Getting on with life
The end of my second contract is approaching and my third contract will start soon. Looking back over the past two months, I have learnt a lot about the water industry and how it operates. My concentration and my adaptation to the workplace has improved, my attitude to work has improved and I have greater confidence in dealing with large volumes of data. What I need to work on though, is my expression - how I express my problems verbally. I have trouble explaining things to people, I struggle to present my problems and feelings verbally. Maybe it is to do with my speech problems when I was a lot younger or maybe I haven’t gained enough confidence to ask for help. I will need to work on this in order to get a permanent job.
I have finished my studies over six months ago and I still haven’t got a permanent position. I love what I am doing and where I am working now but I am working on contract after contract. At the moment, I know that I will be staying in the same organisation for the next three months. But then what’s next after September? Nobody can give me a definite answer. I am reluctant to search for another job at another organisation because I really want to stay where I am at and I don’t want to adapt to another work environment. I often find myself worrying about it and I often ask my team manager if there are further opportunities available. I know that worrying will not get me anywhere but I can’t control myself. Job security and career development is a big thing for me now. While six months ago, my main goal was to work in any field for a year before applying for a PhD; now my goal is to get a permanent job that I like and enjoy life. I might do further studies in three or five years time, but at the moment, my goal is to expose myself to the water industry and to get as much experience as possible.
In the midst of worrying about my job and my career, I am still seeing friends, talking to people on the phone, reading and learning. I still attend Buddhist study discussions every few weeks and I tutor my friend for free on weekends. The Ford festiva at home is getting old, so my parents and I are looking for a replacement. So far, we have looked at the Honda Jazz and the Toyota Yaris at the car dealers in Oakleigh. I have test driven both of them and both are very similar in terms of price although the Jazz is slightly pricier and has a better quality than Yaris. My father has offered to lend me the money to get the car and I have promised that I would have to pay him back within two years of purchase. This is yet another reason why I need a permanent job or a longer term contract at where I am now.
Work is becoming a very important aspect of my life. If I am without a job, I would be very unhappy.