Public or MNC as fresh grad engineer
 

Hi all, recently joined this forum as I have a huge dilemma on whether if I should join the public sector in particular LTA or a MNC whereby it would be Globalfoundries in this case as an EEE NTU engineer fresh grad with 2nd lower

Advantage of joining LTA would be the attractive higher starting salary as compared to Globalfoundries, however LTA being a public sector rumoured that they will favour their scholars more. Hence I'd perceive that career prospect wise joining MNC would be a wiser choice. Nonetheless I may be wrong as I am not experienced and I am just a fresh graduate with very minimal knowledge. Hence please forgive me for my mistakes and enlighten me :o.

In addition, I reckon that in LTA as an EEE grad I would be looking into IT/software related jobs while in Globalfoundries I would be looking into wafer fabrication jobs related such as product engineer or process engineering. Thus, in terms of interest both jobs seems rather appealing to me. Hence the dilemma.

Hope you guys can share some of your knowledge especially into career prospects related and pardon me for my poor english and any mistakes I've made. Thank You!

how much $$alary is the LTA for 2nd lower

LTA no brainer!
public sector salary will never be competitive to private sector. All cases I know of that went from private to public take a pay-cut for better work/life balance. If the MNC is offering lower than LTA, you've been hugely lowballed.

On the other hand, public sector does have a slower career progression (unless like you mentioned for scholars), and fewer exit option. So if you believe you're truly a high calibre professional, then can consider private sector. But, if you're into engineering (unless it's computer engineering/software engineering), then career prospect in Singapore will most likely suck, so might as well just join LTA.

A recent chat with my public service and private sector fresh chem eng grad is that public service will have a better starting pay to attract you in. However, annual increment is going to be much slower compared to MNC.

It is no doubt MNC will have less work/life balance. I strongly recommend you take the MNC ROUTE since we are still young. Take a higher degree and transit to public service if you are feeling burned out after 4 to 5 years.

My 2 cents worth

I would suggest going to the MNC as a fresh graduate. You should look at the annual salary package for better comparison. It is better to have private sector experience while still young. I am 29 this year and have been working in MNCs since graduation. I enjoy the culture and dynamics of the work which I dont think can be adequately achieved in public sector. I have a scholar friend who went to public sector and regretted his decision. I believe its more of the culture and red tape.

May I ask how is the career progression of both you and your friend like current role and annual remuneration package? Can't he leave public sector and join MNC? There are also jobs in the MNC where public and civil experience will be useful.

definitely lta. High starting pay. Increment + BONUS yearly. If performing, why no career progression?

Public Sector, at least you get to stay in the same board if you do well.

MNCs have too many funny tricks these days when they want to cut cost every few years.
Have seen how MNCs setup traps to employees across all levels including directors by moving them into something new telling them is to build their portfolio eg IT person to Sales team.
Afterwhich, asking them to leave due to they are not performing in the new team.