SINGAPORE: On paper, Amy Leong did everything right. She studied overseas, earned an MBA, and built more than eight years of professional experience across multiple industries.

She followed the formula that countless young professionals are told will guarantee success.

Yet despite all that, her career came crashing down in a way she never expected, leaving her suddenly unemployed and questioning everything she had worked for.

The incident that changed her career

Speaking to The Independent Singapore, Leong shared the incident she believes marked the turning point in her career.

While juggling evening classes at the National University of Singapore and work at a market-making firm, she mentioned being offered a far better role at a well-known crypto exchange.

“I received a better offer—higher pay, remote work, bonuses, and equity from a prominent crypto exchange—so I resigned,” she explained.

“[But] before leaving, I informed my clients of my departure and new role within the same industry, but a non-competing business model. My manager then accused me of client poaching and hinted at legal action.”

Leong now believes the threat was likely a form of “intimidation,” but at the time, it caused her considerable distress and anxiety.

“Out of fear, I shared the situation with a colleague at my new company and was dismissed almost immediately, without a chance to explain. With no concrete evidence and limited legal recourse, I eventually accepted the outcome.”

The domino effect

Following the fallout, Leong said stability became elusive.

Her first job after the episode, at OKX, lasted six months before she was retrenched during a “team restructuring.”

She then joined Bitget, where she stayed for two months before being let go due to a “mismatch in expectations and a predominantly Chinese-speaking work environment.”

Subsequently, she joined KuCoin for three months, during which her responsibilities were gradually transferred to interns, leaving her feeling undervalued and expendable. 

Although she received an offer from MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, the offer was later rescinded, reportedly due to unforeseen “headcount and budget constraints.”

Adding insult to injury, Leong endured a gruelling m...