My (Almost) Trebelation - part 1

This may or may not be a long post, as I'm writing accordingly to my thoughts. As usual, I'll probably deal with things chronologically.

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I had a thought in mind to write this bit of the entry around 4-5 months back. It would have a different tinge to it, I suppose, since that time I wasn't sure what's going on etc.

I had a meeting with my career coach to discuss my development plan for the year ending 30th June 2010 (that's our firm's year end btw). During the discussion, one of the questions she asked was that she was quite surprised to see the hours that I've clocked are only around 800, whereas my other colleagues are clocking over 1000 hours within the period of time. I explained to her that the main "culprit" behind it is my long study leave - during a year, I could take up to 4 months' worth of study break as Sunway College holds classes during weekdays.

This led me to harbouring my thoughts to my coach about moving to the next stage of my career. Basically, I told her I was not prepared for it as I spent a significant amount of time for classes and exams, and based on work-experience, I felt it was not adequate. Yes, I have had some experience where I led the team for an engagement but basically there was a senior around if anything comes up, so I still had the "safety net".

"So, basically what you're telling me is that you'd like to have more training experience on leading engagements to better equip you for the future?"

"Yes, that's what I'm saying."

"And if this means you are not promoted during this round, you won't feel a thing, any regrets at all?"

"No, of course not. As a matter of fact, I don't think I'm good enough as yet to become a senior associate now. But give me another 6 months of training, chances for me to lead the engagements and give me tougher sections to do and I think by then I'll be better-equipped to be a senior."

And that concludes our discussion for the day.

Fast forward to Friday, 11th December 2009.

It was a normal, boring working day for me. I've got nothing much to do and was trying to figure out where to charge my time... Damn, I should have gone to Practice Ops and told them I was free.

Towards the end of the working day (our department had a policy of going back at 5.30pm every Friday during off-peak season, and fortnightly during peak season), I had a cuppa with my juniors at the cafe. I decided I had enough for the day and proceeded to my workplace to start packing up and head to where I'm supposed to head for the night.

When I reached my place, an ex-SNG member of mine and a senior who I used to work for last time saw me with excited faces. They were bursting to tell me something.

"Eh Azmir, go check your email! The list is out!"

I was taken aback. What list?

For some reason my connection was slow. Argh!

"Eh I use your pc can or not. My connection slow."

And there it was.

My name was in the promotion list for Senior Associate effective 1st January 2010.

...

...

!!!

What the heck just happened???

I was utterly stunned. Words and thoughts were beyond my comprehension. I swore I had an incredulous face when I sat back in my chair and took a second look at the list.

I honestly did not expect this. I expected myself to have 6 more months as an Associate so that I could garner experience and have a go at all those tougher audit sections with a senior calling the shots from behind.

Messages in my phone and SameTime (an IM application for PwC staff all over the world) started pouring in. The senior and my colleagues sitting near me said the same. Sen Shih personally walked up and shook my hand, and I told him "I couldn't have made it without your guidance, so thank you". As cliched as it may sound, I have to admit it is true. When I told Wai Leong I truly didn't expect it, he said "Aiyah, why u like that one? Have some self-confidence ler...the bosses think you're good enough, so accept it graciously ok!"

I needed to tell someone none other than Azmimi, and she was surprised to the core as well. Up to the point where her whole family knew (she was in the car with them at that time haha).

It's been over 2 days already after the list and I don't think it's still sinking in just yet. But reality is coming fast as peak is just around the corner, so I'll have to keep up with the standards demanded. It's going to be tough, but I need to be tough as well to get going.