Getting a Head Start: How Young People Are Preparing for the Job Market

Finding a job after school can feel scary and overwhelming. In Singapore, many young people are not waiting until graduation to get ready. They are visiting career fairs, doing internships, and learning skills before they even finish their last year of school. This edition of ST Headstart looks at how students, universities, and even some career-changers are tackling the world of work.

Singapore's six universities are working hard to help students move from the classroom to the workplace. They have created many programs and activities to connect students with real jobs and employers. The goal is to make sure students are not caught off guard when they graduate and start looking for work.

Costs of living are rising, and many young people feel unsure about the future. To cope with stress, some are treating themselves to small, affordable pleasures — like a blind box toy or an iced matcha drink. Experts say these little treats have become a common way for people to feel better when life feels uncertain.

Not everyone is staying in a traditional office job. Two 28-year-olds decided to leave their stable careers and open a pasta stall in Serangoon Gardens with just $10,000 in savings. They opened in August, and their two most popular dishes are Linguine Pesto and Penne Carbonara. Their story shows that some young people are willing to take big risks to follow their dreams.

There is also the story of a former Singapore Airlines air steward who swapped airplane cabins for ice cream scoops. He now runs a gelato business and restores vintage vehicles, which he uses as ice cream vans and for event displays. He has found a creative way to combine two very different passions into one unique career.

In the workplace, there is growing talk about fairness. Some employees say they are given extra work because they are single, while colleagues with families get more flexible schedules. Managers are being encouraged to make sure that helping some workers does not unfairly burden others.

Cultural understanding is another topic gaining attention. Some people believe that universities should teach students how to work and live with people from different backgrounds. Learning to respect other cultures is one thing, but truly connecting across cultural boundaries takes more effort and practice.

Meanwhile, in Geylang, an officer is working hard to stop people from selling illegal health products on the streets. She tracks down vendors who sell things like unsafe cough syrups and medicines that are not approved. It is a tough job, but she says it is important to protect the public from harmful products.