By Joy Fang

ONE quit to start a business, another left with hopes of becoming a casino dealer and yet another simply quit for personal fulfilment.

Foolhardy in such times?

Hardly.

Young Singaporeans like Ms Coral Kee told my paper that it was more important to be happy doing what they do than taking a tried-and-tested route.

Ms Kee, 26, formerly a marketing and communications senior executive with accounting firm KPMG, said: 'There are as many obstacles as there are opportunities, such as lower rents and more hardworking people. I feel that this is the right time to start a business. But I'll definitely be more cautious when handling expenses.'

Ms Kee, who resigned two months ago, added: 'I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and...nurture my more creative and entrepreneurial side.'

Her new shop, Pleien, a lifestyle boutique and gallery which sells fashion, jewellery and art, is her first foray into the retail industry.

Mr Hector Tan, 35, quit his job as a sports and recreation executive two months ago to pursue a full-time casino course.

'The gaming industry is up and coming and here to stay. I felt that it was going to be an exciting place to be, so I decided to make the switch,' he said.

Mr Tan said his interest in becoming a dealer was sparked while he was an undergraduate studying in Melbourne. He visited the Crown Casino there and was intrigued by its ambience.

For others like Ms Theresa Ng, 27, the top draw for a job is a sense of fulfilment. The former editor of a publishing company, who quit her job last month, said: 'Writing has always been my passion. I feel a sense of pride when I see my own writing in print, so I decided I should pursue that.'

When asked if it was foolish to forgo a stable job in this economic climate, she said: 'Yes, it might be foolish, but if I'm not happy, then it wouldn't be beneficial in the long run for me.'

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