After two years and ten months to be, I will finally be taking a step further in my career. I recall it was exactly three years ago when I successfully completed my Bachelor's degree here in Malaysia. Taking advantage of the relief from a two-year-eight-month educational episode, my father, two friends M and J and I set off for a three-day tour to the southern Thai town of Hatyai. It was the first time I stepped out of Malaysia after entering to pursue my tertiary studies in January 2001. The open markets and bargaining deals were so inviting and shopping was just irresistable. Jeans, Cargo Pants, T-shirts, Shoes was among my list of shopping. I actually kept a record of all my expenditure on a "tissue paper" (serviette and not toilet paper, and don't ask me why. I don't know either). Well, yeah perhaps I couldn't find a decent paper then and once I started penning them down on the tissue, I didn't bother transferring them to paper. And another fact, it remains as a distinctive memory. That's right, I still have that tissue secured in my wallet.

It was a train ride both ways. After a joyful getaway, it was time to look forward in life. While my other two friends were back to college to compete their study, I went job hunting. Few interviews, impressive feedback but just on account of one obstacle, I was not securing myself a decent job. A month went through and I finally managed to secure a job at a real estate company. Having promised to solve a specific issue of mine - my work permit, I accepted the offer and embarked on a mission in the working world. Training was compulsory at this place and I even managed to secure the best prize which was a Book by Zig Ziglar on Selling Techniques. But within two weeks of start I am told that the company is now not willing to solve this issue of mine. Disappointed I truly was but consoled myself continually that I was never at loss.

I knew solving my problem would be difficult here in Malaysia so I decided to pack my bag for a UK prospect. I even began applying. But the Almighty has seen my two month effort in securing a decent job was to no avail. A blessing came in disguise and a family friend, Mr. S, committed to absorb my problem when I related to him on a casual visit to his place one saturday night. I am asked to come and see him on Monday at his office. An opportunity was now at hand and I had to decide quick. Time was running out and I did not want to waste any single time. It is almost mid November. After a thoughtful consultation with my parents, I decided to give it a go.

Monday morning it is and I am just in time at the door with no idea what was in store for me behind that very door. The door is answered and I am seated at the reception. In no time, Mr. S comes to me and welcomes me to an interview which is undertaken by the head of the HR, the HR executive and the head of the Business Development whom I would be subordinated to. Having been in several interviews, I was confident enough to expect the questions that were going to be raised. With no hesitation, I successfully answered all. Without any doubt, I had already won the heart of the Business Development Manager who confronted me after the interview and told me, "You will be under me".

I was soon home and related the facts to my parents who were content that I have finally secured a decent job. I was given the option by the company to start either from mid November or wait until the Eid holiday was over after that week and start from December. Not wanting waste time, I opted to commence. It was November 14, 2003, my first day at work. I am assigned at the company's trading division under the Chief Operating Officer who is the same Business Development Manager of the holding company, who joined the company just a month earlier. I am finally starting to work. I am showed to my cubicle, around the company and the staff. I have kept a short clip of my cubicle that I took about 7-8 months later.

The company I was assigned to was dormant since its establishment. Thus, the COO, Mr. K and I were given the green light to "start doing business". The focus was on facilitating the sourcing of local supplies for international buyers and vice versa. Within the first week, I prepared the whole structure of administration for the company and started the correspondances.

Just a month later, the company had arranged for a delegation to Iran. Together with a few other companies, I was assigned to my first international trip and was asked to head this delegation as the COO was apparently not able to take part in the trip. A 9 day trip was surely worth a good experience for me being the new kid in the corporate world. The meetings in Iran were all at high level - at the government level who were introducing and inviting us to participate in prospective investment project in the various provinces. I remember one of the MOU that was signed in one of the northern provinces, the Iranian counter part actually used my pen to sign their part, while my boss signed our part.

Having noticed the COO's and my performance, the boss was impressed and asked us to now focus on Iran as he embarked on taking advantage of an invitation to solicit a multi-million dollar investment project. We consider this promotion from the subsidiary to the holding company. My position was revised from a Business Development executive to an International Liaison Officer, while the COO became the Director of the International Liaison. Preparing a team of consultants and engineers, the Director led the negotiations while I hung as his assistant throughout the whole process. Together we reached a milestone in the solicitation and negotiations which lasted the whole of 2004. Impressed with the achievement, each of us receive an increment of almost 100%. Motivated with the increment, feeling now even more committed towards achieving the next milestone, we struggle through the subsequent phase of the negotiations which became tougher and tougher. Consistent travelling was inevitable. The deal had to be secured.

After the seventh month of that year (2005), the Director disengaged from the company leaving me to take over the lead for the negotiations. Negotiations at governmental level meant a great experience to me. It only got tougher and tougher and for a limited experienced person like me, I had to get undivided support, guidance and backing from my boss and colleagues. And this month marks one year since I was asked to head the international division.

Today, an opportunity has come to my way and after having an amicable talk with my boss, a thoughtful analysis, and blessing from my parents, I decided to exploit this opportunity at hand. It is now two years and nine months I am with this company. I submitted my resignation letter yesterday to the boss and a month from now, I will be embarking a new career.

This career is a change of path from the Construction Industry that I am in now to the manufacturing industry. I have been offered to head the administrations of a smale-scale manufacturing firm. The company will then pursue expansion and the responsibility will eventually get bigger.

But all this goes back to the first opportunity that was opened to me and placed on my hands by Mr. S, the boss of the company I am currently attached to. The chance that I was given helped me build my career path, helped me gain a significant experience in the corporate arena and international level. With sincerest gratitude to Mr. S for the opportunity, chance and trust embraced on me, I will rememeber these two years and ten months as the foundation of my corporate life.

I now look forward to my new prospect which I will write about after I have stepped in it. For now, this is it. In my corporate life, a door has just closed and another door has just opened.