Everyone needs a helping hand in their careers from time to time. After all, change is a constant when it comes to the job market, and external insights that help on the best path forward can be useful.
In that regard, Kit Tham, finance director at Platinum Wine & Spirits, is well experienced in giving advice about navigating the shifting sands of career change.
Her LinkedIn profile requires a long scroll, having worked at well-known companies, such as Mediacorp, KPMG, the Ministry of Education, over the course of three decades.
In addition, she has also faced the dilemma many Singaporean mothers face: Do I take a career break for my children? Her experience is a great example of how life decisions can impact career trajectories, and how, with the right strategy, they don’t have to derail long-term career health.
Her journey also depicts the value that career planning and career health can bring. Career health isn’t just about the job you hold today — it’s about designing a career that evolves with your life goals, interests, and personal commitments. Kit’s path underscores the importance of making intentional, well-considered career decisions that reflect your priorities at each stage of life.
Kit’s experiences make her suitable to provide what the Volunteer Career Advisors (VCA) initiative seeks to for local jobseekers and workers. She’s someone who has walked the path herself, and is capable of supporting others in navigating their career journeys with confidence.
Led by WSG, this initiative brings industry professionals who leverage real-world experiences to:
- Share career advice tailored to specific sectors and occupations;
- Offer insights on industry trends, emerging skills, and job opportunities; and
- Connect peers to relevant resources and networks.
These industry veterans are often passionate about mentoring and giving back, making them more than ready to provide peer support. Furthermore, while they are rightly equipped with strong industry knowledge and relevant experience, this allows to give sector-specific career advice to those who are exploring a career in their respective industries.
The VCA initiative currently supports key sectors such as Information & Communication Technology, Electronics, Healthcare, Logistics & Supply Chain, Sustainability, and more.
Kit shares two key learnings through her own career.
Managing job security vs intentional risk
“When I began my career, the path for accountants felt almost pre-charted. Like many of my peers, I started as an auditor with one of the Big 4 firms and gradually progressed through roles as Manager, Controller, and Director across various industries.
Job security was strong, and the journey from one milestone to the next seemed clear.
Yet, even within that predictable structure, every step I took was intentional. Each move — whether into a new industry, a role with overseas exposure, or an opportunity to deepen my experience in taxation and corporate finance — was part of a plan to grow both professionally and personally.
One of the most defining choices I ever made was to pause my career for six years to see my children through primary school. It wasn’t an easy decision as I knew stepping away would make returning a challenge.
However, I also believed that some seasons in life call for us to shift focus. During that break, I kept abreast of the professional world by working part-time as an Associate Lecturer at a local university.
It helped me stay connected, keep my knowledge current, and signal to future employers that I hadn’t lost touch with the industry. Looking back, that decision was pivotal in helping me relaunch my career with confidence later.”
Your career should align with your life stages
“Over nearly three decades, I’ve learned to make career decisions that align with my life priorities.
Before I had children, I thrived in a multinational role that required frequent overseas travel; then when they were young, I moved into a local position that allowed more family time.
At every stage, I’ve believed in continuous learning, which included pursuing an MBA, an Advanced Diploma in Business Analytics, and most recently, a Professional Certification in Coaching to strengthen my leadership and mentoring skills.
To me, career health is about staying intentional — ensuring that what you do professionally supports who you are personally. It’s about making deliberate choices, not just letting circumstances decide for you.
It’s rarely a straight path, but when your decisions are planned and guided by purpose, it is easier to achieve both work and personal satisfaction.
I often tell younger professionals that their careers don’t have to follow a single script. The world today is far more dynamic, but with thoughtful planning — and sometimes the guidance of a good career coach — they can chart fulfilling journeys that reflect their own values, life priorities and aspirations.
Looking back, I see that career success isn’t only about climbing the corporate ladder or milestones. It’s about building a career that evolves with you — one that allows space for growth and learning, as well as balance that aligns with every stage of life!”
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