<p>Hey all,</p>
<p>I've been offered admissions into both U-Michigan's College of Engineering and Singapore Management University's Bachelor of Laws (i know you guys dont have LLBs in the States but its a degree that will allow me to become a practicing lawyer). As you may have guessed, I'm an international (from Singapore). </p>
<p>So, the question is, what should I do? The michigan degree will take me 3 years (total of ~USD $160k all in) and the SMU degree will take me 4 years (total of SGD$80k, or ~$67k). My parents will be able to afford both without debt (if they tighten their belt a little). I've been doing engineering all my life, but at the same time I do have a knack for debates and public speaking. </p>
<p>Going to the States presents a huge risk for me as engineering over in Singapore is a pretty much dead end job (capped at Senior Principal Engineer, with a pay of ~$84k at the age of 40). Hence, if I do go to michigan, I'll need a job either in the States or elsewhere. As for law, its an extremely stressful profession (I know a lawyer who quit just barely 2 years after getting called to the Bar) but it pays reasonably well. Pay isn't everything but I'd like to at least be able to give my parents a comfortable life after all they've done for me (and price of living here is HIGH). </p>
<p>TLDR: So I'll need some advice, is it hard for internationals to get jobs in the states or internationally with a Michigan engin degree? (I know some of you are very vocal against H1Bs and the like but please put that aside). I'd love a job that will allow me to travel (like management consultancy, or engineering in a global firm) but I'm not sure if a local law degree or an engin degree would be better suited for me. Thanks!</p>
<p>Why is the engineering pay so low in high cost Singapore? Are you sure you can get through Michigan in 3 years rather than 4?</p>
<p>What is the income potential for a LLB in Singapore? Having a knack for debate and public speaking is nice but most lawyering involves heavy research and advanced writing skills.</p>
<p>Do you have options for an engineering education in Singapore or in the US but cheaper than Michigan? U of M is a great school but pricey for non-residents.</p>
<p>Hey Chris, thanks for the prompt reply. Engineers here are normally involved in implementation-based work as little to no research is done in singapore, and management (of MNCs, which make up most of the hiring companies locally) is generally made up of expatriates. There is also a trend of hiring business and finance graduates for management trainee positions, meaning that engineering grads tend to get stuck in implementation (read: menial) roles that don’t pay well. Local career forums are full of people lamenting their engineering jobs.</p>
<p>I do have a place for engineering in a local university, but local schools tend to only source for jobs locally (meaning I’ll get a menial engineering job) for their career centres. </p>
<p>The pay scale of an LLB is roughly as follows (basic in SGD only, not inclusive of bonuses and allowances): $48k PA as a trainee, $750 PM during the 6 month Bar course/exam, and a start pay of $60k-70k during the 6 month training contract following passing the Bar. The annual increment is roughly $1.5-2k PM (or $12k-24k PA). This seems like a lot, but the working hours are crazy. I’ve worked in a law firm before, and I’ve received emails from my lawyer at 1-2am before!</p>
<p>I really want to break off from my little world here in Singapore (it really is tiny - 30mins in a car will take you from edge to edge). Whether I take law or engineering, I’ll definitely be aiming for a career abroad</p>
<p>EDIT: I took the Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-levels (which are harder than the british A-levels) and my grades qualify me for a year of credit exemptions</p>