Dead End. Need advice on career path.

[Rodon_Tan]

Hi guys,

Many thanks for the replies. After reading all these, I decided not to make any more stupid rash decisions (quit current job to join MOE schemes etc.)
Because if the plan doesn't work out, my life will be really Game Over.

If it's really 3 - 4% increment for diploma teachers, then really, I better stay far away from it, since current job annual increment is 4% already.
(I read about teachers with degree earning $4 - $6k from other forums)

I guess just have to sit it out, buy some time and continue to improve my art skills so that I can move on to higher paying commercial art positions.

Anyway, I'll be going to a singles event tomorrow. LOL
Not sure if low-earning guys can even find love in Singapore.

Tks guys!
Rodon

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Actually it's true.

I work on the MBS back a few years as a civil engineer. The crane operators are higher paid than me. Including OT, that time they bring back between 10k to 15k. Even the most junior operators can bring home 7-8k with OT.

On normal days like this, senior crane operators can bring home 7k.

I have a degree in engineering, earning only $3k plus in a stupid company, not much prospects but stayed on cos got to pay bills.

What does it take to be a crane operator? Do the crane operators you mentioned above live in condos? I want to upgrade from my BTO after the MOP.

Originally Posted by Rodon_Tan

Hi guys,

Many thanks for the replies. After reading all these, I decided not to make any more stupid rash decisions (quit current job to join MOE schemes etc.)
Because if the plan doesn't work out, my life will be really Game Over.

If it's really 3 - 4% increment for diploma teachers, then really, I better stay far away from it, since current job annual increment is 4% already.
(I read about teachers with degree earning $4 - $6k from other forums)

Good for you, think through before making foolish life changing decisions.

BTW Singapore wage increase has always averaged at ~4% over the past 20 years (good years 5-6% bad years 1-3%). Next year projection from what I hear in the news is 4-4.5%, no matter where you jump it's probably about the same.

You must adjust your expectations and come out with something more realistic. If you continue looking out for jobs expecting employers to double your salary in a few years, you bound to do something stupid sooner or later.

In real life this kind of advancement only happen to sales jobs, super high fliers or people with niche skills. Most of us trudge along getting 3-5% increase every year and pick up a promotion 8-10% every 4-5 years. Civil service/ stat board is also about there.

Originally Posted by DSX1

Good for you, think through before making foolish life changing decisions.

BTW Singapore wage increase has always averaged at ~4% over the past 20 years (good years 5-6% bad years 1-3%). Next year projection from what I hear in the news is 4-4.5%, no matter where you jump it's probably about the same.

You must adjust your expectations and come out with something more realistic. If you continue looking out for jobs expecting employers to double your salary in a few years, you bound to do something stupid sooner or later.

In real life this kind of advancement only happen to sales jobs, super high fliers or people with niche skills. Most of us trudge along getting 3-5% increase every year and pick up a promotion 8-10% every 4-5 years. Civil service/ stat board is also about there.

Going by the postings in this forum in this thread, civil servants do not seem to be just trudging along with 3-5% increment.

In another thread

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Going by the postings in this forum in this thread, civil servants do not seem to be just trudging along with 3-5% increment.

Anoynomous posters can post whatever BS they want, but the public sector follows the NWC guidelines closely. IIRC NWC's recommendations are 4% for this year.

[Rodon_Tan]

Hi guys,

I was thinking about this while on the way home. How feasible and practical is it to start a part-time side business selling merchandise (t-shirts, gifts) with my own art on it, in addition to my day job? Meaning, to sell a themed series of drawings / characters under a brand name etc.

IMO, the hardest part is marketing, which I have no idea how to go about doing it.
Should I partner up with a local existing t-shirt printer or something, assuming they're even interested?

Thanks!

[darialim]

Before embarking on part time side business, maybe you can do a market study of who your target market is, how much are they willing to spend on your business and will you make profit?

I think before you go into merchandising, you can consider building up your reputation as a designer first online, then when you are more well known then you can consider merchandising your designs.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Rodo, you took a gamble pursuing your passion and basically screwed yourself over and in a sad predicament now.

Are you sure you still want to wager another 52k + 4 years of your life on a useless cert from NAFA? You are 29 now, you waste 2 years to raise the money, 4 years to study by the time you finish everything already 35, armed with nothing except a useless cert, MOE reject you means game over for life.

I suggest you stop fantasizing about making money in arts in Singapore. Go grab a pte business / commerce degree from the many vendors out there. It is much cheaper, can be done part time, and graduate much faster. Most important, this kind of degree worth much more than NAFA/Lasalle...

At least you can make it to some sort of executive level job in your early 30s (already very slow btw) which should be able to bump up your pay to 2.5k. You must be able to feed yourself and your parents first, otherwise what's the use of having passion. 99% people out there are doing jobs nothing to do with passion, but they recognize even if no passion at least the basic need for food, water and shelter can be met.

So well-said.
Cannot agree more.
TS, catch this man seriously, it's hard to accept, but it's so true..
Some things is not so nice to go it through the hard way and learn, especially where supporting yourself and finding A JOB in SG is concern.
IF you are not very young anymore or rich, it's better to take a safer route.
What is interest? and how many fortune enough to be able to have that? Think properly.

I wonder how is ts doing now..