When i graduated from University, i had no idea what the work place will look like. So how did i survived?
Luck i guess,
So yes, anyway, i work in HR related fields.
I started out as Management Trainee, which is pretty much what we called a "Generalist"
Generalist is as you might expect, is a person who does bits and pieces of every job available in that division. They understand, know the business process from end to end, and are generally able to fill in or slot in on any job that is available.
Being MT was a lot of fun, it was fun because you'll always have some impossible target and unbelievable task handed to you. People will look at you as super-brilliant-full-of-crazy-shit-ideas-and-out-of-this-world-madefaker. In short, people will look at you like a superman.
You will have to grasp things quick, be quick on your feet, have initiative to do this and that, and more importantly, LEARN.
Yes, learn.
That is the hardest thing on being an MT. You had to work, you have to deliver result, BUT you have to balance it out with learning also.
Its like trying to ride a bicycle while playing a playstation i guess. Its easy, once you get the hang of it.
But MT is not the thing i wanted to talk about here, i wanted to talk (or write, whatever) about what to do when you graduated from University.
Yes i know some of you ladies are just looking to get married as soon as you graduated and becomes a mother, and i think thats a fair choice. Its life, people get to do whatever they want.
But what if you want to work somewhere? or even become an entrepreneur? where here are some of the advice that i can give you.
1. Know what you want to do
Sounds simple, but not as easy as its sound. Do you want to be a lecturer? do you want to work in corporate environment? do you want to be consultant and travel around 24/7? do you want to be someone else's wife and just stay at home? or do you want to work in oil and gas or mining company in some remote places?
The possibility are endless. And frankly, this is where some people are afraid. They afraid of choosing, and ended up delaying skripsi for as long as they can.
You do know that there is a special hell reserved for this kind of people, right?
2. The Further Studies "bait"
Ahh, the further studies. The bread and butter of all the fresh grad kids. Everybody think its cool to go overseas (on scholarship or daddy's money) for 2 years, doing master degree, snap some cool pics for facebook, and even getting laid by some local, BUT, there is one thing to remember.
Further studies (S2, Master, whatever) is good IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE A LECTURER.
I cant stress that enough.
If you are going for further studies for 2 years and then looking for work, you gonna have a hard time. Why? because company will treat you as fresh graduate.
Well probably you gonna receive salary a bit (just a bit) higher than S1 fresh grad, but position wise, you are a newbie.
Same as fresh grad.
You've lost the crucial 2 years that would easily enough get you to the much more comfortable middle level.
And please, forget about the salary.
3. The salary
Wow, whats that? yes i did tell you to forget about the salary. But things to consider when you want to work are, of course how much you gonna get paid.
First of all, you have to remember that you wont be manager the first time you work. Forgo about fantasy, this is reality.
Second, if you want to strike big on your first job, go for oil or mining. They compensate a lot, because, well its fuckin oil and mining, and because you will most likely be moved to some remote places. They pay you a lot to compensate on that.
Some local companies also paid pretty well, compared to foreign company. Why is that? because sometimes the system on local companies are "owner" based, which means the owner can do whatever the hell he/she wants. This usually translates to higher salary, not so clear career path, and your ass can be fired at any second.
Just remember this mantra, never look at basic salary only. Consider the variable pay, all the benefits (hospital, reimbursement, etc), career progression, work life balance, and the stress level.
Certainly nobody likes to be paid 20 Mio per month but at the risk of having heart attack at age of 40, right?
4. Where you'll work
This is especially important if you live in Jakarta where distance of 10-15 km need to be travelled for 3 hours in traffic jam. Consider the place, plan out where you'll live, where you'll go on the weekend, is the transportation safe, etc.
And if you are placed in remote area, what will you do with your loved one. How you gonna survive, etc.
5. Know the company culture
All of the company of course demands performance. But, cultures are different. There are some where people are not so attached and much informal. There are some who treats each other as family but can still be formal. And no matter how much you tried to hide it, company will hire someone who blends in well with their culture. Not just performance, after all.
to be continued