This week, I attended two job interviews for two different roles – Programme Executive at Geyland East Home for the Aged, and Manager (Sector Development, Literary Arts) at National Arts Council.
Before the semester ended, I also interviewed for an editor's position at Shing Lee Publishing and a Consumer & Lifestyle writer position at Simply Her.
That makes four interviews thus far. Here I am, just celebrating the opportunity to interview for these various positions. I mean, it hasn't even been a month since I ended school and I'm only starting to like this freedom. But my mom, on the other hand, has been so sarcastic about me staying at home.
Up till I completed Junior College, I let my mom dictate the way my life should be. I thought it was the best I could do because she single-handedly raised us. Deep down, though, I realise she had pinned all her hopes and expectations on me because I was the only child in this family that chose the path the society considered ideal.
In fact, I listened to her every advice even if I didn't necessarily agree with her just because I couldn't bear to disappoint her further than I already had with my lacklustre grades.
Growing up, I must admit I gained the best of everything. I was spoilt rotten as the youngest child of the family and the adults often shielded me from the real world out there. (I never learned to cross the road until I was 12!)
As a young and ignorant teenager, I did everything according to my mom's will. I thought I can't go wrong following in the steps of an experienced adult who has walked this world before my time. But I was wrong and I'm starting to feel it now.
After my interview with National Arts Council yesterday, my mom said (with utmost confidence, no less) I would get the job. Then I thought to myself: What if I don't want the job?
From a young age, I've always known I wanted to work with animals. After giving up my dream to study veterinary science (because I failed to qualify for a scholarship under AVA and we didn't have money to pay), I aspired to become a writer because I believed in using the power of words to fight for the rights of the animals. Everything I've done so far was with the belief that I would, some day, work to better the lives of animals.
Unfortunately, they say beggars can't be choosers. And with the economy being so soft right now, my mom advised me to take whatever job offer I get first.
She believes I'm being extremely picky. She would go onto Careers@Gov and ask me if I applied for this position or that position and if I say no, she'd shake her hand and proceed with her preaching. She used to insist I start with Corporate Communications (and I never understood why) but I defied her anyway. Even if she tries to convince me that I'd be able to move up the career ladder faster in Corp Comms, it's not what I want. Of course, she wouldn't understand that.
To me, my first job matters most. It kickstarts my debut in the corporate world and would determine if I either enjoy or dread adulthood.
I want to start right while my mom wants me to start fast.
"If you don't accept a job offer because you don't like the job, then you'll be jobless for the next six months. And you'll be home doing nothing and laying eggs," she said. (Although, theoretically speaking, I can't lay eggs.) And I continue to keep myself busy with teaching and freelancing! I'm not really being a bum.
She probably can't stand me being at home all the time while they're out at work but I don't want to rush into making a decision. I don't want to force myself into a job that's not in line with my interests because it will affect my performance and motivation.
I know, I know. I'm well aware of all the things the previous generations say about mine. Picky, stubborn, immature, insensible; if you can name it, it's all been said before.
Whenever my mom starts talking about me finding a job, I immediately enter silent mode. Whatever I say will be used against me and I'm always wrong anyway. If I'm not doing it my mother's way, I'm not doing it right.
Sigh, it is so hard to please my mom. I honestly do want to get a job too. But I don't want to settle for something I'm not into just because I need a job. Is that really so hard to accept?
Before the semester ended, I also interviewed for an editor's position at Shing Lee Publishing and a Consumer & Lifestyle writer position at Simply Her.
That makes four interviews thus far. Here I am, just celebrating the opportunity to interview for these various positions. I mean, it hasn't even been a month since I ended school and I'm only starting to like this freedom. But my mom, on the other hand, has been so sarcastic about me staying at home.
Up till I completed Junior College, I let my mom dictate the way my life should be. I thought it was the best I could do because she single-handedly raised us. Deep down, though, I realise she had pinned all her hopes and expectations on me because I was the only child in this family that chose the path the society considered ideal.
In fact, I listened to her every advice even if I didn't necessarily agree with her just because I couldn't bear to disappoint her further than I already had with my lacklustre grades.
Growing up, I must admit I gained the best of everything. I was spoilt rotten as the youngest child of the family and the adults often shielded me from the real world out there. (I never learned to cross the road until I was 12!)
As a young and ignorant teenager, I did everything according to my mom's will. I thought I can't go wrong following in the steps of an experienced adult who has walked this world before my time. But I was wrong and I'm starting to feel it now.
~~~~~~~~~~
Graduating from university means I am officially an adult now. And as an adult, my priorities and commitments are starting to change from that of when I was a partially self-sufficient student. Being an adult means I have to find a well-paying 9-to-5 job where part of my salary goes to paying the utilities bill. In other words, being an adult means I'm no longer entitled to school allowance and I cannot survive on teaching part-time and freelancing.
Way before the semester ended, my mother began nagging at me to get a job. She had hoped I would be able to clinch a job and start as soon as the semester ended. Her generation didn't believe in taking a break off school and, of course, quitting a job without securing the next one is taboo.
I reluctantly began applying for positions but very half-heartedly. My mind was so focused on FYP and school back then that I didn't want (or need) to worry about issues that have yet to occur.
The night I completed my last paper, my mom asked me if I applied with DXO. This was moments after I reached home still weary from that 2-hour Human Resource Management paper that almost killed me. Since I was running on such a short fuse, I shot back: "I just finished my final paper. Can't we talk about this tomorrow?"
In the following days, my mother never failed to remind me to apply for jobs. Despite knowing how soft the economy is right now, she grows increasingly anxious that I'm home all week. And I'm doing my best to understand her perspective because it was the way her generation was brought up.
But I didn't want to do things the same way.
Excerpt from Everyone's Obsessed with Adulting
After my interview with National Arts Council yesterday, my mom said (with utmost confidence, no less) I would get the job. Then I thought to myself: What if I don't want the job?
From a young age, I've always known I wanted to work with animals. After giving up my dream to study veterinary science (because I failed to qualify for a scholarship under AVA and we didn't have money to pay), I aspired to become a writer because I believed in using the power of words to fight for the rights of the animals. Everything I've done so far was with the belief that I would, some day, work to better the lives of animals.
Unfortunately, they say beggars can't be choosers. And with the economy being so soft right now, my mom advised me to take whatever job offer I get first.
She believes I'm being extremely picky. She would go onto Careers@Gov and ask me if I applied for this position or that position and if I say no, she'd shake her hand and proceed with her preaching. She used to insist I start with Corporate Communications (and I never understood why) but I defied her anyway. Even if she tries to convince me that I'd be able to move up the career ladder faster in Corp Comms, it's not what I want. Of course, she wouldn't understand that.
To me, my first job matters most. It kickstarts my debut in the corporate world and would determine if I either enjoy or dread adulthood.
I want to start right while my mom wants me to start fast.
"If you don't accept a job offer because you don't like the job, then you'll be jobless for the next six months. And you'll be home doing nothing and laying eggs," she said. (Although, theoretically speaking, I can't lay eggs.) And I continue to keep myself busy with teaching and freelancing! I'm not really being a bum.
She probably can't stand me being at home all the time while they're out at work but I don't want to rush into making a decision. I don't want to force myself into a job that's not in line with my interests because it will affect my performance and motivation.
I know, I know. I'm well aware of all the things the previous generations say about mine. Picky, stubborn, immature, insensible; if you can name it, it's all been said before.
Whenever my mom starts talking about me finding a job, I immediately enter silent mode. Whatever I say will be used against me and I'm always wrong anyway. If I'm not doing it my mother's way, I'm not doing it right.
Sigh, it is so hard to please my mom. I honestly do want to get a job too. But I don't want to settle for something I'm not into just because I need a job. Is that really so hard to accept?
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