Key skills that could give you an edge in 2025
Welcome to the latest edition of ST Headstart, bringing you the best of The Straits Times’ career and personal finance coverage every Tuesday noon. Sign up here to get weekly tips right into your inbox.
Hello there,
Hong Yi here. As the year winds down, ’tis the time to reflect on what comes next. In that spirit, I spoke to a couple of workforce experts to find out what skills will be most useful for people to learn in the year ahead. It’s a canny mix of highly transferable technical and soft skills you can’t miss out on.
I also worked with my colleague Wong Pei Ting to sketch out why Singaporean talents need to and have pursued overseas exposure opportunities, and why hurdles still remain despite major efforts to help locals spread their wings.
Meanwhile, a commentary by two Singapore University of Social Sciences dons caught my eye as well. With holiday shopping in full swing, they provide a timely reminder of how freebies aren’t always what they seem.
Read on for more stories chosen just for you. Enjoy the festive season. Happy Holidays!
Meet artificial intelligence agents that can decide on your behalf
New AI that makes decisions and uses computers expands AI’s capabilities – and also potential harm.
All abroad: Why some S’poreans take the overseas leap, and others don’t
While the move can boost careers, structural issues like norms surrounding caregiving and home ownership can stymie attempts.
Taking stock of employee share plans
These plans are increasingly offered to more junior employees and across more sectors, but cashing out can be hard.
Me & My Money: Early retirement through property investment
Retired banker Andy Lim focused on property investments and held off on luxuries despite his high income to secure an early retirement.
When freebies come with strings attached
Freebies can be tied to extra expenses or hassle that advertisers unethically downplay, according to the authors.
What rocked the Singapore lifestyle scene in 2024?
Here are the movers and shakers of Singapore’s lifestyle scene this year.
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