If you want to do the course in applied finance from
smu, you should at least get in touch with the alumni to find out what kind of jobs they landed upon graduation. I still think at the minimum MBA, if not overseas, insead. It is ex but worth the $.
You don't want to make a half hearted attempt to leave service and end up doing some sucky work. Because of the baggage you carry being from the public sector, employers are less inclined to consider you and that's what the overseas MBA brand name is for, to help you overcome this obstacle in some cases.