Tech Public Sector vs Non FAANG Private Sector

Why limit your options?

NTU FCH. The world is your oyster.

Originally Posted by CorgiHamster

Hi all,

About to graduate soon. NTU FCH. Heading into the tech field but not sure where to go... Considering GovTech's TAP vs DSO's scholarship vs other private sectors (no FAANG, no Shopee/Grab, no ByteDance/TikTok). Which would you guys recommend for transferrable skills, better career prospects, salary, work culture etc.

Thanks. Lost right now

Why are you limiting your companies?

[CorgiHamster]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Why are you limiting your companies?

1. Ideally, I am aiming for at least 5k starting salary. For an undergrad, I have considerably good experience with tech (non SWE roles and several interviewers have been very impressed by my resume and tech knowledge for a non IT related degree. Still engineering though just not the exact domain)
so I just hope to be able to get a good starting salary based on my skills and organizations like DSO,DSTA,GovTech,HTX pay >5k starting salary hence the choices

2. Most deep tech companies are SMEs and they dont pay well though they do really interesting work.

3. I don't qualify for FAANG, Shopee sort of organizations because *I think I suck at technical assessments*. Not from com sci or com eng. I do some coding practices every now and then but definitely not good enough for top paying companies like FAANG. Also, they don't really focus much on the roles (not SWE) I am interested in so....

Originally Posted by CorgiHamster

1. Ideally, I am aiming for at least 5k starting salary. For an undergrad, I have considerably good experience with tech (non SWE roles and several interviewers have been very impressed by my resume and tech knowledge for a non IT related degree. Still engineering though just not the exact domain)
so I just hope to be able to get a good starting salary based on my skills and organizations like DSO,DSTA,GovTech,HTX pay >5k starting salary hence the choices

2. Most deep tech companies are SMEs and they dont pay well though they do really interesting work.

3. I don't qualify for FAANG, Shopee sort of organizations because *I think I suck at technical assessments*. Not from com sci or com eng. I do some coding practices every now and then but definitely not good enough for top paying companies like FAANG. Also, they don't really focus much on the roles (not SWE) I am interested in so....

Then why the heck does any company want to pay you $5k starting pay? Get real la. Lots of talent out there. Lots of competition.

I have FCH which is top 5%, it's reasonable that I get a fair compensation.

FCH only makes a difference when it comes to academia and public sector lol

Unless you are gunning for top tier HiPo roles like MA programs or in demand stuff like SWE roles in tech or some exceptional skillset/portfolio, no one is going to pay an entry level fresh grad 5K in the industry, FCH or not.

Ok let's take your question seriously. Realistically the only way you are only going to get 5K range as a fresh grad with your criteria is public sector agencies like DSTA/HTX/GovTech.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

FCH only makes a difference when it comes to academia and public sector lol

Unless you are gunning for top tier HiPo roles like MA programs or in demand stuff like SWE roles in tech or some exceptional skillset/portfolio, no one is going to pay an entry level fresh grad 5K in the industry, FCH or not.

Ok let's take your question seriously. Realistically the only way you are only going to get 5K range as a fresh grad with your criteria is public sector agencies like DSTA/HTX/GovTech.

Second this post.

What’s worth adding is if you feel you are a top tier talent (top 5% as you say) you should at the very least be trying for top MA programs that offer both a good starting and progression.

The salary in public sector tends to stagnate in comparison, and it is not always easy to exit due to the nature of your experience. Think past the starting pay and have a view of where you want to be 5-10 years later.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I have FCH which is top 5%, it's reasonable that I get a fair compensation.

You do know that public sector yearly increment is not that high right.

Let this joker die on his own la. Non tech but still want to aim tech companies just because he think can get more than 5k salary. If resume really so impressive why not apply all and see which company offer you? Talk kok only.

optimistic man you...even in this covid recession you think 5K is possible for non tech? need to be realistic lah. you are competing with 2019/2020 grads too you know right? Non com sci FCH is dime a dozen and means nth to employers, in fact you wont be treated any different from 2nd upper. its just one of the first things they see to filter applicants.