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?

My monthly base is close to $8,000. Not a lot to brat about but decent enough for an average local grad :)

Knn. I feel so lousy as I don't earn that much. I need to find ways to buck up.

don't compare, just be content and thankful with whatever you have :)

given the gloomy economic outlook, be thankful you have a decent job. be humble and learn as much as possible

$8k is alot liao.

I just graduated this year, now finding job, sent many resume but all bo news.Jialet....

Hi TS,

I walked through the path of a fresh grad once so I feel obliged to share some information.

1) To answer your question, your salary of 3 k with 1 month AWS is considered decent for a fresh grad in the construction industry, dont worry you are not underpaid.

2) Grades will somewhat matter quite a fair bit as a fresh grad but as you gain more experience, the emphasis on grades will start to lessen. I am not too sure about the public sector, but for private sector, experience seems to be more important i.e my latest employer didn't even check my transcript when I switched over, they hired me out of my experience (I was also from NTU engineering, but with 2nd lower honors).

3) I have been in both M&E and upstream oil and gas companies so I believe I am in a position to advise. upstream oil and gas companies works on a low basic and high bonus compensation structure. With your degree, you may get something like 2.7 k/month in a oil and gas company like keppel or sembcorp marine with high variable bonus. And despite the oil price, they are still getting better bonus than an average person outside. But its not easy to get in now as most of them are having headcount freeze. For downstream oil and gas companies, they wont consider you unless u have 2nd upper honors and above.

Lastly, I would like to give a word of encouragement, dont feel disheartened that you didnt do well in university. In the outside world, your tenacity and ability to create and add value is what matters most.

What did you study and Honours? You may want to widen up your search on industries and open to SME.

It is considered competitive for MNC. Bear in mind this is just basic salary. Annual package will be more.
Just need to work hard and add value. This is achievable.

Hao lian

"Just" basic
Annual package will be "more"

Come I clap for you since u so haolian

I am not the original poster who says the 8K basic. These are just facts. Not hao lian or not. Meant to encourage TS.

EEE, 3th class

I am the one who post 8k basic but I did not post the "just" and "more". I am just encouraging the TS not to be too worry about the academic results and learn as much as possible during the first few years so he can achieve his goal to join MNC. 7 years ago, I was in the same position too, worry that all government jobs will shut me out and MNC will not bother to look at my resume etc. More importantly is having a right attitude and employers will recognise your capability. Seriously nothing to Haolian, there are many scholars and high fliers earning very high salary.

8k is not much. Even those bancassurance sales staff you see in local banks can earn up to 20k a month. And they are fresh grads

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Indeed provided if you want to be in sales. We are not comparing to people in sales.

I am sure you are not here to help the TS. Not many people can enter bank to earn high salary and not all Bankers are earning big bucks. There might be fresh grads earning high commission but not consistent. As mentioned by TS, he has joined construction industry with 3k salary but worry about his future on having only a pass degree. Shouldn't we as senior who has similar experience to provide some advice.

Hi, I am the TS. Thanks guys for the positive reply. Yeah the excessive emphasis on salary, finance sector is a bit discouraging but I am very grateful for the positive information posted here.

Usually, how long do I need to stay in this first job before I can try moving onto another bigger company again? Is 1 year considered too short?

I didnt do well in NTU second year, I failed all the modules in that year due to some serious family problems that I was going through. From 3rd year onwards, I managed to buck up and get an average of A-/B+ and get out of academic probation, but it was already too late and I could only graduate with a pass degree. Most universities state they need a second class upper honours for masters, in that case I can never further my education?

Sorry for asking too many questions but I believe this thread has been really useful. Thanks again.

Similar situation, just sharing. I graduated CS this year from nus with a pass, 2.2/5 (due to illness, but no excuse). Got interview with MNC like oracle, BOAML, IBM, Ubisoft, etc, but did not get the job because I did not do very well in the test/interview. Offered 3.1k by NCS but turned down. Finally settled with a local coy at 3k. Not bad for a fresh grad with a pass degree. There are many times where hopelessness and depression really set in, and there are times where I lowered my expectation to 2k+ and just apply whatever on jobstreet, even with toxic recruitment agency.

Now, I devote my non working hour to building side projects, improving myself, and preparing for technical interview. Hopefully can land a job in a big tech company like FB/Google 1 year from now.

There is no fixed period for you to move to MNC. It really depends on your progression and available opportunities. Furthermore, not all MNCs are better than SME. Just work diligently and always update your CV periodically for possible openings.

Yes don't give up. Sometimes you wont know, just apply. After 3 yrs of work, I am now in an MNC, among the top employers together with FB/Google. Never expect to join the company.

Hi, were you initially also in a smaller firm or SME? Were you also holding onto a pass degree?

Hi, just checking. Do you guys quote your cgpa/degree class in your resume? Even after getting the first job and after 1 or 2 years maybe, do you guys still quote the degree class in the resume?

Or, just plainly put it as a Bachelor's Degree from NTU/NUS?

Nope, I was not from SME, my degree was 2nd class honours.