SMU economics or NTU Business
 

Hi all, i am currently choosing to study between these 2 degrees. I have previously rejected SMU Business to apply for SMU economics as I have heard that Business is a general degree and it isn't worth to study Business. I have been accepted to both the courses. The reason why I am still deciding is that I am reading all the HR jobs and the positions that people are working in now as well as their pay and hence I'm pondering wether it was a bad decision to turn down Business in the first place. Anyone Economics degree holder out there and willing to tell me what job are you working as now?

Pretty sure you have it the other way round and economics is a general degree and business is specialised.

I would put SMU Business as first choice, followed by NUS Business, and then SMU Econs third.

Wow I don't think SMU will want me back in their business anymore after rejecting it. Are u a smu grad btw?

Well in a sense that the most valuable module u can study in biz is finance and I find everything else useless. Correct me if I'm wrong

Well... Whether something is 'useful' or 'useless' is a matter of perspective. For someone who wants to work in FMCG or marketing, studying a major more relevant might be more useful. Though I do concede that this forum is obsessed with the financial industry, thus everything else pales in comparison.

smu... dosnt matter econs or biz. both biz (all 3 uni) n smu econs dosnt teach u anything 'technical' or specialized... n most employers dont really care also, cos the content can be picked up by anyone who knows how to read... they just wan ppl who can tok and can sell themselves well during interview... and smu does a fantastic job in this aspect.

From your decision making process, you will not be able to make it in SMU. You dun even know about business specializations such as Finance, Marketing, HR, Operations, etc... All the information is widely available and you still listen to stupid advice like general vs specialized when you can already pick and choose how broad or specialized you want to be.

The obvious solution is to take Econs and a second major in a business specialization.

But given the simplicity of your questions and though process, i recommend you to take NTU biz. Just finish 3 yrs and quickly get a job.

NTU biz is the better choice. harder to get in too.

SMU biz and econs not that hard to enter.

NTU>SMU Orly? I don't think so
 

That is not true.

I have known several RI and Hwa chong graduates trying to enter SMU BBM course and rejected by SMU business.

SMU Busines is better than NTU business. SMU is the first, national Business university of Singapore, everything is Business oriented and focused. The Internships, International exchange and student culture/experience far outmatches that of NTU (Palau Ulu)

What a arse hole! People ask nicely u come here give bull like this, better not talk at all la. SMU is no better than the other biz schools in SG, so take your false sense of superiority and shove it. what's sad is that your false sense of superiority is cultivated by SMU's sleek marketing, so that really makes you a tool.

smu is essentially a 4 year career seminar. the sole purpose of smu is to prepare the students for their future career. not that it is bad thing.. im sure many ppl get a degree jus to find a better job, n smu does a marvelous job in preparing the students... but if u r into the more technical aspect of the field whether it is in finance, econs or watever, den smu is not the right place... which is y some some ppl call smu grad balloons. pretty on the outside and filled with nothing but air.


anyway, having a specialization within the major does not make it a specialized degree.

Think i'm really late for this since you probably started school already. Regardless of where you are, I personally think that both NTU BIZ and SMU BIZ/SMU ECONS all have very competitive students. The only thing that sets these two schools apart is that SMU students go all out to make connections, go to every event or seminar they can set their hands on, their school administrators are super proactive, so you are practically placed out there for people to bargain for you.

I have friends from both NTU BIZ and SMU BIZ, ntu peeps didnt change much still their same old self. People who go to SMU wants to be changed and go for internships even during their school term. Many employers i have heard now are inclined to employ SMU graduates since they try so hard to sell themselves, a sign of motivation. SMU students probably have more lobang also.

Smu
 

That guy was a troll. Pretty obvious.

I'm pretty sure its the other way around and that the other biz schools are no better than SMU.. Read:

://.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/case-you-missed-it/story/adding-diversity-the-university-scene-20140126

SMU got established players like NUS and NTU to re-think what they themselves were doing, and they themselves were trying to emulate SMU's culture (Disclaimer-->)after SMU was officially declared the third national university and had the power to award degrees by itself despite the initial plan of SMU being a part of NTU.

you know what the sad part is? Schools like NBS; a business school does not even exude or portray a business culutre. They don't even have a clear direction of where they want to be until 1-2 years ago.

://ntuvssmu.blogspot.sg/

Marketing has always been affiliated with one of the core of business and it really goes to show the effort put in by both of each school's on how they establish themselves. Take for example:

NTU establish itself as "Nanyang Business school".

It Focuses on rankings and has emphasis on terms such as "Top Business school in asia" and "Global Business leader"

It may seem like NBS is a training ground for elites, but you have to ask yourself: Will NBS produce graduates that are ready to tackle problems and challenges of a ever-changing society and culture?

How "global" is their "global"? Do they offer multitudes of overseas exchange and internships like SMU LKCSB?

Are they trained in Business skills to tackle only Business specific problems?


Now lets take a look at SMU's School of Business

SMU establishes "Lee Kong Chian School of business". What is the definition of "School of Business"? A school that Listens carefully to what society needs and what organizations needs and come up with solutions (based on research) . Even if these solutions are not in the traditional diciplines of business.

That is why SMU students are trained to be more vocal and pro-active and bring more than just mere theoretical knowledge to the workforce, but rather how to apply these Business solutions in literally any organizations. Why else do you think Cum Laude students and above with double degree/major receive much more higher pay than their NTU/NUS counterparts? -->Because they have multidisciplinary opportunities to complement their Business expertise with that of others into other sectors.


For more information watch:

://..com/watch?v=RItgmJnLaEQ&t=2m50s

Sure, NTU is deemed as "The best business school in asia". Well, why do SMU grads get paid higher than?
://.salary.sg/2014/graduate-employment-survey-2013-published-2014/

SMU is not on world-wide rankings because it is not considered a full fledged university offering courses like Humanities etc, and it does not take into consideration just grades.


SMU students are the tools needed to become movers and shakers of the business world :)

Career seminars are workshops on helping you prepare to enter the workforce. They include tips on how to find and apply for jobs, prepare for interviews and assessment centres and learn about your work rights.

It is however, correct to assume it is a seminar-style of teaching:

://.thefreedictionary.com/seminar

This "4 year career seminar" you speak of is actually an MBA style of teaching adopted from the best undergaduate Business School in the world. The Wharton Business School.


I think the purpose of SMU is to prepare students for what they wish to pursue in life, if thats what you are saying.



Wrong again.

SMU Economic graduates, and Finance graduates get paid the most, as mentioned by the other poster: ://.salary.sg/2014/graduate-employment-survey-2013-published-2014/

Even SMU Economic degree holders with Cum laude and above gets paid higher $ than NBS graduates with a double degree with Accountancy and Business

SMU grads are anything but balloons. You have an opportunity to go for international exchange programs, internships, and for some courses; compulsory study mission to put what you learn into the real working world overseas and beyond.

They have to go for compulsory internships and compulsory community service activities (which most students choose to volunteer at an organization that they can apply their technical and soft skills at)

NTU and NUS hardly offers most of the above, and SMU students generally gain more exposure.

Either the SMU graduate you have worked with is either lazy or shows no interest in his job.

The major itself is a specialization for SMU. Not sure about others though. ;)

I was a top student from NUS Econs Honours. Became a highly successful professional. Earned big bucks. Retired at 45, earning passive income from my investment portfolio. Now enjoying my free time to socialise and do charity work. Healthier and happier.

Fu.ck ur NUS Econs honnors, you fatty bom bom :D
 

And your point is?

45 years ago there was only NUS as the only prestigious university.

They probably chose you when you graduated because I'm sure they didnt have a choice w top studrnts from other uni that had not existed :/

they just have to settle for some nerd who came from the first university of sg back at that time who probably didn't even know what he was doing.

45 so fast retire? I hope you don't get cardiac heart disease,contract diabities or become obese man. But you know what they say... sg cost of living an inflation so damn high onr day who knows... mayb u have to come work as a street cleaner at 80 after spending all your$ on lipo suction to get rid of all the fats from "enjoying life at 45".

Or if street cleaner don't accept you, u may consider being a pimp. I heard old chicks are into chubby furballs ;)

As someone whose department turnover is high and have seen and work with grads from ntu and smu, I have to say I tend to recommend ntu grads to my boss. Reason? Ntu seems to produce grads who are better technically in their knowledge and knows how, while smu grads tend to require more mentoring and guidance.

At the workplace, how the Unis teach or what special programs the Unis have to offer their students is not really our concern. We look more into the attributes and quality at the workplace.

which of the points u mentioned support ur claim that smu grads are not balloons? most of those experiences only add on to the decorative layer. I know of some organizations/companies that do not hire smu grads for roles that requires technical knowledge (even tho the relevant major is offered by smu). This speaks volume on the technical know how of smu grads. No doubt, it is hard to argue against the fact that smu grad command higher pay but that does not make them less of a balloon. It just meant that there are roles which just need ppl who can talk and present and less so on the technicality. After all, in most part of the corporate world, it is just about pretending to be smarter than u really are.

n i dont think you understand the difference between specialization and a specialized degree.

And your point is? This guy has a happy career, rather successful in life and can enjoy the fruits of his labour. So what if he was a nerd back in the first university, at a time when not many people even went to university? Meanwhile, you're just a struggling bitter young 'un who is mediocre and can't even spell properly wasting your life ranting online.

seriously, when you step into the working society, nobody gives a ****.

So competitive nowadays...

My cousin started out at Spring/EDB and is at MAS now doing quite well.

Back then in the late 90s, I think there was only Econs major from NUS FASS lol.

For me, if I had to recommend potential graduates I'd prefer SMU students. NTU students always stick to the conventional wisdom, which is safe, but may not always be right. They always follow strictly according to the knowledge taught to them by accademic institutions.

SMU students on the other hand, go all out to find new innovative ways that are outside or is an extention of what they are thought academically through creative thinking.


I do not know what "technical knowledge" you are referring to, because all uni's teach their students relevant information pertaining to their majors and SMU students are very well trained in terms of academic knowledge and Hands on know how, because of their MBA style of teaching where teaching is pro-active and every one is encouraged to speak up at all times and there is a greater flow of knowledge.

SMU students are more street smart, and can come with out of the box solutions not in their textbook to solve different challenges that arises.

I feel that it is NTU students who need more mentoring and guidance. I feel less worried working with an SMU student because I know he/she can be pro-active enough to go asking around for help if he/she needs it or to gain more new knowledge and find new ways to help out with the company.

The NTU are the more quiet laid-back ones that needs a jumpstart

Than which points you mentioned support your claims that SMU grads are balloons? These experiences give them in-depth knowledge and valuable hands on expertise to survive in the workforce


Really? care to name some? Because there are also other companies that do not hire NTU or NUS grads for the very same reason.


What "technical know how" are you speaking of? Hands on skills or theoretical knowledge needed to get the job done?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MV1ZUtwXaY

Look at this video and come back here and say "SMU students are least favoured". These are senior directors from companies that have an established presence here in Singapore mind you.

Read up on straits times in the January/June/August article and you will find out how valuable SMU students are and how highly they are sought after by employers


Um, without interaction, there can never be free-flow of ideas. Without free-flow of ideas, there can never be change for the greater good, and without change, a company will remain stagnant and lag out behind from their competitors. Find me a decent job that supports minimal interaction and little/no projects.

Usually the jobs which require little/no interaction are for people who work in production companies or something similar. And also, there is no such thing of "no interaction and presentation" in the corporate world. This isnt a Rural farm in China. You are talking about the most developed country in all of South East Asia.

If your management cant get over himself of having only "technical skills" to handle tasks like paper printing or data entry, the entire company might as well shut down

In response to what you said "anyway, having a specialization within the major does not make it a specialized degree."

I replied that the specialization is in fact represented as a major in SMU. When on earth did I say anything about a "specialization or a specialized degree" or even defined it?

I'm pretty sure we can all infer that from what the poster said rofl.


He was a nerd. Not many people went to university. There was only one university in Singapore. He himself said that he lead a good life with some unbelievably good pay. I just pointed the cold hard truth that that was the only university back in time and employers had no better choice >.>

Also, thats what that troll deserved for bragging online


Oh hey! It seems so familiar don't you think? Pot calling the cattle black. tsk tsk tsk.

Struggling bitter young 'un? Geez really? Did you infer that out of thin air too :|
Wow, this forum is plagued with down-syndrome users these days

There used to be quite a few SMU students at my firm a few years ago. The numbers are diminishing, as SMU students don't really have values like tenacity and being hard working. Many left within a few months for opportunities elsewhere.

SMU just breeds backstabbing politicians, fullstop.

Wow maaaan. Someone really needs to chill the hell out and get a life! Who's the nerd here now LOL. Who gives a crap where this guy got his degree from or whether he was the nerd back in uni. He's happy with his life now. Evidently you are not. Who's the bigger loser here?

You mad bro? :o

This proves the other poster's point that this thread is plagued by down-syndromers, ones that especially cant get over how lousy or good a uni is.

RAGEMOREBOIRAGEMORE

Yep i think he's mad

Nerd rage is simply delicious

I would disagree. As quite a number of people replied here already; smu students have more expoaure hands on and are very pro active. Its 1 of the reasons why I would choose them to work with.

You sir, are a retard. Read this thread over again and come state his so called point or objective that the replier made.

Yes, he did use some profane terms like all god damm trolls on this forum, but i believe the point he was trying to make was that many many years ago there was only NUS as e uni of singapore that was only recognized and employers had not much of an option as compared to present day with more than 7 unis like SIT,SUTD, SIM etc.

As what this poster also mentioned:

+1

Couldn't have said it more myself. These students don't need to be "forced" to take action or work hard. They are pro-active and vocal enough to do their job and contribute

I'm not the one flaming to different threads made and certainly not the one showing how big my E-peen is

Calmyotitsnerd

Seeing replies on this thread just make me worried but to each his own I guess.

In certain disciplines such as Finance or Accounting, your basic grasp of "technical knowledge" and "conventional wisdom" (such as 1+1=2) need to be there in order to make meaningful discussions in order to be able to even challenge the norms. At my department, the ntu grads are clearly stronger in their technical foundations. Obviously this is not to say smu grads learnt nothing - just a tad weaker in the foundations and need more guidance and mentoring.

Hmmm personal preferences i guess. For me, smu students i work with have no challenges obtaining mastery in their basic foundations. Its because they are already have a firm ground in their hands on and technical expertise they can innovate and come up with better ways to do things. That makes them stand out from the other 2 unis

But all unis produce grads that have strength and weakness too

I love how this thread has devolved into insecure SMU students taking wild swings at any self perceived slight to their school hahaha

does the 'S' in SMU stand for schmuck? I suppose the level of maturity of some of the posters here is also indicative of the quality of class 'participation' that occurs in this school

Le me taking a stroll in le sg forums when suddenly..

A WILD NERD APPEARS

WILD NERD USES NERD RAGE.

ALL OTHER NERDS START RAGING.

ITS SUPER EFFECTIVE!

All trolls gain +50 exp

You know whats more lovable? Self-absorbed f.uck nuts coming in here to wildly perceive anyone here who has good things to say about a particular uni to be "insecure and students of that school"


Actually it stands for "singapore"
.smu.edu.sg

But I think that word stated by you fully describes and define an arrogant incompetent twit like yourself. Afterall, what kind of foolish and contemptible moron would flame at smu students by merely seeing things that are posted on the forum..

You jealous bro?

The level of intelligence radiating from this thread is simply astounding...

What uni do you come from anyway? SIM?