Yesterday was my last day at the big Citi where I stayed for a year and 11 months. But before I start my new career in a new industry (on Monday right away), I can't help but list down things I will surely miss at Citi.
1. Overtime. My work, as I always told people, was from 9 a.m. (or 10 a.m.) onwards. 'Citi never sleeps', the company motto goes. Indeed, Citi never lets many of its people get enough sleep, and stress was always inevitable. My friends called me workaholic because whenever they would go out at night, I was still at my computer doing the latest numbers for companies a, b, c, and so on. I first enjoyed doing overtime, but I honestly got tired of it eventually. However, as I look forward to a new work that is more challenging to me but gives more sleeping time, I surely need to get used to seeing sunlight after work. As weird as it may sound, I will definitely miss staying late on a daily basis for work.
2. Meal reimbursements and collecting receipts. The joy at Citi, aside from getting loads of work done, in working until late at night, is the meal and gas allowance. The meal reimbursement is not that big, only enough to get you a decent full meal plus dessert at The Old Spaghetti House or TOSH. This was a stress-reliever. However, to get reimbursed, I needed to collect and keep receipts which I would file monthly. Also, I got relief from having to take public transport on my way home whenever I needed to work beyond 9 p.m. (which was usual) because the company car always drove me straight to my residence. Oh, and in case you are wondering, I was not receiving any overtime pay as I was an officer - a work martyr at that.
3. Work on holidays. This is not something I really liked. I hated working when all other people in the country are on holidays - especially during Christmas. But my department handled corporate portfolios across Asia, hence the need to stay even during the most sacred holidays of the year. I am glad I am over it. But having done this for almost two years, there will surely be a part of me that will think 'what if I were to work today?'.
4. Accents across Asia. Hello, may I speak with Andrew (with head slightly swinging left and right). Okay lah, do you understand lah? Sorry I not understand you, must be due to communication berries (she meant barriers). Indian, Singaporean, and Chinese Citibankers. I have worked with them. I have also dealt with Australians, Kiwis (from New Zealand), and colleagues from HK. Each nationality has its own different work ethics, temperament, and attitudes. I learned a lot from these people, not to mention the Indian accent, the Singaporean lah, and the Manglish (Mandarin English) that brought all the berries, I mean communication barriers. But seriously, working with these people was a worthwhile experience that gave me a global perspective.
5. My desk. The corner in the 32nd floor I called my own, my comfort zone, my little kingdom. Last night I vacated all my personal belongings from it, leaving my desk with only my desktop computer and some office supplies which were salvaged by my colleagues. And oh, Death the blue fighting fish (the ultimate survivor among the three) is still there. Friends, please take good care of my pet the way I did.
6. Passwords. I used at least five different systems that were tightly secured and each had a different password changed monthly. I kept a small notebook which I had lost from time to time. I got blocked from my access several times already, but always managed to get reactivated and - usually - get blocked again a few days after.
7. Business travel. During my stay in Citi, I was lucky enough for being sent to two trips abroad. Business class air travel. Five star hotel. Generous meal allowances. The first was to Sydney when I was only two months in the bank, and the next one was to Mumbai last month. These exposures, aside from the perks they brought, were enriching in terms of professional and personal growth. I learned work and made good friends.
8. The splendid city panorama. From the 32nd floor of Citi Tower, one can see the posh Makati skyline and the idyllic Manila Bay. I used to spend some minutes drinking tea in the pantry, looking at tall buildings and wondering how a strong earthquake could devastate the central business district. And in the afternoon, the majestic Manila sunset would unfold right in front of me while sitting on my chair. It looked romantic, but I always needed to wear sunglasses or even open an umbrella as light that would get through the blinds was glaring.
9. People. Honestly, what made me stay for almost two years despite all the stress and other problems Citi was facing, was the people I was working with - my colleagues. I had the best bosses in the world and the perfect teammates I could relate with. My stay in Citi was really a blast because of the great company of young, dynamic people.
10. Makati Business District. My new work at P&G is with product and process research / development / planning / analysis / manufacturing - basically a jack of all trades while I am still getting rigorous management training for the next six months. From being a banker, I am now called an engineer. Well, at least it got a bit closer to my science degree. I will now be based in the company's plant - one of P&G's biggest in the world - in Laguna, with frequent meetings and other appointments in the headquarters in Makati. For this, I will surely miss spending 5 days a week at Makati CBD.
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Goodbye Citi.
