Compare civil service salary

Originally Posted by Others

From what I understand, the Civil Service pays for academic achievements based on relevance. If you manage to find a position in another stat board / ministry asking for post-grad qualifications (could be in engineering or not), then yes, your salary would increase substantially.

But if your current position doesn't require a PhD, then chances are you're on the same progression rate as other graduates who have no PhDs. It's all down to performance, and to a large extent, how well your bosses like you (huh).

I've heard of several graduates who attained Masters while working in the Civil Service then resigned because it simply didn't help them get promoted (one of the reasons is also that the Civil Service doesn't recognize your Masters if you attain it part-time while working inside the Civil Service).

I too have heard of this. This is one of the greatest traps when pursuing postgraduate education. Just because you have a PhD or a Masters degree doesn't bump your salary up significantly. In fact, based on what I've seen, increments because of added qualifications look more like annual increments - only a few hundred dollars at the most. Possibly in the 100s or 200s only.

As the above poster mentioned, your pay will only increase significantly if your PhD is needed for the job you're doing. Perhaps in specific research areas. Even then, there may be a hierarchy where having a PhD is the default. It really depends on the job. That's what it comes down to.

ALso, in many cases, it's experience that really bumps your salary up. This is tied in to your job appointment. For example, even if you have PhD in a relevant field, you can't be an Assistant Director or Director (where the big bucks are) if you have only a few years of experience. I guess the Civil Service isn't one to gamble on young talent the same way the private sector does. Unless you're a scholar. But even then, chances are you'd have been put through the wringer for a few intense years before your bumped up.

Finally, with regards to the PhD specifically, there's often a disconnect between your expectations upon attaining one, and the reality of the job market. You'd think that logically, because you couldn;t be more qualified (as far as paper qualifications are concerned), you'll be paid appropriately. You also worked your ass off to get it. The reality is usually quite disappointing.

I don't know how it is in the sciences, but those with humanities or social science PhDs are generally only rewarded for their efforts if they work in a university. Otherwise, it doesnt count for much (as mentioned above). Other than the special title you get in front of your name

Are all non-teaching staff in MOE employed under contract?
If so, how long is the contract?
How high is the risk that MOE will not renew the contract?

All govt jobs are offered under 1 yr or 2 yr contract nowadays, if you don't do anything majorly wrong you can expect to be converted to permanent staff after the 1 or 2 years. Govt still a stickler for rules and regulation so just do your job well, be punctual, do OT if you must finish work by deadline, don't complain, don't gossip, don't take more than 5days MC in a year, be very very obedient and you will definitely get there. =)

thanks poverty for your advise.....

Originally Posted by Ms Poverty

All govt jobs are offered under 1 yr or 2 yr contract nowadays, if you don't do anything majorly wrong you can expect to be converted to permanent staff after the 1 or 2 years. Govt still a stickler for rules and regulation so just do your job well, be punctual, do OT if you must finish work by deadline, don't complain, don't gossip, don't take more than 5days MC in a year, be very very obedient and you will definitely get there. =)

seriously? there are such unthinking robots working in the 21st century still?

Hi people,

What do you guys think of the career prospects of the following job for a second upper NUS grad? Anyone from or knows someone from Ministry of National Development, or more specifically Authority for Real Estate Agencies (AREA)? Any interesting career-related stories that I should know? Thanks in advance

Summarized excerpts from the job description:

-Responsible for the licensing of real estate agencies, investigating complaints and educating consumers.
-Setting of industry standards, qualifications, training requirements and a dispute resolution process.
-In addition, AREA will also work with an industry-led Accreditation Body to accredit agents individually.


Responsibilities

-Formulating and driving policies to regulate the real estate industry.
-Industry development and public education functions for the regulatory body for the real estate industry.
-A large part of your role would involve the writing of policy papers and reports.

Requirements

- A good university degree with logical and sound analytical abilities
- Have excellent writing and communication skills
- Possess sensitivity to social, economic and political concerns
- Be a team player with an interest in public policy making

[Ruth Yaap]

Hi, i just want to encourage you. I am not any better. I am a graduate (NUS) with 13 years of experience working in private sector and nw currently getting $3.3k. But present company does have good benefits. Same here, i have been applying for government jobs but does not seem to get it.

[Huston]

Originally Posted by Ruth Yaap

Hi, i just want to encourage you. I am not any better. I am a graduate (NUS) with 13 years of experience working in private sector and nw currently getting $3.3k. But present company does have good benefits. Same here, i have been applying for government jobs but does not seem to get it.

Hi,

Care to share with us your Degree in which area? Upper/Hons? Which Government sector have you applied in? what are your job experience ?

Thks.

[Ruth Yaap]

I have a Science degree and have been doing sales and marketing in education, pharmaceutical raw materials and medical devices industries for the past years. I have applied to MCYS, MOM, MOE (Admin Manager), WDA, Tourism Board and so on. Do you have any advice for me?

How much starting pay should an NUS business graduate (Marketing with second upper) expect to get in the civil service (on average)