I've moved away from the education line for over four years now and I'm pretty happy with the transition I've made since then.
Although I've got another job already lined up as my next leap into the unknown, I was pretty much straining to finally get that one offer. In the time that I was planning for my transition, I sent out at least three dozen applications and received only three call backs. I edited my resume a dozen times, got it reviewed by people in HR and researched how to make it a visually attractive document.
Still no call backs.
After doing some research, I discover I may be making some mistakes in my applications. Like not following up to re-assert my interest in the post I applied for (I did, a couple of times, with negative outcomes). I may also be aiming for jobs that require more experience than I actually have (I have four, they want five - but that's so close...) I'm not sourcing a job through people I know (In an effort to keep my move on the down low and also avoid cronyism I have also perhaps unwittingly avoided being recommended.)
Self Doubt seems to be the theme of my issues this year. I was, and still am, feeling a little stupid, and suspect that I may be a little delusional about my cover letter, my resume, myself and my capabilities. The I go into double doubting and triple doubting... ultimate outcomes of which are frustration and confusion. It all gets gloomier from there.
After doing some research, I discover I may be making some mistakes in my applications. Like not following up to re-assert my interest in the post I applied for (I did, a couple of times, with negative outcomes). I may also be aiming for jobs that require more experience than I actually have (I have four, they want five - but that's so close...) I'm not sourcing a job through people I know (In an effort to keep my move on the down low and also avoid cronyism I have also perhaps unwittingly avoided being recommended.)
Self Doubt seems to be the theme of my issues this year. I was, and still am, feeling a little stupid, and suspect that I may be a little delusional about my cover letter, my resume, myself and my capabilities. The I go into double doubting and triple doubting... ultimate outcomes of which are frustration and confusion. It all gets gloomier from there.
Yes, I've got a new job lined up, but it was harder than I'd like it to be.
In the words of the Chemical Brothers, the time has come to Galvanize. I'm looking into furthering my studies to strengthen my credentials and capabilities. Furthering education may not be for everyone, I know a bunch of people who do well without much more than a secondary /high school education either for lack of opportunity or because of a lack of interest. Consequently some struggle to get up the ladder, others almost unfairly make it look so easy.
For me, I want it. I see the benefits more than I do the struggles that would come with it (balancing work and study, costs) I think I would actually enjoy studying again.
Next step is to check out my best options. Malaysian university degree, private university degree or an online degree? Any thoughts?
I'd like an office like this, thanks.
In the words of the Chemical Brothers, the time has come to Galvanize. I'm looking into furthering my studies to strengthen my credentials and capabilities. Furthering education may not be for everyone, I know a bunch of people who do well without much more than a secondary /high school education either for lack of opportunity or because of a lack of interest. Consequently some struggle to get up the ladder, others almost unfairly make it look so easy.
For me, I want it. I see the benefits more than I do the struggles that would come with it (balancing work and study, costs) I think I would actually enjoy studying again.
Next step is to check out my best options. Malaysian university degree, private university degree or an online degree? Any thoughts?
4 comments:
Well, since you asked, I feel obliged to comment! I've been through this path before, so I know a bit about working while studying.
The number one issue is discipline, not even whether you like studying or not. As a matter of fact, I did not enjoy studying, but simply had to do it. Even when studying full time at a university, there will be plenty of distractions. So you can just imagine how much more serious will the problem be when you're only doing it on a part-time basis.
Depending on the course you're planning to do, you may have to allocate at least 20 hours per week. I know that sounds like very little, but trust me, it's not little when you're working fulltime. During the weeks (or even months) prior to the exams, you may have to allocate substantially more time into your studies/rivisions. It basically means you almost have no social life throughout the duration of your course; I mean apart from the contacts you have with other students in connection with your studies lah.
But yes, usually, if you're able to conquer it, the benefits will be immense.
I feel you. I've been contemplating this for years too and even wrote in to a few universities. I think first of all, you have to decide what post-grad are u looking at: MBA? Arts? Business? And then start searching, cuz i think honestly, Msian unis are pretty decent with MBAs. But for more specific post-grad qualifications (ie Creative Writing as i've been searching), I'd probably opt for distance education with a foreign uni. (bah nanti i cerita more with u this weekend...ish, mau juga di blog bah kan)
Ah, Cornelius, am glad to see that you still visit my blog!
Oh yes, discipline. I must admit, studying part-time is not an attractive prospect to me. I'd really like to be able to concentrate on one thing at a time, with the theory that I will have more focus and am more likely to excel.
At the moment I cannot afford to do it full time. Going back to the full-student life of scrimping and saving on part-time wages at Nando is not ideal. But these are just some of the things I have to think about before signing up!
Thanks for your feedback!
Haha, Mel,
Yep, we'll discuss this later. But just so you know, it's between PR & Communications and an MBA. Or medicine.
Post a Comment