The other person

The day I started work, I wasn't the only new person. There were a few others. We were seriously guided throughout the first few weeks. And even now, after almost a month of work, we haven't been given that much independence in terms of getting our work done. Every piece of code, every piece of digital document that we touch is looked over by a senior member of the team. I have no problems with that. I was quite surprised, sure, coz I always thought most companies throw a new person into the pool to see how capable they are of staying afloat. You know, they try to gauge your knowledge and see if you need some guidance or not. If you don't, they normally challenge you with work that's not as easy as someone who would need the guidance from the very beginning. But no, this is not how it works in this team that I'm in. You're literally guided every step of the way. And once again, I have absolutely no problem with that. In fact, I kind of like it. Go figure.

The thing is, this other new member of the team can't stand having his hand held throughout the process. He's young and smart and isn't finding the work at all what he expected. He says it's too easy. In fact, he's quite appalled that someone is looking over his shoulder whenever he's assigned some work. He laughs at the type of projects that need to get done and he's already looking for another job to transfer to.

He talks about all this everyday to me. And I can't identify with the frustrations he has. I mean, sure its easy work and all that, but he has to have some sort of respect for the people who've been here way before he has. And he needs to be more thankful for the fact that he was even offered a job in the first place. But whenever I try to point out the positives in his situation, he says he's not complaining.... but ugghh.. kinda sounds like it don't you think? Anyway, he's complained about everything. About how he can't believe he has to pay so much for tax, about how horrible the weather is, about how little work there is to do, about how little regard he has for his mentor... on and on the list goes. It's just sad that he can forget how hard it was for him to interview for the job and how with the degree that he has, he's really being paid more than what the other people on the team are. I just wish he had more appreciation for the opportunities that have been given to him. Tak tahan lah... asyik complain memanjang.

When I think back, I believe I would feel the same way he does. Maybe I'm just a little bit older now and I can appreciate the laid back style that this company has. I've been through the 7 day a week 10 hours a day job and I've been through the keeping myself afloat since no one has time to guide me through the business processes of a job. I've been there, done that and I'm happy for the experience that I had. And now I'm happy for the laid back style of the job and I'm happy with the salary that I'm getting paid. I sure hope this guy doesn't bring me down with him when he can't stop complaining about his first ever full time job.