When I was a child, I wanted to be a cashier or secretary. I didn’t have high hopes for myself even then. That is to say that these are NOT lowly professions. I’m just not ambitious enough.

I wanted to be a cashier because for some reason I wanted to work the cash register. While, well, the secretary one… my family members have said that I type fast. And well, I’ve done tons of document-related work for my family (unpaid labor, jk!)

Anyway, this year is the 5th year I’m celebrating my career at my full-time job. Anyone who knows me knows where I work and what I do. But I just wanted to celebrate this milestone.

I didn’t imagine being a full-time content writer. Honestly, I didn’t envision what my future would be like. Being an Asian kid means that you have two respectable career pathways: law and medicine. Everything else seems not worth pursuing.

Before I celebrate a career, let’s travel back in time.

Growing up, I would say the canned response of wanting to study law or medicine. Because, you know, Asians. And well, our family has lawyers and no doctors (yet). I wasn’t pressured into any of these professions, which I consider myself to be lucky in. But, even then, I didn’t know what I wanted to do.

As I was about to enter my senior year, my fellow peers were discussing entrance exams or admission tests. That thought didn’t cross my mind until this assembly in a hall at school, which is weird because this memory happened in senior yet for some reason I’m talking about taking classes for admissions tests before entering senior year HAHAHA. ANYWAY. 

Clearly, I wasn’t serious about where my life would be going after high school. But since I was at that point where I could apply to universities and whatnot, I enrolled in this summer school (before senior year) to study for admissions tests.

I’m not sure what happened after but I applied to the top universities at school. I don’t remember if I applied to my school at the time, since for those who don’t know where I studied, they also had college programs.

During the application process, I didn’t know what courses I wanted to take. I asked my friends what courses they were applying to. And I remember copying my friends’ answers of taking an International Studies course. I had written down science or accountancy courses because well, you know.

Took all the exams and passed two, I believe, and was waitlisted for one of the top universities. I passed the exam for the state university, but I had to go to another branch. D: And the other, well, I just had to cross the road to take International Studies. LOL.

The standard career pathways for this course are:

• Working in the government
• Working for embassies
• Law

But as I was about to graduate the course, I just didn’t know what to do then. I knew that I wanted to write. I just didn’t know what about.

By the time we graduated, some of my friends and classmates had found or secured jobs. I admit to feeling jealous. However, I carried on, as it were. I did land a job at a consultancy and training institute. It was what you would expect when you worked your first job. You’d do things that seniors just didn’t do anymore. Plus, I wanted to prove to myself and to them that I was capable of doing shit.

I lasted six months only.

After that, I couldn’t find a job for a year. Yeah, a year.

I’m not fond of recalling the year I was jobless because it’s bringing back some not-so-good memories, mental health-wise. But hey, here I am, trying to find my flourish lol.

In 2015, I managed to land a job working for a professor online to help write their research. It was right up my alley since I liked research writing while we were writing our thesis in college. As time went on, it felt like things weren’t moving forward. Unfortunately, I was laid off and forced to find another job.

A couple of months later, I found another job working as a community manager. Basically, I would reach out to aesthetic doctors, write from time to time, and do other work for my boss’ other companies. Like this other job, I was laid off.

Three more jobs went by and let’s fast forward to 2019.

That’s when I applied to the company I work for now.

It was a content writing position and I was eager to make an impression in my application. During the application, I ensured to research everything I needed so I could pass and get accepted.

After passing my output and one follow-up, I was accepted!

I don’t remember much about the first few days I was there but I was happy to score a writing job. It was so cool since the company I was writing for wasn’t something I specialized in, yet they gave me a chance. I was determined to do my best at this job.

2020 came and you know what happened.

Time went on and I was happy to be given more responsibility. Some of them I had not done well, but hey, at least I was entrusted with some tasks I could do.

Fast forward five years later, here I still am. I’m still in disbelief that I could write for a living. I admit I have my off days and feel burned out. But I try. I do. Plus, during this time, I’m glad I didn’t leave. I learned things that I didn’t know could be helpful for my career. Also, I met some amazing people.

My career at my current company wouldn’t be possible without our OG manager. Oh lord, this feels like an Oscars acceptance speech. HAHAHA. She always saw the best in us and always had our backs. We could always talk to her about anything and she was one of the kindest managers I’ve ever worked with. Plus, she gave me valuable insights and I’m here today because of her.

Of course my fellow content team members, HI! Y’all are the funniest and the best bunch of coworkers I have had the pleasure of working with. Thank you for being patient with me and for the laughs you’ve given me. Special shoutout to our former (it hurts to say this word HAHA) team leader. You’re a real one! You’re an inspirational leader. Thank you for the lessons you’ve taught me over the years.

I’m also thankful for our current team leader, some of the other coworkers I’ve worked with outside the content team, and our managers/C-suite dudes haha. Especially the C-suite dudes since they were so accommodating during my stay in Philly. Haha. And of course for all the insights and lessons that I obtained over the years.

What Does the Future Look Like?

Well, I try not to think about it. Which is funny because I feel anxious all the time. But with my career, I tend to focus on what’s happening now. Which is a good practice for my mental health. But starting sentences with which is not a good practice for writing content. LOL. Anyway, I have no inclination to leave my current company yet. But it’s important to adapt.

One of the reasons I’m taking web dev right now is because of the threat of AI to my career. I mean ChatGPT can write a whole ass blog. However, I know that it won’t fully replace me now. I’d just like to think about what else I can contribute and see where life takes me. I know the future is not written yet, but hey, whatever happens happens.

Till next time!