Jiahao, a 27‑year‑old who studied chemical engineering and business at the National University of Singapore, graduated with first‑class honours and earned a place on the Dean’s List. NUS is ranked 10th worldwide and first in Asia in the QS World University Rankings 2027.

The Covid‑19 pandemic hit his father’s air‑conditioning servicing firm hard. As workers returned to their home countries, the business lost almost all its staff, leaving his father to perform high‑rise installations and repairs largely on his own.

Watching his father climb up to 20‑storey buildings alone made Jiahao question the value of his academic accolades. “I feel a bit useless as a son,” he said. “I studied so hard, got the Dean’s List and first‑class honours, but I can’t help the people around me.”

Instead of pursuing a conventional corporate career, Jiahao decided to expand the family operation. He launched a TikTok channel that showcases service techniques, clarifies common maintenance myths, and draws new customers without relying solely on price competition.

His shift illustrates how personal and familial pressures during a crisis can reshape even the most distinguished career plans, reminding us that success is not only measured by titles but also by the impact on loved ones.