DBS Management Associate Program 2015

To the senior/past MAs (esp those with complaints)

Pardon me for asking, have u all had outside work exp or internship elsewhere before?

Am an MA applicant with 2.5 years work exp, so I’m wondering whether it’s really as harsh as you all say it is, or it may still actually be better in DBS compared to elsewhere?

Just wanna gauge whether you all have tried working at other places before, so it’s a fair comparison

Because so far, my exp and my friends’ exp (esp those coming from audit), may find the DBS MA exp a lot better and more comfortable

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Thanks this might be our big break!

Hope to see the senior MAs commenting on this thread

Summary pointers from fellow MAs DBS:
1. Unfair and pathetic compensation (same increment for all Band 1, 2, 3) (manipulates compensation: good starting pay, but lousy increment and bonus >> total renumeration package is worse than other financial institutions)
2. No more rotation/exposure in different groups
3. Uncertainties faced by the current MAs
4. High attrition rate (defensive top-down HR blames MAs for high attrition rate)
5. Lack of transparency
6. Disregard of MA's feedback (changes to the programme without prior consultation with the MAs)
7. Unfair in terms of MA recruitment (senior management recommendation can straightaway get into MA programme already)
8. Threatening from HR about escalating issues to management then HR will kena whack
9. Mundane work (e.g. heavy paperwork which requires thorough human checks)
10. Unhappiness in rotation, but got stuck there for months

Originally Posted by Unregistered

To the senior/past MAs (esp those with complaints)

Pardon me for asking, have u all had outside work exp or internship elsewhere before?

Am an MA applicant with 2.5 years work exp, so I’m wondering whether it’s really as harsh as you all say it is, or it may still actually be better in DBS compared to elsewhere?

Just wanna gauge whether you all have tried working at other places before, so it’s a fair comparison

Because so far, my exp and my friends’ exp (esp those coming from audit), may find the DBS MA exp a lot better and more comfortable

Take a look at MAs CV in linkedin. All of them had internship or/and working experience prior to joining the MA programme.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

To the senior/past MAs (esp those with complaints)

Pardon me for asking, have u all had outside work exp or internship elsewhere before?

Am an MA applicant with 2.5 years work exp, so I’m wondering whether it’s really as harsh as you all say it is, or it may still actually be better in DBS compared to elsewhere?

Just wanna gauge whether you all have tried working at other places before, so it’s a fair comparison

Because so far, my exp and my friends’ exp (esp those coming from audit), may find the DBS MA exp a lot better and more comfortable

Perhaps the senior/current MAs can share the remuneration package details for us to do a comparison?

If you can get into a MA or graduate program in a good company, just accept the offer and get some experience.

Not all people can get into such programs. There are many ways to gain relevant experiences apart from these programs.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Perhaps the senior/current MAs can share the remuneration package details for us to do a comparison?

Instead of asking for such sensitive details why not you state what you think is an acceptable ANNUAL remuneration package?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Instead of asking for such sensitive details why not you state what you think is an acceptable ANNUAL remuneration package?

Wah haha, anyway to the original poster who asked the question, you could see Glassdoor, I think I saw S$4.6K, perhaps this round MA more due to work exp?

Yes agree with the poster above who said that it’s good exp getting into a MA program, my sentiments exactly

Would be very grateful to be part of such a program - teach u, groom u & still pay u well

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Perhaps the senior/current MAs can share the remuneration package details for us to do a comparison?

Applicant here. Who would want to tell you how much they earned? Judge for yourself and bear the risks. They have already shared that annual income is worse than other financial institutions. I think a lot of information has been shared in this thread. And I believe it's not just the remuneration that is an issue but also how they were treated, the work itself, lack of transparency etc. High attrition rate can't be just due to remuneration alone.

Perhaps when you get an offer you can ask all the questions you want. See how HR answers your questions and then you can decide whether to take up the offer. If the answers are ambiguous then you may not want to take the risk of accepting the offer.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Wah haha, anyway to the original poster who asked the question, you could see Glassdoor, I think I saw S$4.6K, perhaps this round MA more due to work exp?

Yes agree with the poster above who said that it’s good exp getting into a MA program, my sentiments exactly

Would be very grateful to be part of such a program - teach u, groom u & still pay u well

Don't just look at monthly salary but rather at annual income. From all the posts above I don't think the MAs are complaining about the monthly starting pay offered to them. In fact they said the offered monthly pay was good. But the annual bonus and increment (compensation) were not good so overall annual income below expectation and worse than other financial institutions. That's why they felt they were conned.

Before reading this thread I was also just looking at monthly salary. Didn't occur to me to look at compensation and annual income.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Wah haha, anyway to the original poster who asked the question, you could see Glassdoor, I think I saw S$4.6K, perhaps this round MA more due to work exp?

Yes agree with the poster above who said that it’s good exp getting into a MA program, my sentiments exactly

Would be very grateful to be part of such a program - teach u, groom u & still pay u well

MA programme is usually broadbased so technical skills acquired is definitely not there. How much can you learn in each rotation? Touch and go. So may not help you to advance into another company as your knowledge may not be much better than a fresh grad who commands a lower salary. So MA programme is ok for fresh grads to use their 1st 2 years after university to explore. But for matured grads I have my doubts. That's why MA programmes in most companies are for fresh grads.