Rough Groove

Post resignation

1 September and if I stayed with Smart, I would have celebrated my ninth year with the company. Hmmm, 9 years is really quite long considering that I easily get bored. What I initially planned for 3 years just got stretched and extended. I loved my job and enjoyed it: the experiences, bonuses, travels, perks and the camaraderie. Throughout my telecoms career, I got to work and gain experience in Transmission facilities, BSC, MSC (mobile switching) operation and maintenance as well as basic Optimization. But then, after all those years combined with tragic life events and maybe, boredom finally got me that I finally had the courage to end it and pursue other things.

Saturday after

Friends were quite taken aback, especially those who didn’t know about my resignation. They’ve been asking: “Where you going?”, “Why”, “When are you leaving?”. Its common knowledge for Smart employees, especially if the one leaving is from the technical group. Its always for greener pastures in foreign shores. With the surge in wireless telecom hiring around the world, from the Americas (north and south), to Asia (Indonesia, Pakistan), Europe and Middle East, a good number of Smart’s (and probably Globe’s) well trained engineers are making the exodus. Even if its a contract job, renewable after every few months.

Not me. I wanted to do things that I’ve always wanted to and now’s just the right time to do all these things. A door has opened and it’s just time to grab this opportunity. I can’t wallow in a job that has become stale. As hectic as a Smart employee’s work is, I just saw myself wandering along. The challenges are past. The enthusiasm has just evaporated. Some things were not what I’ve expected to be.
As what my HR manager told me, it might be a transition that afflicts workers every ten years. In my case, its earlier. But I have to carve out a niche for myself, something that I want to do and be proud of.

Last day!!!

My email sent to friends and officemates read:

Today is my last day here in Smart and I’m very happy to say that I’ll be embarking on a new phase of my life to try out new things, break new horizons, fulfill and pursue my dreams as well as get my groove back. I won’t be adding to the brain drain for now but will be staying here for sometime.

Thank you for enriching my life and experiences. See you around

Submitted my paper

Just this morning, I submitted my resignation letter which will be effective on 25 August. Whew, after holding on to that piece of paper for a few days and just after a day from payday, it comes as a relief that I’ve finally had it signed. Just before giving it to my manager, felt buttlerflies in my stomach and my hands were cold. But then, it has to be done. After a few rounds with HR and the company cooperative, its time to go over the clearance forms.

Now there is no turning back.

Its done.

I just did it. A simple call to my manager (he’s in CDO) and its done. I’ll just formalize this one, talk with my HR manager tomorrow and in a few weeks, this chapter will come to a close and a new one will start. A new beginning.