3 posts tagged “career”

I've been doing a lot of self-reflecting lately. It's kinda odd cos the busier, i get the more i reflect; maybe im subconsciously finding for ways to escape work . Mostly reflecting on personality flaws, future career goals, and also life as a whole. All that reflecting has been quite healthy, i think im better grounded on what needs to be changed and have a better idea on which direction i should head in the area of work. I wont put the details here though, cos these thoughts are quite personal =) Sry yah!

I got this in the mail today....

ortsa

The past 3 days, I've been praying for a sign from God as to which direction I should head in the area of my career. I did not pray for any sign in particular but was just waiting. I know my parents want me to take HSBC's conditional offer (need to get min of 2-1 to qualify), they've not explicitly stated it, but they've been making indirect hints/indications. However, I believe this is a decision that I need to make with as little external influences as possible. I'll have to live with it for the next 2 1/2 years (30 month contract) and I think it's important to ensure that it is something I truly want.

This conditional offer together with SC's came as a surprise. I came to London, expecting nothing more than interview experiences. All I wanted was to better prepare myself for the job market when I graduate next year. Through God's grace, I made it pass HSBC's gruelling, rigorous and painstakingly long assessment process and was offered a role in commercial banking. Utterly surprised and bewildered, I returned home not knowing what to do. I've always had dreams of establishing a career in the UK, primarily because of 2 reasons - better learning experience and better money. Don't get me wrong, I still love Malaysia. I will always be a Malaysian at heart, nonetheless, I think the UK offers unparalleled learning experiences. But wanting to work here and getting a job here are two very distinct issues.

The many Malaysians that I have spoken to, some have been here since Year 1 and some since A-levels, have had problems securing jobs in the UK. It's unhealthy basing decisions on the negatives, but reality should to an extend have some bearing on decisions we make. It's hard to say what my odds are, there are only so many variables I can handle, more than that and I'm as lost as a wondering sheep.

Ok, enough ranting already. I think most of you would have fallen asleep by now :P
I've made a decision to take the offer. On the basis that I have the peace within my heart and hypothetically career advancement back home would be easier. One more thing...I think staying in London for the past few days has also opened my eyes to something so profound and surreal (exaggerating a little) - I suck at staying alone, it's so depressingly lonely! No human contact, it's almost like being locked in a jail cell. My happiest days in London, were the ones where I had interviews to attend, at least then I had someone to talk to. Funnily, this may have been the most compelling deciding factor to the biggest decisions I've ever had to make. Weird.

I've just finished Security Commission's interview. For those of you who aren't aware what SC is, its essentially the regulatory body which monitors Malaysia's financial securities (Share market + Bonds). The interview took about 50 mins; very pleasant and way easier compared to HSBC's. Like HSBC , I've received a conditional offer (will need to get a 2-1 in order to qualify). The job will commence in 2008 upon completion of my degree. SC pays well, very well in fact, more than large organizations like Oracle. However, I believe in the long run, career opportunities within an international firm may be better.

mmm....decisions decisions....i need to pray.