I came to Geneva for a 3 months development assignmet. Being good in what I do is only a small portion of the reason why I was able to have this great opportunity.
Our country manager was chosen to be part of a leadership group in our company. Sixteen people were chosen all over the world to participate in this program. One of which is my ex boss in Manila, Evelyn. She met so many people on this programme and one which is my current boss Dominique and the other is my future boss Agostino.
On casual talks she mentioned to them I have this very hardworking staff in Manila. She is very good at this and that and very dedicated to what she does. If you have something temporary opening please get her. She mentioned this to them every time she has the opportunity and after few months Dominique called her and ask how fast I can move to Geneva.
She was in Geneva when Evelyn made an overseas call to me. She said I need temporary people, give me resume when I come back. Being the good employee that I was I asked friends to give resume and be ready for an interview not knowing that we are actually looking for a temporary replacement for me.
Then she arrived in Manila… She told me why she is looking for temporary staff and it is because I will be moving to Geneva for a few months for a development assignment. I was dumbfounded when I heard about it. She told me a few months back that she mentioned me to many people but that was it for me. I never thought something great will come out from that small talks. The hiring was immediate. We need to get somebody ASAP. They were targetting to fly me to Geneva by 1st week of April. There were so many obstacles and one of which was we were downsizing in Manila. There were 2 people that were asked to leave the company and I took over their jobs. Regional Office was very hesitant to let me go. Of course my boss fought for this great opportunity for me and finally our Regional Director gave in.
I left Manila May 27. The turn over of work was so hard there was even a point I don’t want to leave anymore because I am having so much hard time teaching the new people but finally I needed to leave whether they are ready or not and my boss with a heavy heart let me go (heavy heart because we were having so much problems before I left, I think she was cursing herself for even making that opportunity for me to happen =) ).
I arrived in Geneva after 16 hours of long haul trip, my first! It wasn’t easy to leave. I’ve never been so far away from home. When I left the instruction to me was not to come back. Meaning to do everything and anything I can to find a permanent job there. It was a win2x situation for me. I will leave Manila but my job will be waiting for me. If I get a position in Geneva then they will hire somebody new for Manila but they will wait for any outcome. That’s how blessed I am.
The first two months were so hard. I’ve been missing home so much and I don’t have friends here yet. On the third month it became manageable. Little by little I was adjusting already. I was also informed I will be extended for another month and then another month and then 15 days….
I still can’t believe I’m actually leaving in Europe for the last 5 months. I still try to pinch myself to make me wakeup but I’m really here…
After 5 1/2 months I got a job offer in Geneva. It was a fruit not only of my hardwork but because people believed in me and really made a huge effort to help me. My ex boss in Manila and my present boss in Geneva joined force to help me find a job in Geneva and to make sure I will get it. They not only fought for the job but also fought for the package that will be given to me. It was beyond my wildest imagination. In a few days I will be starting on my next post. I am very excited and very nervous as well but who cares regardless of how hard the job will be, I didn’t go this far to quit.
I will be staying in Europe for the next few years of my life. Whether to go back to asia or not is something that I have to decide on later but now this will be my home away from home. For the last few weeks I’ve been travelling in Europe but on my next post I will be travelling around the world.
I will always be thankful for the people that was sent to me by the Lord to make a difference in my career life and my life. I’ve always been blessed to have great bosses that made a huge transition on the outcome of my life… From Pinky to Benette to Evelyn to David to Evelyn to Dominique….. Thank you for not only being great bosses but for being great mentors! You transformed my life and my family’s life. I will always be grateful for the wisdom that you gave and the extra mile that you went to just to make me shine
