Career Path

Could this be it?

All the messy parts and pieces fitted so nicely together in an emotional conversation with *Gallant last night. I was all practically shouting and semi-drunken, frustrated on the fact that I've been miserable at my current job and not knowing what to do next.

The past few weeks since I've came back from Europe was full of career 'existentialism'. Feeling wrecked and without spirit, and facing each day with reluctance of going to work. Meeting up with friends or talking felt as if a put on as this bad weight was heavy on the back of the mind.

Last week, I've been taken to dinner and offered another job (one I didn't interview for, I must say) by the *Pope.

I really couldn't find anything more perfect than to call him the *Pope! His job offer was of so many promises and miracles it should be a religion in itself. Job scope wise, it is still conferencing but with flexible timing, any choice of topic, CSR, free tickets for students and charities and even a sideline business where money was channeled specifically for community projects. Pay wise, I was to ask for any amount, as long as I gave a profit return of more than 400% my pay, which is not a problem considering I deliver much more for the current company and can ask for a region between $4K and above. Any access of the profits, 30% will be returned. And the small team the *Pope has is made out of the best from the current company - he brought over some of the best sales, operations and production staff.

It really was a relatively uncomfortable dinner for me. As *Lala femme said over sangrias last night, I must be nuts not to take it up. And the *Pope and I have been friends so we were trying to have this business discussion and have some casual conversations as well (that otherwise wouldn't go so well in a business dinner). At one part, we started singing from the Animaniacs because he found an old CD with all the songs. On the other hand, this would mean a wonderful working relationship.

But the *Pope was understanding. Throughout dinner, we've talked about career choices and we talked about our ambition and goals in life. As a child I wanted to write cartoons and sitcoms. As a teenager I wanted to write stories about my oh-too-typical-to-believe Chinese family. As a 16 year old I wanted to be the editor of newspapers or magazines. At university I wanted to be a reporter and journalist. I loved my role as editor-in-chief of NUSSU Publications. I didn't see how these were so intrinsically related until the *Pope managed to get that all out of me, but the end was that he assures me that a job at his company will always be there and I need to go chase my dreams.

The other turning point was with *Lala femme. I did a back track of what I wanted in the future. *Baby Boss (direct manager at work) has retirement plans for a rich life with an ice cream stand on the beach. Conferencing would be perfect for her to go gather money. As for myself, I want to write biographies when I retire.

It is definitely a very strange retirement plan indeed but do hear me out. Just imagine that I, am somehow such a prolific writer in the future. And since it is a retirement plan, I have the luxury to pick & choose anyone I admire to write on. It'd be his or her honour, and mine getting to spend many days laughing over funny incidents, crying over losses and heartaches, feel moved by their stories and passion. And how wonderful that I am able to share the story of these heroes with the world.

This is how I imagine the last 30 years of my life.

The thing is, just what means to that glorious end? And what was pointed out was that there was only 25 years till the dream starts at my turning 50?

So I charted it out with *Gallant last night.

I was to start off with a communications job to get my foot into working with personalities or institutions and getting a little closer to media relations. The communications position at the NUS President's office would be perfect!

Then I'd go back to journalism to gain some exposure and experience writing for masses.

During that period, I'd also be working on my masters in either communication or journalism.

After that, I would want to be worthy of writing social commentaries for Times or Newsweek.

And perhaps by then I'd be better known to write biographies. Would you give me the honour of immortalizing you with my words?