Salary package is also one of the most important attributes to the respondents. 47% of the diploma undergraduates expect a starting salary between $2000 - $2500, while degree undergraduates are expecting between $3000 and $3500. Ms Yue Yin Mun, Adecco Strategic Accounts Director, Singapore, revealed that generally, companies are offering diploma graduates a salary range of $1800 - $2000 and between $2400 - $2800 for degree graduates. Fresh graduates who take on specific functions within the banking industry and have performed well during their internship may draw up to $3500.

A search on the companies who were recruiting via STJobs.sg in the last 6 months also showed similar results, with the salary range for diploma graduates being $1550 - $2,050 and degree graduates being $2450 - $2950.  These are significantly lower than what the undergraduates are expecting. With the global economy expecting to slow down in the coming months, the undergraduates may have to adjust their expectations when starting their job hunt in the coming months.

While learning opportunities and salary top the table, undergraduates are also looking for tangible rewards such as work benefits and travelling opportunities. As such, 50% of the degree undergraduates and 36% diploma undergraduates expressed interest to work in Multi-National Corporations (MNCs) but only 4% of the degree undergraduates and 10% of the diploma graduates are willing to work in start-ups.  

Stability at work, on the other hand, was the least important partly because the respondents are still young and not afraid to try different opportunities and face any challenges ahead of them.

Final year Accountancy student from the Singapore Management University Mr Koh Tee Chuan, said: "I would like to pursue a career in the Accounting and Finance sector after graduation. In the search of my first job, learning opportunities and cross-regional exposure will be my priorities for consideration. As a start, I believe it is important to gain as much professional experience as possible and joining a company that values training will allow me to grow and develop myself professionally.”

Issued by Singapore Press Holdings Ltd
Co. Registration. No. 198402868E 

For more information, please contact:

Jolynn Lai (Ms)
Assistant Product Marketing Manager
SPH Digital - STJobs
DID: 6319 3165 
Email: jolynnl@sph.com.sg

Deror Wong (Mr)
Assistant Manager
Corporate Communications & CSR 
Singapore Press Holdings Limited
DID: 6319 1226 
Email: derorw@sph.com.sg

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