Fresh grad earning S$6.5k a month wonders if climbing the corporate ladder is really worth it

A 25-year-old Singaporean fresh graduate, who took his first job in June after graduating from one of the country’s top universities, has begun questioning the value of climbing the corporate ladder. Despite earning a basic monthly salary of S$6,500 and a total annual compensation of S$105,000, the graduate admits he finds the long hours and demanding lifestyle difficult to justify. He works from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on most weekdays, with little time for personal activities like gym workouts, socializing, or leisure.

The graduate expresses envy for friends who have chosen less lucrative but more flexible jobs, mentioning how they can work from home, finish early, and even leave the office an hour before their official end time. He also observes that demands increase as employees progress in the organization, with higher-ranking managers working longer hours and spending most of their day in meetings.

The graduate admits he is feeling anxious about his future, questioning whether the trade-off of working long hours for a higher salary is worth it. Seeking advice online, he asks fellow professionals if they eventually adjusted to the long hours, opted for a lower-paying job with better work-life balance (WLB), or simply accepted the trade-off.

Several commenters share their experiences, with some admitting that the high salary was not worth the mental health toll, personal time, and strained relationships. Others, however, believe that the higher salary was worth the burnout, as it helped them achieve financial milestones like a down payment on a home.