My best friend just came back from her European honeymoon and sent me some photos. She then asked about my job status, on whether I have found my “dream” job. Actually, there is no such thing as a “dream” or “ideal” job, because every job has its ups and downs. For instance, even if I get into my dream job of being a concert pianist or journalist, there are sure to be good times and bad times as well. Nothing is so smooth-sailing.
Being out in the corporate world really gets one exposed to things. Being in government sector is still somewhat sheltered, because even if civil servants get a bad appraisal, there will still be chances and counselling. Chances are, civil servants do not get fired so easily. Plus, the system is very structured, so for those who are used to it, they get rather comfortable and stay on for a long time.
The private sector, on the other hand, may seem more glamorous. The system is much less structured, but in this way, people learn. We have to get things done on our own instead of waiting for others to tell us things. And there is no such thing as counselling or chances, once you screw up badly, out you go. So it is really a matter of “do or die”.
Due to this, not many people who came from a statutory board or government background will be able to take it. They may find the system too messy for them. And some were horrified at the way staff get retrenched without any benefits, but that is the way private sectors function. Companies have the policy that “nobody owes you a living”.
Because of this, many people from the private sector are able to survive very well when they cross over to the government sector. To them, after facing all the challenges, headaches and politics in the private sector (not to say being in the government has no politics, there may be just as many or even more because people who have been sheltered are the most narrow-minded of the lot), going to the government sector is just a breeze. They welcome a more structured way of doing things.
But it depends on the individual too. I, for one, can never survive in the public sector. It is simply too bureaucratic, too much red tape, that at the end of the day, we spend all the time justifying our actions and what we do than actually doing things. Plus, there is no place for autonomy and creativity, as everything has to go through a proper system and channel.
At least being in the private sector can work on my own. Nobody cares how you do the job as long as the job gets done. You just need to keep your superiors in the loop on what is going on, unless it is a major case, otherwise most of the time you are on your own. And that is what I like, as for me, the results and end product matters more than the process.
Does it really matter if you do it the short-cut way rather than the actual long-winded way, as long as it is not legally and politically wrong? If everything has to go through a systematic process (which is not wrong), then lots of time will be spent on all kinds of unnecessary things which can actually be cut short by half!
I have learnt that in order to survive as an OL, one has to be broad minded, meticulous, resourceful, initiative, and most of all, confident. One must come across as being able to do things, rather than not knowing what to do. That is the difference between someone of a higher ranking and someone of a lower ranking.
The reason why people can rise up is because they do their work well, and not get too bothered by the petty trivial around. Plus, they are really sharp. For instance, if I bring in a document to our Chief Finance Officer, he can tell it is not the latest update just by one glance! Wow! That is really something! Imagine the amount of work he has to handle everyday, yet even a simple one page document never escapes him!
And that is what I aim for. To rise up amongst the ranks. To be a real professional executive, head a team of my own, have people work for me together, entails travelling and company reimbursement, and living an exciting life hobnobbing with all the big wigs and big shots. Maybe when that happens, I would have achieved my dream job. But for now, a dream is just a dream.
Being out in the corporate world really gets one exposed to things. Being in government sector is still somewhat sheltered, because even if civil servants get a bad appraisal, there will still be chances and counselling. Chances are, civil servants do not get fired so easily. Plus, the system is very structured, so for those who are used to it, they get rather comfortable and stay on for a long time.
The private sector, on the other hand, may seem more glamorous. The system is much less structured, but in this way, people learn. We have to get things done on our own instead of waiting for others to tell us things. And there is no such thing as counselling or chances, once you screw up badly, out you go. So it is really a matter of “do or die”.
Due to this, not many people who came from a statutory board or government background will be able to take it. They may find the system too messy for them. And some were horrified at the way staff get retrenched without any benefits, but that is the way private sectors function. Companies have the policy that “nobody owes you a living”.
Because of this, many people from the private sector are able to survive very well when they cross over to the government sector. To them, after facing all the challenges, headaches and politics in the private sector (not to say being in the government has no politics, there may be just as many or even more because people who have been sheltered are the most narrow-minded of the lot), going to the government sector is just a breeze. They welcome a more structured way of doing things.
But it depends on the individual too. I, for one, can never survive in the public sector. It is simply too bureaucratic, too much red tape, that at the end of the day, we spend all the time justifying our actions and what we do than actually doing things. Plus, there is no place for autonomy and creativity, as everything has to go through a proper system and channel.
At least being in the private sector can work on my own. Nobody cares how you do the job as long as the job gets done. You just need to keep your superiors in the loop on what is going on, unless it is a major case, otherwise most of the time you are on your own. And that is what I like, as for me, the results and end product matters more than the process.
Does it really matter if you do it the short-cut way rather than the actual long-winded way, as long as it is not legally and politically wrong? If everything has to go through a systematic process (which is not wrong), then lots of time will be spent on all kinds of unnecessary things which can actually be cut short by half!
I have learnt that in order to survive as an OL, one has to be broad minded, meticulous, resourceful, initiative, and most of all, confident. One must come across as being able to do things, rather than not knowing what to do. That is the difference between someone of a higher ranking and someone of a lower ranking.
The reason why people can rise up is because they do their work well, and not get too bothered by the petty trivial around. Plus, they are really sharp. For instance, if I bring in a document to our Chief Finance Officer, he can tell it is not the latest update just by one glance! Wow! That is really something! Imagine the amount of work he has to handle everyday, yet even a simple one page document never escapes him!
And that is what I aim for. To rise up amongst the ranks. To be a real professional executive, head a team of my own, have people work for me together, entails travelling and company reimbursement, and living an exciting life hobnobbing with all the big wigs and big shots. Maybe when that happens, I would have achieved my dream job. But for now, a dream is just a dream.
0 comments:
Post a Comment