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27.3.11
My Job, My Future and My Hunan Trip/ 6:44 AM My Job: I love my job, I mean both my job in Singapore Customs and now IE Singapore.Despite the low pay (I seriously think that given the amount of work I do, I should be paid more - well, all working adults feel the same way) Despite the LONG working hours (long meaning you have to even work OT through the weekends, and that is usual) Despite the work=life balance Despite the constant scoldings that I kena Despite the growing number of white hair Despite the darn contract terms I've landed myself into Despite the little bit of office politics that I'm in (but frankly speaking, as compared to what I used to go through, and maybe even the politics in private sector, I think that the office politics are still manageable, esp to minions like me who's at the bottom of the food chain - i.e no one cares about you haha) I still love my job. Both my jobs allow me to write policy papers and reports that I know will directly affect the economy and the people around me. My previous job allows me to go onto working trips to Geneva 4 times and Seoul once, all in a short span of 1 year 3 months. My current job allows me to fly constantly to China, go on business mission trips with politicians, and go on working trips myself, meeting companies and Chinese officials, understanding various business models etc, all within a time span of barely 8 months. All these are good training, in terms of character building, adaptability, independence, maturity. (I can sense the difference between myself and friends within the same age group.) And to a poor civilian who yearns to travel around the world, being on working trips satisfy the wanderlust nature in me, with subsistence allowance and free air ticket given, in exchange for the large amount of reports and OT that I've to work. Well, that's fair, you win some, you lose some... And my bosses are nice in both workplace. Yes they each have their own flaws but they are generally good people who really wish to train you up for greater responsibilities. My colleagues are nice, helpful and willing to share their experiences with me. The main difference is that in SC, I'm just an accompanying officer doing all the admin and logistics sai gang, doing minutes and reports. In IE, I've to lead discussions with my counterparts, which is really tough at times, given the years of experience that the businessmen and Chinese government officials. Take for example, a Chinese official that is holding the same rank as me has to be at least 35 years old, and that is considering that he is a high-flyer in the government. And more often, we deal with people who are at least 40 years old. All in all, mai hiam buay pai la... My future: I've been thinking about my future in 2.5 years' time, and I do not have a detailed answer yet. My Hunan Trip: REALLY learnt a lot from this trip. In terms of work, I got to learn about various business models better, getting to know on-the-ground information about Hunan province. What I learnt more is on a more personal note. I started to understand Singapore better and view my country from different perspectives of businesses and foreigners. More importantly, the week when I was left alone in Hunan was a great exposure. Imagine sitting through a dinner with all Chinese officials aged 30-60 and I'm the only young punk Singaporean, having to toast them, sell ideas to them, speak in their language, joke and (try to) sound intelligent to them. Imagine having to talk to a successful businessman to find out about the company's operations, entice him/her to Singapore or meet up with Singapore enterprises. Imagine having to travel across 5 cities all by yourself, in suit with a huge luggage. Imagine falling sick halfway through the trip, nursing yourself, while writing updates to your boss and continuing with the trip programme. Imagine having to deal with all sorts of people and situations along the way, from drunkards, hotel attendants, taxi drivers, gangsters, beggars. street-fights, government officials, businessmen, SOEs, POEs, etc etc. Everything, from trip details, liaison, reports, even what to talk about in meetings and dinners, have to be done by yourself. It was a test to self-discipline, character, socializing skills, independence, maturity, and even principles. It was exciting. |
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26.3.11
/ 10:46 AM Not sure if this is true. If it is, I am really wondering on what makes a "Singaporean" now, especially when we've been telling the world that a unique feature of Singapore is that all Singaporean sons have to go through national service, and all the hardships that guys have to go through, advantages and benefits to the nation, strategic needs of national service. I fully understand the need to integrate new citizens into the society, and that the future Singapore would be one that comprises of both locally born and foreign talents. That is how a small country like Singapore can remain strong, competitive and safe. That could be one of the reasons why the new parliament should consist of representatives from the new migrants. However, its really hard to accept the fact that someone who has not gone through the common experience of Singaporeans to call himself ready to lead Singaporeans... Just a commoner and a would-be voter's perspective... |
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