Busy is the new happy,
Sunday, May 31, 2015 | 8:15 PM
Been meaning to write about this since the start of the year but /inserts lame excuse about laziness here/. This is about what I’ve been doing all this while, my temp work at SGE (was contemplating about writing the name of my company because I don’t really want the HR to source this out and was intending to just write “at this office” but I wasn’t entirely ashamed of where I’m working at and would very much like to share the good things they do so yes I’ve been spending the past 5 plus months at SGE).
“Do you know what SGE do?” was one of the question I received during the interview for the job. “Basically to integrate disabled people into the society right?” Sums up my answer and the main task/goal/aim of SGE. To be honest, though I know what the company does, I wasn’t sure of the scope of the job which I’ve signed up for. In the end what I end up doing doesn’t align with what I have imagined myself doing but I told myself that each day, I must try to at least learn something new, be it hard skills or soft skills. To keep myself going, my constant mantra during work is “do your very best”, “confess when you’re lost”, “admit when you’re wrong” and that:
The picture quote was something I realize the longer I work. The other day I was given the task of writing an official letter to be sent out to the public. I stumbled like a new-born baby and my draft was constantly re-edited (with help from people who are more experienced in this sort of things). The finalized letter was version 8 I think. LOL. I never used to think much about the formal letters that I received from the government or various institutions as it all felt very computer-generated. Now I began to appreciate the someone out there who probably spent weeks to draft out all the instructions, information, terms and conditions etc. and the effort spent to get all the approval for content and language. That's why schooling matters kids. The next time your English teacher pick on you for your language and content, thank them! Don't neglect or be lazy about the way you phrase your words.
Working in the office was like being thrown into the merciless adult society before I’m ready to be an adult. While office politics remains as one of my greatest fear, I’m the least ready for all the finance-related matters like CPF, Insurance, Income Tax, Credit Cards, and Education Fees etc. which I know I should start learning the ropes of though it really turns me off. These things are essential to survive I guess (especially since Singapore is well-known to be a financial hub) but deep down my heart always feels that these things cease to matter in the end.
Yesterday I was showing a new intern around town. He came from the states and will be having an internship at my office for 6 weeks. We were having dinner at Lau Pa Sat with Amy and he was fascinated by the surrounding modern buildings and began to talk about stocks. TBH I’ve zero knowledge about stocks and I was really ashamed especially when he said, “How can you now know man? Isn’t Singapore well-known for its finance achievements?” Thank god for Amy’s presence as she saved the conversation with her knowledge about stocks. I’ve such a good eye for friends omg. Hahahahha
Anyways, the actual project which I was supposed to be doing for the company has been postponed till next week so the past few months I was assigned with other projects and tasks. Unlike the usual administrative work that the average temps are usually hired for in the office, I like that sometimes my assignments require me to think hard and use my brains. Honestly, I’ve never expected myself to land in a job that requires some sort of technological expertise and requires me to constantly face the computer. Sobs. Cause I’m definitely someone who enjoys being on the front line in voluntary activities and having personal interactions with people.
That said, the work experience in SG Enable is kinda unique because in alignment with their goal to integrate people with disabilities into the society, they hire people with disabilities in the office. More often than not, I’m slightly awkward when I interact with colleagues with partial visual impairment as I wasn’t sure of where to look and the proper body language to use as I converse with them. I’m used to looking into people’s eyes when I talk to people but it felt kind of rude to look into their eyes as though I’m staring and it is also hard to make connection with them through a gaze due to the eyes’ misalignment. It’s also difficult to use gestures because I’m never sure of how far are they able to see clearly. This has made me more sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities and I’m made humble by all these experiences.
I hope that at the end of the day, the experiences and knowledge that I get from working in SG Enable will help me in my pursuit of being a Counsellor/Social Worker. By better understanding the current schemes available and how it will be able to help other people, I want to come up with further enhanced campaigns, projects and solutions to help people overcome mental, behavioural or emotional difficulties. Anyways, if life permits, may this be the last office job that I will ever land myself into. The 9am-6pm stuck-in-the-office and peak hour rush thing is totally not for me man. If not for the constant meet-ups with my friends and the once-a-week half-day-off thing, I would have been so bummed out.
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