Graduated from NTU EEE recently, what are my career options?
 

I graduated from NTU EEE with a pass degree in December 2015. Extended one semester due to failing modules in year two. GPA improved from year 3 but was too late.

Was jobless for 3 months and found a job in a local construction company as an Electrical Engineer dealing with M&E stuff. Monthly $3K with 1 month bonus.

Only saw this site recently and have been reading all the forums. I just have a few questions.

1. Is my salary considered too low for a fresh graduate?

2. If I gain 1 or 2 years experience in this company, can I switch over to a bigger MNC? Or will the grades still matter till then.

Personally I've seen people with no degrees or unrecognized degrees making it to good positions in big MNCs. But after reading lots of threads here, it feels like my career is doomed as many people in the threads say pass degree is hopeless and MNCs don't take in people who worked at SMEs. Just want to get a clearer picture. Thanks!

Hi fellow batchmate. i graduated last May. For a fresh grad with a NTU EEE pass degree, 3k sounds about right.

I am too a pass degree NTU EEE holder. Also a fresh grad. So my following statements might or might not hold water. From the short period i have been working, performance always comes first.

Of course grades still matter to a certain extent when switching jobs. but less so. Experience will come first. especially if you gained special skills sets during your 2 years. Example, managing projects... managing people.. so and so forth. Dont worry too much now.

I believe in 2 years time, you will understand yourself more and also understand what skillsets are valued. You will know what you have to do to stand out. Work first! Think later haha!

Hi, first of all, you should be happy to have finally gotten a job. Start learning and gaining experience. You results will affect probably at the early stage of your career. But as you move on, it will become less significant.

I have a pass degree in NTU MAE in 2009. My first job is a SME and starting pay is much lower than most of my peers. The company provides me a lot of learning opportunities and I gained much knowledge for me to land a job in MNC as engineer after almost 2 years. Thereafter, made a few job changes in various MNCs holding managerial positions.

Most importantly is to be humble and learn skills along the way. Take some time to think what you want to be in 1 to 3 years time and prioritise what you need to learn to achieve it.

finally a thread with some decent advise and not just trolls. TS will do well to listen to the advice doled out.

Thanks for the encouraging posts. I'm glad that the thread I started has some valuable advise. I was quite worried reading other threads where people said a pass degree from local uni is basically hopeless. For switching from SME to MNCs later on, how do you do it? Just apply for jobs or need to build contacts around?

You will be hopeless only if you got no results in your future career/work. Work hard for results in whatever project/work you do in any company you join. Switching will be a breeze when you got the necessary skills, achievements and results listed in your resume; with proof.

Thank you. I just want to know, how difficult is it to switch to a different industry? I'm currently in the construction industry but mainly deal with electrical and mechanical aspects of projects, AutoCAD, electrical layout, cabling etc. With the experience gained, can I switch to another industry like oil and gas as an electrical engineer? Or I have to be stuck in construction sector?

A pass degree is not hopeless but it does reduce your chances to land on your preferred job especially in the first few years. Thereafter, it really depends on your progression (knowledge, working attitude, relationship management etc). Do not be too concern about your starting company and pay, as you progress in the right direction, you will be rewarded. My 2nd job is MNC and annual package increaseed by 28%. 3rd job, annual package increases by 37%. I am at my 5th job now with 6.5years working experience. Hope this gives you some light. Currently holding a regional managerial role in one MNC. I am not those high flier but surely not at the bottom just because having a pass engineering degree.

Your progression is well and good. For what it is worth, I complement your positive work ethic.

May I ask then, what is your base for being a regional manager in an MNC with 6.5 years of working experience?