Eric Sim (author)
Eric Sim (born 1969), is a Singaporean author, speaker, and former investment banker. In 2021, he published his first book Small Actions: Leading Your Career to Big Success. He writes AbOUT careers and financial independence. He had worked in banking for over 20 years. He was an adjunct associate professor at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Early life and education
Sim grew up in Singapore. His father was a street food vendor. He earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the National University of Singapore in 1994. He later completed a Master of Science in Finance at Lancaster University Management School in 1997.
Investment banking
Sim worked primarily at Citi and later on at UBS where he was a managing director.
Sim left investment banking as he did not want to continue working into his 60s at the expense of his well-being.
Public speaking
Sim became a public speaker on career development. Despite suffering from stage fright earlier in life, he delivered a TEDx talk 10 years of selling noodles.
He has spoken at Cambridge University, Tokyo University and Peking University on key skills to a successful career, and about advancing one's professional career at CFA Institute events in Chicago, Abu Dhabi and Mumbai.
Writing
In 2021, Sim published Small Actions: Leading Your Career to Big Success through World Scientific Publishing. The book was shortlisted in the Business Journey category at the 2022 Business Book Awards.
Small Actions has been translated into simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese and Bahasa Indonesia.
Sim has also written about the financial independence, retire early (FIRE) movement, and is of the view that focusing on early retirement does not always lead to lasting personal fulfillment.
Sim is a LinkedIn Top Voice on careers and leadership.
Personal life
After leaving the banking sector, Sim has worked as a writer, speaker, and coach, focusing on career development.