If you’re a fan of the TV series “Friends,” you’ll remember Rachel Green’s journey from waitress at Central Perk to pursuing her dreams in the fashion industry.
Like many of us, Rachel initially took on the job to make ends meet, showcasing the reality that sometimes we work just for the paycheck.
As the show progressed, we saw her determination to follow her passion for fashion, highlighting the delicate balance between practicality and pursuing one’s aspirations. Rachel’s character resonated with viewers as she navigated the challenges of balancing financial stability with her career ambitions, a relatable theme for many in the real world.
Why am I telling you this? I’m at a similar point in my career where my peers and I are of similar rank, earning similar salaries, climbing the corporate ladder, and transitioning into different life stages.
Whenever I meet new people at work events, I always get the same question: Why did you leave the civil service?
I was doing generally okay, and my colleagues were nice, but I needed to go.
Hear me out—there’s nothing negative about this. The push factor was mainly because I needed it for my personal development.
But let me start by dispelling the myth that civil service is for scholars only and that it’s chill (I don’t know why, but after speaking with many people, there seems to be an assumption that a government job is very chill).
Skill Sets and Knowledge in Civil Service
For what it’s worth, I wasn’t a scholar, but if anyone asks me, one thing I like about the civil service is its Core Competencies framework, which is used to help each officer map out their potential, strengths, and career pathways.
I can’t say if this applies to everyone’s situation, but at least it did for me. Besides putting your skills to day-to-day use, civil service is very encouraging when it comes to upskilling, and I have attended a couple of courses myself.
While my knowledge of the things I was working on was limited, my skill sets are transferable across functions. Meeting other ministry or statutory board counterparts and learning about their work is also very common, which helps with relationship building and networking.
It was eye-opening as I had the chance to understand the inner workings of the government and the process of policy planning, which is useful for understanding every financial policy rolled out.
Side note: It’s also interesting when you witness firsthand the significant changes that you know will benefit society as a whole.
Encouraging Bosses Who Prioritise Staff’s Personal Growth
Let’s face it—good bosses are very hard to come by.
I was lucky enough to meet great bosses along the way, who encouraged me to pursue what I wanted and return to contribute again next time.Â
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
– Maya Angelou
I firmly believe that a good boss will support you wherever you go. Sometimes, they will even redirect you.
It’s Okay If What You Wanted Didn’t Turn Out The Way You Thought It Would Be
Call it a naive or lofty dream, but when you’re fresh out of school at 23, you think you can conquer and save the world.
I’ve always known I wanted to join the civil service, and thankfully, I secured a job when I graduated from University.
As I went through each year with my bosses and with an additional role I needed to take on when COVID-19 was peaking, I realised there were many technical skill sets I wanted to hone and put into practice that couldn’t really be achieved if I continued staying in the civil service, and that motivated me to look beyond my previous role.
I recall someone once shared with me:
Choosing a company is like choosing a partner.
Finding the perfect match, a company that fosters personal development and resonates with one’s principles and objectives, can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavour.
It also depends very much on your current life stage as this determines what you prioritise—whether it’s family, work-life balance, or even a new hobby you just picked up.
Career ≠Job
A career coach once told me that a job is not a career.
A job is a specific role undertaken to earn money, typically short-term and focused on immediate financial needs, and may or may not align with your long-term career goals and aspirations.
If you recall, job hopping has become so prevalent in Singapore that it starts popping up in the news. And most often than not, job hoppers are motivated financially to do so.
On the other hand, a career is a series of connected employment opportunities where you build skills, experiences, and achievements over time. Over time, your career should reflect your professional journey and development. It often involves pursuing a particular field or industry, setting goals for advancement, and making strategic decisions to progress in your chosen path.
Pay in Civil Service Vs Private Sector
If you’ve ever wondered about the pay package and benefits of civil service, check out our Ultimate Civil Service Salary & Bonus 2024 Guide.
Are The Red Tapes Real?
Undoubtedly, red tape is pretty bureaucratic, but I’ve learned that it is for good reasons (aka ensuring prudent spending and checks are done properly).
And to be honest, I’ve seen private companies with as much red tape as the civil service.
There are pros and cons, whether in the civil service or the private sector. If there’s a key lesson to glean from this, it’s the importance of ensuring we future-proof our employability through continuous learning.
I did face a period of indecision, but nonetheless, I am thankful to have the privilege to choose, which allows me to steer my own path and pivot my career trajectory.
So, here’s something if you’re having doubts about making a career switch:
“Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe you can achieve.”
— Mary Kay Ash
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