ADVICE NEEDED!! GOVT or PRIVATE SECTOR

[Nickiboo9393]

Hi to all, have been reading this forum for almost a year now. Is hard to believe that it is my turn to hit the transition of my life to decide whether to continue or pick a different career path. A short summary of my background which would hopefully provide professionals in the working field to advice me further.

I am a Male Chinese 23 years old. I was formerly a SAF enlistee which shortly joined SPF upon my SAF POP with a diploma from NYP as a Regular SGT. What i seek then was a stable income and of course undeniably the sign on bonus. Some of you maybe wonderin why i made a moved that most people strongly discourage. To me back then i did not want to survive on my NS income for 2 years... and then after ORD still dont have much savings.. work part time and study at the same time or to survive on my parents allowance and study my degree. Especially with a GF to support also with a sign on bonus it can greatly boost my bank balance then. To add it was almost impossible for a dip holder to draw 2k+ salary in private sector.

Back then i was 21 when i enlisted (Sec 5 n Poly route) i calculated. After ORD i should be about 23 and then using the earliest time to start my degree in SIM (GPA Low) i should be graduating at 25/26 and then step into the workforce that age too with peanuts in my bank and 0 work experience. So.... i do it the hard way the path that few has successfully survived (IMO) I chose to sign on at 21 and then served my MTE scheme for 5 years inclusive of NS fortunately for me i managed to complete part time degree programme at SIM University of Manchester BSC in Management (HR) and graduated with a class of 2nd upp honours.

Finally... this year is the final year of my bond. My current drawn is $29XX before CPF. Thus... am considering if i should continue andbe a SO mata (taken aback as the Direct ASP route is gone and all class hons degree has to joined as Insp but different salary of cos) or... to opt for civilian career with MHA HASE scheme as what im considering is not to put these dreadful 5 years experience with MHA to waste.. but still the purpose of this thread is to seek professional and serious advice. Please enlighten me kum xia!!😁

P.S just incase some of u r wondering why not SAF reg but SPF reg.. i hate book ins too the max and to me exp from SPF beats SAF. Pay wise yes sgt in SAF draws 2.4k starting i draw 2.2k starting but is fine to trade for freedom.

I think you need to consider which route will maximise your chances of success, given your background and experience.

Government job is fine, but the environment is designed for scholars to win. If you're not an overseas scholar, there will be a ceiling for your career progression. If you don't mind the slow and gradual increase in salary, and value certainty of (relatively) low pay compared to your scholar peers, then it's a good route to choose. Limited career progression, will struggle to be "comfortable", your kids will probably still be caught in the poverty cycle (slightly exaggerated).

The private sector feels like a better option, although your background may make it difficult since you will be competing for jobs with the local grads (NUS / SMU / NTU). Not to say you can't make it, but it is an uphill battle because you need to overcome the market prejudice of a SIM degree (in some firms).

Why not even the playing field and try being your own boss? Can be real estate agent, or financial adviser. It is a purely sales-driven job, where it depends on how hard you are willing to work. Grads or not, scholar or not, there's no advantage. Downside is you actually have to work very very hard, and that earnings at the start could be uncertain, but the upside is tremendous. Given that your alternative to earn $3K-$4K in 2-3 years' time, I think the opportunity cost is relatively low.

That's what I would do if I were in your position. Hope this helps.

[Nickiboo9393]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I think you need to consider which route will maximise your chances of success, given your background and experience.

Government job is fine, but the environment is designed for scholars to win. If you're not an overseas scholar, there will be a ceiling for your career progression. If you don't mind the slow and gradual increase in salary, and value certainty of (relatively) low pay compared to your scholar peers, then it's a good route to choose. Limited career progression, will struggle to be "comfortable", your kids will probably still be caught in the poverty cycle (slightly exaggerated).

The private sector feels like a better option, although your background may make it difficult since you will be competing for jobs with the local grads (NUS / SMU / NTU). Not to say you can't make it, but it is an uphill battle because you need to overcome the market prejudice of a SIM degree (in some firms).

Why not even the playing field and try being your own boss? Can be real estate agent, or financial adviser. It is a purely sales-driven job, where it depends on how hard you are willing to work. Grads or not, scholar or not, there's no advantage. Downside is you actually have to work very very hard, and that earnings at the start could be uncertain, but the upside is tremendous. Given that your alternative to earn $3K-$4K in 2-3 years' time, I think the opportunity cost is relatively low.

That's what I would do if I were in your position. Hope this helps.

Thank you for your prompt reply! Its a valuable piece of advice. But sales i have tried it before but it has never worked out well for me. Besides i believe that if i were to be doing sales it would not justify the purpose for the pursue of my degree. But still thanks!!!

do correct me if im wrong...

so as of 2016, u are a 23 years old regular SGT in the SPF and earning $2,900 gross salary?

"I chose to sign on at 21 and then served my MTE scheme for 5 years inclusive of NS fortunately for me i managed to complete part time degree programme at SIM University of Manchester BSC in Management (HR) and graduated with a class of 2nd upp honours.

Finally... this year is the final year of my bond. My current drawn is $29XX before CPF."



im the same poster as #4.
some of your figures dont tally or u are lying or i dont understand your story completely.

u signed on @ 21yo. MTE = 5 years. so u shld be 26 yo because 21 + 5 = 26
but u claim u are 23yo this year. so which is which?

[Nickiboo9393]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

"I chose to sign on at 21 and then served my MTE scheme for 5 years inclusive of NS fortunately for me i managed to complete part time degree programme at SIM University of Manchester BSC in Management (HR) and graduated with a class of 2nd upp honours.

Finally... this year is the final year of my bond. My current drawn is $29XX before CPF."



im the same poster as #4.
some of your figures dont tally or u are lying or i dont understand your story completely.

u signed on @ 21yo. MTE = 5 years. so u shld be 26 yo because 21 + 5 = 26
but u claim u are 23yo this year. so which is which?

Hey there haha so sorry not lying n u understand well enough of my story it was a typo! I am 26!! Am working and typing this post thats why i made a typo sorry for that.