What was your dream career growing up?

For many born in the 1990s, it would have been “doctor”, “teacher” and “lawyer” – but the times have changed, and according to a survey published earlier this year, children aged 7 to 14 have listed “entrepreneur” as one of the top three career aspirations. Continue Reading…

Imagine you’re a young worker, pondering your job prospects in the economy of the future. Your grades weren’t exactly stellar and you realise college isn’t for you. What kind of career should you look for?

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Infographic on Zika: https://www.gov.sg/~/media/gov/Images/Zika/Zika%20General%20Advisory.jpg

It began with what felt like a punch in the throat. I assumed it was irritation from the cigar I’d smoked on my deck that afternoon in mid-June. But the sensation hung on. Within three days, I had a 38.9 degrees Celsius fever, chills and bed-drenching night sweats.

For two weeks, symptoms came in waves. A skin rash. Joint pain. Then a dull throbbing behind my eyes. There was pain and redness too, in a certain exclusively male region, which ibuprofen didn’t relieve.

Then, I felt better. But a week later, the symptoms staged a comeback, with more eye pain and something new – small welts on my eyelids and temples. I had sporadic headaches, was so exhausted I slept 10 hours a night and even failed to wake up for a flight.

My mother was the first to suspect I was infected with the virus that arrived in Puerto Rico in December 2015, four months after I’d begun an assignment as Reuters’ San Juan bureau chief.

Initially, I laughed off her internet diagnosis as the overwrought worries of a long-distance mom. But I agreed to see my long-time physician during a visit home in late June. After listening to my symptoms and learning I’d been working in San Juan, Dr. Kevin Wallace of Murray Hill Medical Group called the New York City Health Department and arranged to have my blood sent for screening. Eight days later, I got the news. Mom was right. I had Zika. Continue Reading…