possess a recognised diploma.

Having earned diplomas from both a local polytechnic and a private school, I know firsthand it’s not about where your diploma comes from – what matters is whether you can translate what you’ve learned into actual impact at work.

You’ll Never Feel “Ready” – Just Start

That’s why I believe in just getting started. Don’t wait for the “right time” as it rarely comes. So, if you’re thinking to upskill or reskill, don’t wait for the stars to align. Start when you’re ready enough, and trust yourself to figure out the rest along the way.