The quarter-life crisis: Young people taking time off from work

The younger set are taking time off work to pursue their hobby or a different career path altogether

Published on Apr 1, 2012

By Kimberly Spykerman and Cheryl Faith Wee

Auditor Kevin Goh took a year off work last year – to play chess.

The 29-year-old had been working at accounting firm KPMG for 31/2 years when he decided to take partially paid extended leave to pursue his passion. The firm gave him the green light and he spent the next 11 months training for, and competing in, chess tournaments all over the world, including Hungary, Vietnam and the Philippines.

He is now back at work and happier for the experience. ‘Going professional was always something I wanted to do and I never thought I would get the chance. I felt I progressed tremendously as a player,’ he says.

Until the opportunity arose, he had not considered giving up his job for chess as he felt that his career progress would be hampered. Also, he had his retired parents to think about, as well as his wife, who is a doctor.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com

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