Carol | Singapore
When an Industry Sunsets
Carol had spent close to 30 years building a career in publishing. She’d developed expertise, built relationships, and grown in her field. But the signs were impossible to ignore, she shares. “The industry is sunsetting, and during COVID the effect was multiplied. The decline was so obvious.”
When bookstores closed during the pandemic, her company couldn’t get their magazines to customers. Carol was offered only a part-time role. At her age, she knew this wasn’t sustainable. “It will not help my career, especially at my age, if I do lose a job down the road. I thought that I better find a job that is more forward-looking and sustainable in the long run, and as I’m not getting any younger.”
She’d always been interested in tech, and decided to push in that direction. But she was concerned about the impact of ageism as she embarked on a new career, a rising issue in Singapore. She sent out quite a few resumes but did not hear back. She realized she needed training and a program to support her on a new path.
The Challenge of Starting Over
One day while researching online courses, Carol came across Generation Singapore’s Junior Data Engineer program. With a family to support, she appreciated Generation’s emphasis on employment.
The reality of what she was signing up for hit hard when she first started the program. “Trying to learn Python coding at this age is really very daunting,” she admitted. But she was committed to the idea that it was never too late to learn and grow in new ways. This is where Generation’s emphasis on mindset and behavioral skills made an important difference, helping her find additional pockets of courage.
“The soft skills being taught in the Generation program have been very helpful. Definitely the growth mindset is something that was inculcated to us. Every day I try to learn something new.”
A New Chapter Unfolds
Carol graduated from the program in April 2023. Within a month, she landed her new role. Over the next two years, she was promoted multiple times. Today, she manages a team of about six people, including project managers, software engineers, and a UI/UX designer.
“I was actually the second hire in my company, and now we have almost grown to a staff strength of 10 staff over the last two years,” Carol shared proudly. The business acumen she’d accumulated over 30 years in publishing translated powerfully into her new role—as she understood customers, empathy, and how to build sustainable business relationships.
Her company now regularly offers Generation graduates internship opportunities. Six Generation alumni have come through their doors so far, creating a ripple effect of opportunity.
“Coming from a sunset industry where I don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel to a new industry where I see so many possibilities has been amazing. I’m really grateful to Generation because I managed to find my new job and pivot into the tech industry.”
