Political Science

last SG · 2007-09-30T23:37:06+00:00

I thought these investment banking prefer finance or accounting graduates? How would these political science graduates able to work in investment banking if...

Shotgun SG

Paiseh Mods, a lil not relevant to our military subject matter here. But I sort of need some info and advice.

Does anyone take political science here (esp from NUS)? Is it hard to "get into" PS, in a sense?

I'll be graduating from poly soon, and I recently found interest in PS. Managed to get some introduction textbooks on PS and actually found the reading quite enjoyable and educational. But I'm not sure if its possible for me to get into it since I'll graduating with a diploma in infocomms tech. Its like worlds apart.

Anyone with info, pls feel free to pm me.

Black Aces SG

My advice is before you take up this subject, consider what kind of jobs you are want to be in that accepts PS as a skill.

Private sector here has basically no need for graduates in this field (regardless you are a MASTERS or even PhD grad). The only avenue that PS grads are desired are from MFA, but you MUST NOT stop at just a degree but go until Honours, cos' the minimal entry is Honours. Mind you MFA is not like the US State Dept where they have offices in almost in every countries.

MFA presence is not prevalent and the empty slots is verty minimal, so unless you are sponsored or on scholarship from the Govt, think twice on the industries that is receptive to PS grads before you take up this ccourse. This course is a good course but Singapore is not the place where PS grads can find jobs easily.

Shotgun SG

I heard it wasn't that bad. Some of my friends from MOE said that they were keen on hiring on PS grads, esp those who have History minors or majors.

In a way, im also looking to study something that interests me. I'm kinda sick of infocomms as it is, despite doing well in it.

CX SG

check your PM Smile

LazerLordz SG

PS grads can work in Stat Boards, other Civil Service departments. Some of my friends are working in MNC advertising agencies and in investment banking too.

jammed SG

while i have been following thread, have seldom posted, but feel compelled to clarify.

i graduated from NUS PS in 94, and have been a teacher, and a poly lecturer before becoming a researcher in the civil service. Among my PS classmates, there are many varied careers - 3 are lecturers in NUS, there are quite a few civil servants including in MFA, MINDEF, MCYS, NYC, NHB, NLB, MHA, as well as quite few in the pte sector, including some really interesting ones like Hour Glass =)

my point is - while a person's training may have relevance in the career, it does not necessarily restricts one's career options. PS, in this instance, seeks to broaden one's perspectives and refine one's analytical skills, while sharpening yr writing, particularly in framing political devts. hopes that clarifies

all the best =)

Arapahoe SG

yeah he attended kennedy school.

sir sickolot II SG

PS is not a dead-end subject. You can be employed in many areas of the govt(and not only MFA). you can also try to get into MNCs, banks, and many other industries!... key thing is you should gun for honours if you're doing PS. NUS FASS offers PS, so does SMU School of Soc Sci.

All the best!

LazerLordz SG

Some of us go the BA/MA path as well.

beavan SG

it seems like most people nowadays do not enter the field that they are trained to be in.

Shotgun SG

Woah! Thanks for the helpful replies! Really appreciate it. Very Happy

I understand that FASS has this bidding system. I guess I don't have to find out how it works now, but I'd like to know, how hard was it to bid for something like Political Science?

As for gunning for honors, I believe in doing my best, but whether thats enough for honors... I'm not sure. I think I might stand at a slight disadvantage in Political Science when compared against others who have been trained in more "abstract" thinking in their JCs. My current diploma trains me think like an engineer, where everything is about solving problems, and solutions are a series of "if-else" statements. So, thinking broadly would be a new challenge for me, but one that I look forward to.

Geforce3 SG

If u want to do PS in NUS, getting into FASS is all you have to do, the bidding system is just like an auction, don't worry about that first imo

Marco_Simone SG

Poly student with a dip in IT can study in FASS? Care to enlighten me

Anyway,I did PS before at NUS.

Geforce3 SG

AS long u get accepted in FASS why not??

Dun really understand your last line

Marco_Simone SG

Oh now,poly also can go FASS though its a totallly unrelated discipline...

I did some PS courses at NUS before.

Shotgun SG

Yeah, on paper, its possible. Just that I wanted to find out about some "hidden" barriers to admission into FASS.

Education Liberalization? Laughing

gd4u SG

My dream course also ... Hopefully i can get into FASS next year ...
Anyway, I heard that those A lvls peeps with 'A' grades have priority to choose what they want to study, is that true ??

Geforce3 SG

they don't have to bid for 2 exposure modules, that's about it

Marco_Simone SG

Why didnt you choose the A level route instead?

The essay skills picked up when you take GP at A levels would be indispensible when you go FASS.

I dont think poly got teach you academic writing...that's where you're at severe disadvantage compared to air level peeps like me.

By the way,its really hard to score above B+ for PS.

I did 4 PS modules at NUS,I got 3B+,1 A-.

gd4u SG

I got rejected this year, u where not happy ??