My perspectives towards career are different as I grow older. I used to be one of the most notorious job hoppers out there when I was in my early 20's, freshly graduated from university. I changed to three different jobs within one year and a half. Every time I changed a job, I demanded higher salary too and I got what I wanted. So what was I thinking right? Not much really. I simply let my ego, pride and immature thinking took control. Graduating from one of the top five universites in the country with 3.something something GPA and being a bilingual graduate gave me an impression that every employer wanted to hire me.
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I literally lived in a fantasy world where I thought I deserved the best yet things in real life were completely different. I never had to work to pay bills or worry about financial responsibilities, my attitude towards career was "blank". I worked because that was something people do. At this point, you may wonder if my parents are millionaires or I live a life of Paris Hilton, well my answer is "no" but I am not the poor who try to live a lavish life either. Let just say we have some financial securities and my mother is a hardworking woman who knows how to manage and save money wisely. That's how she could provide a more comfortable life for her children.
I got my first reality check when I moved to the States. Starting a family of my own and having bills to pay did give me a wake up call..like "Hello, this is a real world!" My husband is not a rich man so we both have to bring home the bacon. Finding a job in a different country could be hard especially when you don't know anything. At that time, my parents in-law started their small food business and they thought it may give me something to do so that I wouldn't stay at home and be bored during the day.
Washing dishes, chopping vegetables and doing kitchen work were not something I enjoyed and never thought I would do in my life. I had a really hard time doing it but at the same time didn't know how to decline my in-law. It was my ego, once again, that put my life in misery while helping my in-law with their business. I thought I should not have had to do this kind of work, I had a degree, I never had to work hard and bla bla bla. My self-esteem was at its lowest during that time and I kept my mouth shut by not telling any of my friends back home about it. Litterally, it was a legal job and I got paid but the type of lifestyle and luxuries I had back home came back to haunt me over and over.
Four months in the food business misery and a long process of getting a work permit, I finally landed my real job in a corporate setting where I have been working for more than 5 years (gosh that is such a major milestone in my career to stay somewhere this long!). Things changed a lot since then, I am no longer a job hopper and do not even dare thinking about it.
I work because I want to support my family and to have some sort of financial security. I work because I like the people I work with and I enjoy the financial freedom that I have. I work because it makes me appreciate and value every single dollar more than ever.
What is your career goal?
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What a nice post hunnie....I know how you feel....Ive been at my job for over 13 years now, and I love it. I have provided a very nice life for my self and my kiddos and it wasnt until the age of about 30 that I really "knew" what I wanted to do:)
ReplyDeleteAnd BTW....your blog looks FABULOUS!!! I LOVE IT!!
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about 6 years ago I said I was never going to 'work' again, instead I was going to get paid to play. I wrote a list of all the qualities of the type of work I wanted to do and I told all my friends about those qualities. I didn't know what kind of actual work it would be but that didnt stop me. About 3 months later I got a call from someone who knew about my list and she said that there was this new organization that started up and it sounded just like what would be perfect for me. I got an interview and they called me back 1 hour after the interview and said " how could we NOT hire you??" Anyway, I have been the Director of the organization ever since and I LOVE it, it has never occurred like work, rather, I get paid to do what I love... And I have an amazing team to work with as well. We do get to create how things go! so cool
ReplyDeleteCollette: I am glad to hear that you love what you do and I can tell you truly have a passion for it. More importantly, you are very happy and good at it too :)
ReplyDeleteJodi: Thank you for sharing your story. That was interesting. I have never really thought about what type of organization/work I want to do, rather I pretty much let the employers make their choice. I'll have to remember that ;) And glad to hear you have found the job of your dream.
ahhhhhhhhhh what a great post!!! thanks for sharing!!! my goal is to open a couple more different businesses in the near future :)
ReplyDeleteI was valedictorian of my high school class, and I've got a bachelor's degree in English and psychology and a master's degree in technical and expository writing. Yet I now spend my days cleaning poop, reading "Green Eggs & Ham," and singing "Herman the Worm." :) I was sooooo resistant to quitting my job in the beginning. I mean, I'd worked so hard for those stinkin' degrees, and I'd always put my ALL into my work. Now I put my ALL into my kiddo...and I do a little writing on the side. This whole mothering thing has taught me SO much, one of the lessons being that when this at-home gig is over and my girlie heads off to school (sigh), there's no way I can revert back to my old ways of making my job a #1 priority. I'll work to live, not live to work. Because everything's changed now.
ReplyDeleteReallyPetite: you sure are a busy bee :)
ReplyDeleteMichelle: I totally understand what you mean. One of the ladies I know has also been a stay at home mom for a while now. She used to be a career woman and has MBA. She said she is completely happy with the choice she made for herself and her children so that she can see they grow everyday, that is what matters most. I used to think I wanted to stay home with my little one but it would be hard on us financially. More importantly, after a while I realize I am a better mother if I get a little break from her (it sounds selfish but I do not have lots of patience like some moms do).
my goal is to eventually own my own business - i'm trying - it seems SO far away tho - but i won't give up!!!
ReplyDeletePS - GIVE-AWAY going on - just wanna spread the love!
*kiss kiss*
Erika
~Tiptoe Butterfly~
Great post!!! and congrats on your award!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Vicky
Hey Nelah, I noticed your recent posts are about life and love.. double thumbs up! I read it all.. feels like there's so much to learn from you because you've got quite some experience :) Hmm one of these days I may write a similar post on my career goals.. but right now I will have to wait to share as I am not definite =\ but one thing I'm prettyy sure I don't want is to be an office lady, not because it's a bad job but because I think I would be happier in a more interactive/active environment where I can directly help people (that's a hint to the career I want to explore soon)! Wow sorry for being so mysterious but one day I will fill you in girl :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. I personally didn't quite like the graffiti on the lexus too.. I think they are too elegant for that!
What a great timing for this post! I just attended my alma mater's career fair yesterday. Even though I'm starting my first "big-girl" job in November, I am still on the search for a firm that is a better fit for me. That's my short-term career goal for now!
ReplyDeleteTiptoebuttrtfly: thanks for letting me know, I will check it out this evening.
ReplyDeleteStylelover: thanks :)
Karen: my life is quite a story girl ;) I used to dream of being a counselor (it was one of my many dreams), not sure if that is the direction you are heading to or not. But whatever you plan on becoming, I think you will be good at it because you know what type of job you want and you know your passion :)
Love'n Salt: haven't heard from you in a long time, hope all is well. Good luck with your job search :)
I understand where you are coming from about the ego and esteems. I'm about to graduate college and recently went for an interview at a huge insurance firm who was trying to get my cotacts so they can sell to my friends and family things that were unecessary. I even considered the job since the economy is bad but I am optimistic that things will work out. I'm meant to be so much more than a sales rep. I work and will work for the same reasons as you have stated. Family does come first and of course, I have set goals and things that I want to achieve and there is no way of getting there without work. But work shouldn't be a living hell. Anyway, before I ramble on- great blog you have!
ReplyDeleteDiane: Thanks so much. I used to work in a job that I didn't like myself just to get my foot in the door. One of my younger brothers graduated from college this year and he is in a similar dilemma. It may be wise to at least get start rather than just let the time pass and have nothing to write in the resume especially in today's economy. Good luck with your career :)
ReplyDeleteEven though I'm technically "working" as a resident and am getting paid, I still feel like I'm still in school (and have been for as long as I can remember). To be honest, sometimes I lose sight of my goals and feel so burnt out even before I officially enter the workforce that I wish I didn't have to work for a living. But then I think of all the people who are unemployed or have unsecure jobs with a family to feed that I'm thankful for my steady source of income and an intellectually challenging and fulfilling job, even with its crazy hours and insane pressure.
ReplyDelete