Why I'm afraid to commit to a full-time job as a Gen Z Singaporean in the age of AI
I'll admit it: I'm afraid to commit to a traditional full-time job.
Not because I lack ambition. Not because I'm lazy. But because I genuinely don't know if the job I train for today will even exist five years from now.
A recent article in The Business Times, 'Rethinking AI skilling: From awareness to practical adoption', rightly points out that companies are rapidly investing in artificial intelligence (AI).
Tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and other enterprise-grade platforms are now embedded in workflows. McKinsey's report that 92 per cent of companies will increase their AI investment over the next three years says everything: the AI wave is no longer on the horizon – it's here.
While businesses talk about upskilling employees to 'work with AI', the reality for many of us entering the workforce is this: we're not just learning to work with AI. We're quietly trying to figure out how not to be replaced by it.
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Take marketing, my field of study. I've used generative AI tools like ChatGPT for copywriting, Invideo AI for automated video creation, and even niche GPTs like Excel AI to process and sort information.
These tools are fast, scalable and increasingly accessible. But they also raise uncomfortable questions:
If AI can write, design and even strategise at scale, where does my human value lie?
Is it worth specialising in something today if AI could automate it tomorrow?
Should I take a full-time job when the skills I'm hired for may be obsolete before I get promoted?
These are not theoretical concerns – they're daily mental roadblocks.
Instead, many of my peers are exploring alternative routes: building portfolio careers, freelancing across domains and constantly picking up short-term micro-skills to stay adaptable. But this agility comes with its own cost: instability, burnout and the fear of never becoming truly 'expert' at anything.
AI has undeniably unlocked opportunities. But for young professionals, it has also introduced an undercurrent of quiet anxiety. We need not just skilling pathways, but also realistic conversations about what long-term employability looks like, in an age where technology evolves faster than training programmes can keep up.
Until we bridge that gap, don't be surprised if more Gen Zs like myself hesitate to sign on to the traditional 9-to-6 contract – not out of disinterest, but out of deep uncertainty.
Amos Lau
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AS A 20-something in Singapore, I often hear older generations talk about job security, retirement savings or climbing the corporate ladder. But for many in my generation, those ideas feel increasingly outdated – if not completely out of reach. I'll admit it: I'm afraid to commit to a traditional full-time job. Not because I lack ambition. Not because I'm lazy. But because I genuinely don't know if the job I train for today will even exist five years from now. A recent article in The Business Times, 'Rethinking AI skilling: From awareness to practical adoption', rightly points out that companies are rapidly investing in artificial intelligence (AI). Tools like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot and other enterprise-grade platforms are now embedded in workflows. McKinsey's report that 92 per cent of companies will increase their AI investment over the next three years says everything: the AI wave is no longer on the horizon – it's here. While businesses talk about upskilling employees to 'work with AI', the reality for many of us entering the workforce is this: we're not just learning to work with AI. We're quietly trying to figure out how not to be replaced by it. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 3 pm Thrive Money, career and life hacks to help young adults stay ahead of the curve. Sign Up Sign Up Take marketing, my field of study. I've used generative AI tools like ChatGPT for copywriting, Invideo AI for automated video creation, and even niche GPTs like Excel AI to process and sort information. These tools are fast, scalable and increasingly accessible. But they also raise uncomfortable questions: If AI can write, design and even strategise at scale, where does my human value lie? Is it worth specialising in something today if AI could automate it tomorrow? Should I take a full-time job when the skills I'm hired for may be obsolete before I get promoted? These are not theoretical concerns – they're daily mental roadblocks. Instead, many of my peers are exploring alternative routes: building portfolio careers, freelancing across domains and constantly picking up short-term micro-skills to stay adaptable. But this agility comes with its own cost: instability, burnout and the fear of never becoming truly 'expert' at anything. AI has undeniably unlocked opportunities. But for young professionals, it has also introduced an undercurrent of quiet anxiety. We need not just skilling pathways, but also realistic conversations about what long-term employability looks like, in an age where technology evolves faster than training programmes can keep up. Until we bridge that gap, don't be surprised if more Gen Zs like myself hesitate to sign on to the traditional 9-to-6 contract – not out of disinterest, but out of deep uncertainty. Amos Lau
