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BOO!
Hard to find a job: Tough luck or tough employers?
I AM a fresh graduate from the University of London (London School of Economics) External Programme. It was not long ago I graduated with a second class honours degree, full of hope and anxiety to enter the workforce. And it was not long after I realised the hopes and dreams have to wait many months to come.
On Nov 6, I read the article, 'SNEF says there are jobs for fresh graduates in Singapore'. It was highly disturbing to read on that only National University of Singapore students were highlighted in discussing their future job prospects. Again, it made me wonder if I would ever find a job. Was it that the university that gave me my degree was not recognised? Or have foreign universities in general lost their appeal in Singapore? I think it is the latter.
If only the top cohort, meaning the top 5 per cent from local universities and scholars with first class honours can land good jobs, what can the rest do? Ever since I graduated, my father has approached people from different walks of life in search of opportunities. Enthusiastic, he even spoke to official authorities about his fresh graduate daughter. He is an active man with a wide social network.
The answers which some gave were puzzling. In fact, I was disgruntled by them. One said luck plays an important part in getting a government job, while another said, unless the individual is extremely intelligent, it would be difficult. I wonder what they meant by that.
Of course, it would be many fresh graduates' dream to work for the Government. Let's face it. Even if the civil sector is looking at a pay, it will not affect most of them. Job security, a good working environment with ever improving benefits, isn't this what we want? And I doubt every job in the civil service require first class honours graduate brains?
The civil service has a standard list of accredited overseas degrees in the Commonwealth Universities Yearbook. With much optimism, I ran to a library to confirm the credibility and to my glee, my university and the course I pursued were there. If the university is not the issue, what is? The question lingers in my mind almost every day now.
I have made many applications and received only a few replies, most standard rejections but sometimes an invitation to an interview. But another letter follows. I don't need to spell out its contents, do I?
If plays a part, I guess I am not lucky. If extraordinary grades play a part, I guess I am not super-smart. Now I wonder what the future holds for me in a bleaker economy to follow.
Oh, by the way, I think I am highly articulate and have a great sense of writing ability. At least, I still have my confidence in place.
R. Priya Nair (Ms)
Hard to find a job: Tough luck or tough employers?
I AM a fresh graduate from the University of London (London School of Economics) External Programme. It was not long ago I graduated with a second class honours degree, full of hope and anxiety to enter the workforce. And it was not long after I realised the hopes and dreams have to wait many months to come.
On Nov 6, I read the article, 'SNEF says there are jobs for fresh graduates in Singapore'. It was highly disturbing to read on that only National University of Singapore students were highlighted in discussing their future job prospects. Again, it made me wonder if I would ever find a job. Was it that the university that gave me my degree was not recognised? Or have foreign universities in general lost their appeal in Singapore? I think it is the latter.
If only the top cohort, meaning the top 5 per cent from local universities and scholars with first class honours can land good jobs, what can the rest do? Ever since I graduated, my father has approached people from different walks of life in search of opportunities. Enthusiastic, he even spoke to official authorities about his fresh graduate daughter. He is an active man with a wide social network.
The answers which some gave were puzzling. In fact, I was disgruntled by them. One said luck plays an important part in getting a government job, while another said, unless the individual is extremely intelligent, it would be difficult. I wonder what they meant by that.
Of course, it would be many fresh graduates' dream to work for the Government. Let's face it. Even if the civil sector is looking at a pay, it will not affect most of them. Job security, a good working environment with ever improving benefits, isn't this what we want? And I doubt every job in the civil service require first class honours graduate brains?
The civil service has a standard list of accredited overseas degrees in the Commonwealth Universities Yearbook. With much optimism, I ran to a library to confirm the credibility and to my glee, my university and the course I pursued were there. If the university is not the issue, what is? The question lingers in my mind almost every day now.
I have made many applications and received only a few replies, most standard rejections but sometimes an invitation to an interview. But another letter follows. I don't need to spell out its contents, do I?
If plays a part, I guess I am not lucky. If extraordinary grades play a part, I guess I am not super-smart. Now I wonder what the future holds for me in a bleaker economy to follow.
Oh, by the way, I think I am highly articulate and have a great sense of writing ability. At least, I still have my confidence in place.
R. Priya Nair (Ms)
