Subject Combi Showdown: Who Wins in the Long Run?

Introduction

Subject combinations in JC go beyond academic preference — they hint at future careers, income potential, and how we define success. Whether you're taking Bio or Physics, Lit or Math, or even blending both worlds, your choice carries an economic story.

In this piece, we explore different paths — Humanities, STEM, Hybrids, and the age-old “Passion vs Paycheck” dilemma — through the lens of opportunity, scholarship value, and long-term return.

Note: This article is written from a student’s perspective using publicly available sources, surveys, and opinion-based reflections. While we reference data where possible, some insights are based on general trends and personal observations, not professional career advice.

Humanities: Soft Skills, Strong Returns?

Can critical thinking and communication from history/lit/geog translate into high-value jobs?

Let’s face it, these are common stereotypes of the arts: that they’re the subjects that land you on the streets. But are they really? Recently, humanities-built soft skills – like critical thinking, communication, and creativity – have become the talk of the hour.

Don’t believe me? Well then believe the World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report done in 2023, which says that they are indeed the most in-demand skills for 2023 and beyond.

As it turns out, those "soft" arts subjects pack a pretty hard punch.

Think scholarships like the Humanities Scholarship Programme, Regional Studies Programme, or the Public Service Commission (PSC) scholarship. The humanities are not just a stepping stone — they’re sometimes even a direct entry into public service. They sharpen that analytical edge and global awareness that diplomats and policymakers swear by.

Lit trains you to read between the lines, develops the emotional maturity needed in handling clients; History teaches you to argue your case like you're on the Senate floor, and how to make the most out of the sources you are presented with.

For those with a flair for the pen (or a TikTok script), Media and Publishing are powered by wordsmiths and narrative crafters whose writing prowess and storytelling capabilities are welded by humanities.

Suddenly, the humanities don’t seem so “starving” anymore — unless we’re talking about a hunger for high-paying, impactful jobs. It is undeniable that you may be able to learn these skills elsewhere, and perhaps the humanities don’t even always fulfill the promise of these jobs. But at the end of the day, the humanities present a world beyond innovating the tech that keeps us alive – they shape the reason we stay alive, and they shape the societies we live in.

The Best of Both Worlds: Do Hybrids Have the Edge?

Thinking of taking a hybrid subject combi in JC – like H2 Chem, H2 Econs, H2 Math, and H2 Lit?

Bold move. But let’s be real: will it actually help you get a better job or earn more money?

The Good StuffHybrid students are versatile. You can crunch numbers and write convincing essays – that’s rare. Universities and employers love people who can think across disciplines. It’s a great setup if you’re eyeing careers in business, public policy, law, or environmental fields, where both analytical and critical thinking skills matter.

The ChallengesBut it’s not all sunshine. Juggling Science and Arts subjects can be mentally exhausting. Some uni courses like Medicine or Engineering still prefer a full Science combo, so if that’s your end goal, plan carefully.

Salaries & OutlookAnd what about salary? A hybrid combo doesn’t guarantee a high income. What matters more is your degree, performance, and a bit of networking magic. Still, for the curious: the 2023 MOE Graduate Employment Survey showed Business Analytics and Computing grads (often with hybrid backgrounds) earning a median of $4,800/month, above the overall graduate median of $4,313. Humanities grads averaged around $3,800–$4,000, and Science/Engineering grads typically landed $4,000–$4,600.

Bottom line? A hybrid combo won’t automatically boost your paycheck, but it can open more doors and make you more adaptable – which often pays off in the long run. If you’re ready to juggle logic and literature, go for it.

Bio vs Physics: Who’s the Bigger Breadwinner?

Bio!!!Some people might whisper that physics grads snag all the high-paying jobs, but seriously, bio grads are also crushing it in the booming biomedical and healthcare scenes. This means being at the forefront of medical breakthroughs, developing new drugs and basically, the heroes who'll fight the next big pandemic!!

Starting salaries for Biological and Biomedical Sciences grads in Singapore average around S$4,116 a month, and biomedical roles can range from S$3,000 to S$4,500 for medical technologists and research officers, according to the 2023 Graduate Employment Survey by MOE

Scholarships are definitely for passionate students, and with Singapore's focus on life sciences, your career ROI is solid, contributing to a healthier future (and a decent paycheck!). It's less about raw memorisation and more about understanding life's intricate dance – super cool, right?

Physics!!!Sure, Bio’s got the whole “saving lives” vibe, but Physics grads are out here literally building the future. It’s the backbone of cutting edge innovation like quantum computing, nuclear energy, machine learning and even space exploration.

Starting salaries for physics grads in Singapore average around $4,000 a month and if you branch into areas such as data science and AI, that number can shoot up to $5,250 or more, as reported in the same 2023 MOE Graduate Employment Survey. Plus, there are many readily available scholarships for the STEM-savvy, especially if you’re into research, innovation or defence tech. Its career ROI is super solid.

Physics gets you job-ready for some of the fastest-growing, highest-paying industries out there, often with less study time than medicine. It’s like unlocking a multi-tool for the job market; flexible, powerful and always in demand.

As seen, both Bio and Physics offer great opportunities to learn and grow your economies. Although money is an important factor, passion and interest should be your priority.

Passion vs Bank: Should You Pick for Love or Money?

At some point, you’ve probably asked yourself: What if I don’t make enough money in the future? It’s a scary thought, and one that many of us wrestle with, especially when thinking about career choices.

If you had the power to decide exactly how much you earn, would you choose a job you’re passionate about — or one that simply pays well? It’s a tough call, and one that reflects a deeper question: What does success really mean to you?

According to Harvard Business Review via World Economic Forum, 90% of Americans would trade money for meaningful work.

A possible reason for this may be due to people valuing doing things that align to their interests, which is something that is more sustainable in the long run.

One famous example of choosing meaningful work over money is J.K. Rowling – author of Harry Potter. Being a single mother struggling to make ends meet, she still pursued writing despite the uncertainty and poor odds. However, unexpectedly, her book sales shot up and they became some of the best-selling of all time.

Some people choose high-paying jobs even if it means sacrificing their passions. Think corporate lawyers, investment bankers, or oil rig workers—jobs that can pay over $100,000 a year but come with tough demands.

Take junior associates at big law firms, for example — they often work 80 to 100 hours a week for starting salaries above $200,000. But the cost? High stress, burnout, and almost no work-life balance.

The Case for BalanceDespite this, many people believe having the ultimate balance between work and life is the true definition of success. A study from the University of Michigan (2015) found that people with a “harmonious passion” (balanced with life and other goals) were more creative, less prone to burnout, and had healthier work relationships.

So, why not find a job that offers a healthy work-life balance? Of course, that's easier said than done. But I believe that if we can strike a balance between working hard and enjoying life, we can find real meaning in our careers.

In that case, money becomes just one part of a broader set of goals and experiences that matter to us.

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." – Confucius

Conclusion

There’s no single winning subject combo — only different paths with different payoffs. What matters is that you understand the value each route brings to your long-term goals, and that you own your choices confidently.

So whether you're chasing your passion, following the money, or hoping for a bit of both, remember: your subjects don’t define you. How you apply them does.