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A year on and I’ve just completed my last EVER cohort of exams (hopefully). I’m still having those nightmares in which I’m returned my scripts with barely passable scores. But I probably needn’t worry too much. This year I’ve noticed a marked improvement in my grades which is undoubtedly due to my experience away. Suddenly able to view my studies from a more applied perspective, I’m no longer trapped in that kind of university bubble of only trying to grasp the theoretical aspects. For the first time ever I’m able to see how to utilise psychology in a creative and practical way – I’m relating the theory to things I experienced during my time with GSK. Not only has this affected my performance but I’ve enjoyed this year most (masochistic pressure and all).
Contrary to many of my fellow Saltire 2009 peers, I haven’t been as successful in gaining end game graduate employment. But I’m not discouraged. For the schemes that I applied for I was fortunate enough to reach the commendable final round interview for all bar two. Hardly disheartening, I am honestly filled with confidence that I was indeed an admiral candidate to have made it that far and was beaten only by someone who was crazily exceptional. I know longer feel the same horrible dread towards interviews: I genuinely, more often than not, am confident I’m a good candidate. In terms of describing examples of competencies, this internship has definitely proved to be the ace up my sleeve.
But this is not the full story. Despite affirming to a large extent my intended career path, the Saltire Foundation has also fuelled a tangent desire. My time in Singapore caused me to think more and more about the differences and similarities between East and West, particularly when it comes to business culture. I cannot suppress the inquisitive part of me that wants to learn more about this. It perpetuated into my study of leadership archetypes to the extent that this became a heavy theme of my dissertation and I signed up to Mandarin classes at lunchtime. When my psychology peers were attempting to land research scholarships or practising psychology roles, I was hesitant to even apply: opting instead for generic strategy or HR-related roles in the international giants that offered the likely opportunity of extensive travel. All the while I was unable to escape the niggling feeling that I really needed to spend some more time in Asia, that I needed to gain a better understanding of the Confucius influence first-hand.
For those that are in the similar position of looking for employment take note. For every rejection you receive have faith that this is because there is something better further down the road for you. This has been proven for me twice now. Firstly with the Saltire internship, which came at a time when I was feeling dejected that there was poor opportunity for psychology undergraduates in terms of business placements, and now with graduate employment, which has come at a time when I was just missing securing a job but also at the same time was unable to satiate this growing wanderlust and this persistent sensation that perhaps I didn’t want to commit myself to a life-time career just yet.
Last week I found I’d been accepted on to the StudyChina exchange programme which allows for some extremely fortunate UK students to study Chinese business practices at a Shanghai university. Not only will this allow me to build on my understanding of (a no doubt transmuted version of) Chinese culture from my time in Singapore, it also opens doors in terms of meeting business contacts over there and perhaps even securing employment. At the moment there is the possibility of extending my time there for the full year in order to teach English as a foreign language but this is still in half-baked phase.
In terms of adding value, China is definitely the one to watch in this economy. And over here companies are seeking to diversify their operations or demography more and more. I feel enhancing my insight into Chinese business culture not only increases my employability but would also make me well suited to facilitating relationships with the East or with Eastern employees no matter which role I end up in.
Moreover I find myself in the position of already having a lot of useful contacts. One of my fellow interns was working with IBM in Shenzhen so I already have someone’s brain to pick when it comes to preparing for the culture shock. From the conferences I have attended representing the Saltire Foundation I was able to exchange business cards with many Global Scots who have strong links with China or who spend a lot of time in China – all of whom I have no doubt would be on hand to offer unparalleled advice should I have any concerns or problems.
On top of this, I also find I’m regarding the whole situation with surprising confidence. I feel nervous sure, and definitely excited. But because of my experience alone in Singapore, I’ve little doubt that I’ll be able to handle it. I’m not deluding myself that this isn’t considerably different: Singapore is obviously a great deal more Westernised than China – even Shanghai – I won’t have the same comforts of knowing I have Western colleagues if I stay to teach and, of course, a year is considerably longer than a few weeks. Yet despite all this I’m raring to go. Without the experience that Saltire allowed me, I think I’d be more hesitant to stretch myself so dramatically this way. I probably would not even be considering staying for the full year.
Ultimately though, what happens remains to be seen. I hope my next update will be more certain and possibly from Shanghai. Wish me luck.
In the meantime I’m excited to be meeting the new interns for this coming programme. By the time my GSK counterpart takes up his/her post in Singapore I’ll be in the same time zone!
I’ll keep you updated,
Cally