Working life.
It took me ages to get used to waking up at 630 in the morning. And more than once have I woken up way too late. Like that other time? I woke up at 8am, I kid you not. Guess what time I start work: 830am. And by the way, "start work at 830am" means that I'm at my desk, logged on to the server by 830am, not strolling through the lobby at 830am. I remember praying frantically to God, hoping that by some incredible, undeserving miracle, I can get to work on time. That morning, the bus did not have to stop for any red lights. Green all the way! Of course, that was one fluke which God, with His ideals on hard work and justice, will not allow to happen to me, ever again.
It's a totally different learning curve really. Everybody is pushed to continuously learn more and pick up more skills and gain more understanding. There is always a trial period, where mistakes are often made and confusion is rampant. And being an intern, I'm always making mistakes and I'm always confused. But I think the trial period is exactly what it is: a period. There's a full stop. So there will come a time when I need to stop making too many mistakes and stop being confused all the time.
But all in all I think I've learned a lot. I have been given difficult and challenging tasks which I think I will not be able to get anywhere else. I like the culture of the firm and there are lots of nice people there who work hard and diligently. I really hope that I won't be too confused anymore.
My peer group has also grown quite close. We like each other's company, and I guess it makes the whole internship experience a lot deeper and more meaningful. And I will always cherish these people.
And there's the stress. I've only felt the surface of it. But my gosh, its not something that I've felt before. You see, stress from studying is different. I guess its because when I study, I owe an obligation mainly to God, to my family and to myself. And those are very important obligations. But I know that God or my parents are not going to fire me when I screw up.
Employers can.
And there's also the feeling that I may be bringing the team down or over-shooting the budget; Oh and I hate the "stupid" sign that seems to always hang on my head - mainly due to lack of experience. And deadlines get tight and most times things don't always go as planned.
But this is what working life is, isn't it? A steep learning curve that never ends. It never ends even when you have the title "Partner", and you're the one signing on the report, the brandname which you own and striving to protect.
In saying that, important stuff from uni finally came through. I got my offer letter and enrollment is on the 18th of Feb. So I'm going to be taking the compulsory research methodology papers, Advanced Taxation and Advanced Financial Accounting. Which means I get Mondays and Wednesdays off. HAHAHA! And no more waking up at 630am! YAAY!
Although I think I will take up Fi's advice and start waking up early.
I've heard this saying from somewhere: "When you're dead, you get all the time in the world to sleep anyway."
