SINGAPORE: A Technology Student Grapples with Full-Time Job Offer Dilemma
A student pursuing technology at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), projected to graduate with first-class honors in 2026, recently articulated her quandary regarding her inaugural full-time job offer.
In a post shared on the r/askSingapore forum on Monday (Nov 3), she disclosed that although she has provisionally accepted a full-time position boasting a monthly salary of S$4,700, she continues to explore alternative opportunities.
She expressed her surprise, stating that she had anticipated her first remuneration would be “at least S$5,000.”
“Honestly, I harboured a mental benchmark of S$5,000 for various reasons—industry standards, academic performance, and one year’s internship experience,” she elaborated.
“For those who have recently graduated and are venturing into tech, do you think S$5k is a realistic expectation in today’s job market? The comments tend to oscillate between optimism and pessimism.”
The student acknowledged that some might advise her to simply accept the offer and show gratitude, arguing that “in their era, salaries were even lower.”
However, she countered that adjusting for inflation reveals that past salaries might equate to, or even exceed, what contemporary graduates earn.
“Shouldn’t salaries correspond with the prevailing cost of living?” she pondered. “Furthermore, if a more lucrative job comes my way, would it be deemed unethical to renegotiate my initial offer or even rescind it?”
Keep Looking.
In response, one Redditor from Singapore encouraged her to remain open to additional prospects. “Absolutely keep searching,” they advised.
“The tech landscape is in flux. Consider refining your skills towards AI-related fields, as SWE/SDE roles could be at risk this year, alongside TPM.”
Another commenter remarked, How are your peers faring? It’s challenging to provide a benchmark as I lack contemporaries in SIT, but for my friends at NTU/NUS/SMU, they’re reporting salaries exceeding S$8k per month.
Most possess first-class honors (FCH) and over two years of internship experience.”A third commenter suggested, Just accept the offer for now.
It’s a conditional offer a year prior to graduation, so depending on its stipulations, it may not be guaranteed. The company is already prepared for the possibility of either party withdrawing, so feel free to pursue better offers.”
In another vein, an expatriate residing in Singapore for three years took to social media to inquire whether locals genuinely wish for foreigners like him to “depart the country.”
Posting in the r/SingaporeCitizens forum, he elucidated that while he aspires to establish permanent residency in Singapore, he has been plagued by doubts after encountering anonymous comments and discussions that suggest he and fellow foreigners may not be as welcomed as he once believed.
Source link: Theindependent.sg.
