National Service (NS)

Oh! Where was I? I resigned from 7-Eleven on 16 June 2006. Then I got enlisted on 19 June 2006. Just a weekend to rest and prepare for NS sounds crazy, but I am the lucky one: Due to my rather severe case of scoliosis, I was downgraded to PES E. Which means, only 1 week Basic Military Training (BMT) for me, though it has recently been extended to 4 weeks for PES E now. Can't really say it is a bad thing, cos my unit life felt a little like chalet, and I got posted to MINDEF subsequently. Unlike my elder brother, who got posted to various units during his 2.5 years of army like a normadic tribe. I stayed in MINDEF throughout. Also lucky for me that NS has shortened to 2 years when my time to serve has arrived, and the NS allowance increments.

To be frank, I am not totally free of resent for NS. During the 2 years when I have occasional classmates gathering, those ladies shared with us what they are doing in their various accounting jobs, as well as their promotion/pay increments/bonuses. It does piss me off for missing out on all these. However, I was telling myself since reality dictates that I am going to serve 2 years of my life in army, just make the best out of it. Besides, being a clerk who doesn't need to sweat it out on the field, what's more can I ask for?

The enormous administrative workload there makes me understood what information system is all about. Not to mention the many events I got to help up with. Yes! Events! Events Communication was the tougest IS (Interdisciplinary) module I took in Ngee Ann poly. I used what I learnt for Christmas Party organisation at Micron. Little did I expect to use it so extensively in army.

Now that my army has ended, there is one more thing I am going to miss out on: Reservist. However, Army Museum is held annually near where I live and that can alway make up for it. A good way to stay in touch with the army.

PS1: I ORDed on 18 June 2008.
PS2: I read with interest today an article on reservist on The Sunday Times, Life section. You can also share your experiences here.
PS3: So happy to get an Outstanding Certificate of Service.

My First Official Job: 7-Eleven

And the story continues……

After my attachment ended, I touched up my attachment report and submitted it. After submission, I was actively looking for a temp job as I realized the importance of a good resume after my last semester in Ngee Ann Polytechnic, and I do not wish to rely solely on the 5 months attachment as that hardly counts as my first official job. However, most of the employers do not wish to hire me as I was pending for NS (National Service) and I have not receive any notice of when I was to be enlisted.

Desperate, I gave 7-Eleven a try. They pay only $3.50/hour and they were not too willing to hire me as I was deemed over-qualified for the job (I completed my diploma program already). However, they decided to hire me as I later realized that they were severely short-handed. Most of the colleagues I met during my first week there were loaned from other 7-Eleven stores. My store manager broke her back and had to be away for 2 weeks. One full-time staff disappeared at that time due to her serious family issues (She came back subsequently). My shift manager was the key person keeping the store operational. And after I started working, I worked for 8 days straight before resting for just 1 day to fill in the shifts. In fact, I usually work 5 days per week despite being a part-time staff.

My greatest surprise of all was the job demand itself. Initially, I thought all I had to do was to collect money at the POS (Point-of-Sale) as a cashier. I was gravely wrong. How naïve of me not to be aware of the wide variety of services available in 7-Eleven. They got top-up services (Cashcard, Autopass, EzLink Card), bill payments (M1, Starhub, PUB, Sunpage, HSBC, that time don’t have Singtel though), and even the time-consuming SIM Card registration (it takes at least 5 minutes to complete). Most amusing of all, (maybe because we transact phone bills, do SIM Card registrations, and sell prepaid cards for phone calls), some customers enquires us about various mobile services and issues when there was a Starhub store opposite us! Gosh!

There was once I complaint to my full-time colleague: “I am just a part-time staff. Why do I feel like a full-time staff?” She replied: “At least you still feel like a staff, I feel like a maid, everyday clean this, clean that” Hahaha! True enough. She do night shift quite frequently to earn more money. Night shifts require us to clean up the various machines like Mr. Softie machines and refrigerators, as well as stocking up. Though not physically healthy to do night shifts, it was an interesting experience for me.

However, before I sound like I am complaining too much, I want to say that it was a highly rewarding learning experience for me. I am also glad to know the wonderful colleagues whom I worked with. We really worked like a family. Miss you all.

PS: I was committed to 7-Eleven from 13 March to 16 June 2006.