Career as Teacher

Originally Posted by Unregistered

tats the prob with gov sector, as long as ur not a scholar, they max out ur pay at a miserly rate by 40 yo.

It's not always abt the money.
Sometimes it is abt stability and purpose in life.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

tats the prob with gov sector, as long as ur not a scholar, they max out ur pay at a miserly rate by 40 yo.

I don't see what's the problem with getting $7700 at 40. It's not rich for sure, but it is a stable income with every year more or less guaranteed 2-3 months bonus (even if hit ceiling cannot increase much in the future). This is more than enough for a family of 4 with HDB and Jap car.

The problem with many people here is lots of fantasy about earning big money, dreaming of living the high life and no concrete achievements. I don't think a SVP/MD of some international bank is going to hang around here to chit chat anyway.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I don't see what's the problem with getting $7700 at 40. It's not rich for sure, but it is a stable income with every year more or less guaranteed 2-3 months bonus (even if hit ceiling cannot increase much in the future). This is more than enough for a family of 4 with HDB and Jap car.

The problem with many people here is lots of fantasy about earning big money, dreaming of living the high life and no concrete achievements. I don't think a SVP/MD of some international bank is going to hang around here to chit chat anyway.

at least ppl dare to dream with ambition, better than just living a sad life as a sandwich class forever

Originally Posted by Unregistered

at least ppl dare to dream with ambition, better than just living a sad life as a sandwich class forever

No problem with dreaming and being ambitious. But good to be realistic too.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

AVP in banking ~200k all in & most bankers can reach this level in a few years.

Please post responsibly.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I'm 39 this year. I guess the only sad thing is that since I already hit the ceiling, I won't have any more increments unless they change the scheme or I aim to be in a leadership position. I can't complain too much since my working hours are relatively decent.

Although the pay you get is the same if you teach in primary, secondary or junior college, the working hours and what you will do is quite different. This is just my opinion. In primary school, work is sometimes more tedious and if you teach lower primary, it includes even cleaning up at times. In a Junior College, I guess its more intellectually challenging since the students are older and the subjects are more advanced. Technically teaching secondary school is the "worst" as the hours and workload are the heaviest (although this might still depend on the school) but many students are usually most grateful to their secondary school teacher. From what I know, most teachers burn out teaching in a secondary school but I guess it also depends on the individual.

I think there are at least two ways that your salary could still go up. The government has been making salary adjustments to civil servants' pay once every few years. This could continue. You could also be promoted to senior teacher on the teaching track. This is to recognize that not all good teachers want to take up management / admin positions, and to reward teachers who have gained specialist or expert knowledge in their fields. But I suppose senior teachers will need to take on larger responsibilities, maybe mentor the younger teachers.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

tats the prob with gov sector, as long as ur not a scholar, they max out ur pay at a miserly rate by 40 yo.

Many private sector jobs also max out one's pay by age 40. Or worse, get replaced by younger and/or cheaper staff esp during recession. I am in banking and have seen my peers being retrenched during the 2008 financial crisis. Few years later, their bank started aggressively re-hiring. It's like this. Easy come easy go. So it's depends on if u value stability when u hit 40 and beyond.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

AVP in banking ~200k all in & most bankers can reach this level in a few years.

Actually it's more of the sector rather than just rank.

Mass banking sales- basic abt 3.5-3.8k mthly, commission abt 2k-3k mthly (averaged out)
Premier/Priorty banking sales- basic about 5k-5.8k mthly, commission abt 3k (averaged out)
Private banking sales- basic about 10k-12k mthly for AVP, about 15k-18k for VP. Annual bonus ranges quite widely.

Yes it's true that a AVP or AD can take back annual package of more than 200k. But this is more true for performers.

Above info is based on my current experience in banking sales (15yrs now). But it's not fulfilling in many ways. So everyone makes your own choices.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Actually it's more of the sector rather than just rank.

Mass banking sales- basic abt 3.5-3.8k mthly, commission abt 2k-3k mthly (averaged out)
Premier/Priorty banking sales- basic about 5k-5.8k mthly, commission abt 3k (averaged out)
Private banking sales- basic about 10k-12k mthly for AVP, about 15k-18k for VP. Annual bonus ranges quite widely.

Yes it's true that a AVP or AD can take back annual package of more than 200k. But this is more true for performers.

Above info is based on my current experience in banking sales (15yrs now). But it's not fulfilling in many ways. So everyone makes your own choices.

And btw, while I posted the above info, I must also tell u that there have been many colleagues who left throughout the years. Either due to burnt out, or asked to go due to poor sales. Some just go merry-go-round to various banks every few years. But one can no longer do such things easily. Clients are more savvy now and harder for RM to move them to new bank. Personally, I'm planning to move out of the industry...into teaching 😀

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I don't see what's the problem with getting $7700 at 40. It's not rich for sure, but it is a stable income with every year more or less guaranteed 2-3 months bonus (even if hit ceiling cannot increase much in the future). This is more than enough for a family of 4 with HDB and Jap car.

The problem with many people here is lots of fantasy about earning big money, dreaming of living the high life and no concrete achievements. I don't think a SVP/MD of some international bank is going to hang around here to chit chat anyway.

Back when I was in teaching,together with wife we make about $100k annually each. Yes there is nothing to shout about as some forummers here say but it was sufficient for us. We have one child,stay in a 3 rm HDB flat and drives a used 1.5L Jap car. Overseas travels were restricted mainly to Malaysia. At very most once every few years go HK. Personally I envy the top high flying bankers such as my secondary school classmates earning in excess of a million dollars annually but that is life I guess. Mediocre sandwiched life yes but teaching was fulfilling in certain ways. Life is short and fragile so we r quietly contented over the years.