The worth of my degree

[putnam]

I graduated summa cum laude from a recognized university in the US,
which is on the MOM's list. But my university is not as good as University of Singapore in terms of world rankings. Do Singaporeans look down on my degree? I know employers in some Asian countries including my home country do not value academical success at university. In such countries the prestige of the university students get into determines their success in life.

[ksl]

I graduated summa cum laude from a recognized university in the US,
which is on the MOM's list. But my university is not as good as University of Singapore in terms of world rankings. Do Singaporeans look down on my degree? I know employers in some Asian countries including my home country do not value academical success at university. In such countries the prestige of the university students get into determines their success in life.

Got to admit your more clever than some people:) by the way, you say you have applied for part time EP? That's not possible!

[Strong Eagle]

I graduated summa cum laude from a recognized university in the US, which is on the MOM's list. But my university is not as good as University of Singapore in terms of world rankings. Do Singaporeans look down on my degree? I know employers in some Asian countries including my home country do not value academical success at university. In such countries the prestige of the university students get into determines their success in life.

Look man, here's life. Having a degree let's someone put a tick mark on a check list that you meet minimum requirements. Why do they want a degree? Because it shows that if you can make it through 4 years you may actually have a functioning brain.

Why a specific list of schools? Because too many schools don't care if you have a functioning brain. They are not qualified to make your brain function, just in case it wasn't functioning before you went to the school.

Having said that, no one gives a shit about your degree beyond that. I really could give a shit about the 'prestige' your degree offers you... Yale assholes are still assholes... apologies in advance to Yale grads... substitute whatever school you want.

What matters is how you present yourself, how you convince me that you add value to my organization. You want to tell me how cool you are with your prestigious degree... I don't care? Can you plan? Can you execute? Or are you a bump on a log that passes things to others, shirks responsibility, and can't think in any meaningful way?

[sundaymorningstaple]

I graduated summa cum laude from a recognized university in the US,
which is on the MOM's list. But my university is not as good as University of Singapore in terms of world rankings. Do Singaporeans look down on my degree? I know employers in some Asian countries including my home country do not value academical success at university. In such countries the prestige of the university students get into determines their success in life.

Got to admit your more clever than some people:) by the way, you say you have applied for part time EP? That's not possible!

Technically, I think he can. MOM doesn't really care how many hours he works per day as long as everything else being in order, re: qualifications and the company being able to justify the hiring of a foreigner (that one probably will never fly, though, truth be known).

But assuming he does get it, his "part-time" job just became his full time job as he can only have a single employer at a time in Singapore. So he's just screwing himself. The only way he could have a part time job is if he were a citizen or a PR and getting a PR isn't likely at this stage. He can't even do it via the entrepass route either.

[putnam]

Some say university rankings do not matter.

Employers Favor State Schools for Hires

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... rJournal_2

5 Reasons Why Every Single College Ranking Is a Pile of Crap
http://consumerist.com/2010/08/5-reason ... -crap.html

Three quarters of employers 'require 2:1 degree'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10506798

[sundaymorningstaple]

Guess you ought to stay in the States then. They look at it differently here in Asia. You will be out of your league here.

[putnam]

You are right. I think that is inherited from the Chinese
Imperial Examination. Maybe I should have a look at positions
in foreign-owned companies in Singapore?

[nakatago]

Why don't you just apply for jobs? You get hired and MOM gives you your pass, that means everything will just be peachy keen for you. If you don't, them's the breaks.

[JR8]

Why don't you just apply for jobs? You get hired and MOM gives you your pass, that means everything will just be peachy keen for you. If you don't, them's the breaks.

+1

Instead of the prevarication, why not just get on with it!

[Strong Eagle]

You are right. I think that is inherited from the Chinese
Imperial Examination. Maybe I should have a look at positions
in foreign-owned companies in Singapore?

MNC's are definitely the way to go, for all races and nationalities. Almost always a better deal than a local firm because of a global focus, global rules.

Having said that, I'll repeat: It is how you show up that lands you the job, not the prestige of your degree. If you think you deserve a job because of your degree, you're on the wrong page. If you think you're degree will hinder you because it is ranked high enough, you are on the wrong page.

[slayerk2000]

If you think you're degree will hinder you because it is ranked high enough, you are on the wrong page.

Sorry for the threadjack, a little off tangent but:

Does expected salary play a big part in a company's decision? I mean, if you had a high ranked degree and only expected $2500, do they look at it and go, 'there must be something wrong with this guy!' or would they say, 'bargain!'?

I've been trying to leave out expected salary when possible, but always wondered how big of an effect it has on your application...Do recruiters ever search job databases by salary first? Would they ever not interview someone if they posted a $6000 expected salary when all they were prepared to offer was $4000? Or would they bother to see you and negotiate?