By SANDRA DAVIE

Mr Nicholas Ang is studying mechanical engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and, like many of his peers, he had his eye on a banking or finance career.

The 24-year-old says that in recent years, many engineering graduates have been snapped up by the finance industry because of their analytical skills.

However, the economic downturn - as well as the deep losses and job cuts in the financial services sector - has changed things.

'If it gets really bad, I am not going to be choosy. I am more than willing to go wherever the jobs are,' says Mr Ang, adding that he wants to land a job as soon as possible to start repaying his $20,000 study loan.

Besides attending numerous career talks organised by the NUS Career Centre, he has also taken up a slew of classes - on everything from resume writing and interviewing techniques to dress sense - to improve his chances of landing a job.

'The recession may hit us hard. But I am sure I will survive. My university education has prepared me well for it.'

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Oct 18, 2008.