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Weather the storm by venturing beyond S’pore

I refer to the letter “Skills-mismatch problem calls for more solutions” and the report “3 in 4 S’porean millennials aim to become their own boss” (both Oct 20).

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Lee Teck Chuan

I refer to the letter “Skills-mismatch problem calls for more solutions” and the report “3 in 4 S’porean millennials aim to become their own boss” (both Oct 20).

We have seen these slowdowns before, in 1985, 1997 and 2008. Each time, we took macro policies and restructured our economy. People retrained to ride the subsequent recoveries. We have been resilient thus far.

Hard times are here again. Dislocations are expected as we fall into a new equilibrium of sorts. Some jobs will disappear, but new ones will be created. It takes gumption and perhaps idealism to ride out the storms. Our young could be more venturesome.

Youthful exuberance knows no limit, but why do many of us take the tried and tested paths still? Why restrict ourselves to possibilities on this little red dot when there is a larger world out there?

Youth must be treasured because it is limited. It is a time when we do not know better and thus are more predisposed to take risks. What have we got to lose if we fail?

Time is on our side, and we can pick up and start again. Society seems more tolerant of failed youths deemed too young, too naive.

Like most things, education has been commoditised. Graduates are commonplace. A degree is no longer the passport to a good life. Technology will bring on disruptions. Economic cycles are more compressed, and corporations hire and fire in droves.

Life is going to be unpredictable. It calls for a paradigm shift in how we define success. We should set our own terms, and in an uncertain economic climate, the more we should take matters into our own hands.

We should cast our net wide and explore opportunities beyond our shores. We have prided ourselves on keeping ahead of the learning curve relative to our peers in the region. We enjoy a diaspora of languages and cultures.

Perhaps we could leverage these competitive advantages. Our young, or anyone, should not be stricken by fear of the unknown. Our forefathers had ventured to this land to seek a better life.

They took risks, many succeeded and thus the comfort we enjoy. Perhaps we have become too comfortable for our own good. It is time we bring this adventurous streak to the fore and find our place in the sun.

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