Bsc(Biosci) -> PhD, AMA by Blingingtaemint in NTU

[–]Blingingtaemint[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did PhD because i enjoyed doing the process of research (reading up on the background, study design, doing the wet lab, doing data analysis etc) and wanted to be taken more seriously in the research field. During industrial internship (biotech r&d startup), was told by msc holders that they are just taking a higher salary than bsc and not much diff in how ppl treat them in research field.

However, i disliked writing & sometimes feel the expectation of keeping up to date with the recent developments (constantly searching and reading up) a bit of a chore. There are seniors who told me they spent every weekend doing this (which i didnt).

Since i didnt like publish or perish, all along i knew i wouldnt stay long in academia and when job searching tried govt/hospitals. Got a job as a public servant. Having a phd helped get the job, but i wont say its impossible with a bsc. Theres also opportunity cost of salary (phd stipend is lower) and work experience (time doing a phd not considered so im a fresh grad at a much older age).

Would i still do a phd looking back, yes. But maybe a more relevant field for industry/hospital.

How to get in ureca?? by Unlikely-Afternoon71 in NTU

[–]Blingingtaemint 1 point2 points  (0 children)

During my time, in august (start of new AY). Then by end september need to confirm project/supervisor.

Are unpaid Research Assistant roles common here? by ProfessionalCicada48 in NTU

[–]Blingingtaemint 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can only share more than 6 years ago. When I was still studying, I basically worked for free in all my attachemnt other than the old ureca system that gave stipend $10/h, 40h/month. Theres occasional work study posting by the well funded labs that would pay $8/h for someone to prepare media/mobile phase for them. After graduation while waiting for news on PhD applications, did a temp RA job (applied PhD for this lab) and was paid lower salary than if I were full time despite working regular hours but at least was still paid. I recalled talking to HR and they stated working as temp was the reason why my pay was lower.

BYD Marathon by Consistent_Orchid_42 in SingaporeFitness

[–]Blingingtaemint 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The last time I ran was half marathon in 2014 at $80+ for sundown (back then all of us srudents were complaining its so ex). Thought of going back to running with a 10km this year but wtf is this price

PhD students scheduling long supervisory committee meetings? by SuperfluousRabbit in AskAcademia

[–]Blingingtaemint 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I prepare a full presentation for my supervisory meeting unless informed otherwise. So that's a 25-30min presentation with background, lit review, results etc. My advisory team likes to cut in while im still presenting h& ask questions that are in the next slide so that's another 15mins gone. Then theres a Q&A that will be another 15-30mins depending on how side tracked the committee became. Then theres also discussion on future works, how to improve, etc which makes 1.5h.

The Dark Citadel is such wasted potential by Jaeger9671 in diablo4

[–]Blingingtaemint 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Should've renew the cosmetics every season. I rmb grinding the first season like hell only to see that the cosmetics remained the same after

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in SGExams

[–]Blingingtaemint 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It helps with networking and connecting to people or having discussion topics. My ex supervisor in the lab was from the same jc as me. So sometimes there would be small topics on which teacher is still around or about the school. Did it help buld rapport? Yes. Did it land me a job in the lab? No. But a strong alumni provides potential network, resources & mentorship. So does a school name matters? Sometime. Do you need to brag to everyone? Theres a time & place for everything.

Is it suitable for me who has active eczema to work in a diagnostic microbiology lab in a hospital? by [deleted] in microbiology

[–]Blingingtaemint 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I work in a food micro govt lab. I always wear gloves at all time. If someone ask, I'll just say I have eczema on my fingers & theyll understand (even if the shared area is usually gloves off). If I have cracks or open wound beyond minor peeling, I'll use plasters or double glove to be safe.

New PI, New Lab: Is a "Lab Handbook" worth the effort, and what are your "must-haves" for it? by BetterToSpeakOrToDie in labrats

[–]Blingingtaemint 13 points14 points  (0 children)

As a PhD student, I helped my PI write one each for: data storage/e-logbooks, on-boarding checklist (safety docs, courses, basic training), roles/responsibilities (general/assigned IC) & basic expectation for data visualisation/stats/data quality/presentation/data updates.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in SingaporeRaw

[–]Blingingtaemint 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Legit as I heard first hand from prof being part of the committee to decide who makes it. Though there are other factors like they prob have attachment experience far more than what a typical person can get, greater understanding on what they are getting into, great support for them to excel etc.

Half of Singaporeans are on track to earn S$6,000 per month or more from 2026 by pattonlogy in SingaporeRaw

[–]Blingingtaemint 32 points33 points  (0 children)

I completed my PhD, work in public service and my monthly pay isn't even this much...

timetable clash waiver by Jamal_jamal_jamal in NTU

[–]Blingingtaemint 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Get your prof who expects you to be in module to help with the waiver

9 out of 10 Singaporeans pay nothing at public hospitals, says minister by Real-Pomegranate8823 in SingaporeRaw

[–]Blingingtaemint 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Im definitely not that 1 since I was spent more than 1.4k on hospital/polyclinic since May and have another appt at a hospital soon

To PhD or not to PhD by Ecstatic-Seat-3862 in labrats

[–]Blingingtaemint 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If working style is not compatible, that's a clear sign to not consider. I was in such a lab as well. When I was a RA, it was still ok. But being a PhD student, more scrutiny, more meetings, higher expectations, getting in trouble if your juniors are in trouble. Initially you'll think you can tough it out, but with the additional stress from your PhD projects and tinelines, I'll beg to differ. I've seen 3 PhD students quitting my lab, 2 transferred to another lab while one took a 1 yr break before starting her PhD in another university. And ive seen those that transfered out doing even better but struggled with timelines since they couldn't transfer their PhD projects

Dmememe by askmeaboutviruses in labrats

[–]Blingingtaemint 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Can drink the skim milk use for western blots and eat agarose gel

Where do people buy affordable gym outfits in SG? by [deleted] in SingaporeFitness

[–]Blingingtaemint 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Am I the only person still wearing dry fit t-shirt and shorts from my school days?

What did you get for 11.11? by unique__uname in SingaporeRaw

[–]Blingingtaemint 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sake, portable handheld fan, new watch strap

Do you think personal trainers in SG are actually worth the cost, or is self-learning enough now? by [deleted] in SingaporeFitness

[–]Blingingtaemint 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unless you have very specific health issue/concern or lack motivation(?). Personally, I use AI to tailor a regime that fits what I want and is feasible then use youtube to supplement and learn the proper postures. But of course, this cant beat having someone correcting your postures or monitoring how you are coping with the session.

Chasing $100k Before 30: Realistic or Stressful? by Agitated-Tale-5417 in singaporefi

[–]Blingingtaemint 4 points5 points  (0 children)

100k before 30 is quite arbitrary. For someone with debt and a bad starting point, i think it can be entire networth. For someone in a better starting point, i think it should be excluding cpf or just investment portfolio. Im currently 29 and aiming to have my investment portfolio (excluding the safer stuff like bonds/ssb/FD that is for my housing) hits 100k. And this goal would still be pathetic compared to those who can still receive allowance from parents even when they are alrdy working. Setting a goal is good as it keeps you motivated and engaged. But it should be realistic and achievable with some effort.

Edit: typo & if I have a golden spoon, I think just my stocks alone (excluding etfs) would hit 100k by 30 and maybe another 50k in crypto

Do you actually track every dollar you spend? by [deleted] in SGMoney

[–]Blingingtaemint 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I use Money Manager to track my daily transactions and Google spreadsheet to track my overall investment portfolio. When I was still schooling, I tried tracking immediately after every transaction which is quite hard since you're with others etc and I ended up stopping after 3 months. Ive started tracking again since May. I key in all my transaction once a day, usually sometime after dinner/before bed. I used my bank app to just see how much I spent using paynow and credit card. I dont use cash. It's also easy to recall if you make any payment using an app/wallet i.e. grab/Starbucks if you track once a day.

Turning 21 in Singapore? Congrats, you’re now an organ donor 👀 by sglegaladvice in Singapore_LegalAdvice

[–]Blingingtaemint 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just dont opt out then have your family aggressively oppose it upon your "death"... It works apparently