J-emine's reflexionando

One of my team member joined me fresh out of university last year – completed her last paper, took a short break and plunge right into the work force. Fast forward to present, she is attending her long- awaited convocation (next week!) and not feeling tad much since she has been working for a full year – but with my more than 19 years of post undergraduate confidence, I said – ‘I’m sure the excitement will kicked in when you don your gown. After-all, you survived the educational milestones that paves way for you to start earning your own money!’

This led to me reminiscing my own graduation – I chose not to attend my ceremony in Australia, as I was working by then and felt – I would rather attend the local graduation ceremony for overseas graduate here in Singapore with a wider group of family members. It’s been a journey – and as I reminisce, I came up with a list of things that I wish I knew in the first few years of my working career, and most of these points are still applicable today (and may not even have an expiry date/ unless I retire…):

1. Sticking to your principles is a virtue but know when to be flexible to adjust your stance when the need arise
2. Create a good network – even with people that you may not necessary vibe with – because you never know when your paths may cross again or when an industrial advice/ hand is needed
3. You may be re-allocated a new Boss (i.e. not the one that brought you in etc) – have respect, give him/ her a chance …unless proven otherwise.
4. Never avoid a specific task/ learning experience because you dislike it or find it a drag – because it will come back and bite you HARD
5. if you’re dragging your feet to work – it may not be time for you to look out for new opportunities, sometimes all you need is a new challenge, stimulation or a mental break – and for the latter, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that
6. Following on from the above point (being descriptive here) – if you find yourself working very long hours/ an endless To-Do list and eventually, waking up one morning – blanking out and forgetting your login details — its time for a long break and calibration of your work life

I really enjoyed reflecting and listing the points down – it was harder than I thought!

* Good 15 years later – I upgraded myself to an MBA. Now was that worth doing …guess that’s for another post (to come!)