to me, $4k starting salary is actually a fair expectation. in Jul 2001, i graduated from NUS after 4 yrs of parttime study, with a 2nd lower honours degree in engineering. the junior engineer position i worked as from Dec 2001, paid $2.5k. if we do the maths, that amount of $2.5k starting pay would need to increase by just 3.68% annually, to reach $4k in 2015. is it really so unreasonable for the fresh grads nowadays to expect $4k starting pay? not at all. the problem is with our economy. despite all the reported "growth" over the years, salaries had remain stagnant. to all those people who deride the grads who expect $4k, you guys are the delusional ones. it is you who have grown accustomed to a colossal lie. wake up!