Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Am I in a Gen Z simulator?

After running two courses within two weeks of each other, I'm onto my next challenge, which is to qualify for a one-year training stint with the Artificial Intelligence Apprenticeship Programme. Apparently, the software solution I built to predict the activity levels of seniors based on data from several different sensors is good enough to warrant a complex round of interviews this weekend, including a presentation of my solution, a 50-minute defence, and a Q&A on why I decided to build it in this manner. After that, my odds of qualifying for the training are slim, as I will be thrown into the pit with 3-4 fellow interviewees to solve a new problem together, and we have mere hours to engineer something in the afternoon.

The question I've been asking myself lately is whether I'm actually playing a Gen Z simulator.

I have multiple gigs where I barely make enough to get by and settle my personal expenses. To secure a training programme (or, not necessarily a real job thereafter), I must demonstrate actual skill in building a workable solution, but that's not enough; I also need to be work-ready. Hence, people have to observe how I work with others before I qualify for the next round. 

If what I go through is what the latest graduates need to land a job, then most Singaporeans are in serious trouble.

Fortunately, armed with investment income, I can just enjoy the ride and deal with whatever challenges come along.

The first video this week is already out. I really dived deep into the "Safe Rate of Withdrawal" after devouring William Bengen's latest book on how to retire richer. The book is very numbers-driven and quite hard to follow, but I think the attempt to build a video around it has made me wiser to all the issues surrounding the calculation of how much you can withdraw from your funds in retirement. 


On Thursday, I will discuss a highly effective strategy of betting on stock market spin-offs. Link is here: https://youtu.be/xuz-HxIaAZY

On Saturday, I will conclude the Journey to Your First Million series: https://youtu.be/vCufMhJEk_M

As things will get intense over the week, I have yet to plan the next series of videos. So if there is anything you'd like to see, do let me know!



2 comments:

  1. This is my exact fear - Im contemplating another career change, but I dont think I have the tenacity to go through what fresh grads/Gen Zs are going through right now. Just going to stay within my industry and try things out on the side.

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  2. You can always develop some cross-domain skills while staying in your industry. Public speaking skills always create a great payoff over time.

    ReplyDelete