There Should Be No Other Opinion But Mine - WRONG
Summary - Another mind set that require some change, that "our opinion is the only opinion"
Some of my friends did ask me some questions. I graduated in Chemical Engineering from University of PETRONAS, so why didn't I apply for a job in chemical plant or offshore oil rig. Instead I am working in a palm oil mill. They looked at me as if I had been a failure and that chemical engineering from PETRONAS MUST work in an oil rig, and nothing less.
We Malay, will have a long way to go to have a world class mind if this is the kind of mentality our graduates have.
What in your opinion is the definition of success? It is my believe that the answer is very subjective and it varies from one person to another. So why is it that we have to judge people using our own definition. Our understanding of the word "success" may not be the same way other people understand "success"
Parents in the early years of their children had told them the meaning of success is measured in term of career they will end up. They implanted the idea that successful people are those working as doctors, engineers and lawyers. In a way, this is quite a good method, because it will give the children some direction to work on. But the parents should in time tell the children to find their very own definition of success. please don't raise them believing that if they are not lawyers, engineers or doctors, they are a failure. Don't use the same definition of success to the children. They may not be lawyers but maybe they will become a businessman instead. "Datuk lagi" huhu
Anyway... Success for me is how you achieve what you aim. So what do I achieve with my current job?
- My house is just 1km from my workplace. I have never experience traffic jam, tolls and road accidents (touch wood), I can have breakfast, lunch and tea with my wife everyday (of course dinner also), I can even go back to sleep during my lunch break comfortably on my bed,
- I only answer to one person, which is the mill manager (no politics whatsoever), I knew exactly what should I do to be promoted, in term of requirements etc (I've seen some engineers that have worked so long but canot be promoted simply because no vacancy)
- True that I may not get paid as handsomely as others, but look at what they've been missing. People are given each 24 hours a day, In the end it will all add up. Gain something and loses another.
- The best thing about my work is that I enjoyed it. Isn't this the most important things?
--------------- Personal Note --------------------------
My dad had also tried to suggest our future career. I'm supposed to be a lawyer, My second brother - an architect and my third - a doctor. We have no idea then what the job will require us to do, but it did in a way give us a sense of direction. So I'm not really against parent putting ideas in their children head. Because if not, it may soon be corrupted by fellow friends anyway. It's just that the parents should be open minded and respect the choice their children took (of course only after they were able to know bad from good, "akil baligh")