Many younger individuals, particularly Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school graduates, are seeking to follow the success of famous influencers on social media.

Only 51% of 1,000 SPM school graduates between the ages of 18 and 20 who participated in a recent poll by the UCSI University Poll Research Centre indicated they intended to further their education. The other 39% preferred to hunt for jobs, and the remaining 10% had no plans.

The study concluded that among those who weren't keen on continuing their education, 34% wanted to be social media influencers, 26% were interested in the gig economy, such as e-hailing, 22% wanted to open their own business, and 8% had no plans for the future.

The younger generation gravitates towards the "glitter and glamour" of celebrity influencers, who can easily earn attractive income for their social media postings, according to Assoc Prof Dr Zainal Madon, Deputy Dean (Graduate Studies, Industry and Community Relations), Human Ecology Faculty, Universiti Putra Malaysia.

These students aren't necessarily attracted to the traditional path of furthering their studies due to time commitment. For instance, obtaining academic credentials is a process that takes three to four years in a typical employment before a person is qualified for high positions with competitive pay.

However, a significant group of SPM leavers do not agree with their peers who chose to become influencers rather than pursuing their education as knowledge should be prioritised.

Which should be put first? Education or high earnings? Leave your thoughts below.