Civil/Public Sector - Ministry/Stat Boards employees knowledge needed!

[rainbowishes]

Which are the good or bad Ministries or SB to work in? (management, job scopes, prospects, people, environ... etc)
Feel free to comment anything about it esp if you're working/worked there before Wanna try applying some public sector jobs once I graduate but donno which to choose..

Perhaps it will be more useful if you can provide some more information about yourself (i.e. which uni, what major, what's the predicted final GPA etc.). Else we can talk till the cows come home and you will still have no inkling on what is possible for you.

Even within the same Ministry or Stat board there can be good and bad departments.

The famous work life balance that private sector people think is standard fare is hardly the case in some jobs within the public sector. So yes, more information from you is required.

[rainbowishes]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Perhaps it will be more useful if you can provide some more information about yourself (i.e. which uni, what major, what's the predicted final GPA etc.). Else we can talk till the cows come home and you will still have no inkling on what is possible for you.

I'll be graduating with a business dip from a local poly, if nothing goes wrong my gpa should be about 3.3. My interest lies in PR/ corp comms but guess I'm fine doing admin or HR roles as well.. I want to take a communications degree but I don't think my gpa allows me to get a place in local uni... so thought I could work a few years first to gain some work experience b4 relooking at my options.

Ah I see. Now that put things into context. With a diploma, you will be going into Public Sector as a Div 2 officer. Since you're from biz background, the most obvious choice would be HR.

In general, life of a Div 2 officer in public sector tend to be better than Div 1 (graduates) - more work life balance. Good for those who are thinking of pursuing part time degrees. Pay wise should be around the same as private, with annual increments. Salary package definitely not as good as Div 1 officers (graduates), and career development wise will also stagnant in time to come.

Bear in mind that those who are ambitious should go to the private for a better chance to shine. Public sector will limit your career progression should you have no degree. Private may also not consider your experience in public sector to be relevant, should you want to jump out in the future. In terms of experience, I would say you could learn more from the private. But if you have the heart to serve people, do join the public then.

Originally Posted by rainbowishes

I'll be graduating with a business dip from a local poly, if nothing goes wrong my gpa should be about 3.3. My interest lies in PR/ corp comms but guess I'm fine doing admin or HR roles as well.. I want to take a communications degree but I don't think my gpa allows me to get a place in local uni... so thought I could work a few years first to gain some work experience b4 relooking at my options.

As a communications graduate, my advice is to really think about whether you'd enjoy a comms career before jumping into a comms degree.

On top of that, you don't need a comms degree to do comms. Just a pretty face, good language ability and an outgoing personality.

[Fearoftheunknown]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

As a communications graduate, my advice is to really think about whether you'd enjoy a comms career before jumping into a comms degree.

On top of that, you don't need a comms degree to do comms. Just a pretty face, good language ability and an outgoing personality.

I disagree. Many comms positions do require at least 2-3 yrs of experience, in addition to having a degree. Thus it's alot more difficult to go into comms if you are just a business diploma holder. And I believe actions speak louder than words, in the sense that being competent in communications work triumphs an outgoing personality anytime.

Some people (my manager) think that just because they are outgoing and relate to people well, they can be qualified to do corp comms. Can't be further away from the truth if a corp comms manager fails to realise that he has to come up with a internal and external communications plan. Better still, the work that solely belongs to corp comms ended up being taken away from us and be given to other department because manager wants to maintain harmony

Originally Posted by Fearoftheunknown

I disagree. Many comms positions do require at least 2-3 yrs of experience, in addition to having a degree. Thus it's alot more difficult to go into comms if you are just a business diploma holder. And I believe actions speak louder than words, in the sense that being competent in communications work triumphs an outgoing personality anytime.

Some people (my manager) think that just because they are outgoing and relate to people well, they can be qualified to do corp comms. Can't be further away from the truth if a corp comms manager fails to realise that he has to come up with a internal and external communications plan. Better still, the work that solely belongs to corp comms ended up being taken away from us and be given to other department because manager wants to maintain harmony

Well whatever he is doing seems to be working since he is your manager.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Ah I see. Now that put things into context. With a diploma, you will be going into Public Sector as a Div 2 officer. Since you're from biz background, the most obvious choice would be HR.

In general, life of a Div 2 officer in public sector tend to be better than Div 1 (graduates) - more work life balance. Good for those who are thinking of pursuing part time degrees. Pay wise should be around the same as private, with annual increments. Salary package definitely not as good as Div 1 officers (graduates), and career development wise will also stagnant in time to come.

Bear in mind that those who are ambitious should go to the private for a better chance to shine. Public sector will limit your career progression should you have no degree. Private may also not consider your experience in public sector to be relevant, should you want to jump out in the future. In terms of experience, I would say you could learn more from the private. But if you have the heart to serve people, do join the public then.

This is a very good post TS should listen.

Just to add for most dipolma grads I highly recommend join public sector if possible. Work life and pay in general is much better. Sure, there will be the rare make it big diploma grad, but generally i look at the poly people I know at my age, those that join government have a much better life and stability.

[Fearoftheunknown]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Well whatever he is doing seems to be working since he is your manager.

Eh no, he is corp comms manager only because the chinese directors like him, he curries favour with the new chinese CEO, and there are no senior singaporeans in the company to lead the newly formed corp comms dept after the company went through major restructuring...He wouldn't have what it takes to be a corp comms manager if he were to be in a MNC or civil service. Spewing rainbows and unicorns can get you to the top, but you won't stay long cos people can see through the lack of substance/inability. It applies to not just comms/PR alone but also to all the jobs out there. Always make sure you have the substance to prove your talk otherwise people will not respect you just like how I do not respect my manager.