If you asked me on why did I write this post, it’s just because... well, I actually really want to. Shortly speaking, I’m kinda desiring to start on a new blog and I’m confused on how to start it, so yeah maybe this post may serve as a kick-start for this so-called blog project hahaha.
In this chance, I would like to share about my journey that leads me to where I am right now; in Shopee Singapore as a Software Engineer. As previously known, I was doing Bachelor and Master both in KAIST, after which I decided to pursue industry track first instead of going straight away for Doctorate Degree. Reason? I just felt like having not that much exposure towards industry track as opposed with the academic track, which led me clueless as to what I actually desired to do in life. Then I decided to search for work and that’s how all the stories that will follow begin.
Getting to Work in one StartUp Company
Just right after I graduated, I got job offer in one of the Korean Startup Company in Seoul. I was having quite a good time there but, due to language barrier that turns out to affect my work productivity, it’s really challenging for me to even perform adequately for that company. As a result, the employment for me at that company was terminated right after the probation period ends.
When I heard that news, my feeling was like, well, I can say that somehow I can see this moment from some moments beforehand. Also, I also got really uncomfortable with this so-called language barrier and so I was thinking it should be okay. But, the worries stroke me hard as I need to think about how to live my life as I was unemployed and hence had no income afterwards. Calculating from the money I had, I knew that I only have 2-3 months to get the new job.
Searching for New Job
Getting a new job turned out to be much more stressful and difficult than I thought it would be. I remembered quite well that I applied to around 3 companies, and all of them directly rejected me because I can’t speak Korean (actually, I can, but I just don’t want to say I am comfortable in speaking Korean on the professional level, because yeah, my Korean Proficiency was not enough). Only one company accepted me, but I grew some hesitation due to that company’s view towards foreigner (it was clearly reflected during the interview I had with them), and as a result I need to halfheartedly reject that offer.
Then, guess what? It practically made me left with no choice. The thought of being unemployed stroke me really hard, and it somehow made me remembered all the moments I had while I was being exiled from my first supervisor for Master Degree a year before. In the middle of those difficult moment, I was having a chat with one of my friend in Korea and somehow she opened my eyes; why stick only with Korea? There are still lots of other countries out there which are English-speaking countries and surely have much better quality than that of Korea.
After that, I began my search towards the company from literally all around the world (US, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc.).
Miraculously Obtaining a Call for Interview
Yes, you read it correctly. It’s such a miracle to get that call, considering that I actually applied the random-spiked technique towards those job application. By Allah’s Grace, I got the call for interview from Shopee in Singapore. But still, I should still keep myself down to earth and keep thinking “this is just the first. But better prepared well for this interview”, and so I started re-practicing the problems from LeetCode on and on until the D-Day comes
The first call? It’s just a call from HR to have some background check, and basically they explained to me about the whole process that I need to go through. Turns out I need to do 3 interviews other than that one, and all are technical. Well, it’s kinda long and hard process, but okay I will take that challenge. Maybe my luck is indeed here.
Yet Another Interview Call
Oh yeah, almost forgot. Aside from getting chance to do interview with Shopee, I also got the interview call from Naver. Well, basically it’s the coding test first (which I aced so well) which led me towards the phone interview. Those interviews are quite intense (I was having interview with 7 Naver people, all technical) and I remembered feeling really exhausted afterwards (since, before those 7 interviews, I was having 3rd interview round with Shopee, also technical and I remembered the problem given is insanely hard also).
Offer at Last
Much to my surprise, I obtained the job offer from Shopee (so I miraculously pass the 3rd interview and also the final interview with my manager-to-be, and so the offer). My reaction? I was grateful, of course, but at the same time the bewilderment stroke me as well. Is that really the answer for my prayer? How if I can’t get along well there (considering that I was somehow on my comfort zone in Korea)? It’s kinda tricky if you asked me to describe how I felt.
As a result, I did not accept the offer straight away, since I really needed to straighten up my thoughts as well as my emotion. I did not want to take a rash decision. Also, at the same time, I was waiting for the result of Naver interview, which I thought I did quite well and, uhmm, it’s in Korea (which I was getting quite comfortable in).
Rejection Then
The news I got from Naver (which came 1 week after Shopee offer) was not the one I was expecting -> rejection at hand. Therefore, I was left with Shopee as the only choice I had at that time. One reservation, still, is the position that I was offered, which is the Software Engineer. I was just afraid that it may indicate the dead-end for my future academic career (should I return to academic field later on). Really it’s so tricky since I loathed the thought of closing one future possibility entirely.
In the middle of my confusion, I finally decided to consult with one of my Professor in KAIST to give me some enlightenment about my situation that time. Luckily, she was willing to spare some of her time to have communication with me and hence the consultation begins.
After the Consultation
Actually, the main point of that consultation is that my moving to Singapore and having a job as Software Engineer is not the obstruction towards my academic future. It was indeed admitted by her that SW Engineer and Research have different focus, but actually there are lots of ways to make my experience as SW Engineer to be worthwhile in the Research career afterwards. Also, she pinpointed that maybe the choice to go to Singapore is the best one I had (well, since I had nothing else to be chosen as well).
Perhaps there are lots of options that awaits me after I arrived in Singapore. Yeah, I was not sure but rather than only dwelling unknowingly in Korea, so why not just embark on a completely new journey?
And yes, soon after that consultation, I finally decided to finally leave Korea behind. I accepted the offer while at the same time put prayer in God and hoping that this is indeed the best option for me. Going to Singapore, I need to say, gave me some chills since it means I need to leave everything behind me and start on a new life, with new friends, new environment, new things to learn, etc.
Closure
Maybe now you can ask, how is my life here? Well, that’s for another post. But for now, I cannot stop being grateful that He let me to embark on a journey in a country with a completely different culture and environment than the one I was comfortable with. Lots of lessons to be learned here, lots of challenges that awaited me here (making me thrilled and high-spirited everyday) and of course, a set of friends that I have here (both from before I went to Korea and after I arrived here).
There are still lots of things I would like to tell you about, but I think that’s it for now :) Hope you enjoy.
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