As one of the largest employers in Singapore, the public sector is often an option for many graduates to consider when they first step into the working world.
At a glance, a job in the public sector has a lot of appeal, such as meaningful work, (almost) guaranteed promotions and a high entry pay for fresh graduates. Time spent working in the public sector will also look good on your resume in the future! But before you take that leap, keep in mind that just like any other job in any other sector, there are still pros and cons that you should consider before making your decision.
A general overview
The public sector consists of all governmental organisations in the country, including the Singapore government. In total, there are 16 ministries with more than 60 statutory boards between them.
Contrary to popular belief, not every person who works for the government is classified as a “civil servant”. While the Civil Service is indeed a subset of the public sector, it’s those who work within the ministries that are labelled civil servants. Those working in statutory boards – entities within the government who operate autonomously (but still answerable to their parent ministries) – are instead called “public servants”. For example, the National Environment Agency (NEA) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment, while the Singapore Tourism Board belongs to the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The roles and responsibilities of the public sector are wide, but as its name implies, the core focus of the public sector is to provide services to the general public, such as education and welfare. They are also responsible for defending the country, whether through physical force (navy, land and air forces, etc.) or through other means like cybersecurity. To put it simply, the public sector works for the sake of the people.
What to expect
Jobs in the public sector are often perceived to be “iron rice bowls”, and there’s a good reason for that. Unlike those in the private sector, roles in the public sector are much more resistant to pay cuts and layoffs – which is especially appealing in the midst of an unstable job market.
Moreover, the pay is quite competitive compared to the private sector, and it also comes with additional remuneration such as guaranteed year-end bonuses (which can be up to a month’s pay), as well as possible additional bonuses. These don’t even cover non-monetary benefits that include insurance, medical and dental perks! Additionally, civil and public servants enjoy an increased rate to their CPF (Medisave) contributions, and also enjoy subsidised access to government-owned facilities. As for upskilling, there are several resources specifically for training and development, such as the Civil Service College (for civil servants) and The Digital Academy. Training and degree courses are subsidised, as well.
Work-life balance is also almost certainly guaranteed. Although overtime might still be needed on rare occasions, and may be dependent on where you’re employed at. More often than not, you’ll find yourself clocking off on time or earlier.
Things to take note of
Keep in mind, however, that there’s no such thing as a perfect job, and those in the public sector are no exception.
For one, there’s generally a higher emphasis on paper qualifications as compared to jobs in the private sector. Notably, graduates applying on the official government career portal may come to find that they’re required to key in their academic results before submission, from their PSLE and “O” Level results all the way to their GPA scores in university.
Moreover, due to the highly regulated and procedure-driven nature of the government, hiring processes in the public sector can be lengthy. Recruiters have to go through several application reviews and rounds of interviews before they can finally extend a job offer to selected candidates. So if you’re looking to join, it’s best to get a headstart when you can.
In that same vein, it can take much longer to achieve goals or affect change in some roles than it does in the private sector. The slow-moving bureaucracy of the government can result in suggested changes on policies and regulations taking a while to be implemented, though this can also depend on its perceived urgency.
Is the public sector for you?
The answer is that it depends on what you want out of your career, as well as what aspects of it you want to prioritise.
For instance, the public sector is a good fit for those looking for personal and professional fulfilment, as well as those who’re motivated to make a positive impact on others. If your calling is to help others, employment in the public sector may be a great career path for you to explore. On the other hand, if you want to gain a wide range of experience and spend time roaming around your chosen field, the private sector may be more suitable for your needs, since you’ll have more flexibility to test the waters there.
Of course, there are also other factors you might think of, such as whether your own working style and temperament mesh well with either sector. And if you’re still on the fence, you can also consider taking up internships or consulting your professional contacts and career coaches for their insights. Whatever your choice, there is no wrong answer, and each opportunity will provide a learning experience in your career journey.
