Need advice, local degree vs private.

[balkis293]

Confused

Local degree helps get your foot in the door. Fresh grads don't have experience to compare with each other. Hence, the only thing the company can compare is your degree, and since local degree is better, they will choose a local grad. However, after a few years, they won't look much to your degree anymore. They will look at your work experiences, KPI, or any post-grad qualifications/certs to compare since your degree being 7-10 years ago is basically redundant.

Hi, what you mentioned is exactly what i thought as well. I recently got offered a full time perm job at KPMG as an associate even though im just a diploma holder. But on the other hand, after i got offered the job i got an offer from NTU to study economics. Both are really good oppurtunities and Im having a huge dilemma as to which one to pick and stick with.

My parents want me to study part time at SIM Global Uni of manchester and work full time and gain some work experence but all my diploma classmates and everybody tells me that im better off taking the NTU offer. Its 4 years but if i study private part time, i can graduate in half the time (2 years) and gain experience and do other certifications before my friends graduate form local uni. I might be earning more than them. This seems like a better option to me.

Since, KPMG is a good name, even if im a private degree holder, ill still be able to have career progression right? If they dont recognise my degree or promote me fast enought, I was thinking i can just take my experience and Jump companies.

But 4 years in NTU is still very valuable. MY GPA is 3.64. Im just really worried.

Any advice?

 

[simon_84]

Why do u think ppl want to go to top uni in the world ? becuz they can teach 1+1= 2 better than local uni? its the networking opportunities there.

actually the real networking opportunity is learning how to network with successful lecturers aka lecturers with real previous job experience.
those with their own firms teaching part time, are the ones who are still connected with the working society and their experience is worth learning from.

not that i want to undermine the possibility of knowing a peer with his own family business but when one eventually do work with your friends or relatives, their expectation of you is higher than you can imagine.

 

[Tommy Lee]

hello TS. Actually you should not be too concerned about when you finish a course. Rather, go and absorb what local universities can offer you as a student. Do you think you can benefit more from local university than private schools with university affiliated degrees? At a local university, you get to enjoy not just facilities but the good professors. You can also go to exchange programmes, internships, and other goodies and privilege that only local universities can offer. Can private schools offer that? Moreover, do you know how hard it is to get into local universities? The percentage as of now is approximately 20% of each cohort... meaning those born in the same year as you. So you are very lucky to get a place.

Abang...

20% LOCAL does not all mean NTU or NUS or SMU leh..
Includes SIT, SUTD

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[Havok_ex]

Abang...

20% LOCAL does not all mean NTU or NUS or SMU leh..
Includes SIT, SUTD

Sent from an anti-troll hero wannabe using GAGT

I think the numbers are different now. It was 27% in 2012. The Goal is 40% by 2020.

http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big...h-cohort-get-shot-local-universities-20120827

 

[agenda]

TS, biggest advice to you - take local uni anytime. Anyone who tells you otherwise, just ask if they would rather go to a local or private uni, the answer is very clear. Sure a degree only gets you your first job, but that degree determines you get the interview or not.. here are the reasons why

1) Practically everyone in SMU goes for an overseas trip - ocsp, study mission, exchange or overseas internship. There are statistics on this. Almost 90% go on exchange because SMU has the most exchange partner universities and good financial support for it.

2) SMU IS is the most well paid degree in SMU and this true - because you are prime target for banks. You only take 16 or 18 IS mods, the rest are unicores and biz mods.

3) Prestige. Nothing beats being in a local uni. Fact is, Banks, consulting firms, F100 co almost only hire from local uni exclusively.

4) Network. You can bet on 50% of the people you know to make something out of themselves and another 10% to 20% to become high flyers. The school is small enough.

5) People. Everyone you meet will be very driven and determined. No one really complains about exams or burn books etc.

6) Internships. Being from a local uni, like applying for a job, makes it easier to get called for interview. Also, the career centre is one of the best. You will get to attend networking sessions with leaders in huge firms.

7) Multi-disciplinary. SMU gives you a broadbased education. Trust me on this, it's very useful.

8) Finance. Tuition grant is "free" until 6 months after you graduate. Problems wih living expenses? You can take a school loan for that too or apply for some bursary. You'll be surprised how easy you can get it. Bottom line, money will never be an issue in education.

9) The list goes on

I was in the same shoe as you 3 years ago. It was NTU/CS or SMU/IS or SIM. I'm glad I stuck to SMU. Best decision I made in my life, school gave me plenty of opportunities. I thought I was gonna be stuck to a techonology life but none kf my internships were tech heavy, in fact, they were marketing, operations and consulting. I was not limited by my discipline because employers value diversity.

I cannot stress this enough, do not throw away this golden opportunity because you wanna hope on the "business/accounting" bandwagon. Remember, money is to be made in banks and they dont hire private grads straight out of college.

BTW, the work and study thing - not exactly the best option. A friend of mine went to SIM and worked PT at the same time, graduated 1 year earlier than me. His pay is still gonna be lower than me and his progression probably worst. I already have a job offer with a good company on the table even though I have not graduated. My starting pay will already be 20% more than his and my career progression will be much accelerated than his.

 

[agenda]

Hi, what you mentioned is exactly what i thought as well. I recently got offered a full time perm job at KPMG as an associate even though im just a diploma holder. But on the other hand, after i got offered the job i got an offer from NTU to study economics. Both are really good oppurtunities and Im having a huge dilemma as to which one to pick and stick with.

My parents want me to study part time at SIM Global Uni of manchester and work full time and gain some work experence but all my diploma classmates and everybody tells me that im better off taking the NTU offer. Its 4 years but if i study private part time, i can graduate in half the time (2 years) and gain experience and do other certifications before my friends graduate form local uni. I might be earning more than them. This seems like a better option to me.

Since, KPMG is a good name, even if im a private degree holder, ill still be able to have career progression right? If they dont recognise my degree or promote me fast enought, I was thinking i can just take my experience and Jump companies.

But 4 years in NTU is still very valuable. MY GPA is 3.64. Im just really worried.

Any advice?

Diploma holder? Associate? As in A1? They don't even hire private grads and they are offering you an ASSOCIATE role? I find that really hard to believe.

 

[Tommy Lee]

I think the numbers are different now. It was 27% in 2012. The Goal is 40% by 2020.

http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big...h-cohort-get-shot-local-universities-20120827

Lol
When PM said "40%" everyone was so excited....

Then he later said "bulk is SIT, SIM"....All said chey

Sent from an anti-troll hero wannabe using GAGT

 

[SINple]

some company still look at yr degree even if u have work experience with a private degree. so if possible, take a local degree.

but I do have friends who found good jobs with private degree.

so it boils down to luck and yr interview skills

 

[Havok_ex]

Lol
When PM said "40%" everyone was so excited....

Then he later said "bulk is SIT, SIM"....All said chey

Sent from an anti-troll hero wannabe using GAGT

Lol. What's wrong with SIT, Unisim and SUTD? I think NTU and NUS probably has reached a max capacity. They need to build more buildings before taking in that many students.

NUS is still increasing their intake by a few hundred each year btw:

http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/statistics.html

The trend is similar in the other universities too.

 

[Nosferato4]

My opinion differs from majority of the people in this thread. I think private degree is worth considering given the shorter time frame. A good local degree has a higher chance of securing your first job but thats usually where the main advantages stop (in the private sector). Your success after your first job pretty much depends on your capability and work experience there after.

That is 101% simply not true.

That advantage of having a local degree will not stop at ur first job. (Are u kidding me? Ure telling me all the internships, exchange rigourous accademia provided by a local U is surpassed by one job experience? Than whats the point of receiving an in-depth broad based education in e 1st place? Everyone will than choose UNISIM and NTU NUS SMU will close down)

And correct me if im wrong but even at the private sector, the employers are more annal in Job sourcing. Do you see top banks like OCBC or American express hiring a UNIsim /SIM graduate over SMU/NTU/NUS?

No. Why? Because all 3 local U's are the only top few in asia to be accredited with prestigous recognition such as the AACSB and EQUIS. And mind you, only the top universities (only a handful) can achieve that standard.

in the private sector, there is only one goal. To make money. If i were the boss I will choose some 1 who is:

1) capable

2)can handle tough workload

3) Know his stuff

4) has experience

5) Gone thru rigorous theory n practical training

6) Comes from some place recognized and well known and is reliable.

And what better way than to source for power-tankers from well established, well accredited and internationally renown local universities in Singapore?

Job experiences matter, yes. But it is no substitute for a well-rounded education to prep u for technical skills u need to excel in e work force. (Some 1 that has worked 10 jobs that has no Degree and is experienced vs a Local U grad w Degree from a well established Local U with moderate experience, they will still choose Local U grad)

Job experiences augments your Core knowledge and expertise u obtain from your Degree to make you a more competitive candidate in the work force. Not the other way around in my opinion.

I dont think this is true.

I believe SIM provides overseas exchange opportunities too.

Good professors? It is highly subjective.

Internships whether local uni or private uni are sourced by yourselves. Sure enough that local uni gives you chances to network more, but ultimately you still have to source for internship yourself.

Other than the 'prestige' of local uni student and probably 'uni life', i dont see much that private schools cant offer?

SIM's / SIMuniversity's exchange is not that better off subsidized as compared to Local U's and there is very limited option.

Professor quality wise and teaching style SMU/NUS/NTU hands down. They hire top minds from wharton/havard/MIT/imperial college and other ATAS ivy league uni possesing a minimum of Masters or in some cases Doctorate to teach.

A lot of expenditure in the Local U's come from the need to attract top minds to teach. And how do they do that? High $$ pay.

Uni's also have industrial talks from many diff big shot companies, especially in the case of SMU. Being located near a CBD area, attracts much more tons of corporate big shots to hold talks and seek out potential students + is a gre8 spring board for networking.

Does UNIsim/SIM have that? Maybe. But it is still not as good as what the Big 3 has.

SMU has also a fantastic noob-friendly career centre(one that even outmatch's NUS/NTU) that can help u to reach out to potential bosses/ companies of your choice making sourcing of internships, much less of a chore and easier /simple.

Not sure if SIM'S one is as noob-friendly as SMU but ya. U get my point.


So, to the Original Poster: do not throw away your chance at having the gift of education for this place @ SMU IS will open many doors for u as compared to a general Degree at UNISIM/SIM.

i have a friend who enrolled in SMU IS and companies are even hunting him down even before he starts year 1, and is offering attractive bounty to start work with them first before going to Uni.

I believe SIM/UNISIM is good, however in their own way as they cater to working/home adults or students that are mostly keen in part time studies to have more flexibility/ who just need basic education for their job scope.

(And yes, before u unisim fan boys or girls start raging and hurl insults at me, I know unisim is going to be sg's 6th local u . But as of now they are still private. If u do not believe me, go to MOE's website n check

SIM is still an awesome place for conituning education for the casual/ work-oriented.

 

[IAmZTX]

I agree with what Nosferato4 has said. If you have a placing in local university, go for it. The 4 years course will enable you to learn more and learning is a process when everyone must enjoy it no matter how badly you perform. Grades doesn't matter, its the attitude, knowledge, networking that make you different from the rest.

Many of us are concerned of our age as we are studying for the entire life. Do not let age decide your future. Yet again, i must emphasis this is a debatable topic to even start with. We shall not force, we ADVISE. Your future lies in your hand.

By the way i'm 26 years old and looking to apply local universities next year. I'm not hesitating to get a degree. So i don't think why you should be bother about your age. To be honest, while serving NS have influenced us in the way that we get monthly allowance. We felt empty when nothing is coming in each month after NS. But that should not been a factor for selection of university.

On a side note, this thread topic was created on 2013..

 

[Evil Bunny]

This is a old thread.

I would really encourage people to go for local universities instead of private regardless of when they graduate.

Besides, graduating at the age of 27years old is common for singaporean males due to NS.
Come on? you will probably have to work for the next 35years.

Personally, I know of many people who will graduate at the age of 26-28 years old in my cohort.
no big deal, really. There is even a guy I know that is over 30 years old and still studying for a degree.

No one even care about your age unless you go around asking everyone about it.

 

[WestgateTower]

Do you see top banks like OCBC or American express hiring a UNIsim /SIM graduate over SMU/NTU/NUS?

to be honest, the big MNCs in singapore are filled with expats from unranked universities. do a quick search on linkedin and you will know.

their biggest skillset is knowing how to network and how to sell themselves (i.e. can talk a lot!).