Quote:
Originally Posted by Nani
I left the civil service after 12 long years, with a last drawn salary of $3.6k. I have a degree in engineering but was neither promoted nor paid according to my qualifications. Had tried applying for a senior post twice but was rejected.
Leaving the ministry was the toughest decision ever in my entire life (being in comfort zone for too long) but I was determined to leave for private sector or even stat board (public service) as I do not see myself remaining in the civil service forever till I retire.
Firstly, I see the learning curve in civil service quite gentle and to a certain extent, unchallenging.
Secondly, even if i get promoted to a senior post (based on my performance), there will be certainly a cap on my progression. Only graduates will not have any ceiling in terms of CEP (also depending on performance). If both graduate and non-graduate performs equally well, I'm very sure that the CEP for the graduate will be higher than the non-graduate. This is a fact that we can't deny.
Thirdly, if I want to earn big money, I should not remain in the civil service. If you don't dare to explore, you never would and be able to earn the big money you want in life.
Of course, it is not all about money after all, like what most of you have mentioned here, it's about job satisfaction. Do what we want in life, not what we have to.
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I disagree that civil service is unchallenging. Over the last 5 years with the advent of social media and even more initiatives, civil servants are expected to perform in wider scope of work (many call it cross functional work) and also take into consideration the many ground sensitivities (social media backlash, public writing to MPs, etc for array of assistance or simply to provide feedback). In fact many are so overloaded yet tied up in burearacy that you sell large batches leaving after the periodical trenches (mid year, dec AWS, Apr PB) bonus are given out. Many carry their stress and work home. Those at Branch Head/AD and above even work on weekends so in a certain way their workload correspond with peers in private sector.
There's a cap in almost every progression in all industries. The top management are reserved for family members for family business, overseas scholars in govt and govt related companies, former top civil servants for GLCs, and parent company/foreign talent for MNCs. These constraints exists in many other countries, and political connections are even more prominent for top positions. I guess we need to accept this fact and divert our energy/time towards family or other spiritual or social aspects else we will be forever frusrated over promotions and career.
A lot of folks dreams or had dreamt of wanting to earn big money at one time or another. Unless are PS, DS and maybe senior Div Dir level, you are correct. There is no big money to be made in civil service. That's way your hear govt scholars breaking bonds or AO moving on to banks. There is however, possibility of big money to be made in GLCs. For example Chairman of CDL made more than tens of millions per year over last many years. Do note that it is only the very top and lucky few percent of the top earning professions, e.g. banking, medicine, finance, senior management, that makes more than a million each year. Others inherited their wealth.
My conclusion, it is quite true that the progression, hence earnings, of MSO -> MX in civil service is miserable. There is very strong reasons for leaving. But that doesn't mean that private sector will offer better terms. just that you will get to have a shot at it. To make it big, you will also need connection (ie. some family member rope you in as junior trader, connection (e.g. for housing, sales or insurance agent) or inheritance (capital to start a business). More of Singaporeans in your position have neither, hence they have no choice but are stuck in second class MX job. They try to seek happiness or at least relief thru focusing on family or gossiping.