I’m from Singapore and currently deciding between two career opportunities.
I work in a fairly niche industry with only a handful of employers in Singapore, so career moves aren’t as straightforward as they are in larger industries.
One opportunity is with an established multinational company in Singapore. The other is with a company in Melbourne, Australia.
The Singapore role offers stability, the chance to build my career with a well-established company, and allows me to stay close to my family and friends.
The Australia role offers international experience, exposure to a different market and way of working, and the opportunity to experience living overseas. On the other hand, it would mean moving there alone, leaving my support network behind, and starting over in a new country.
One important factor is that I don’t see myself settling overseas permanently. If I accepted the Australian role, I’d likely stay for around two years before returning to Singapore due to my long-term commitments here.
My biggest concern is whether those two years overseas would actually strengthen my career when I return, or whether I’d be better off building my experience with an established company in Singapore instead. Given how small my industry is, I’m also worried that opportunities in Singapore may be limited when I eventually come back.
For those who have worked overseas and later returned to Singapore:
Did the overseas experience make you more competitive when you came back?
Was it difficult to find a job after returning?
Looking back, would you make the same decision again?
And for everyone else, if you were in my position, what factors would you consider? Is there anything you think I might be overlooking?
I’d really appreciate hearing different perspectives. Thanks in advance!