I have given a lot of thought about staying on in Service. As to whether I will eventually make Director if I stayed on, I suppose that is anybody's guess and there is really no guarantee. There is a chance of course, but for most of us, it will take many years. Even for HiPos, my guess is that it is only possible to make Director when one is in his late 30s at the very earliest, to 40s. It is hard to tell as the Hipo scheme is still new (we don't even know if they will scrap it in the future). This is not taking into consideration attrition from the scheme, etc.

Even if by chance one does makes Director, I'm sure you might have noticed that the Directorship of the key policy portfolios in most Ministries are usually reserved for AOs. Say, for the sake of argument one rises quickly and makes Director in his late 30s, early 40s, he has to remain there, and rotate around director portfolios within the Ministry, or sub-units for 20 over years because he can't move up any more. He will most likely rotate between HR, Corporate Services, Corporate Comms, etc. Is that acceptable? Even if the answer is yes, I suspect the golden handshake is merely a matter of time in the interest of the organisation's succession planning.

Ultimately, the fact is I'm not sure what I'm can do as an MX to sustain my entire career, short of finding a specialist area that I could perhaps strive to excel in. As I've earlier mentioned, I couldn't identify a specialist domain to focus on. Perhaps most others do not have such a problem. But I do.

It is not about the money. I'm okay with my pay but for the sake of comparison, an AO my age would probably be making twice what I'm earning.

Trajectory wise, probably mx11 within 4 years of service (including 2 years of NS), mx10 within 8-9 years of service.

Hipos are generally assessed to have a chance of reaching mx9 by age 40 (Director level). But like i said, it really depends on performance and probably some luck. I'm skeptical and l doubt that many people will make it.

For mx8, it really depends. I've seen someone reach mx8 within 3 years of getting mx9. But that is really the exception rather than the norm. For those who managed to reach mx8, which is very rare, they are typically in their late 40s to 50s.

I'm not sure about mx8 remuneration but I suppose 250k/yr is about right. Comparatively, an admin officer can reach ao9 in his mid-30s, and ao8 by late 30s or early 40s. ao9s draw ard 320k/yr.

Probably where most people of my profile would likely choose to try out. :) Just bite the bullet and do it, and see where it takes me. Try my best. If I screw up, so be it. Life is too short to sit around mopping about things.

Sometimes I think that the hipo allowance can only retain those who have already conceded that they are second best. I suppose there is nothing wrong with that. After all, it is wise for one to recognise his limits. I just don't happen to agree with this one, after seeing what I've seen. :)

Moreover, even if it is true that I'm second best, I think it would be fatalistic of me to concede this so early. It certainly wouldn't do me any good for me to lose my drive and fighting spirit at the start of my career.

Where is the place most people of your profile would likely choose to try out?

MX scheme
 

How many MX grade are there?


MX6
MX7
MX8
MX9
MX10
MX11
MX12
MX13

Is there anything like MX5 to MX1?

Is there anything like MX14 to MX20??

what is the current MX 13 starting salary for fresh grad 2ND Upper Hons?

I think there is MX5 and beyond, but its pointless cause all MX-es wont hit it. If u are that good u will be absored into the admin service already. If not the maximum is prolly MX 7. I don't think got any MX6 so far?

I can't help feeling that you might be too pessimistic, or perhaps I'm just misinformed. But you are a scholar after all, and as long as you keep at it I can't imagine you retiring as only a DD if you stay on and work hard. You will attain your max CEP by early 40s, from a director I spoke to. Does the scholar tag not count even if you do not make AO?

I've worked at two ministries so far, and the roles for non-AOs don't seem to be as bleak as you described. I have come across many non-AO Directors who head substantive policy divisions - in fact AO directors were in the minority among these policy departments. What I saw did not make me worry about ending up in operations/admin-type divisions that you described, even if I failed to make AO.

Oh I was saying earlier that an mx9, not mx8, could get 250k/yr. someone posted the monthly salary range for mx9 before, 11-16k I believe. Directors get larger bonuses since they're considered critical appointments if i'm not wrong, so assuming total 6 months bonus for a total of 18 months a year, the annualized mx9 range works out to be about 198-288k a year? MX8 would then be higher than this, of course. Heard the bonus structure from a director... Again please correct me if I'm wrong.

haha - let me guess - perhaps management consulting, if not a trip to business school first? For me I hope to get into finance if civil service doesn't work out, though policymaking is admittedly less transferable to finance than to strategy-type work. I'm already planning how to keep myself as transferable/marketable as possible throughout my bond. Maybe get CFA as you suggested, and try to get those relevant postings too. Also scrimp and save for a top MBA program if I need one after bond.

How much is HiPo allowance, if you don't mind me asking?

Hi are there any graduates of the Bachelor of Arts (Education) degree program conducted by NTU/NIE? What is the starting salary when u graduate and go out to schools?

advice required. thks
 

just got rejected for my DXO application (IT field)

worked in pte sector for 6yrs
highest qualification, 2nd hons (lower) from UniSim (in Bis and IT)
current pay $3.4
asking $4

really keen in working for the defense force. tried to sign on in NS as a C3 officer but did not make it as i went sispec instead of OCS.

qns is, is it possible at all to appeal (or do they allow application for other positions)?

You were asking for a pay raise and got rejected..

so far I have been asking for matching my current pay or at most a $2/300 pay cut but all I get are rejections or offers with $1000 paycuts.

is it because your pay is too high to start with?

btw, why would you want a pay cut for a new job?