Career choice of undergraduates in Singapore

• Main Authors: Goh, Desmond Jun Hui, Soh, Jung Hong, Gao, Xiaosheng
• Other Authors: Wu Yuan
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Business::General::Careers and profession
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/44115
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Previous researches have been carried out regarding the career choices of business undergraduates. As such, this study aims to expand the scope to include undergraduates from all fields and disciplines. Specifically, we would like to identify the perception gaps of 9 job attributes between undergraduates and graduates, undergraduates and SMEs, and graduates and SMEs. In addition, we would also like to do a longitudinal and cross-sectional comparison study to find out if the perception gap has narrowed. Results from preliminary study examining the career choices of undergraduates suggested that MNCs is their preferred choice, followed by self-employment and SMEs. SMEs also score above average ratings for managerial quality and relationship, even though pay and fringe benefits are still below average. Through further analysis, results suggested that the perception gaps between SMEs and MNCs are widening as MNCs are now perceived to perform better on all these 9 job attributes, despite a series of government-initiated programs to increase the appeal of SMEs. Job security has the biggest perception gap among the 9 job attributes. Perception gaps between undergraduates and employers and between graduates and employers are widening as well. Hence, based on the findings from this study, SMEs and Spring Singapore could evaluate and redesign their strategies to narrow the perception gaps, as this study seems to suggest that MNCs seem to have a stronger appeal to undergraduates.