Are Overseas Work Experiences beneficial for one’s career path down the road?

I think no matter what, working abroad exposes you to people from different backgrounds n broadens your worldview. Should grab the opportunity if there is one!

There are many other benefits, one do not immediately see if one fully immerse in new opportunities abroad, including culture & investment climate.

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1. Advanced industry exposure beyond Singapore

There could be projects that are not available in Sg or simply experience working with new client types/industries, higher volume/population environment.

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2 Language skills, cultural experience

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Even if one does not acquire native language abilities, having the ability to recount the experience of working in that country, in basic foreign language, gives one the respect by both the native speaker or friends who respect that culture.

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3 Ability to manage cross cultural teams

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While Singapore has cross cultural teams too, mastering another language and working with teams abroad, builds that credibility and exposure to how multi cultural teams are managed differently from Singapore. Of course, one can always work in more MNCs in Singapore, though working abroad is another level and story altogether.

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4 Networks

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There will be some cities with more networks than Singapore. Example, Dubai, Shanghai, NYC, Silicon Valley. Tokyo networking was more vibrant than Singapore in 2007 too.

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You meet company founders in networking events which may expose you to opportunities in future.

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It is not the opportunity to work abroad, but attitude, attitude, attitude that will set you apart in success.

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5 Immerse abroad and invest abroad

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If I had not worked in central Tokyo for 5 years, I would not have purchase property there instead of renting and get a less than 1% mortgage loan. Today it is one of the cheapest property with highest rental yield I still collect monthly compared to even cities like KL, Vietnam, Philippines, or even Singapore.

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I also bought a monthly ILP in JPY, and since being abroad, I have more drive to save. I spent $4000 per month on ILP and just before covid-19, sold off my ILP, and my investments performed much much higher than any other investments, since it was in cold hard JPY cash. I then diversified when JPY got weaker, and another portion continued my portfolio in JPY riding Nikkei higher.

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If I had not worked abroad, I may have just a single investment portfolio in SGD or USD. Most people who lived international lives, working abroad have exposure to HK and other country investments. This gives a headstart in growing wealth.

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6 Differentiation in ur resume

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There will be someone who likes your profile, example a leader to manage APAC Japan or ASEAN. Having that work abroad experience and language skills, makes you stand out.

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Sure a Local Singaporean may have the skill set, but finding that additional differentiation may or may not put you as the basket of skills and experience, that someone out there is looking.

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Of course, it also depends if you are found by the right person looking for your profile. Though, building that profile is the first step.

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It's definitely a yes from my perspective. The exposure to different workplace environments and cultures significantly enhances your ability to work, manage, and lead in a multi-cultural setting. This broadened perspective can be highly beneficial for career advancement. In today's globalised context, teamwork in diverse environments is highly valued by large organisations and MNCs. Personally, my overseas work experiences have given me a competitive edge. I recommend spending at least one year abroad to fully immerse yourself in the culture, as this duration greatly enhances both professional and personal development.

I think it depeends, if you are going to the headquarters of your company overseas then i believe its beneficial.