I am a 51-year-old unemployed male Singaporean holding a degree
in Bachelor of Arts in English Language & Literature.
I made a serious error of judgment in life and quit my job
impulsively in Dec last year without thinking through the
consequences and I am now paying a hefty price for the folly. The
experience was painful and since that fateful day, the thought of
getting a job and putting bread and butter on the table again has
been weighing heavily on my mind.
On some nights, I would suddenly woke up breaking out in cold
sweat and worrying about my future.
I am a practical and realistic person. I knew that given my
current age and circumstances, I can never expect to find another
job which will pay me my last drawn salary of $4K again. Recently,
I thought of venturing into the social service sector since I am
already in the last lap of my working life. However, society was
cruel and the doors were all shut on me.
My greatest disappointment was not being able to get a teaching
job with Pathlight School last week. I had applied for an Assistant
teacher position with them and after going through a comprehensive
interview and selection test, my hopes were completely dashed. On
the day of receiving the rejection e-mail, my heart really sank to
the bottomless pit.
I knew the husband of my spouse’s church mate who works in the
security line after he stopped helping his family in the baking
business. This is despite the fact that he has a diploma
qualification and is much younger than me.
I wonder whether if I should do the same and put my tertiary
qualification aside. If I decide on this move, I have to conceal my
actual qualification, otherwise employers will never want to take
me in. Morally and ethically I know I would be dishonest.
So, I am really in a dilemma.
Regds,
.
Patrick
* The letter was adapted from transitioning.org, a
non-profit society specially set up to cater to the emotional needs
of the unemployed Singaporeans.
