Once I travel more and more, I cannot help but compare the job conditions in Taiwan, the U.S.A., and Finland (Europe). Taiwanese workers are like hard-working ants, if you give up, and then there will be another ants to replace you. You are not special and supposed to devoted almost all your time and energy to the job. On the other hand, American workers get used to compliments and empowerment. Also, you are allowed to take your time to learn and make mistakes. Therefore, negotiation and communication is common. The next level is the workers in Finland. You have not only certain social security protection but much more holidays.
I personally feel that everyone in Taiwan complains about his/her jobs; everyone in the U.S.A. complains but somehow enjoys his/her jobs; and everyone in Finland talks about her/his jobs with enthusiasm. I ask myself if I have a chance to work in Finland longer, what my dream job in Finland would be?
Confucius said, "Find a job you enjoy, and you'll never work a day in your life." After working in Taiwan and the U.S.A., I know that I am not that kind of person who chases for fortune and big success. I want a job that provides me with the sense of fulfillment and enough leisure time to enjoy my own time. It sounds a bit abstract, so I am willing to talk more about it.
My previous jobs were all about teaching. I know I enjoy the interaction between students and teachers. I can play both roles, a teacher and student, quite decently. Being a teacher, I love helping students have more interest in what I teach and being a student, I love critical thinking. I love to hear professors enriching my knowledge and challenge what I believed. The atmosphere gives me such an accomplishment. I know I always am a good student and good teacher.
Few people have the same experience as I do- I have the vision about Asia and the U.S.A., which are the two biggest economy units. That’s to say, I have the advantage to work in Finland by sharing my experience and background. If I can think big and be more ambitious enough, please allow me to honestly explain my dream job in Finland, even without considering about the cruel reality.
I would put it into 3W1H- where, when, what and how.
Where- I would like to work in big cities. It helps me connect with people and develop my social network much more easily. Needless to say that the transportation is a big advantage for a foreigner like me. So far, I am pretty content with Oulu.
When- in Taiwan, I worked from 2 pm to 10 pm on weekdays, sometimes on weekends, too. The working time could not allow me to have enough family time and the leisure time to be with friends. In my definition of dream job is that you work at the time when everyone also works. And you can take your own responsibility to work in a more flexible way, which means you can work, eat and leave at the certain range of time. The routine should not be not rigid. Everyone is different individual and deserves the best schedule for her/himself.
What- like I describe above, I like to work with people. This way I can exchange ideas with them, learn from them and build relationship with them. I know myself- I am a people person. Moreover, for the ideal job description, I want to create my own value by sharing my cultural experiences. For instance, teaching Chinese to American college students in the U.S.A. was such an exciting experience to me.
How- I worked in Taiwan for one year, and I clearly felt the pressure that we Taiwanese have to compete with China. The working condition is more and more unpleasant for employees, such as working overtime and lower pay. I know the only way for me to find a dream job is to challenge myself in foreign countries. Learning languages and cultures are my priority ever since. How to find an exit to my dream job in Finland? I need more opportunities and more challenges to myself!
Comments
kiitos!!!!
Hsuen-Chu, great writing again and I like to quote your sentence: "Few people have the same experience as I do- I have the vision about Asia and the U.S.A., which are the two biggest economy units. That’s to say, I have the advantage to work in Finland by sharing my experience and background. If I can think big and be more ambitious enough, please allow me to honestly explain my dream job in Finland, even without considering about the cruel reality. I would put it into 3W1H- where, when, what and how..."
What you say is very true and I'm very glad that you made this posting. We now have a crystal clear goal. It should help us to position your skills, experience and career goals in the Finnish jobs market.