The Prodigal Daughter Returns

I'm back to where I was in 2003-2004, career-wise.

Then why did I leave in the first place? When one is young and opportunity knocks with the right terms, one jumps and asks immediately "When can I start?"

There I was, burning the midnight oil with my equally frustrated colleague, working with difficult customers & indifferent supporting teams when a headhunter called.

"Are you interested to pursue this opportunity?"

It's the 5th biggest company in the world (then) and I was pretty flattered that I was in their radar. Indeed, I was rather smug about it. So I left, determine to see more of the world and experience more.

Fast forward 6 months later, I was handing in my resignation later. I saw the path I was being steered to very much different from what I was promised and expected during my interview sessions. Well, no pint trying to file my sharp edges to fit into a neat, nice hole.

Then I was hired to ramp up a major operation with a mobile phone manufacturer. This job took the heaviest toll on me, within the first 3months of production ramp, I'd lost 3 kg and was hoisting up my jeans at work. I worked 14 hours daily for the first 3 months and suffered from chronic gastric pains.

But I would not have traded this experience for anything. This was where I met Doraemon, where I discover how tough and persevering I could and can be. This was the place where I found my true value, when my pay increased by 30% from the previous year.

If I had not made any jump, I doubt I could be drawing the same salary as I am currently doing, unless I was rated "indispensable" by my bosses and given a raise of 10% annually. Then again, that's very unlikely. Being such a huge MNC, it's mired in countless red-tapes & guidelines.

So it's a circle after all, my leaving and coming back.

I see this as a way of gaining experience & exposure, sort of like what the rich kids would do before helming their father's company.

After all, how could you make your bosses appreciate your effectiveness if you are always there putting out fires even before they catch a whiff of the smoke?

:)