Young S’poreans see promise in job tasters

Others, however, questioned whether several programmes are geared mainly towards students and those just entering the workforce.

Recent National University of Singapore communications and new media graduate Latisha Sonia said the measures feel “promising”.

“The Government is not just throwing us into the deep end with the current financial climate and economy that we are made to live in but rather, help us navigate that transition from commencement to first full-time job,” said the 24-year-old who is looking for a job.

Clarence Ching, founder of social mobility charity Access Singapore, said job tasters are valuable because many youth make decisions with very limited exposure to the world of work.

“For youth from more privileged backgrounds, career insights often come naturally through family, social networks or personal connections,” he said, but many disadvantaged youth do not have the same access.

Job tasters at a national level can equalise such opportunities, Ching said.

But exposure alone is not enough.

While a one-day or short-term experience can generate interest, he said it is insufficient for a young person to fully understand an industry or develop the confidence to take the next steps.

To maximise impact, job tasters must be paired with mentoring, career coaching, structured reflection, among other efforts, he added. “This allows youth to translate initial exposure into informed decisions and concrete opportunities.”

Software engineer Tan Chew Yan, who is in the process of a mid-career switch after almost four years in her current software engineer role, said she found the personality quiz on the Discover portal particularly useful.

“I even found out about jobs that I did not know existed before this,” the 30-year-old said, citing a human factor scientist as one such occupation the platform recommended. She found it interesting to see how the algorithm could match people with careers based on their interests and aptitude.

She was also drawn to a job shadowing opportunity with the organisers of the Singapore Night Festival because of her interest in heritage and culture.

But Tan felt some of the other programmes may not be so accessible to those looking for a switch in careers as the initiatives offered seem to cater to those seeking an introduction to the workforce. She suggested the SG Youth Plan could better serve older youth by partnering organisations already offering specialised career programmes.

Final-year law student Varun Karthik, 25, shared similar reservations, adding that the job tasters would be helpful for those deciding what course or industry to join. But young adults may need deeper exposure to specific industries rather than brief introductions.

Karthik added that the Adulting 101 initiative, which is expected to cover topics such as financial literacy, home ownership, relationships and marriage, may not address young people’s concerns.

Instead, he believes many young adults struggle less with knowing how to navigate adulthood than with structural challenges such as finding meaningful work and affordable housing.

Experts said the success of initiatives such as job tasters will depend not only on the opportunities available but also on who is able to access them.

Chew Han Ei, associate director at the Singapore Management University, noted that “open registration is not the same as equal access”.

Young people who need to earn an income, have caregiving responsibilities, or are no longer in school may still miss out, he said, unless schools, community organisations and youth workers identify and encourage them to participate.

He added that job tasters may be most useful for young people who are unsure about their career paths, have had little exposure to different industries or whose strengths are better shown through hands-on experience than examinations.

Ideally, participants would leave with a clear next step, such as a contact, an internship to consider, a training route or greater clarity that an occupation is not for them, he said, adding that following up with them after six months would reveal more than satisfaction measured immediately after the session.

Second-year ITE College West student Dominic Low, 19, wants to apply for the job taster stints, to gain some clarity on his aspirations and get a glimpse of working life in sectors like manufacturing.

The retail and online business student said he has been building his portfolio in leadership roles by emceeing and volunteering at events, hoping these experiences will stand him in good stead.

“I personally have a lot of uncertainty regarding my future career and I feel (the job tasters) are a great way for students to explore opportunities and to truly learn more about specific jobs they are considering or exploring,” he said.