A Straits Times poll of 300 final-year students studying business, economics or accountancy at the three universities here showed that a marked sense of realism has set in.

Of the 300 polled, 159 were willing to accept less pay than what they would prefer earning. And 152 would consider taking up a job in an industry not related to their course of study.

As for working shifts and weekends, 240 said they would not have a problem doing them.

'Times are bad now. If I'm open to working shifts and weekends, it will probably make me more employable,' said National University of Singapore (NUS) business student Jenalyn Tan, 23.

Finding a job in the financial sector - considered a plum job until the economic maelstrom late last year - has not been easy, they said. Despite starting their job search early - some in June last year - 178 have not landed a place. Some of these are not even intending to try, planning, like Singapore Management University (SMU) student Sharifa Prakeet, 23, to go on holiday after the exams are over.

'I had always planned to take a break after completing my degree,' she said. 'Hopefully, the economy will get better when I do go out and look for a job.'

Most of the rest who have jobs waiting when they graduate in July are accountancy students with contracts secured from internships.

Read the full story in today's edition of The Straits Times.