Architecture graduate job offer - take or not??

[kiwichick]

Hi guys

I am new here, hope to make a few friends on the way! I am a 23yearold female graduate with a masters in architecture, very fresh out of uni - i only graduated last friday! So i do not have my formal qualification in my hands yet.

I would really love a few opinions, I am in New Zealand right now, lived here all my life, but my background is Singaporean. I am a very patriotic New Zealander - so if any kiwis read this - yeah, nah, give a yell!

I have been fortunate to been offered a graduate position at a large architecture firm, starting in the new year, salary monthly of $3500 a month.

I am wondering, because i have not signed any contracts YET (i was only offered this job on Wednesday - contracts drawn up and sent to me yesterday - ) I only just graduated, and need to send proof of my qualification, but of course I do not have my masters in my hands yet - that is formally given next year in may - how do i prove this?

Also, is $3500 enough for me to save some money on the side as well as live off?? I intend to flat - or to share a condo/HDB apartment with a few other young expats (also, give a yell if you too, are in my situation with no accommodation sorted out yet for jan 2012 onwards, and are interested in sharing a apartment. In new zealand we call it flatting. It would be great to talk and find a place together! MY budget for my own room would be $500-$700monthly)

And is $3500 good starting rate? I am wondering to bargain or not?

Thank you so much in advanced

[ecureilx]

Hi guys

I am new here, hope to make a few friends on the way! I am a 23yearold female graduate with a masters in architecture, very fresh out of uni - i only graduated last friday! So i do not have my formal qualification in my hands yet.

I would really love a few opinions, I am in New Zealand right now, lived here all my life, but my background is Singaporean. I am a very patriotic New Zealander - so if any kiwis read this - yeah, nah, give a yell!

I have been fortunate to been offered a graduate position at a large architecture firm, starting in the new year, salary monthly of $3500 a month.

I am wondering, because i have not signed any contracts YET (i was only offered this job on Wednesday - contracts drawn up and sent to me yesterday - ) I only just graduated, and need to send proof of my qualification, but of course I do not have my masters in my hands yet - that is formally given next year in may - how do i prove this?

Also, is $3500 enough for me to save some money on the side as well as live off?? I intend to flat - or to share a condo/HDB apartment with a few other young expats (also, give a yell if you too, are in my situation with no accommodation sorted out yet for jan 2012 onwards, and are interested in sharing a apartment. In new zealand we call it flatting. It would be great to talk and find a place together! MY budget for my own room would be $500-$700monthly)

And is $3500 good starting rate? I am wondering to bargain or not?

Thank you so much in advanced

Answer: YES .. for a fresh grad

[sundaymorningstaple]

Yes. $3200~3500 is the going rate for local engineers (in the various disciplines - could be as low as 3K or high as 4.5K (rare)). So you fall right into where you should be.

However. You mentioned your Singapore connection - are you ethnic Singaporean or ethnic Kiwi (granted there are various ethnic groups in both countries). I bring this up as I feel, unless you are drawing some housing allowance, you are coming up a wee bit short. If you are ethnic Singaporean, they may be giving you a rate based on you having family here. The average (nay, the vast majority) of local graduates still live with their parents so their after tax costs are quite low. Some, granted, contribute to the family income to some extent, but it's not fixed. Additionally, they are socking away some 35% of their basic salary into savings already (CPF) before they get their net each month (20% is deducted from their salary, 15% the employer pays).

So, most of their basic living needs are already covered by living at home with their parents. Plus the fact that they have the fixed CPF savings. You on the other hand, will have to pay higher medical costs (less subsidies), Higher rent - you will be gouged by the LL's. Plus you will need to foot the bill for ALL you daily living expenses like meals, cleaning, laundry, Cable/Internet etc.

Now, having said all that, I would at lease negotiate for an housing allowance for at least $1000/month as that will at lease cover the cost of a shared flat (HDB or maybe older condo further out).

Otherwise, you are going to be stretched a wee bit thin, in my opinion. But if you are resourceful it's still doable.

sms

[ausinsg]

Hi kiwichick,

Before the uni sends out your degree, you can request a letter that states you have completed all your requirements for graduation. Alternatively, some uni's print it after your grades on your transcript, so you just need to order an updated transcript from Student Admin. Check with your school to see which they offer. It is usually an FAQ on the Student Admin web page too.

For $3500 you can live in Singapore. At the range you are expecting to spend on rental, you can probably save $1000 a month if you are eating where locals do outside or cooking yourself, don't have a car, and are a cheap drunk!

If you are a big drinker then you can easily spend another $500 on drinks, if you go by the pub each night. The advantage females have here is the local culture has guys paying for you when you go out in many instances, but don't rely on that.

Your lifestyle would be like a recent graduate in NZ. Almost a student life in terms of housing and public transport, but you know you have some money in the bank in case of an emergency.

Oh, my big assumption here is that you don't have any credit card debt or loans. At this salary you would have problems clearing that and saving!

Have a great time from an Aussie, who has been through it first!

Cheers.

[shhh0812]

Hey kiwi chick,

I too am just like you! 23yo fresh grad female from NZ and moving to Singapore right after the new year on 3rd Jan to work for an MNC in marketing.

Would love to get in touch if you are keen, I can't PM though...do you have an email?

[shhh0812]

Sorry, also forgot to add about your issue with not having your physical degree in your hands.

I'm exactly the same, so I got someone from the graduation office (I attended Vic Uni) to write and sign a letterhead stating that I've completed my qualifications and due to graduate at so-and-so a time. Then they scanned a PDF copy to me, which I then attached with my employment pass application which was approved with no problems.

No need to pay for copies of a 'Certificate of Completion', so please don't waste money purchasing one!

Good luck!

[ecureilx]

No need to pay for copies of a 'Certificate of Completion', so please don't waste money purchasing one!

Good luck!

errr .. at the time you go to collect your EP, there is a possibility that MOM will want to see the original of the certificate .. no kidding

Better be prepared that to evoke suspicion says me .. it is not like you are going to pay thousands of dollars for a certificate of completion ..

SMS wanna chime in ??

[sundaymorningstaple]

No real need to chime in. It's normally on Eastern Europe and other Asian or 3rd world country where this problem crops up. NZ I doubt very seriously will have a problem as long as the original letter alluded to is in their possession. Should be okay with that.

[the lynx]

No real need to chime in. It's normally on Eastern Europe and other Asian or 3rd world country where this problem crops up. NZ I doubt very seriously will have a problem as long as the original letter alluded to is in their possession. Should be okay with that.

From my experience (and also the experience of many other fresh graduates during my time, especially from Aus and NZ), cert of completion would do.

Just to add in to SMS's info, for those from the above, it still depends on the officers. Some officers still accept the cert of completion, some would frown upon it.

[kiwichick]

Wow, this has been extreamly insightful, thank you guys.

I discussed with the future boss regarding the Employment pass and I should be able to be granted the pass with my bachelors degree. The clinch is weather I get the pass or not, the boss seemed fine with waiting to see my degree when I recieve it, as I am guessing there are other graduates who cant prove that they have their qualification yet while searching for a job.

I think I am a resourceful person, and really hope that I can live in singapore ok - i interned a few years ago and got $500 a month for my undergrad efforts ahhaha. being young and extreamly thrifty, I managed to live on that, and was fortunate to have free accomodation. Of course, I was truly living on the least and having as much fun as I could in singapore as a teenager.

Im really grateful for the feedback, thanks guys!!

[kiwichick]

Hey kiwi chick,

I too am just like you! 23yo fresh grad female from NZ and moving to Singapore right after the new year on 3rd Jan to work for an MNC in marketing.

Would love to get in touch if you are keen, I can't PM though...do you have an email?

Hey Im really interested in keeping in touch, I think I will miss NZ so much and would be awesom to have someone going through the same thing, not to mention a possible flatting buddy?? very interested in talking, whats your cell number in NZ to txt? my email is [email protected]