The past 1.5 years of my life was painful. Torture. Gruesome. Tiring.
But it's finally over
I never really wanted to continue studying right after graduating from Polytechnic with a Diploma. I thought - I already have a diploma, I could earn enough to survive for the rest of my life. Why put myself through all the studying and projects and exams? God, I hate exams. Projects, I'm kinda used to, because we depended on excelling in our project reports to get by.
I landed a full time job less than a month after collecting my Diploma certificate, accepted the offer on the spot because I was just too excited to start working and earning my own living. I soon regretted it, not because I didn't like working, but because I never fought for the pay I wanted and deserve as a Diploma holder, and never asked on the corporate culture in that company. I never really fit in, didn't get the respect I knew I deserved. I wanted to leave - I needed to leave. But where?
I was so thankful that my good friend, who found her first job at a legal firm soon after I did mine, told me that there were still openings for new hires. Not letting go of the opportunity to get a bump in pay (a very significant difference), I sent in my resume and got myself an interview the next day. Less than 2 weeks later, I got an offer from the firm and accepted it.
I soon grew close to my new colleagues, undoubtedly thanks due to my friend and our colleague who was seated in the same unit as us (our firm has 3 units in the same building), and because we were close in age, work was more survivable and bearable as we could relate to each others' mindsets. Our older colleagues were also very approachable and encouraging, and it was easy to talk to them about problems not only about work, but also personal issues.
Over the course of 6 months, and many lunches with them, conversations started to grow deeper and the topic of furthering my education came up. I never really wanted to continue studying right after graduating from Polytechnic with a Diploma. I thought - I already have a diploma, I could earn enough to survive for the rest of my life. Why put myself through all the studying and projects and exams? God, I hate exams. Projects, I'm kinda used to, because we depended on excelling in our project reports to get by. So why bother, right?
But what I never considered was - what did I want to do with my life? Would I be content with what I have and will have if I just stayed on here forever? I did consider this; staying at my firm for as long as I can bear, because I don't believe in leaving a job for nothing - I work well with my colleagues and bosses, it's enjoyable and mostly friendly, the pay is OK for a diploma fresh graduate. What if I leave and end up somewhere worse? My previous experience was trauma enough.
With tons of encouragement and deep thoughts, I decided to go for a course that I have interest in. Growing up, I always imagined myself running my own business. What better way to start moving towards it by studying how to properly manage a business and market it? I hold a Diploma in Information Technology, majoring in Enterprise Business (E-Commerce, Online Businesses), thus it was almost effortless for me to get into my Degree Course (Business Management and International Marketing).
Note: My course only took 1.5 years as I study part time. No "holidays" - 1 month of classes > 1 month of assignments > 1 month of exams, over and over for 6 semesters, each lasting 3 months. I wasn't required to take electives as well, just the core modules.
So here I am, 1.5 years later in a blink of an eye, and into the 3rd year of my tenure in my firm. The road hasn't been easy, and the past year and a half, I was constantly cranky due to the lack of sleep and accumulated stress. I can't say how relieved I am that it's finally going to be over, no words can describe how grateful I am to have such understanding and lovely colleagues who brings me out for lunches and dinners, who listens to my grumbles and encourages me to press on, even when they are so caught up with work and deadlines and surviving on less sleep than I get.
I also have to give my group mates credit for keeping me sane and awake during lessons, and having after paper celebrations with good food and drinks as well, and for all the jokes we text each other out of school. The best classmates everyone wishes for, and I'm so glad I have them.
My family as well, especially my dad, who never fails to pick me up from school every night at 10:30pm. After a long day at work everyone wishes to rest early, but being daddy's girl, he gives up rest time to wait for me outside my school just so I can get home earlier as compared to taking public transport. Blessed, I am.
While I do not plan to quit immediately - I actually can't bear the thought to, honestly. I am looking for opportunities for me to gain more experience in running a business / advertising and marketing before saving up enough capital to start my own little business.
Till then, I can't wait to see what the future holds.
Love,
Chrissy X
Images from firm trip to HCM
Photography by everyone
Editing by me