Not Just a Career Move

After almost 15 years of wearing a banking hat, I'm trading it for a beret as I move to the public sector.  It wouldn’t be too unfamiliar as I still am in the same playing field – Business Analysis- but the game rules are different in the government. Very different.

The first thing people asked me when they found out I’m leaving the big bank was “Why?!”.  There are several reasons but I guess it boils down to the seven year itch. Similar to when Ronnel and I decided to get married before we reached 7 years of BF/GF relationship, I had to make a decision on whether I wanted to bring it to the next level or take a hike. I opted for the latter.  And just like how I haven’t regretted getting married, I hope it would be the same with this career move.

So what’s different if I’ll be using the same skills and techniques anyway? For one, the culture is very different.  Friends working in the government advised me not to be frustrated if things are too slow.  My first month gave me the definition of “slow” and it gave me a new perspective on things.  In the banking world, everything was about speed to market.  The favourite line was “I need this yesterday.”  In the government, it’s all about consultation and being meticulous in what we do, ensuring that every thing we do is worth the tax payer’s money.   This is hot topic now in my country with the big scam on using public funds on bogus projects.  But I digress.  That is the reason why the process takes longer, and compared to the corporate world, of course we are seen as “slow”.   

I’m now two months in my relationship with the government.  Just like any new relationship, we are still in the getting to know stage where everything is exciting, hot and steamy. Okay, scratch the last two but you know what I mean.  Let me check back in after the first year if it’s still a bed of roses or if the thorns have already found me.  For now, I’m happy at work, which makes me happy when I get home, happy when I sleep, wake up and happy when I go to work. It’s that cycle.  Hope it stays that way.