Well-being begins with belonging
Welcome to the latest edition of ST Headstart, bringing you the best of The Straits Times’ career, personal finance and lifestyle coverage every Tuesday noon. Sign up here to get weekly tips right into your inbox.
Hello there. Feeling a sense of belonging to your work is not just a luxury. As my (new) colleague Megan Wee finds out, fitting into a team you can be authentic around is central to workplace well-being, and people do actually quit their jobs if they lack friends at work. Hopefully Megan feels she’s one of us now, and I’m not just saying this because of all the nice food she bought us at our last team meeting.
On another note, recent news of the first graduates from the Singapore offshoot of coding school 42 was a personal throwback. Years ago, I cited the originaI 42 in France as an example of innovative education during a research internship with the Prime Minister’s Office. The 18 graduates now show us how 42’s intensive project-based learning without any teachers or fees can work here.
Meanwhile, Kolette Lim reports on why more younger people seek out cosmetic procedures like Botox. Scroll on for other stories chosen just for you. Have a great day ahead!
askST Jobs: Dealing with a slow start at a new job
Bad timing, messy internal processes and workplace bias are among reasons new hires may feel sidelined.
18 out of 190 graduate from tuition-free coding school at SUTD
Some students pulled out because they clinched tech jobs even before completion, attesting to 42 Singapore’s rigour.
Hear Me Out: Has the swing against elitism gone too far?
The stir over $100 in credits given for cultural immersion reveals excessively anti-elitist attitudes in some, writes Clement Yong.
New youth mentoring programme for solutions to social issues
Participants can receive up to $5,000 in funding from the National Youth Council for each project.
Resting well even in economy class
Singapore romantic hopefuls go on reality TV-inspired trips
The participants will fly to Japan and bond over activities, in a setup inspired by hit series Single’s Inferno.
If you received this newsletter from someone, sign up here to get it right into your inbox!