Career in Finance VS Marketing

[yourplaceormine]

Originally Posted by hotweather

I agree with the previous post, whereby how successful or how much you can earn can only be say once you actually reach there (success). It does not mean you work hard or have more years of experience will equal to higher pay. It depends on your company whether it offers a good career path, depends on your network, luck too if you manage to secure a high paying position in other company before you jump ship. Hence, I really cannot say how high Marketing or Finance career can earn.

To address your other questions,
1) Good Hons is good to have. Some companies really will just filter out those without 2nd upper or above. While some other may consider those without good hons. In your final year, when you applying, companies will see your results and analyse whether you will be expecting at least 2nd upper or not. Even if no, they might also interview you first. Hence, don't worry, not all companies will just disregard if you don't hit the minimum requirement. But good hons is one of the factor to make you more 'recognisable' out of their large pile of resumes.

2) Earning power and career progression. I think the previous post mentioned this very well. Even if you have first class hons, if you cannot secure a good job, when you apply for 'low tier' companies your salary will be in the range of those basic degree without hons, because these companies can only offer that much and they don't have so many resumes so don't need to lessen it down to a few applicants, thus don't really look for good hons. And career progression largely depend on what you do when you starts working. Whether does the company offers a good career progression? Otherwise, after 1-3years of experiences, are you able to jump to a higher pay company? Thus, from another point of view, even without good grades, you can still earn a lot.

3) What industries pay graduates well? Be it marketing or finance degree, companies that are looking for good graduates, and have the financial capabilities, they would be willing to pay these graduates well. All kinds of industries do seek out for good graduates, even marketing. You can try searching for "Singapore’s 100 Leading Graduate Employers". Most of them pay graduates well. BUT, do remember these are also the popular companies everyone is applying for. So you really need to stand out. Like I mentioned, there are also online tests/ assessment center and stuff to really find those good graduates. Usually those that pay well will be a MNC, and have some graduate programs/ management associate programs.

== All in all, I understand that you want to make the right choice, and concern about the salary and career progression. But I will say don't just keep thinking or analysing what is the right choice. Take on a more active approach, like applying for case competition from those companies you are interested in, ask from your senior about the companies recruiting process, and learn to excel in it. Like I said, even if you are able to find the right choice and your dream job, it does not mean you can secure it. There are many many other graduates, who may have better resume/ skills to do will in interviews/ assessment center. There is no 'right' choice, and doesn't mean your first job equal to lifetime job. I will advise set 2-3 companies as targets, take up their case competitions/ attend their career fairs to network, and ask your seniors who are applying for these companies the application process and learn from them if the pass or fail. If grades are not your forte, then you have to find ways to stand out compare to the rest. And these are some of the ways.

Thanks for the tip, just wanted to ask how the case competitions allow you to stand a better chance at the companies, even if you don't become a finalist or win the competition?

Originally Posted by yourplaceormine

I have personally heard this a lot as well. Probably more difficult to break in without necessary connections...

(internship) experience counts more than connections.
besides, you can make connections during internships too.

[yourplaceormine]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

(internship) experience counts more than connections.
besides, you can make connections during internships too.

True, but i've been finding it extremely difficult to get a relevant internship without the necessary grades in the first place. Sort of a vicious cycle.

People struggle in finance because they are not smart enough yet still want to enter finance.

They think that their first class honours is wasted if they do something else.

[yourplaceormine]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

People struggle in finance because they are not smart enough yet still want to enter finance.

They think that their first class honours is wasted if they do something else.

wouldn't a first class mean that they are smart enough? besides isn't that what most, if not all banks are looking for?

Originally Posted by yourplaceormine

wouldn't a first class mean that they are smart enough?

book smart only.

Originally Posted by yourplaceormine

wouldn't a first class mean that they are smart enough? besides isn't that what most, if not all banks are looking for?

The range of abilities of first class holders differ.

There are those who barely make the cut and those who top their cohort.

There are those who worked very hard to make the cut while others made first class with lesser effort.

There are those made it with a lot of luck while there are those who made it even while encountering bad luck.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

book smart only.

Actually, the more book smart you are, the better. If you can study twice as fast as other people, you have extra time to do other things like joining case competitions, learning a new language or juggling an internship while studying.

Originally Posted by yourplaceormine

Thanks for the tip, just wanted to ask how the case competitions allow you to stand a better chance at the companies, even if you don't become a finalist or win the competition?

Apologies for the late reply. Had been busy past few days. Well, first you should try to win. Even if your team didn't make it, you should try to make lots of connections with the company or understanding more about the company.

I find case competition is more of a way to building some connections with the company and hope that someone remember you or recommend you when you apply for the job in the company. At least there is a chance of something good happening isn't it? And you can also include in your resume if you are able to win the competition. It shows that you can work well in a team, think critically, able to breakdown or analyse problem-at-hand, and derive a solution in a real business environment.

[yourplaceormine]

Originally Posted by hotweather

Apologies for the late reply. Had been busy past few days. Well, first you should try to win. Even if your team didn't make it, you should try to make lots of connections with the company or understanding more about the company.

I find case competition is more of a way to building some connections with the company and hope that someone remember you or recommend you when you apply for the job in the company. At least there is a chance of something good happening isn't it? And you can also include in your resume if you are able to win the competition. It shows that you can work well in a team, think critically, able to breakdown or analyse problem-at-hand, and derive a solution in a real business environment.

I see, well I'm asking as there are some case competitions whereby the case is released online, and then you just have to meet a deadline to submit it. Not entirely sure if that will allow me to meet anyone if I don't manage to make it to the finals. Some of them are even individual case competitions as well.

Open your e-mail and sign up for one of the company information sessions or related clubs.

Book an appointment with your school's career guidance office.

Can't get into the case competition club or whatever? Sign up for alumni networking sessions.

Can't believe you're in a local business school.