Instead, she is now prepared to accept a $1,000-a-month job working at the reception desk of a small hotel.

She had been looking for a job in the hotel industry since graduating from the National University of Singapore (NUS) in June last year.

In December, after being turned down repeatedly by hotels, she enrolled in a course for a certificate in hotel services. She did so in the hope that when she finishes the course next month, she will be able to get a job in the hotel industry.

'Right now, it is okay for me to start at the bottom and earn $1,500, $1,000 even. Some grads may disagree but in the long run, I am sure this move will pay off as I move up the ladder,' she says.

For the full story, read Saturday's edition of The Straits Times