Back Again!
It feels like AGES that I've written down in this journal a little piece of my life, which that's what journals are for. So to remedy that, let me share of the latest happenings in my life.
Finally, after six months or so, I got myself employed in a manufacturing company in Cikarang. The company name is Mattel. Does the name ring a bell? If not, then does Barbie ring any bells?
Yup. Mattel is an American company that produces toys, which one of their products is the dolls known as Barbie. It was the first job that I got to job offer. (FYI, most recruitments has several stages to pass before you got to be hired or offered a job. Most jobs I applied for failed in the middle, usually interview stages). While at the same time, I was also being processed for other jobs, one National telecomunication company (and another one, which I found out later) and one European oil&gas company.
Based on prestige and salary, the other two are more interesting than Mattel, not to mention I'd be placed in a big city, instead of industrial city like Cikarang. The only difference was that I was already qualified for hire to Mattel, while the other two, I wasn't. I intended to take a risk at first, but after consulting my father and my aunt
who had better insight than me regarding career choices and their future, told me that Mattel was the best first company to work for mainly due its culture. Eventually I made my choice on Mattel, as reluctant as I was, and thus I started working at Mattel on May 24, 2010.
Cikarang is pretty far from home (Bandung), it's about a two-hours or less bus ride away. So I have to rent a place nearby and move out from my home for the very first time. I rent a room with a bathroom, a bed, a desk with a chair and a cupboard. It's a bit pricey than most rented rooms because the place is rather strategic and equipped with Air Conditioner. When I brought my things, I was surprised to realize how few my belongings were, especially my clothes XDD
Interestingly, for someone who never lived on her own, unlike most of my university friends who mostly came from other cities, I have little difficulty in adapting. I started doing domestic chores that I didn't need to do back at home, from washing my clothes to cooking. I found myself rather unfazed to this change of living situation, because I'm just the type who goes with the flow and take things easy, which in hindsight, I think it's good thing, which means less one problem to worry about.
Mattel has interesting work culture, I have to say. The first thing that I noticed was the lack of uniform. The only uniform we have is a blouse/chemise that's obligatory on every Mondays, and we can wear jeans to match it with. While on other days, we're free to wear casual clothes, including t-shirts. It feels like university all over again. The people I work with are also open and friendly, including the higher ups. In here, there's no clear barrier between the subordinates and the supervisor.
I can ask not only my direct superior but also my superior's superior if I want to. We're also encouraged to come to them when we're stuck or in need of advice.They are also no less involved in the operations matters, helping us out or checking us for problems. There's no time for being shy or lazy here due to the dynamic nature of our work. Everything can and is changing quickly, we must be able to keep up with those changes, that's why communication (such as meetings) become important and my position makes me right in the middle of it.
Scary? That'd be an understatement. It's horrifying.
It's a great challenge for me who tends to avoid responsibility, who tends to mind my own business, who tends to wait for directions to actually to take charge, to take initiative. So most of the obstacles as I started working comes from me, instead from others. I have to overcome my fear of failure, of doing mistakes, I have to overcome my reluctance to work with others. And well... do you know how forgetful I am? Not only I have to remember all the stuff that's my responsibility, I also have to remind others for their responsibility.
My position in Mattel is as Product Engineer whose main responsibility to simply put is to develop toys and to do that I have to coordinate with other team members from different roles and positions where
I'm the one who acts as the coordinator. Not only I have to work with (much) older people in equal standing as team members, I found out that I also have subordinates. Imagine my surprise (and my anxiety).
Based on the offer, I had to go through three-months probation before I became permanent employee, and even though I've passed that period, I still feel like a fool at times, kept doing rookie mistakes. However, the job itself is rewarding, I learn about myself more, I make friends, and most of all I'm pushed to my limits. I must admit that it gets stressful at times, especially when things don't go smoothly, but it happens. So far, I only freaked out once. Haha ^^;; In times like this I realize my shortcomings clearly, that I'm still not mature enough compared to others. Knowing this, sometimes I feels really lacking.
Well, I'll just do my best! Go me! :D
Lemme hear about you now then.
Finally, after six months or so, I got myself employed in a manufacturing company in Cikarang. The company name is Mattel. Does the name ring a bell? If not, then does Barbie ring any bells?
Yup. Mattel is an American company that produces toys, which one of their products is the dolls known as Barbie. It was the first job that I got to job offer. (FYI, most recruitments has several stages to pass before you got to be hired or offered a job. Most jobs I applied for failed in the middle, usually interview stages). While at the same time, I was also being processed for other jobs, one National telecomunication company (and another one, which I found out later) and one European oil&gas company.
Based on prestige and salary, the other two are more interesting than Mattel, not to mention I'd be placed in a big city, instead of industrial city like Cikarang. The only difference was that I was already qualified for hire to Mattel, while the other two, I wasn't. I intended to take a risk at first, but after consulting my father and my aunt
who had better insight than me regarding career choices and their future, told me that Mattel was the best first company to work for mainly due its culture. Eventually I made my choice on Mattel, as reluctant as I was, and thus I started working at Mattel on May 24, 2010.
Cikarang is pretty far from home (Bandung), it's about a two-hours or less bus ride away. So I have to rent a place nearby and move out from my home for the very first time. I rent a room with a bathroom, a bed, a desk with a chair and a cupboard. It's a bit pricey than most rented rooms because the place is rather strategic and equipped with Air Conditioner. When I brought my things, I was surprised to realize how few my belongings were, especially my clothes XDD
Interestingly, for someone who never lived on her own, unlike most of my university friends who mostly came from other cities, I have little difficulty in adapting. I started doing domestic chores that I didn't need to do back at home, from washing my clothes to cooking. I found myself rather unfazed to this change of living situation, because I'm just the type who goes with the flow and take things easy, which in hindsight, I think it's good thing, which means less one problem to worry about.
Mattel has interesting work culture, I have to say. The first thing that I noticed was the lack of uniform. The only uniform we have is a blouse/chemise that's obligatory on every Mondays, and we can wear jeans to match it with. While on other days, we're free to wear casual clothes, including t-shirts. It feels like university all over again. The people I work with are also open and friendly, including the higher ups. In here, there's no clear barrier between the subordinates and the supervisor.
I can ask not only my direct superior but also my superior's superior if I want to. We're also encouraged to come to them when we're stuck or in need of advice.They are also no less involved in the operations matters, helping us out or checking us for problems. There's no time for being shy or lazy here due to the dynamic nature of our work. Everything can and is changing quickly, we must be able to keep up with those changes, that's why communication (such as meetings) become important and my position makes me right in the middle of it.
Scary? That'd be an understatement. It's horrifying.
It's a great challenge for me who tends to avoid responsibility, who tends to mind my own business, who tends to wait for directions to actually to take charge, to take initiative. So most of the obstacles as I started working comes from me, instead from others. I have to overcome my fear of failure, of doing mistakes, I have to overcome my reluctance to work with others. And well... do you know how forgetful I am? Not only I have to remember all the stuff that's my responsibility, I also have to remind others for their responsibility.
My position in Mattel is as Product Engineer whose main responsibility to simply put is to develop toys and to do that I have to coordinate with other team members from different roles and positions where
I'm the one who acts as the coordinator. Not only I have to work with (much) older people in equal standing as team members, I found out that I also have subordinates. Imagine my surprise (and my anxiety).
Based on the offer, I had to go through three-months probation before I became permanent employee, and even though I've passed that period, I still feel like a fool at times, kept doing rookie mistakes. However, the job itself is rewarding, I learn about myself more, I make friends, and most of all I'm pushed to my limits. I must admit that it gets stressful at times, especially when things don't go smoothly, but it happens. So far, I only freaked out once. Haha ^^;; In times like this I realize my shortcomings clearly, that I'm still not mature enough compared to others. Knowing this, sometimes I feels really lacking.
Well, I'll just do my best! Go me! :D
Lemme hear about you now then.