I will be leaving STEE after a good 3 Years 8 months. To be exact is from 8th May 2012 to 4th Dec 2015.I grew up in CAE and mature in STEE. Looking back, I could have joined NEC or GE but I think I have made the better decision in joining STEE. But then regardless of where I go, I am sure I will prosper there as I am destined to reign and the blessing is on me not on the job.
I will be joining Crimson Logic as a Solution Architect. I am pretty sure I will do well and prosper there regardless what other's opinion of the company. Some may say alot of Ah Neds, some say company losing money but I will say of the LORD He is my provider and refuge.
When I join STEE as a technical Manager, it is a step up for me in terms of career. Ironically, the pay of $5600 pales when compare to the $6000 GE is offering me or $5800 NEC is offering me too. But I envision, I will be more marketable in 2-3 years time. This is what I saw:
It was a strange situation, I already signed with GE when I was called up for an interview with STEE for a position of software engineer. I went to AMK and called up Julie but she didn't know there is an interview scheduled. I stormed back home but later on, the hiring managers Wan San Ken and Mike Poon met me in HANS@the trinity church near my work place. They were very sincere and they said they want to offer me a Technical Manager instead after reviewing my experience. I went for 1st round of interview and I requested for a technical interview with the CTO and Yew Kwong, the lead architect. After a hour of gruelling questions and tests, I passed with flying colors.
In the first year in STEE, I was doing SG2 project. I started off where I left off in CAE in fast pace fashion. In a short 2 months, I came out with SOA WebService prototype and setup the development tools. It was exciting, as there are basically nothing and I don't even know what is a webservice initially. By God's Grace, I produced something in a very short time. I also learnt alot about infrastructure and from Elbit our main contractor. I even went to Israel for a 3 weeks stint in 2012. It was a beautiful country and Gaza rocketing was happening right at our doorstep while we are there. I learn what is injection dependency, Agile and test tools from Elbit. The first thing I touch down in Singapore is to implement Agile and Injection Dependency onto my project. Today I am proud to say last Dec SG2 was successfully commissioned using the blueprint application I have architected.
Just when things is looking good, suddenly things took a drastic turn!After my 2nd child Zackary is born, we were straight away plunge into a theft case crisis. Recounting the incident, my wife and I were on our way back home from hospital when she saw an IPAD left unattended and we took it. Then the owner reports to the police and we were called up to the police as a result. It was such a stress time and I even thought I could end up in jail. But thank God, we only received stern warnings. To cut the story short, I was not allowed to continue in SG2 shortly after. After I was out of SG2, people like Alysa began to shun me. I felt unwanted in STEE and understandably, I was totally devastated. I have to stay in JE and then AMK with no fixed desk and laptop waiting for new projects to come in. Suddenly, thoughts like I would have better off joining GE begins to flash through my mind. It was the lowest VALLEY of my STEE adventure. I decided to find a job. In a short time, I got 2 offers from NEC ($6100) and Ecquaria ($6300) as a result. I signed with Ecquaria but when I submitted my resignation letter to Mr Kang, he asked me to stay and promise to promote me to M2 next round in July the following year. I decided to take my chance and stay because of this gesture. (Later on, I find out it is a norm that they try to counter offer people when they are leaving). The bad news is I have to pay $6300 penalty to Ecquaria.
I was helping Ang Boon Teck doing some presales. That time, there was one guy call Arthur which I worked with. He was in the same plight after being forced out of CUB2 project. We were bidding for some HDB enforcement projects. It was a great relief, we won the HDB CCK project. I was tasked to come up with some ANPR solution in order to cut down on the manpower intensive operation. During that time, I have to borrow laptop from Arthur daily just to develop. Although it was tough but at the same time enjoyable and exciting.I have to start from ground zero again. I didn't have many friends except Arthur and come guys from Edmund's department. l still remember joining Arthur for some badminton sessions in the evening time at Toa Payoh Safra to make friends. I have to develop in the meeting room in high bay. Very often, I have to make way for meetings in the high bays.
Edmund requested San Ken to buy me a development laptop. With this laptop, things begin to take flight as I can do more in a shorter time. In 5-6 months, I came up with goods. We presented trials to HDB to showcase our technologies and get the endorsement. In July 2013, I was promoted to M2. I continue to make improvements and implement new intiatives for Commercial Department and the Division. We were housed in the meeting room in Level 5. I have people like Andy, Jun Yong, Adeline and a few guys to help me out. I was most impressed with Jun Yong. It was rojak and chaotic but it was fun. I took the chance to introduce new technologies like MVVM, JSF, Primefaces, Ubuntun, HTML5, Andriod, etc. This is the period of time I enjoyed the most.
At the same time, I volunteered to undertake helpdesk to architect the network solution. I designed the network with some advice from Kim Chan and Truvisor (Our vendor). Ironically, Truvisor's boss is my university mate. I didn't even know how Firewall works before I embark on this project. Secretly, I asked the IT guru around and learnt from him. Today, I am proud to say the helpdesk with DR solution is implemented successfully.
I was doing ERP2 tendering and solutioning too. When I presented the migration portion to MSD and Andrew Chow, our president, they were totally impressed. Seriously this is God's unmerited favour! Kim Siah, the MSD head, even ask me to join his costing team. I was quite surprise by my success as this is not my forte. In fact, ERP2 has very little IT components inside. The tender result could be out early next year with our company in good steed.
Things begin to on the uptrend from the valley by God's grace. Throughout these time, I was attending NCC and always have this story of Joseph burnt deep in my heart. When Jesus is in our life, we are already successful! I have never lose sight of Jesus throughout this valleys and mountains experience.
Out of nowhere, I received a call requesting for an interview from AMOS united a holding company for New York New York, London Weight Management and various other beauty entities. I went to the IMM office and was impressed with the office and "ladies" there. I was told they are bringing in 100m revenue per month. This is just like the bank! When I went to the interview office, the CIO was not really impressed initially judging from his facial and bodily expression. Being a frank person, he taunted me that most probably I wrote down whatever I have touch on the surface.Then I begin to compound on the things I did and suddenly he begin to sit up. After that, his tone changed and told the HR manager he likes my passion. Deep down, I already knew he wanted me. True enough, the next day the HR manager called me and make me an offer. They offer me $7000 as this is what I have indicated for my expected pay. My pay was then $6320 after the promotion increment. I told the HR manager that I want $7500 and they got back with no objection. It even comes with a $400 transport allowance for Senior Manager. Wow, from $5600 to $6320 to $7900 in 2 years! Surely it is God's Hands. I even wrote $6300 for the 2013 goal card in church. Truly, God is able to do abundantly and above what we can ever imagine according to the riches in Christ Jesus!
With such a good offer on the table, I signed and tender my resignation to San Ken. Edmund was shocked when he heard I as resigning the night before San Ken officially submitted the letter. Apparently San Ken never told him about my resignation. He immediately activated Mr Kang, who tried their best to persuade me to stay. I stood my ground and rejected any persuasion. In the end, they were forced to give me a special increment as a counter offer to $6830. I accepted the counter offer because of Edmund's sincerity and also SNAPi still have some bugs before it can be officially launch. Its more of a professional decision. Luckily, there is no penalty this time. When San Ken gave me the increment letter, he told me he is happy for me and sad for himself. I begin to realized his pay is lower now! How in the world is ST going to keep people with such uncompetitive pay?
Then SNAPi was deployed in Dec 2014 in CCK. Thereafter, we also won the WLD project. After tweaking and solving some bugs, SNAPi was ready to use. It was a complete success! I fulfulled my obligation towards Edmund. At the same time, I was forming up the software team. I gave myself a
Solution Architect/Manager commercial title. I got Novia, Kok Wah and
Felicia to help me out in the new initiatives.
At the start of 2015, I wrote $7500 for my pay this year in the NCC goal card.
to be continue.....
