Que sera, sera

My old roommate A was in Beijing last month doing research to understand Chinese childrens' perception of nutrition. On her way back to the States, she and her dad came to Shanghai to visit.

So I just got back from dinner with my old SF roommate and her dad. I had dinner with them the other night too. It was nice for them to invite me to dinner (again). I got to taste some new cuisines and foods (fried pidgeon, sea cucumber). It was glad to see A too since I hadn't seen her since we switched apartments last year. Funny how we meet up halfway across the world. Anyway, A is really kind-natured and so positive to be around. I hope she moves back to the Bay Area one day.

Anyway, A's dad is a retired prof. at Univ of Singapore (MBA). Some of his past students came to dinner with us. I got to meet a bunch of MBAs who work in finance right now. I talked to all of them and they all told me that i could easily find a job here. All the big banks and companies want to do business in Shanghai, especially private equity shops. Surprisinly, there is a need for American accountants. Companies seem to like the old "Big 4" (E&Y)experience too, good thing I stuck that one out. The opportunities are interesting and Shanghai is definitely an international financial hotspot. I'm getting brainwashed a little - that is, being convinced of the allure of working for an international business operation. The world is big, why limit my interests? All of them suggested that I find a brief unpaid internship or something to see what it's like to work here. Not a bad idea, but unlikely to happen.

Do I have to work? As much as I dread having to go back to work, I admit I am curious and excited about further developing and exploring my career. Just thinking about career plans makes my head spin.

I was told that i could get 20% higher salary than a local person - which equates to around 20,000 RMB a month (or $3000 USD) for me. No firm wants to pay me my US salary when there's a Chinese person eager to do it for 1/4 of the cost. Of course, working here is for the experience, not the salary. Then I asked myself the age old question of "Well, what do I want to do?" Sigh. What kind of career do I want? Also, does an international experience translate into more dollars or a better lifestyle down the road? I guess it all depends what my goals are.

From a long-term perspective: I want to be an expert at something one day. I could work at a Chinese firm two years and slave away at learning Asian operations, business culture, and language. The professionals here work hard - I would expect to work even more than I did at home (ugh!) and adapt to an Eastern work culture. I explained my sabbatical situation to my dinner mates, and they said in China there is no such thing, and it would be unimaginable to take extended time off. Working for a Chinese company would be tough. It is so competitive here - there's always someone waiting for your job and the employer knows it. I might have a slight edge because I know English, but still. Anyway, after two years, I could go back to the States, find a US based international asset management company that wants to expand or has operations in Asia, and head up the Asia department. In two years, I strongly believe that everyone will want to invest in China. This would be a challenging, interesting, and meaningful professional journey.

However, if I think more short-sighted from a purely monetary perspective - Let's say after two years I come back to the States and make 15-20% more than the average accountant/Controller at an international fund. Even if I earned 15-20% more, it isn't worth the income I gave up those two years, is it? But then again, how does one quantify and put a value on the experience of living in Shanghai, traveling Asia, contributing to a developing country, learning another language and being able to identify with another culture? To me, that could be worth it. Then again, maybe I just want a job where I can be constantly challenged, work with good people, and make a great living. I will be just as happy working away at a local, California firm.

I still love the idea of a second career too - maybe when I'm 50. Get another degree and go do something else. I've talked about being a teacher for years. Something I will professionally do at some point in my life. A's dad was telling her, "pick a lifestyle, then pick a career." Hmm... this is probably true. I sound all over the place, huh?

So anyway, during my cab ride back, I decided the best way for me to proceed with my career and get an international work experience is to go back to the States to work, and if I one day still have the desire to truly work abroad, get an American firm to send me to a foreign country to start up back-office or operations. That way I can maintain my US salary, work for a US firm, and get my fun. We'll see! I love California and am perfectly happy to never leave. What will be, will be! See where life takes me!

I started to think about what am I getting out of being here? How is my current experience here is changing me, and how am I going to use the Mandarin I've learned? I am constantly trying to understand Chinese people, and why they are the way they are. Such as what kind of social issues have affected Chinese attitudes and behavior? I think the population and Cultural Revolution has a huge impact. I sometimes think that's why Chinese people here seem rude and brash. Anyway, I try to understand the people around me and I hope that being able to identify with otherswill strengthen me professionally and personally. I've been practicing putting aside my own expectations and humbling myself in order to learn about another person.

Despite vistors and a few new friends and classmates, I generally find myself alone. No roommates, no sisters, no mom and dad, no friends just a mile away. I have to be comfortable by myself, and secure about my self-confidence. There's no one to hide behind! I think this has probably been the hardest part of being in China. I have had to put more trust in myself and people around me which has always been hard for me! I hope that I become a more decisive person too. I want to be able to trust myself with taking calculated risks and have good judgement when approached with a new challenge. I think my traveling and independence is giving me more opportunities to do this. From a professional perspective, I hope that developing this part of my character will help me be a better manager. I want to be able to empathize/read others, take appropriate risks, trust my judgement, and be able to support myself with my decisions. I guess I'm saying that I am hoping that I'll magically mature! :)

Anyway, I decided that I need to get MORE INVOLVED. Get involved in all aspects of being here - watch Chinese TV, try new foods, meet Chinese kids, meet working professionals, meet students from other countries, go to exhibits, explore the arts, history and music here, read and understand about social, economic and political issues! I've been doing a lot of these things, but I need to step it up a little. A's dad reminded me that it doesn't matter how short of a time I'm here - someone here for 6 years who doesn't learn the language, lives an expat life etc, can virtually have the same experience here as someone living here for 3 months.

Ok, enough rambling.

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