Yet another Singaporean asks, 'What is the point of climbing the career ladder?'

SINGAPORE: Another Singaporean has asked, “What is the point of climbing the career ladder?” after feeling like the only one in his circle “who has no ambition” and just wants to “chill all the way”.

In a post on r/askSingapore, he said he is fortunate to have a relatively chill job that pays above average.

He noted that those with 15 to 20 years at the company he works for typically make about S$200,000 a year.

“Obviously I'm not talking about people making below median and trying their best to land something better. I'm referring to those who aspire to be in senior management, directors, C-suite, launch their own startup, etc. To them, 100-200k is not enough, and they aim to make 300-500k or more by their 30s and 40s,” he said.

For him, however, earning S$200,000 a year would already be more than enough to enjoy a comfortable life, take multiple overseas trips a year, and potentially retire early through regular investing.

He added that he does not want kids and might even remain single, which also shapes how much money he feels he needs.

“I just don't get the appeal of working so hard for what seems like diminishing returns. Maybe if one aims to be MP/mayor/minister [one] can argue it's the drive to serve the nation (at least I hope that's the case). But aiming for senior management in a company or building your own startup, what gives?”

He then asked others: “Is it abnormal to just want to chill? Are some people just innately more driven than others?”

In the comments, some felt that there was nothing wrong with choosing a more laid-back career, while others pointed out that people have different reasons for wanting to earn more.

One commenter said some people might want to earn more to make sure their children are set up for life, while another said they wanted to maximise their earnings while young so they could retire by 50.

A third mentioned that some people may tie their worth to material things like owning expensive handbags and cars, while another said it could be because they want power, recognition and a sense of accomplishment.

One commenter, however, added, “You only have one life, so do what makes you happy. Don't tie yourself to other people's benchmarks. In any case, the increase in utility going from S$200k to S$400k a year is a lot less than the increase from S$100k to S$200k. Maybe you'd stay at the Sofitel on the former, but staying at the Novotel is also pretty good.”

In August, a Singaporean in his 40s asked the same question, saying he has “zero ambition” to climb the corporate ladder, despite expectations for people his age to do so. /TISG

Read also: Singapore man who 'accidentally climbed the corporate ladder' says he just wants to mind his own business, do his job, and go home