DO NOT FEAR FAILURE
After my newspaper job, I worked for a major tech company for eight years before I decided that my career needed a reset and left to join an ex-boss in his start-up venture.
From a monetary perspective, it seemed like a disaster. I took a massive pay cut and invested money in the start-up. The company folded less than two years later.
But from a career perspective, it was invaluable. I picked up new skillsets like digital marketing and website design, and learned how to pitch to investors.
The career reboot was critical in rejuvenating my spirits and expanding my skillsets. It also made me more resilient against life’s uncertainties.
Start-ups need experienced and talented people all the time, the question is whether you are willing to take a risk with them and benefit from the rapid upskilling.
In seeking long-term job security, employees should not be afraid to contemplate various career trajectories and ask: What are the potential disruptions in my industry, and how can I pivot my skills to remain relevant? What opportunities can I pursue to expand my skills and enhance my marketability?
While technological disruptions have made many people uneasy, they have also brought along new ways and opportunities for us to build our career paths.
Once you understand that your career is in your hands, you have the power to shape it and not wait for the axe to fall.
Ian YH Tan is a strategic communications lecturer at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University. He has more than two decades of experience working in the media and technology industries.