I've always envied others who knew what they wanted to do when they grew up.
Me? I've no clue except I know I don't like a desk bound kind of job.
My career was a series of job hopping until I found the right fit (see my story). Its more a "crash got sound" way of finding out what I liked; what I hated.
I think the more "educated" way of saying is "Learn By Doing"?
So I'm probably the last person to give you any career advice.
Just would like to share with you a story from my past.
During my secondary school days at Gan Eng Seng School during the early 80s, I think I was in Sec 2 (1981), the Army came to our school during one assembly to do a sales pitch for the SAF Boys' School.
Basically its to sell to those of us who are not academically inclined to join them. We can earn a small allowance while we "study"! How cool is that!
Further more, we can have a head start if we sign on to the Army!
While our peers are recruits, we are already NCOs lording over them during NS. Wink.
Interestingly, the SAF Boys' School closed in 1984. (You pause and reflect for a moment)
Fast forward to my NS time at 9 RITC Taman Jurong Camp. 4/5 of the store IC sergeants were from the now defunct SAF Boys' School.
Let's say all except one managed to renew their contracts when they hit 28 years old.
When I bumped into them in civilian life, they were now either storemen or despatch riders...
What do you do when you have a shortage of NCOs?
What do you do when you no longer have a shortage?
What do you do when you now need thinking soldiers who can operate computers and complex equipment? (You prefer Poly graduates )
Do you still care about those words written on water that you have uttered when you were doing your snake charming to impressionable 14 years olds?
Don't get me wrong. There will always be those ex-SAF Boys' School who had successful long military careers as warrant offices, and when they left the Army, became well to do business owners.
They will wax lyrically how they would probably end up as gang members, and if without the early discipline in their lives, they won't be where they are today. Sob, sob. Can you pass the tissue?
There will always be a bell-shaped distribution curve thingy... How about the majority that fell through the cracks?
Remember when we had a shortage of teachers?
What did they do?
How's the attrition rate and morale of teachers today?
Now we worry we may have a shortage of engineers.
What did they do again?
If you wanted to have a military career, be a teacher, or an engineer, you would do it even if the pay or the prospects suck. Anything more is a bonus! That's knowing what you want!
If you no clue what to do (like me), well, nothing wrong with "tikam tikam", try try. That's the Thomas Edison's "crash got sound" way of discovering what element to use for the light bulb's filament.
Now you know one profession you either like or hate!
But if you go in knowing in your heart that's NOT what you like; you are just in it for the money. Well, you deserve it., doesn't it?
There's a name we call those who do it just for the money.
Prostitute.
P.S. Welcome to the club. Although I call myself a man-whore when it comes to investing and trading, somehow, I don't think we have much in common...
Singapore Man of Leisure (welcome to my blog; just google it!)
