Tech Public Sector vs Non FAANG Private Sector

Originally Posted by Unregistered

So what if the defense guys can pay you 5k for you to not develop your career, 10 years down you might be making 8-10k and stuck doing shitty proj management because you can't go anywhere

Agreed with this. But for those with non-tech engineering degrees, this kind of pay is honestly a wet dream

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Agreed with this. But for those with non-tech engineering degrees, this kind of pay is honestly a wet dream

Thats true. But need to also consider other factor other than salary. Cultural fit also equally important for public sector. If cant deal with the red tape and public service culture, that 5k will be very painful to earn every month

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I joined from SB (8k) to Big4 (consulting practice, not risk advisory) for around 12.5k per month. Once you add in my bonus, comes up to around 14k. I left 3 years later at around 200k PA as SM. Before, that SB, I was actually in another consulting practice with global assignments, so switching wasn't difficult.

Honestly, I feel lucky because I am a farmer with a part-time degree. No FCH, no fancy pants university.

How's the difference in work life balance between SB and Big 4?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

How's the difference in work life balance between SB and Big 4?

Vastly different. SB... it depends. I know people who can find a place to slack. I know people who are passionate/plain hardworking that do crazy hours (like 4am wakeup reply email type)

But Big4 is 100% work you like a dog, especially from M level onwards as I had delivery + sales target to meet. I did well enough there to get promoted but didn't see it as something worth it in terms of health and personal time. COVID was a big wake-up call.

Originally Posted by CorgiHamster

But let's not talk about FAANG because the % of ppl who qualify for it are probably quite minute. I feel comparing to non FAANGs and not shopee grab lazada etc is more realistic for the majority

Not really lah. Hard to get it does not mean impossible.

Let me add a bit on the public sector.

I have been in public sector for more than 10 years. Doing tech all the way way, from swe to tech lead role. More recently doing AI stuff.

Yes, you can fall into the project management role and let your skills rot, but if you truly are passionate, you can upkeep your skills.

Some advantages of public tech:
- you get to try many things. Depending on your role, you are not constrained to a specific tech stack, unlike if you work for FAANG kind of companies. Public sector like to experiment with different technologies so you can learn a lot from your time there.
- training. Public is all about training, they will send you for courses to upskill.
- overseas exposure. Depending on your role, you may be sent overseas for collaboration or training or further studies. You won't get these opportunities in private tech. (Or rarely)
- home ground advantage. Yes this is something more sensitive, but it's true that you get natural protection against tech talent from overseas. You generally work with Singaporeans and culturally you can relate and fit better with them. Being a local tech talent is a rarity and you are treated with respect.
-protection against ageism. Again another sensitive issue. In the tech world, no body says it, but you are judged by your age. Salaries tend to plateau over time and experience beyond 10 years generally does not count. In the public sector, no matter what, experience will count. No one will fire you for being old and with a high salary.

Your career will be a long one, think strategically. The benefits of the public tech generally materialises towards the second half of your career. You get protection from ageism and can still enjoy doing technical work. You don’t have the stress of needing to justify for your salary and always looking over your shoulder for a younger talent from overseas who may take over your job.

In terms of salary, I researched this aspect extensively. From looking at levels.fyi to blind etc… the short answer is that you don’t lose out. if you play your cards well, you do not lose out to private tech, except to FAANG. Even then, 10-15% less for a better work life balance well into your 40s and 50s when you have responsibilities like kids and aging parents is a pretty good tradeoff. You can use the extra time to do your own hobbies like investments and be assured of a job.

Let me add a bit on the public sector.

I have been in public sector for more than 10 years. Doing tech all the way way, from swe to tech lead role. More recently doing AI stuff.

Yes, you can fall into the project management role and let your skills rot, but if you truly are passionate, you can upkeep your skills.

Some advantages of public tech:
- you get to try many things. Depending on your role, you are not constrained to a specific tech stack, unlike if you work for FAANG kind of companies. Public sector like to experiment with different technologies so you can learn a lot from your time there.
- training. Public is all about training, they will send you for courses to upskill.
- overseas exposure. Depending on your role, you may be sent overseas for collaboration or training or further studies. You won't get these opportunities in private tech. (Or rarely)
- home ground advantage. Yes this is something more sensitive, but it's true that you get natural protection against tech talent from overseas. You generally work with Singaporeans and culturally you can relate and fit better with them. Being a local tech talent is a rarity and you are treated with respect.
-protection against ageism. Again another sensitive issue. In the tech world, no body says it, but you are judged by your age. Salaries tend to plateau over time and experience beyond 10 years generally does not count. In the public sector, no matter what, experience will count. No one will fire you for being old and with a high salary.

Your career will be a long one, think strategically. The benefits of the public tech generally materialises towards the second half of your career. You get protection from ageism and can still enjoy doing technical work. You don’t have the stress of needing to justify for your salary and always looking over your shoulder for a younger talent from overseas who may take over your job.

In terms of salary, I researched this aspect extensively. From looking at levels.fyi to blind etc… the short answer is that you don’t lose out. if you play your cards well, you do not lose out to private tech, except to FAANG. Even then, 10-15% less for a better work life balance well into your 40s and 50s when you have responsibilities like kids and aging parents is a pretty good tradeoff. You can use the extra time to do your own hobbies like investments and be assured of a job.

[Headengineer]

Let me add a bit on the public sector.

I have been in public sector for more than 10 years. Doing tech all the way way, from swe to tech lead role. More recently doing AI stuff.

Yes, you can fall into the project management role and let your skills rot, but if you truly are passionate, you can upkeep your skills.

Some advantages of public tech:
- you get to try many things. Depending on your role, you are not constrained to a specific tech stack, unlike if you work for FAANG kind of companies. Public sector like to experiment with different technologies so you can learn a lot from your time there.
- training. Public is all about training, they will send you for courses to upskill.
- overseas exposure. Depending on your role, you may be sent overseas for collaboration or training or further studies. You won't get these opportunities in private tech. (Or rarely)
- home ground advantage. Yes this is something more sensitive, but it's true that you get natural protection against tech talent from overseas. You generally work with Singaporeans and culturally you can relate and fit better with them. Being a local tech talent is a rarity and you are treated with respect.
-protection against ageism. Again another sensitive issue. In the tech world, no body says it, but you are judged by your age. Salaries tend to plateau over time and experience beyond 10 years generally does not count. In the public sector, no matter what, experience will count. No one will fire you for being old and with a high salary.

Your career will be a long one, think strategically. The benefits of the public tech generally materialises towards the second half of your career. You get protection from ageism and can still enjoy doing technical work. You don’t have the stress of needing to justify for your salary and always looking over your shoulder for a younger talent from overseas who may take over your job.

In terms of salary, I researched this aspect extensively. From looking at levels.fyi to blind etc… the short answer is that you don’t lose out. if you play your cards well, you do not lose out to private tech, except to FAANG. Even then, 10-15% less for a better work life balance well into your 40s and 50s when you have responsibilities like kids and aging parents is a pretty good tradeoff. You can use the extra time to do your own hobbies like investments and be assured of a job.

I'm in public tech for 13 years, making 200k per annum.
Advantages of public tech - protection against foreign talents, protection against ageism. I still get to code with minimal project management. So I do what I like, with a decent salary, good work life balance, good job stability.

The advantages of public tech appear in the later half of career, I'm not worried of getting retrenched at 50.

Some things to consider. Career lifetime is a long time, plan strategically.

[gurlInTech]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I'm in public tech for 13 years, making 200k per annum.
Advantages of public tech - protection against foreign talents, protection against ageism. I still get to code with minimal project management. So I do what I like, with a decent salary, good work life balance, good job stability.

The advantages of public tech appear in the later half of career, I'm not worried of getting retrenched at 50.

Some things to consider. Career lifetime is a long time, plan strategically.

People don’t stay in one company forever. There is no such thing as one-size fit all strategies, there are many people who really go up the ranks in private tech companies, and then just retire with enough money in public tech with that 200k. (also iron bowl) When you are 20+, I don’t see any sense in worrying about your rice bowl so early in your career.