Ah, the end of August. One more week and I’ll be out of the Army.
I taught my last official lesson today. BCCT, no less. How fitting. At least, I think it will be my last lesson — I’m on leave quite a fair bit next week. If I’m not wrong, I only have a full day next Wednesday and half a day next Thursday. I can’t remember. Doesn’t matter; even if there is a lesson for me to teach next week, I’ll probably just do it half-heartedly. I’ll consider the lesson this morning at Kranji Camp to be my last. And what a fine performance I whipped up.
At any rate, with just seven days to go before I attain freedom, I have to get cracking and consider my career opportunities. Although, I’ll be sad to leave the Army behind. Despite all the nonsense, I don’t foresee any other job where I can take unauthorised leave and whatnot. Shucks. The bigger problem is, I don’t really know what I want to do. All the stuff I’ve learnt years ago have disappeared away. It doesn’t matter that I have two diplomas, because my knowledge of both fields (IT and Tourism Management) are so limited right now.
Oh, sure, I have that part-time degree course going. Yes, I started undergoing a degree course in Hospitality by Boston University last November. Part-time gig, just to sharpen my skills. However, I stopped studying in June after the culmination of two terms. Not only was I getting unwanted pressure and stress, I also had certain avenues of advancement suddenly open up. With what I’d accomplished in my seven months of the degree course, I can take the credits earned and transfer them to another degree course; the benefits of which would be astronomical if I choose the right institution, since the degree will hold more merit. But, I’ve quite enjoyed the last few months of not studying. It’s been great.
And recently, I’ve been open to the idea of perhaps traveling for a few months. Suzanne’s up for it. Even my mother suggested taking a break for a while if I wanted to. My parents, bless them, are willing to support me if I decide to go for full-time studies right after I finish up my stint in the Army! I can’t possibly do that to them, since I’m at the age where I have to start to man up and earning the bacon so that I can support THEM… but damn, their offer is tempting. So, yeah: I’m at a crossroads.
Even if I do decide to go for a job, I don’t know just what I want to be doing. Preferably, I wish for a job where I’ll have fun working. I don’t want to be miserable and get bogged down by work. Realistically, my plan is very simple — find a simple yet satisfying job that has a modest pay and plug away for a few months. Once I get settled in, then I’ll consider resuming my degree studies on a part-time basis (doesn’t matter if it’s at Boston University or if I transfer elsewhere). From there, the only way to go is up. More challenging jobs which lead to a more attractive salary. Once I get my degree (assuming I do get it), another field of options will open up.
It’s a good plan, I think. Just have to get started on finding the right job for me to hone my skills. Should I go back to the events management line? Maybe try sales? Or go for marketing, as some friends have been advising me? Perhaps a different outlet in the tourism/hospitality vein is more suited. How about the demanding and ever-changing realm of IT? Bah, I really cannot decide. My biggest fear is that I’ll get a job which expects a lot out of me, and I fail miserably. That’ll suck SO BAD.
Whatever I choose, I better do it soon. I only aim to take a break for up to two or three weeks after ORD. Anything longer, and I might as well go to Europe with Suzanne as she suggested. Recharge my batteries, and maybe meet a few foreign lassies. Yeah, that’s the ticket! That sounds promising!
Tick tock. What am I to do?
