Sheryl Seah, 32
“I’m sitting in my car, waiting for a passenger I’ve arranged to pick up using the Grab app. He arrives, gets into the car, and asks me to take him to Clarke Quay – unsurprising, because it’s a common destination for Saturday nights.
I quit my job as a senior designer for a large media organisation at the beginning of the year. Back then, I had an annual income of about $40,000, which was comfortable considering that I still live with my parents and don’t have to pay rent or utilities. But after seven years, I felt I needed a change. So I decided to go freelance. The flexibility is great (I can work at home in my PJs!), but of course the salary is erratic and there are times when I get no jobs at all.
Since I have a car, I decided to become a Grabcar driver to supplement my income as a freelance designer. Grab or Uber driving is quite a common side gig for many young Singaporeans – especially if they’re between jobs.
At one point, when I was doing it on a full-time basis, my daily takings exceeded what I made as a senior designer. But because I’m still young and want to climb the corporate ladder in my chosen field, I decided that it made more sense to drive part-time on weekends, or only when I’m between projects.
To get the highest number of customers I can, I have to drive during peak hours – that means 7am until lunchtime, and then from 5-8pm. Of course, Fridays and weekend nights are the most lucrative because everyone’s heading out for a fun night. Unfortunately, this means my social life has suffered – my friends are disappointed when I choose to drive instead of meeting up with them. But when we do, we usually go out for meals or check out the newest bar or restaurant. I love food, and if it’s worth it, I don’t mind dropping $500 on a great meal. I’ve even thought about flying to Jakarta just to eat at one of those gastromolecular restaurants!
Being a Grabcar driver is a great way to get extra cash to fund my lifestyle, and it’s easy to get used to this stressfree life. But I know it has no career prospects. I plan to start looking for a full-time job next year. I hope the market picks up so that I can find another full-time gig I’m passionate about. Until then, I’m praying that I’ll be the sole winner of the Toto Hongbao draw next year.”