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05-07-2016 02:25 PM
Unregistered
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
The truth is that it doesn't apply to all, maybe around 60-70% of public sector is like that. The other 30-40% are doing industry leading work that is well sought after in the public sector as well.
There are not many public sector companies that one thinks of when you mention their work as industry leading. Shall we get down to which public companies are in this group? I share what I know well because I genuinely wish to find out who to look out for.

Disclaimer: Let's not confuse industry leading with meaningful. I believe the upkeep of Singapore's economy depends on the public sector. But that's entirely different to being at the forefront like where Google is.

For industry leading, I would think of GIC, Temasek, AStar. That's it!
GIC: They're starting a systematic trading group since last year. It doesn't take much to see the masses of quantitative analysts they're hiring on their careers page. Btw, systematic trading started like 20 years ago, matured about 7 years ago. Hardly industry leading but I'll put them here since they're setting something new up.

I know from trusted sources that these companies do NOT do industry leading work - MAS, EDB, IE.
MAS: Many policy setting, lots of processes, letter writing, presentation to ministries.
EDB, IE: They're not profit driven and the decisions they make on supporting local or overseas companies do not go to their PnL, thus the lack of drive to do insightful work by their managers.

I'm welcome any corrections. I'm just someone wanting to know how impactful is the work of public companies.
05-07-2016 02:11 PM
Unregistered Many here are simply parroting what they heard elsewhere about public sector. The truth is that it doesn't apply to all, maybe around 60-70% of public sector is like that. The other 30-40% are doing industry leading work that is well sought after in the public sector as well.

My brother-in-law is moving from a ministry into private sector after 13 years inside. He received a healthy 30% pay increment due to a jump in position. The private company had chased him since January via a headhunter, he made his final decision in April and has been handing over his work for the past 2 months. Also collected his PB for last year which adds up to slightly more than the annual salary of a junior staff (2-3 years experience).
05-07-2016 01:37 PM
Unregistered
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
I can't speak for all roles in the public sector, but there are many transferable skills.
Skills wise, the government does what they preach. There is constant upgrading and training. Take myself for example, I am constantly being exposed to and trained in the latest tech for my industry. My fellow university friends in the private sector are still using tech a generation behind. How are these skills not transferable? Tech wise, some private companies cut training to save cost. The longer you stay, the more obsolete you become. Difficult for a one-size-fits-all analysis. You gave vague details on your field of study.

Where ever you go, be it public or private, there will be people who do the minimum. End of the day, it depends on yourself.
Then let's be specific then as I am interested to know about your upgrading in your domain. You mentioned tech. Do you mean software development?

If so, how are your skills in software development being upgraded. Let's not be vague. Have you ventured in using languages outside C# or Java? What methods are you using now in machine learning? Has your program infrastructure evolved to anything that uses proper design patterns? What about data management? Are you using languages specific to handling large data sets like KDB, Hadoop?

My point is that it's very easy to get the idea that you've upgraded your skills when the government pays for a 3 hour group lesson. It's another thing to actually get upgrade when your company, can be private or public, spends the next 6 months adopting the technology.
05-07-2016 10:17 AM
Unregistered
Quote:
Originally Posted by wintrysun View Post
Hi all, my friends and I have very differing views on public sector work for fresh grad. May I know if anyone (been a fresh grad there for long), would you recommend starting your career there?

Many said public sector is a dead end. Is it true that most skills are not transferable? hence the high pay?
I can't speak for all roles in the public sector, but there are many transferable skills.
Skills wise, the government does what they preach. There is constant upgrading and training. Take myself for example, I am constantly being exposed to and trained in the latest tech for my industry. My fellow university friends in the private sector are still using tech a generation behind. How are these skills not transferable? Tech wise, some private companies cut training to save cost. The longer you stay, the more obsolete you become. Difficult for a one-size-fits-all analysis. You gave vague details on your field of study.

Where ever you go, be it public or private, there will be people who do the minimum. End of the day, it depends on yourself.
05-07-2016 09:56 AM
Unregistered
Quote:
Originally Posted by wintrysun View Post
Hi all, my friends and I have very differing views on public sector work for fresh grad. May I know if anyone (been a fresh grad there for long), would you recommend starting your career there?

Many said public sector is a dead end. Is it true that most skills are not transferable? hence the high pay?
Be the way, recession is on its way, and many people are applying for public sector jobs. Heard the interview process is increasingly becoming more difficult. Are you sure you can afford to be pick and choose? Better grab a job soon before the storm hits.
04-07-2016 03:30 PM
Unregistered many take public sector as a retirement job..

cos is most stable no need scared retrench when you are 40+

when you are young should go out and see the different working industry..

that what i think..
04-07-2016 11:25 AM
Unregistered
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
it quite boring working in public sector, you might not gain any working experience if you are fresh grad and working in public sector. The job you doing might not relevant, i think your skill might outdated.
can it be considered retirement village?
01-07-2016 05:22 AM
Unregistered it quite boring working in public sector, you might not gain any working experience if you are fresh grad and working in public sector. The job you doing might not relevant, i think your skill might outdated.
01-07-2016 05:19 AM
Unregistered No more rice bowl in public service.
30-06-2016 10:39 PM
Unregistered
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered View Post
then why do so many smart graduates join civil service? (pay is also not exceptionally high )
exam smart and corporate smart is different.
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