24 February 2014, Monday
Today is the day I step out of my teenage part-time work life, and into the working world as a full-time working adult. Three years of part-time working experience in Shangri-la Singapore has been a memorable one. I've seen people come and go, and learnt a lot through my mistakes and wrongdoings. However, it has always been the place where I could find joy in working and also, make new friends. Working in the hotel/service industry has always been something I've wanted to do. My passion never seems to die out, and sometimes even I question myself. At the end of each day, even though it may have been a long and tiring day, I seemed to be more than satisfied with myself for surviving the day and making others' day as well. Three years, and I have not found a single reason to leave this place. Things may not have been smooth for three whole years, but only through these obstacles do we learn to pick ourselves up and prepare for the next fight isn't it?
I'm proud of my job; proud of myself too. Three years in the hotel, I'm pretty much sure no other part-timers has accomplished as much as I did in the hotel in three years. Being so versatile and exploring through various departments of the hotel, I'm glad that I had the chance to learn and be exposed to many areas in which others may not have the chance to.
I'm thankful to the people I've befriended over the years, and people who've guided me along, including those who are no longer with us. Thankful to the colleagues who work together as a team and accomplish tasks together, pull through the hard times together and enjoy the good times together. It does feel like family; where we help each other and take care of each other, not forgetting having fun.
The people whom I am most grateful to, are people who gave me opportunities along the way. Many opportunities. My bosses. My managers. They are the ones who recognize my effort, my capability, my passion, and give me the opportunities to develop my potential and reach greater heights. If not for them, I wouldn't have been able to accomplish so much in three years, just as a part-timer. It was all their effort. Words cannot express my gratitude to them for appreciating me so much, from giving me leeway to offering me special positions and even full-time jobs. Its a blessing to have you guys.
Future seemed bleak to me when I returned to Singapore from my four months of exchange programme in South Korea. Nonetheless it was a really great experience too. Life-changing, I would say. I got to learn to be independent and to face up to many cold hard truths. It definitely made me a better person and I was ready to continue with my life back in my home country as a whole new person. But I was lost. I felt detached from Singapore after being away for some time. I wasn't sure of what I wanted to do, what I could do. Furthermore, there wasn't anyone who could guide me or advice me. The only decision I made was to go back to Shangri-la and continue as a part-timer while I take time to think through the important things in life.
Things were the same. Nothing changed. I still enjoyed my job, and I still had my wonderful bosses who make my day everytime they see me. I feel that its an honour for the big bosses to know myself, because some of them don't even know the full-timers. I'm blessed to have them still accepting me and welcoming me back despite having been gone for so long. I am glad that I wasn't forgotten.
Job offers and opportunities came along all the same since my return, and I had to make a decision as to what I want. Being in the F&B industry for three years, I told myself I never want it as a full-time job because its gonna be really tiring. I studied business in school, so I told myself I wanna do something more relevant. At least, something office-bound.
I got the offer for Sales Coordinator under Sales and Marketing and I gladly accepted it. Well, initially it wasn't an offer. I merely went for the interview to see if I qualify. And no, I didn't have any special advantages for having previous experience in the hotel. I was just fighting for the vacancy just like any other applicants.
Things didn't work out like how I expected. In fact, it turned out better because I got the job offer sooner than ever. Through four rounds of interviews and after meeting Director of Sales and Hotel Manager, I took up the offer and signed the letter of appointment on the 19th February, Wednesday. There and then, I made the decision to bid farewell to my bosses in the F&B sector which I hope I won't regret.
Office politics was eminent in offices, and Sales & Marketing wasn't an exception. Through the way everyone speak and the way they do things, I could tell that they were not straightforward people like F&B. They are straightforward, only when they want their thoughts to be put across the table. Apart from that, they are just behind a mask.
I've heard lots about Sales & Marketing before I joined and there were positive and negative comments. Judging from my decision, its obvious I chose to believe the former instead of the latter. Or else, I wouldn't even be here today.
Day One at work wasn't too bad. There's just a lot of shuffling of coordinators and I came to realise that I have to do a lot of things. I'm actually looking forward to an office job because I get to sit down and have my own desk but I'm also not that sure. After all, it was my first office job.
Training and orientation went on, and during lunchtime I was already missing my colleagues already. I wonder if I'm just not used to it or its that I don't like the job? I hope its not the latter.
Its only Day One and we were released late. I wonder what happens in future?
Nonetheless it was a good first day. Looking forward to future partnerships with Aswin, a UNLV graduate, the other sales coordinator who works with me. We get along well, so I hope things only get better in future. Things will get better.
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