Do most MNCs pay better than the civil service
 

I'll be graduating soon from a local uni (FCH) and I'm still unsure of what I want to do. I was wondering which pays better in general: a generic role in a MNC (HR/comms/business development etc) or a policy role in the civil service? I'm not a govt scholar BTW, so I'm worried about progression in the civil service as well. Would love some advice, thank you!

I think the work and culture in private sector and public sector are fairly different. It might not be easy to make a switch to private sector since the work experience might be different. Made this mistake in my choosing first job, as I chose my first job based on salary. Would be good to know what you want to achieve in 5 to 10 years and work backwards from there

What did you study? Any job offers so far? We can advise better if you are able to provide the information.

To add on, if you have gotten job offers, how much was offered to you?

I can only speak for the FMCG industry.

MA Programmes and Graduate Schemes typically pay a gross of $4,375 +/- throughout the tenure. There are no pay differentials according to the classification of honours, everyone is paid the same. Promotions and bonuses thereafter will be dependent on your department posted to with the usuals like Ariba analysts on the top bracket while marcomm down below at the bottom.

Honestly, I don't really have any career ambition whatsoever lol, I just hope to lead a comfortable life and support my parents in their retirement. I've read that to earn a lot in the private sector, I'll have to be among roughly the top 10% in performance and be thick-skinned in asking for promotions. To be very honest I don't think I'm capable of that. On the other hand, I've read that a FCH gets you pretty far in the civil service even with average performance, so I thought that'd be a safer choice. All that I've written is from reading the forums though, so they might not be entirely accurate.

Nope, I haven't applied yet (bad idea). If it helps, I did a HR internship at a FMCG MNC last year ($1.5k). I was also offered an internship at a ministry which I rejected ($1k).

Oops, forgot to add, I'm from FASS

Last line is intriguing...LOL

Me: not sure if forum info is accurate
Also me: let me get confirmation in forum

HAHAHAHHA this made my day

On average, FCH in the civil service will earn more than a typical MNC employee, if that's what you're asking. A lot of people have dreams of making it big in an MNC but the truth is only the best performers earn a lot. The rest are likely to earn below what a FCH would get in the civil service.

What about consulting firms and tech companies?

If u get into places like EDB & MAS, pay will be comparable to most MNCs

FCH does give one a good headstart in civil/public service. But moving forward depends on many considerations and its not a given. Note that there are heaps of postgrad Dips, Masters and PhDs in civil/public service and i shall leave it as that, on where FCH sits in the overall profile of academic achievements.

Are you sure on MAS?

I heard MAS pay is quite sick

What if someone had multiple academic awards (Dean's List/top student in their major/A Levels)? Do those matter or are they useless?

for govt job, usually it matters especially determining your first salary too. all got standard formula to compute one

I started in gov sector a few months ago as a fresh grad above 5K, but just want to say that it's not just about the pay. If you dont learn much and get stuck it's not such a good idea.

Sickly good?

I know of someone with 10 + years experience who joined a MNC from MAS.

Based on the MNC pay grade, can tell that MAS is really under paying. Unless the person joined the MNC with a huge pay cut.

in fresh grad perspective MAS pay is high for entry level..

but for someone working in MAS with at least 5 years exp.. the pay at the 5 year mark is just below average..

What's yr salary rprogression please?

Any accolades that'll set you apart will definitely add brownie points in impressing your hiring manager. Especially olympiads and hackathons.

The place I'm working at has a knack for hiring student athletes even though some of them are pretty subpar in their academics.

private sector?

This sounds awfully like Deloitte. LOL

It really depends on the type of role you take up in an MNC. Sales/BD/Marketing in general pay better than support functions like HR, simply because the former is a revenue-generating function, and the latter is a cost function (i.e. does not generate revenue for the company).

Many MNCs, and even some of the large tech companies, pay better than government at a fresh grad level, and have better pay progression. Especially if you are in a Management Associate Programme. After you get the job, progression would have nothing to do with your grades or FCH, and almost 100% on your performance.

However, it sounds like you have an inclination towards stability. So public sector may be a good fit. I've heard from some friends that your progression in the public sector may be capped depending on your educational qualifications, and whether you are a scholar or not.