Teachable moments #35 - Exposure Over Certificates: What School Never Taught Me

Growing up in Singapore, we were always taught the same message – "Study hard, get good grades, and secure a good job." That’s been the standard path for many of us. Certificates meant everything. From PSLE to O-Levels, A-Levels, diploma, and degree – life often felt like a never-ending collection of paper qualifications.

But now that I’m older (and perhaps a little wiser), I’ve come to realise something school never really taught us – exposure is everything.

What exactly is exposure?

It’s not just about going overseas or attending prestigious seminars. Exposure means getting involved, trying new things, stepping outside your comfort zone, meeting people from different backgrounds, and even failing sometimes.

It’s those real-life experiences that shape the way we think, adapt, and respond to challenges.

Why is it more important than certificates?

Let me give you a real example. I know people who were top students, graduates from well-known universities. But when they entered the working world, they struggled with things like leading a team, speaking up during meetings, or handling pressure.

On the other hand, I know someone who didn’t attend university. But he worked hard. He volunteered, took internships, worked part-time jobs, started small businesses, failed a few, and learned from every experience. Today, he’s leading a regional team at a tech company. No impressive paper qualifications, but he has real exposure.

Certificates show what you’ve studied.

Exposure shows what you’ve lived through.

To be clear, I’m not saying certificates don’t matter – of course they do, especially in fields like medicine, law, and engineering. But in many industries – particularly leadership, customer service, and entrepreneurship – what really counts is your ability to think critically, work well with others, and solve real problems. And those skills aren’t printed on any certificate.

What exposure teaches you that school doesn’t:

• How to deal with difficult people

• How to think on your feet

• How to pitch an idea, a product, or even yourself

• How to recover from failure

• How to build a network and meaningful connections

• How to manage uncertainty and change

So, what can we do?

Don’t wait until graduation or your next job to seek exposure. Start now.

• Say yes to new projects, even if you’re unsure at first

• Engage with people outside your usual social circle

• Volunteer for causes or tasks that challenge you

• Travel if possible – even short trips can broaden your perspective

• Explore side projects, freelancing, or passion pursuits

Every experience adds to your life’s CV – and that’s what future employers, clients, and even your future self will value the most.

In summary:
📜 Certificates open doors.
🌍 Exposure shows people why you deserve to be let in.

So the next time someone says, “Your qualifications look impressive,”
Just smile and say, "Thank you – but let me show you what I’ve experienced."