Young professionals in Singapore increasingly switching careers

According to a recent study by recruitment platform Monster.com, 79% of young professionals in Singapore say that they would consider switching to a career path outside their field of study.

The study is part of Monster’s campaign called “I made the switch”, which polled over 2,400 respondents in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines to evaluate issues around career transitions in Southeast Asia.

The campaign looks to shine a light on the issues of job switching, and help employers better understand why their employees are changing careers and what can be done to retain them.

Almost half (53%) of first jobbers want jobs outside their fields of study to explore other options. Meanwhile, of those looking to switch mid-career, some 36% said their primary motivation lies in personal fulfilment and passion.

Additionally, while more than half (60%) of Singaporeans are currently looking for a job within their chosen field, majority (80%) would also consider an entirely new career path.

The increasing number of young professionals looking to explore new and unconventional fields reflects the desire to work for a purpose, rather than just making a living.

“A trend among the younger professionals in the 21^st century is to favour jobs that offer more work-life balance, resulting in the rise of flexibility as a criterion in employment,” Andrew Chan, Founder and Chief Executive of recruitment and training firm ACI HR Solutions, said.

“Unlike employees back in the 80s and 90s, professionals today are not inclined to spend decades in a role that doesn’t fulfil them,” said Abhijeet Mukherjee, Monster.com CEO for Asia Pacific & Gulf region.

“Even if professionals have to stray from their educational background or their current field of work, they are happy to do so as long as it gives them a sense of purpose… and allows them to continue growing,” added Mukherjee.