I suppose singapore still dun really have the room for artistic development.
Photography itself is already an expensive hobby, let along u are looking for a job and u are perhaps not really that stable financially?
Let's put it this way, the path of photography had got lots of options. Are u going to studio? Weddings? Or simply just plain photographers for commerical ads?
Normally, for designing companies or those companies doing advertisments, they will feel more secure if u can produce certs from NAFA and La selle, things like that. This is the singapore system. Although portfolio speaks at large, but singapore is a cert system. Everything must come with a certification unless u are already someone shining with lots of awards at competition, then that is a different stories. No matter wat, u got to build up a reputation b4 being able to be a pro photographer for a living. I suppose just learn along the way and part time here and there will be a good idea. U learn and u can make a little cash
And at the same time, u will not be afraid of not enough $$ because still got permanent job.
I agree with wat Trigger and Ian said. The attitute of the person u are assisting is very important. Last time when we watch TV, always see those young lads being apprentice to some tailors shifu or famous big chefs. And they always find it hard to learn cos the shifus are reluctant to teach, for fear that one day the apprentices will take over them. Things like that do really happened in the real world. So, it is kind of luck thing. Now that the economy is still kind of soft, it will be good if u try not to test ur luck like that
Best of lucks to u ! take care