This Working Life

Oh well… he won, and since I supported none of them. Its okay.

The interview for PIL was on Thursday afternoon at PIL building. It was supposed to be at 3pm, but I waited till past 4pm before the Captain saw me. It went not that well, but smooth. Most part of the interview was about what I know, what I think and to know my background. Then they hogged about my grades, I got a 3 for English, 5 for maths and 1 for science. When they look at my result, it was Science: “oooookay….” English: “Hmmm….” Circle circle. Maths: *tap tap* “This is an area of concern” don’t even bother to circle. Put a big red DOT.

They then spent the next half an hour asking me how comfortable am I with maths and numbers and then told me that they only normally take cadets with A levels and so on.

At that moment, I knew that maths will be something that will haunt me for the rest of my life.

Close to the end of the interview, the GM came in and gave me a long pet talk. Basically these Captains have a way of screwing you without you knowing you are being screwed. He got a numbers of things cleared. Firstly, I am working for PIL and till the end of the training, they will fu*ck care MPA. Secondly, the fact that I am on scholarship is only for the file to know. Until the day I am up for review and to be rightfully ‘returned’ to MPA, they don’t give a shit. Next, a build on of point one. They are my pay master. Therefore, I follow their training programme and policies.

At that moment, I can foresee its not a piece of cake working for both MPA and PIL. They must have a reason in laying the ground rules so clear.

Next, they do not take into account that I am a Singaporean working for a Singapore company. No advantage at all.

This is unlike NSSPL where you get em… a SLIGHYLY better treatment in terms of a little more cash. This is also unlike ‘K’ Line where Japanese officers get paid so much more.

He finally ‘kind of’ ended off by saying [according to how I understood it] that grades are important and that with my result I better watch out. And that the company is a good company and that they are caring and bluh bluh and as long as I do my job, they will take care of the rest.

Companies have a way is frightening kids, oh yes I am frighten. No wait petrified.

Before I was allowed to go home like a school kid, I got home work. I was supposed to write a paper and email it back to the manager. [or maybe I should call him boss?] and I have to make copies of my documents and post it back. According to the GM, so he can “…open a file for…” me. hm.. he wants my current result slip. I was very confident that I can pass, but now… I am not so confident about my grades, since they need to be impressive.

To sum up the interview, I feel that its because of the pressure of MPA therefore I got the sponsorship. I mean, if I were to write in personally, they won’t even call me after looking at my grades. Well, this working life.