By Leong Sze Hian
7 out of 10 get jobs before graduation
I refer to the article “7 out of 10 students at NTU land jobs before graduation” (Straits Times, Jul 26).
Top 10% in 1 faculty – $8,254 average salary
It states that “Among the Class of 2013, the double degree cohort in Accountancy and Business from Nanyang Business School has done well again this year, with almost 9 in 10 securing employment before graduation, and the top 10 per cent drawing an average salary of $8,254.”
No median salary?
When I read this, the obvious question that came to my mind was – what was the median salary?
So, I went to NTU’s web site to read the press release. No luck there either – no mention of the median salary.
Got top, but no middle?
What’s the point of issuing a press release that cites the average salary of the top 10 per cent of just the double degree cohort in one faculty, without any mention of what most people (including the graduates and alumni) may like to know – the median salary.
5 years of no real salary growth?
This may be particularly pertinent in the light of a Minister’s recent remarks that there was no real growth in the salaries of fresh graduates over the last five years or so.
Breakdown of types of jobs?
As to “The employment outlook looks bright for NTU’s Class of 2013 despite the uncertain global economic climate. A preliminary survey conducted by the university at the end of last month found that almost 7 in 10 graduates from the Class of 2013 have secured jobs before graduation, slightly higher than in 2012″, why not give a breakdown as to the types of jobs – full-time permanent, contract, etc?
How many not on internships?
With regard to “About 3 in 10 graduates are offered jobs by their internship and attachment companies annually”, what is the number and percentage of graduates out of the total number of graduates (including those who could not get an internship) who were offered jobs?
In this connection, the statement “Each year, NTU has close to 4,800 undergraduates that undergo internship or attachment training at about 1,500 companies, both at home and abroad”, may give an indication that quite a lot of them may not have been able to get internships.
What percentage of the total number were not on internships? (Note: This year, there were 6,593 Bachelor’s Degree graduates and 142 Bachelor’s graduates receiving double degrees)
How many still giving back?
In respect of “The Class of 2013 is also a story of generosity, setting a new record of 87.19 per cent in class giving, surpassing last year’s 82.08 per cent”, what is the percentage of total alumni who participate in class giving?
How do we compare with other universities in the world?
“A Showcase of Success by NTU’s Class of 2013″
The subject press release was very appropriately titled “A Showcase of Success by NTU’s Class of 2013″.
PMET
With this type of standard, can you blame the media for saying that Singaporean PMETs are “Pampered, Mediocre, Expensive, Timid” (Straits Times, Jul 13)?
