I got promoted but I decided to leave.

Hello.

It’s been 1 month since I left my full time position of 4 years+. I’m going to admit, it wasn’t really an easy decision to make especially during this pandemic situation. Everything is so uncertain, and with recession and economic downturn happening around the globe, I wasn’t sure if I would ever regret my decision.

I was last working as a Key Accounts team lead in a manufacturing company in the science industry. My daily tasks involve attending queries from strategic customer accounts and handling basic project management assistance with the help from my team. I work closely with the stakeholders on a daily basis and especially during this pandemic situation, I was ‘forced’ to take in a lot of out of scope responsibilities to help manage the influx in workloads. But it was satisfying. I can safely say that I played a role, though minor, in helping with the pandemic situation. It was one of the major satisfaction I’ve got after working 4 years in the company. If it wasn’t for COVID-19, I might only be involved with those tasks I had 2–3 years later.

But I decided to leave. Here I am in front of my laptop typing this after attending couple of online lectures. Yes. I’m back to school ! When I told most of my friends and colleagues about the decision, most gave me a ‘Really?’ look. Some look at me in the eyes and told me to re-think my decision especially this uncertain period. But I made my mind, and was very certain that I want to pursue my studies this year. When I finally mustered up my courage to send my resignation letter, I receive news that I was getting a promotion a week later as an Assistant Manager.

I hesitated once again.

Should I really re-think my decision?

Do I have enough assets to keep myself ‘alive’ for the next 2 years?

Will I be able to get a favorable career when I graduate 2 years later?

I remember reading the news daily, catching up on every first-hand COVID-19 news, crossing fingers hoping that the situation recovers soon. I didn’t want to be making a ‘difficult’ decision, and obviously, a decision that I would regret.

Feeling helpless, I decided to draw out who would be affected by the decision I make and the stakes involved.

That’s when I realized, the answer is — Me, myself and I. I’m fortunate to say that at this point, there isn’t really any major stakes involved or anyone who would be directly affected by the decision I made. Many told me that I shouldn’t be leaving because — I might not get the career I have in mind when I graduated, the economy is going to be bad then and I might have issue even trying to secure a position. But guys, I’m no Family Guy. I can’t predict the future. No one knows what’s going to happen in the future. We do have prediction models lying around but still, 100% accuracy does not happen. Not at the moment. SO, the only thing I can and I should is to trust myself right now. I respect the decision I made and well, I might regret if the outcome doesn’t turns out well, but I tried. And I’m very sure I would be glad that I tried.

I went on and handed in my resignation letter after spending that weekend feeling helpless. And then another obstacle came. My manager wanted me to reconsider the decision. My general manager of the local manufacturing facility came with tempting offers that could make me stay. After going through multiple ‘sessions’ with them I am finally a student now!

(chuckles) I was going to write UNEMPLOYED back there but I decided to write STUDENT instead. After all, we are not running out of negativity right now hence lets add some positive thoughts here and there.

Are you reading this now and trying to make a difficult decision in life? Or did you take a different route during this difficult situation? Share with me below! I would be glad to lend a listening ear.

With that, I’m now a student pursuing Masters in Data Science. I might have slightly overestimated myself in re-coping the university lifestyle. Oh my rusty brain… But we can save that for another day.

As for now, I should get back to work because Assignment is going to due soon !!