Setting career goals is an ongoing journey of exploration and growth. This rings true for Malcolm, who transitioned from the fast-paced world of regional marketing to the rewarding field of learning and development (L&D) in the course of his career. However, the journey was not easy, as he found himself grappling with burnout and a sense of stagnation in his L&D career at the end of 2023. At this crossroads, he sought clarity and direction, finding invaluable career guidance in Workforce Singapore’s (WSG) Polaris programme.

How to Set Career Goals: Malcolm’s Decision to Enrol in Polaris

Recognising the Need for Career Clarity

Recognising the need for clarity is the crucial first step in establishing career goals, whether one is switching fields or figuring out what to do after retrenchment. For Malcolm, this realisation came after his L&D role began to feel monotonous and plateaued. He understood that to achieve his career goals, he needed a plan. This is how he came to seek career guidance through the Polaris programme.

Finding Direction Through Self-Discovery

Through the Polaris programme, Malcolm embarked on a journey of self-discovery, gaining valuable insights into his strengths and weaknesses with the help of his expert career coach, Jacqueline. This process of self-reflection was essential for effective career planning, which is how he came to identify his core values, passions and areas for development. By understanding himself better, Malcolm was able to set realistic and fulfilling future career goals.

How Will You Achieve Your Career Goals by Following Malcolm’s Footsteps?

Step 1: Reflect on Personal Fulfilment and Core Interests

To effectively set career goals, one should begin by reflecting on their personal interests and what truly brings them a sense of fulfilment. For instance, Malcolm took the time to analyse his various experiences, from creating content with his pet cats to teaching English to migrant workers as a volunteer.

Through this introspection, he realised that he enjoyed seeing people grow into confident versions of themselves, which sparked his determination to pursue L&D further. At the same time, as he adapted to life changes like home ownership, he began to redesign his job to inject new purpose into his career.

Step 2: Explore Different Roles to Pinpoint True Passions

Exploring different roles and fields offers first-hand insight into one’s interests, which is a crucial part of how to achieve one’s career goals. Malcolm's career path exemplifies this, as he explored various paths to discover what brought him fulfilment and joy.

Step 3: Seek Career Guidance for Structured Growth

It’s also important to remember that planning and achieving career goals is not a solitary endeavour. Career coaching can provide invaluable support and structure in the process, as seen in Malcolm’s story. Jacqueline was able to show him how to uncover his workplace personality and gain clarity on his career aspirations. In turn, he could develop actionable steps to achieve them. This support has also given him confidence in his plans.

Step 4: Upskill and Gain Credentials to Enhance Career Opportunities

After establishing career goals, the next step is to take proactive measures to achieve them. This may involve upskilling through professional development courses and certifications, as Malcolm did. In his bid to enhance his credentials, he pursued certifications as an IHRP and SHRM Senior Certified Professional as well as a Workforce Singapore Certified Career Advisor.

These qualifications broadened his skillset and enhanced his knowledge in the L&D field, allowing him to find new meaning and purpose in his career.

A Future Career Plan: Insights From Malcolm’s Story

More Than Just Finding A Job

As Malcolm points out, career planning goes beyond finding a job – it's a process of self-discovery. Understanding his values, strengths, and aspirations was key to setting meaningful goals and achieving a fulfilling career.

At the same time, this journey could not have happened without external support. Support systems and mentors, such as the Polaris programme, were crucial in guiding Malcolm towards the resources he needed to succeed.

If you’re wondering how you too can plan and achieve your future goals, take the first step and enrol now with the Polaris programme to begin realising your career aspirations.

The Importance of Resilience

Career planning can be a challenging journey, but with resilience, it can be incredibly rewarding, as seen by countless successful career stories. As you navigate self-discovery and new challenges, remember to lean on the support systems around you and trust your instincts.

As you progress in your career journey, you may have had a moment or two to wonder how you could connect the dots between your career path and your aspirations. You’re not alone—the desire to do more with one’s career is common among Singaporeans. For Puva, now Centre Principal of Greenland Childcare at Fernvale, making a decisive leap from the HR and Finance sector to pursue her passion in early childhood education is a career switch that she will not regret.

Is toying with switching careers a good idea for anyone and everyone? It depends, but it’s often a risk worth taking. As you consider your career switch, you should make an objective assessment of your skills, values, and the market demand. Puva shares: “Passions do change, and work was getting pretty mundane. I wanted to quit totally [...] but of course, there was the uncertainty of “If I quit now, what’s going to happen next?””.

How to make a career switch

A successful career switch begins with a thorough self-assessment to understand your skills and passions. Identify your transferable skills to form the bridge to your new career and turn any perceived skill gaps into opportunities for personal and professional development. Aligning your passions with your career goals will increase the likelihood that you will find more fulfilment in your next job. In Puva’s case, caring for her niece kindled her newfound passion in early childhood development, and spurred her to ‘colour the lines’ outside of her career in HR and Finance. “[Another] factor would be my niece, who I was babysitting at that point in time as well,” she said. “Learning about her developmental milestones was a key point that drove me to actually join this sector.”

The next step is thorough research and planning. Once you’ve identified the roles that you’d like to consider in your desired industry, a skills gap analysis will help you identify areas where you may need to work on to qualify for the role. Only then can you draw up a more realistic plan to ensure a successful career transition—timelines, finances and everything in between.

If you’re looking for a platform to upskill with the necessary skill qualifications, Workforce Singapore (WSG) offers various Career Conversion Programmes (CCPs) designed to equip mid-career professionals with the skills required to thrive in a new field. With the Career Conversion Programme for Preschool Teachers, Puva was able to work and study at the same time, allowing her to chalk up valuable practical experience in her new job.

Overcoming age-related concerns in switching careers

Navigating a mid-career switch past your 30s in Singapore brings to light various age-related concerns. Understanding these concerns and coming up with ways to address them is key to a successful transition.

Your 30s are often marked by the pressure to secure and provide, particularly as many are building families, with finances increasingly directed towards childcare and housing. With an emphasis on financial stability, the prospect of a career switch can be daunting. Fortunately, you still have your adaptability and ability to learn new skills rapidly. The key is to leverage these strengths, perhaps focusing on industries that value innovation and flexibility, ensuring that you can navigate the shift without compromising on your family’s needs.

The 40s introduce health-related considerations into the equation of career switching. The physical demands of a new career path are no walk in the playground now, with energy levels not what they used to be in your 20s. Yet, this age brings with it a wealth of work experience and a broader professional network. By focusing on transferable skills and seeking roles that are less physically demanding but intellectually stimulating, you can mitigate these challenges.

As you venture into a career switch in your 50s, the concerns and conversations often revolve around skill relevancy and the looming shadow of age discrimination. The notion that skills upgrading might be less achievable at this stage can be a significant barrier. However, your depth of wisdom and experience make you a valuable asset in consultancy, mentoring, or teaching roles.

Explore resources to make your career switch

Understanding what it means to make a career switch journey in Singapore’s workforce landscape demands resilience and embracing diversity in one's career progression. These qualities will prepare you for the challenges ahead, opening up a myriad of opportunities that lie in the industries outside your current field.

To further guide and inspire you on this path, watch our video series spotlighting resilient Singaporeans and follow Puva on her career switch journey!

Retrenchment can be a jarring experience, leaving individuals feeling lost and uncertain about the future. After nearly 20 years in a quality assurance role, Zulaiha found herself in this very situation. However, with resilience and the support of Workforce Singapore (WSG), she managed to successfully navigate the challenges of retrenchment and pursue a new career path.

Despite having some forewarning, Zulaiha was still caught off guard when her retrenchment became a reality in July 2023. Feelings of disappointment and anger were quickly followed by uncertainty and the daunting question of what to do after the layoff. The prospect of navigating the job market after being laid off and figuring out what to do next filled her with anxiety. This period of uncertainty is a common experience for many who face retrenchment or difficult career transitions.

Seeking support is often the first step towards clarity. Zulaiha first attended a walk-in interview organised by WSG, and following that, she was matched with Senior Career Coach Grace Tay. This encounter proved pivotal. Through her conversations with Grace, Zulaiha began to see new possibilities in exploring new fields. This led her to consider a career in healthcare, a profession she had long admired after witnessing the compassionate care provided to her late father-in-law.

External support proved invaluable in Zulaiha’s next steps following retrenchment. Grace, her career coach, provided invaluable emotional support and encouragement as she showed her how to deal with retrenchment and what she could do next. Having someone to offer advice, encouragement and practical strategies empowered her to work towards new career options.

After the layoff, Zulaiha took the time to reflect on her passions and interests, which led her to revisit her long-standing admiration for healthcare professionals. She cites how her late father-in-law’s physiotherapists recognised his strength amidst his illness and helped him to restore his dignity. Reflecting on this experience, she was motivated to consider what she could do to apply her skills and experience in healthcare.

Remaining open to new possibilities was vital to finding new direction and purpose after being laid off. Despite her long tenure in quality assurance, Zulaiha did not pigeonhole herself in the role, instead embracing a transition into healthcare.

This openness to learn new skills and explore new occupations enabled her to figure out what she wanted to do next, with a wider range of options that she may not otherwise have considered.

Grace helped Zulaiha to identify what she could do to pursue a new path in healthcare, such as by advising her to approach HMI Institute of Health Sciences to explore its structured training programme.

Zulaiha eventually enrolled in the programme and completed part of her training at Ren Ci Hospital, where she assisted therapists with treatment deliveries. These experiences equipped her with the practical experience and knowledge she needed to enter the healthcare industry. By proactively upskilling and reskilling, she was able to find a full-time role as a Community Care Associate after being retrenched.

What to do if you get retrenched: Key takeaways from Zulaiha’s story

Keep an open mind, stay open to new career opportunities

Retrenchment is undoubtedly a setback that brings a great deal of emotional, financial, and mental challenges. However, with resilience and the right mindset, it can also be an opportunity for growth and renewal.

To deal with retrenchment effectively, it's crucial to stay open to new career opportunities. Zulaiha’s story, along with many other successful career stories, exemplifies how embracing change can lead to fulfilling new beginnings.

The value of career coaching

Career coaching is a pivotal resource in navigating career crossroads. With the advice, networking opportunities and connections to relevant training programmes that it provides, you can learn how to set career goals and bring actionable change to your career.

If you are facing retrenchment or a challenging career transition, consider reaching out to a WSG career coach to gain the support and guidance for success.