Salary.sg Forums - View Single Post - Really that bad for engineers?
View Single Post
  #531 (permalink)  
Old 14-04-2012, 01:48 AM
Unregistered
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Not that bad for engineer

I happened to be researching for my son's university choices and I stumbled onto this thread. Being an engineer myself, I am very disappointed to see what many people said about engineers. Unfortunately, some of them is true. And there couldn't be more truth to the portion of engineers being undervalued in Singapore.

I hope that my many years of experience will straighten many perceptions out there.

I graduated from with a engineering degree in 1980, and worked in Singapore for about five years in automobile. Soon, opportunity came knocking on my door when I was approaching thirties. I was relocated to Germany.

I work for a Germany automobile. Automobiles have always been my love since young and my performance in work got recognized. I climbed up the ladder, getting good position, good pay, and a job with great gratifications.

I got lucky, I got paid really really well. I am paid 300k euros per annum. Living in Germany has got to be the best thing in my life. I own a really nice house by the lake much bigger than the bungalows you guys dream of getting in Singapore, completed with a nice garden. I drive big cars, own a bike collection, had a comfortable lifestyle of working from 10am to 3pm everyday. I've retired, now still getting company from the board I am in. I get to travel around the world quite a big, overseeing many offices around the world. I work with banks, know how they work, and I am probably the guy with the richest global experience here.

To be frank, I haven't been back to SG for quite some time, and is only recently back to accompany my son for his NS. However, I am disgusted by the culture in Singapore these days. When have we evolved into a culture of instant gratification?

Young man, this is not the way. You should be driven to do things you love, then the big bucks will come. Some people pointed it out right. You have to be the best in your field. Obviously many engineers are lamenting on their low wages and tough environment working with FTs. Well, let me put it across to you frankly, you are there because you suck.

A good engineer cares about products. He cares about consumer experience. He make great things, and companies love them. I'm not sure why one guy pointed that Singapore engineering follows a socialist system or some sort. No. That's not how the rest of the world is functioning. Engineering is a meritocratic and tough society in the west. If you are not good, you are out.

Ultimately, there are two things I strongly believe and I hope young men and women will remember for the rest of their live to make their big decisions.

One, love what you do. You have to love what you do. And once you do, you will be exceptionally good at what you are doing. THEN, the money will come.

Two, widen your visions. For heaven's sake, Singapore isn't the whole world. If engineering don't work in Singapore, venture out. Don't be afraid to move out.

Coming from a Singaporean living in Germany for two decades, Singapore is not the world. Venture out. Venture out. I can't emphasize enough on this, but please do.

Richard/

And one more thing...

To engineers: Stop playing Starcraft and get your ass to the library, read some books, and improve yourself. Remember, the best investment is to invest in yourself.

To business people: Watch where you are going. True that one finance guy is to five engineers. Are you going to make it to that ONE finance guy?

Life is like this. If you suck, you can't earn big bucks. Instead of making yourself unhappy by comparing, be contented that you have a roof over your head, think back on your past, and ask yourself why have you not worked hard in the past.


P.S. I am still very inclined to giving my son an engineering education. Peace.



Primary School English Grammar and Vocabulary Drills
Primary School English Grammar and Vocabulary Drills


SG Bus Timing App
SG Bus Timing App - the best bus app - available on iOS and Android


Bursa Stocks Android App - check share prices
Bursa Stocks [Android] App - check latest share prices on the go


SGX Stocks Android App - check share prices
SGX Stocks [Android] App - check latest share prices on the go


SGX Stocks for iPad - check latest Singapore share prices
SGX Stocks [iPad] app
| SGX Stocks [iPhone] app
Reply With Quote