‘Night mugging after work’: Fresh grad asks if upskilling after work has become the norm in SG

A fresh graduate has sparked an online discussion about whether upskilling after work has become the norm in Singapore. On Reddit's r/askSingapore forum, the woman, who recently started her first job in the tech sector, expressed surprise at how her colleagues spend their evenings learning and working on projects outside of their regular job duties.

"I noticed a trend of my colleagues spending all their time after work upskilling and learning things on the side," she wrote. "I'm already feeling exhausted after a full day of work, so I'm curious how these folks are grinding it out without seeming to need rest."

While it appears to be a simple workplace observation, her question reflects a deeper anxiety across today's workforce. With an increasingly competitive job market, some workers may feel pressured to continually learn after hours to stay employable, especially as AI continues to advance in the tech sector. However, others participate in upskilling for personal enjoyment, simply to keep their minds active and engaged in lifelong learning.

Research supports the idea that engaging in cognitively demanding activities can help lower the risk of mental decline and improve overall brain health.

Many commenters shared their experiences with after-hours learning, with some finding it invigorating and invigorating, while others saw it as a way to stay competitive in the job market. One commenter likened upskilling to playing a new video game genre, comparing it to trying different styles of gameplay.