SIT graduate with 2nd Upper Class Honours jobless despite sending out 650 applications |
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I graduated with a 2:1 in Computer Science from the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT); today me and my parents attended the commencement ceremony where I received my degree scroll. Listened to endless speeches by various professors, guests etc. Honestly though, nary a word registered, because my mind was bogged down with far more pressing concerns. Had a meal with my parents thereafter, before posing for "mandatory" shots with coursemates and assorted lecturers who had previously taught me. Then it was time to depart. With great trepidation. I am genuinely worried for my future. What lies in store for me right here in the little red dot? I reckon almost nothing. Looking back, I spent three years studying in a polytechnic, wasted two doing National Service, then another three at SIT...and now, lo and behold, yours sincerely is jobless. This despite possessing a 2nd Upper Honours. I have been unemployed since June after the company I was working for retrenched moi, alongside a whole bunch of other interns who were converted to permanent full-time staff (just in May). Reason proffered? The company could no longer afford to operate in Singapore. Pure bullshit I'd say, because they are in fact one of the largest tech companies from China. My situation is hardly unique; many of my coursemates are also frantically job-hunting. Come any and every job fair, we would unsurprisingly bump into one other. I must admit having also snuck into job fairs meant only for graduates from other universities as well with the assistance of my friends who happen to be alumni there. After all, beggars can't be choosers. I felt so defeated, so demoralized. Things at home aren't much better either, for my parents hounded me incessantly over my joblessness. Consequently, I resorted to working as a part-time receptionist at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), participating in ad hoc event gigs - even taking up a temporary cashier's position at Giant supermart. Plugging away mindlessly for all 7 days a week thus brings me about $3k in total each month. Till date, I have submitted a grand total of 650 applications. Used a program to keep track of them all. Out of these 650, 80 elicited responses, somewhat. 75 ghosted me, however, while the remaining 5 yielded second-round interviews. Eventually, I got a single offer paying a derisory $2K/month, which couldn't even match a diploma holder's basic remuneration. Turned it down flat. Sheesh! With the odds stacked high against me, I can only make bear and grin it. Pointing fingers at the government won't get me anything other than the placative textbook answer of be more competitive through upskilling yourself. Singapore is without doubt already a dsytopia for ordinary peons like us. |
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