A Singaporean questions the disparity in earnings and perks between finance grads and peers in other fields.
SINGAPORE: A recent social media post sparked debate about fresh graduates in the finance sector earning substantial salaries and receiving exclusive perks, prompting a Singaporean to ask why these individuals are “treated so well.”
The post on r/SingaporeRaw detailed an encounter with a 24-year-old finance graduate earning S$9,500 a month. “She told me she’s not even the highest earner in her batch,” the poster wrote, comparing the salary to those of fresh lawyers, doctors, and consultants who typically earn less at entry level.
The poster added that the graduate wasn’t in a high-risk or high-pressure role like trading or banking but was working in investor relations.
Adding to the surprise were the perks: company-paid meals for lunch and dinner, covered transportation costs, business-class flights to Hong Kong, luxury hotel stays, and allowances for additional expenses.
“So the rich are just going to get richer?” the poster asked. “Why are they treated so well? What can she do that her schoolmates earning less than half of her cannot do?”
Skepticism and Explanations
The comments section was filled with mixed reactions. Some cast doubt on the story, suggesting it might be exaggerated or fabricated.
“Don’t believe everything you hear unless you verify it with her boss,” one commenter advised, expressing skepticism about such a high salary for a fresh graduate unless they had special connections or were working in elite private equity or hedge funds.
Others pointed out that the finance industry generally offers higher salaries due to the significant revenue these firms generate. Companies in this sector also provide attractive bonuses, allowances, and perks to secure top talent.
“If she’s bringing in millions for the company, S$10,000 a month is actually nothing,” one netizen noted.
Another commenter shared personal experience to highlight the disparity between effort and earnings in different industries. After years of grueling work to earn an advanced STEM degree, they switched careers to trading and found it both easier and more lucrative.
“There is no correlation between effort or how much you suffered in university and how much you earn. It has always been this way,” they concluded.
Broader Reflections
While some sympathized with the poster’s frustration, others emphasized the importance of taking such claims with a grain of salt. “Unless she works for a top PE/HF [private equity/hedge fund], I would be very skeptical of that pay for a fresh grad,” one user commented.
The discussion highlighted broader themes of income inequality and the perceived lack of meritocracy in certain high-paying industries. It also reinforced the notion that salary and job perks often reflect market demand, profitability, and strategic priorities rather than the effort required to perform the job.
