Well, I've recently finished my studies. The hectic crazy life of a student is over and now moving on to the crazy life of a working life. I wonder if its any better. I was super contemplating about my future, whether to pursue something I like or something that can earn me the money I need. It's such a huge choice but I totally jumped into giving my passion a try. Before I tell you what happen, the following song totally describes what I feel. The video toooo.....
Miss 3rd ward, What is your aspiration in life?
Seriously, I would wan happiness too. Everyone would say money is not the most important thing in the world, but without money, you do not even deserve the chance of having a dream. I might not have structured the story below properly and I plan to finish telling the story in less than 30 min.
4 years ago when I was struggling on what to do and decided that I should do my tertiary education cause in today's world, what can you do without education? It's such a competitive world. Yet, I failed to secure a single scholarship and I could only pray all out to GOD to give me a direction in life. And of course, GOD hears everyone, and my aunt decided to help me.
You know what sucks? When you are the person asking for help, of course you have to be the person listening to all their demands. Well, of course they are alot of ups and downs along the way. And if I were to tell all of them, what my uni did to me? I would be telling this to the end of the world. I can only promise that, one day when I'm someone, I would really want to tell the world, how I survived when all the people around me was happily having the times of their life in uni, when not a single person shares the same condition as I. I feel grateful at the same time that I met so many people along the way, that enlighten me, that gave me hope to continue and to reach the day today where I could graduate.
And so I was able to finish my studies and here come the next dilemma that was supposed to happen 4 years ago. What do I do? The fact that I was thinking 4 years ago, that you do not necessarily have to do what you study. Well, in Malaysia not really. I'm in between chasing after my passion and working for the money.
The fact that I have a 90% secured job from my internship last year and that I wanted to try out my passion and see how it turns out. So here's the story. There was an ad in 8tv's facebook page (how not professional, should have known) that states that it is hiring. I wanted to be in the production industry such as movies and dramas etc and so I thought, why not try out in the country's (monopolized) tv station ? I could gain experience along the way and start small since I have no experience and relevant knowledge. I seriously wouldn't mind the pay as long as it was enough for me to survive.
And so, I applied. Guess what, the next morning I was called. I was shocked. Why on earth would they call me so quickly? And I do not have the relevant skills and experience. So the phone interview began, he (do not wish to name but its a he) asked some basic questions like why would you want to join this industry, you studying something else, do you know chinese? bla bla bla.......then, he mentioned the pay is a little low, are you sure you want this, I was like how low is low? can you give me a range. the he was jumping away and the next thing you know.... where are you from? I was like I'm from..... So, can you come to kl tomorrow? I was like urghhh.... not really.. Then he suggested the next day. I was like Okkk, sure why not. I should give it a try. Make some effort rite?
I was actually very nervous for the rest of the day. Making preparations, doing research etc... still shaking like crazy. And telling my friends about how crazy is this idea. I was like how on earth is this happening.
So came the day, I have to wake up like 4am in the morning to take the earliest train. I even took the taxi to go to my sis place which cost me RM30 so that I'm not late. I then had a very quick breakfast with my sis and my sis was telling me all the tips and tricks and just talk to keep me calm. (The only reason i went to find her). I reached around 9.30. There were police there, and I was like why??? (people say cause its the TV station, have to protect etc)
Anyways, I helped myself up (the security is actually more flawed than u can imagine). So I asked someone nearby to find him.... Waited in the so called department. And guessed what, he was late... LOL... So expected really cause why would a busy person be free in the morning. Everyone was walking in and out and I was like sitting in front of the door.
It was an open office concept thingy and to be honest, having an interview there was like so impolite (the part that he keeps talking to someone else and you are answering at the same time, nyways, i know he's buys etc) .... I can forgive that anyways, since everyone is already listening in I can do nothing about it. So he began with the interview after some serious chat with his colleagues and I meant loud chat. Anyways, I introduced myself briefly and all the basic stuff happen. He even tested my level of Chinese by asking me to read the Chinese script he have. LOLsss...
He asked, why do you want to join the industry? I answered that the TV industry in Malaysia is still young and that it has a lot of potential to grow and be better. ( not to say its very bad, but its actually improving if compared 5 years ago). I also asked alot of questions like whats the job about and the progression rate and explained that actually not alot of people understand the TV industry in malaysia. He kinda explained alot but I think I also din tell much about myself seeing from his expression of dissatisfaction and the way he explained like their job is very tough etc.
He kinda also explained that the job I'm interviewing is actually not for 8tv but for primeworks studio which is actually a production house rather than a TV station. (Hence, when I was on my way home, I realised, msia is not like taiwan or korea where tv stations fight with each other, eg kbs, sbs, mbc, but because 8tv, ntv7, tv3, tv9 is in the same company , they have internal competition thats all, more like TVB is HK).
He also asked whether I would like to join the english team since I have better command in English. I explained that I see better potential in Chinese entertainment in Malaysia. (Its just a personal opinion). And oh ya, towards the end where he was explaining what production assistants do, I realised he totally messed up what I was applying. I was actually applying assistant producer, and so I was thinking from the very beginning, why on earth would he call me? All my research shows that you begin as a writer before progressing along the way... Hence, from the beginning till the end, he totally messed up what I was applying. So, I dun think he really went through my email and resume. (might be signalling that they are really in need of people but have a low budget, I'm nt sure, just saying)
After all the non stop explaining, he asked for my expected salary. I knew from the start that the TV industry can't pay much but I would expect a graduate's salary would be around at least 2.5k rite. This is also due to the fact that I have reduced my expectation since I can get a salary of above 3k out there. (well, I din tell much about this cause I have no idea how to sound not disrespectful). I mean even banks would offer fresh grads 2.6k. It's either that, or you don't call any of them for interview right?
Guess how much they offer? only 2k. I forgot to ask whether it is inclusive of allowances or whatever but it is seriously extremely hard to work off 2k and survive in KL. Its like eating bread...Anyways, I was sitting there for a while and I decided to reject the offer of course. I feel so disrespected and also I would feel so bad for my parents and my sis if I took the job.
So overall experience from the interview? I realised I dun represent myself correctly. Cause most of the things he explained I understand and I know how to do and yet he thinks I'm incapable and needs training from ground zero and also I do not possess a mass comm cert. And I think I gave too much subjective opinions that might have offended him. And if i was rich and I do not need to care about money, I would definitely have taken the offer. The fact that I'm willing to travel, used to working long hours, I understand and have a passion for that industry, I think it might be his loss.
Anyways, the whole conclusion from the story is, want to dream? first have money or maybe if you have no one in your life that needs your care..... That's life these days.
Anyways, I have decided to find a job that pays more and kinda given up on my passion for the time being. My friends told me not to give up and try ASTRO instead. Well, maybe in the future I will have the power enough to start my own production house and tv station. Making better productions for the country and help those in need and with passion.
Side note: I kinda dun understand the standpoint of scholarships. People apply scholarship is because they are already poor and would want to get an education a chance to fight for life. And yet I see alot of rich but undeniably smart kid getting scholarships. Although not scientifically proven, but better financial background families would have better education and the abilities to give their children better basics during their younger days. I guess that's what that makes the difference.
Anyways, I'm looking forward to 10 years from now that I can proudly come out to say all these and be able to help those in need especially those who grow up in single families like me. And so that the future generation can proudly say that "I dare to dream".
PS: this post was not to offend anyone. Just serves as a reminder that you gotta be prepared if you wanna dream. It's not easy. And for upcoming broadcasting graduates, this is something you will look forward to, just as a heads up. Like what my sis says, that place mostly rich people working rite? Haha... Anyways, its not cheap to study broadcasting or any media related subjects. Although not stated, you would eventually end up needing a dslr and some canggih laptop to do your assignments. So, definitely not something for poor students. (Don't even get started on Lim Kok Wing or One Academy) Business on the other hand is what I would recommend to less financially capable students. Talking from experience, I survived 4 years on a netbook and nothing else. That's what a business student needs. Your brain, body and a basic laptop.
Update: There's actually more opportunity out there than you think. I found this is today's newspaper. Pretty interesting. But i think the fire in my heart is kinda closing out fast.
