Ashley Tan, 29, who quit her job at JP Morgan Singapore to travel.

I took a job at JP Morgan for the prestige. Quitting to travel changed the way I view success.​

Tess Martinelli
Tue, 19 November 2024 at 6:02 pm SGT4-min read


Ashley Tan

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ashley Tan, 29, who quit her job at JP Morgan Singapore to travel. It's been edited for length and clarity.

• Ashley Tan got a job at JP Morgan in Singapore after graduating from university.
• Tan felt her role was unfulfilling and a waste of her life, so she quit to travel.
• Traveling has shifted Tan's mindset, inspiring her to prioritize happiness over a traditional job.

I've always been a rule follower. After graduating from university, I went straight to work and took a role at JP Morgan for the company name. I was so used to following the rules and societal standards that I truly believed climbing the corporate ladder equated to success. However, I was unfulfilled.

In March, I quit my job to travel. I've been exposed to so many new perspectives that I never really got coming from an Asian society. It has given me a huge mindset shift.

I joined JP Morgan because of it's prestige​

I was hired by JP Morgan in December 2022 as an events and marketing analyst. It wasn't really a job I wanted, but because my parents and I think Singapore puts finance companies on a pedestal, I took it.

It wasn't all bad, though. I liked that I was doing something completely different than my previous jobs, most of which were writing-focused. This was front-facing, helping with client events and conferences, which was great for me as a people person.

However, I didn't feel like the company had much tolerance for my out-of-the-box ideas. My team and I were always pitching new ways to make events more exciting for clients, but we were shut down by higher-ups who ruled in favor of tradition and simplicity.

I get it because it's a bank, but I found it frustrating to have to stick to the old ways of doing things and I didn't feel fulfilled because I knew I didn't want to pursue marketing long-term. I felt like I was wasting my life.

I quit to travel because I felt like it was now or never​

I'd been wanting to take time off work to travel for several years, but I was scared because Singapore is a competitive society. Taking a career break is generally looked down upon or seen as a waste of time. Even so, I'd been putting aside a small portion of my income at JP Morgan for travel in case I could make it happen.

About a year into my time at JP Morgan, I reached out to my cousin, who had previously taken a year off of work to travel. Hearing her experience made me feel like I could do it. I knew I'd rather be out exploring and meeting new people than stuck at a job I didn't like for the sake of the company name.

I felt like it was now or never because I was approaching my 30s and knew I'd only gain more responsibilities as I aged. It was scary, but I officially quit JP Morgan in March because I knew I'd regret it if I didn't take the risk. I've been traveling for several months now, using my savings to fund it.

My parents are quite traditional and conservative, so they were shocked when I told them I was unemployed and planning to travel.

Leaving Singapore has given me a huge mindset shift​

Life has been great since I quit. I went to Bali for two weeks to dive and surf, then spent a month traveling through Europe, visiting friends and family, and meeting new people along the way.

However, after meeting travelers who are paving their own ways and prioritizing happiness, I realize it's up to me to make the life I want a reality. It's been an enlightening change.

I'm planning to try DJing, which I've wanted to do for the longest time, but I strayed away from it because it's not seen as a sustainable job in my family's eyes. If I fail, at least I tried; if I succeed, it'll be a wonderful surprise.

I'm still deciding what's next for me​

I've been applying to jobs while abroad, but I'm being very selective. I used to think any job was good as long as I was getting paid. You go in, do your work, and go home. Now I know I need to work for a company with bosses who are willing to listen, consider feedback, and grow.

If I don't manage to find something in Singapore, I'm thinking of moving to Australia to do a working holiday visa or even starting my own business. I'll find some time for DJing as well.

Concerned comments from friends and family have made me question my decision, and I don't know what's next for me, but I know I'm in the right place. Luckily, my experiences traveling outweigh being at an unfulfilling job.

If you've quit a high-paying job to take a career break and would like to tell your story, please email Tess Martinelli at [email protected].

Cannot cut it say so. Typical Sinkie. Cannot swim say swimming costume too big.

those who join jp morgan or morgan stanley in sillycon valley are run of the mill grads and can’t get a decent job in the hottest tech firms. no prestige at all.

No problem for her…go overseas and find AMDK and let them fuck for money

Travel cost money. Sell your body earns money.

Oh.... I thought the narrative will be saying Ashley Tan, 29, quit her BS job at JP Morgan and became a hawker (hold a plate of food and smile for camera winks* winks*)

Garhmen pushing all the young people to become hawkers mah isn't it? Anyway Ashley Tan is highly likely a fictious character made up by the ministry of truth.... treat it as a form of entertainment can liao.....

winners said:

FUCK YOU, YOU LAN CHIAO KIA, PU BOR KIA BASTARD.
YOU ARE A TYPICAL SICKO, PROBABLY BEING ABANDONED BY YOUR USELESS PARENTS WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER AND THAT’S WHY YOU NOW HAVE THE SELF-INFERIOR PERSONALITY. YOU ARE SUCH A FAILURE IN SOCIETY.

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Fuck your parents yourself.

If she real, she must be loaded with ammo from her parents.

congo9 said:

If she real, she must be loaded with ammo from her parents.

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Definitely. And dare to defy bosses. Definitely from the elites.

eatshitndie said:

those who join jp morgan or morgan stanley in sillycon valley are run of the mill grads and can’t get a decent job in the hottest tech firms. no prestige at all.

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Better than me. I o lever no chan to join jp mugan.