From lab coats to bylines: A journey of career transformation, personal fulfilment

I had an 8-to-5 job before I started working in the media.

I was a chemist at a pharmaceutical company at the time. Yeah, it’s totally different from the field I’m in right now, isn’t it? Actually, I graduated with a bachelor of science in chemistry, and being a chemist is my dream job.

I have this love-hate relationship with my job: playing around with various chemicals, from ordinary sodium chloride to highly corrosive hydrochloric acid; restoring problematic high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); and having to repeat the same test multiple times when it yields an over-limit result are among the common things I have to deal with every day.

I vividly recall my initial encounter working with hydrochloric acid. I was trembling because I thought the hazardous substance would explode at any moment. Similarly, I found 10-litre glass beakers to be both incredibly amazing and terrifying pieces of laboratory equipment when I first had to work with them. Imagine if I slipped and the glass shattered!

This does not even account for the chance that my HPLC will break down. It definitely pushes my patience’s boundaries and gives headaches, especially when the problem arises right before a test that is about to end!

Nevertheless, it brings me satisfaction and happiness every time I finish running all the tests and complete my report.

Although I enjoy working as a chemist in Malaya, where I can acquire as much knowledge and experience as possible (maybe I would not be able to gain them in my own hometown) and also travel to other states easily, I feel it is unfair for me to leave my father, who has sacrificed a lot and always supported me.

Hence, I made the decision to go back to Kuching in order to take care of him.

This was the point in my career where I went from working office hours to having flexible hours. I initially found it to be a little confusing. Even my dad questioned me about whether I was actually employed.

I am grateful to my dear friend Zarina Abdullah for introducing me to our former executive editor, Ismail Bidin, for a post at New Sarawak Tribune, the place where I have been employed since my return from Malaya. Thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to have a career that I had never imagined!

My colleagues and I pose with our former executive editor, Ismail Bidin, during his visit to Kuching a few years ago.

What made me decide to switch my career, and how did it feel to do so?

The main reason is that Kuching has no pharmaceutical factories. It would therefore be better for me to take whatever job offer is made available rather than pursue a career that fits my education or experience (which might require me to be unemployed for a long period of time).

Is it challenging? Yes, I have a lot of new stuff to learn, so it was a little tough. For me, writing is not that difficult since it has been my favourite subject in school. However, I still have to learn how to write the right way, which is according to the news format.

Alhamdulillah, everything went well for me because I have mentors who guide and teach me a lot. Thus, I would like to express my gratitude to my colleagues Natasha Jee and Alexandra Lorna Nohan. Not to forget the invaluable assistance I received from our former general manager, Lim Hong Ming, in improving my English.

It has been eight years since I moved back to Kuching and worked with New Sarawak Tribune.

I have to admit, even though I never planned to become a journalist, I truly love what I do since it lets me explore unfamiliar places and take on new adventures, foods, and cultures.

Most importantly, I managed to get back to Kuching and was able to care for my father right up until his last breath, having him in my arms. I don’t regret switching my career because of this!

My resolution for this year? To write and emphasise everything there is to know about our Land of the Hornbills — the people, businesses, attractions, and everything in between!

To those who might need to change their careers, try not to worry or get frustrated about it. Determine your transferrable talents, comprehend the extent of your work, and seek mentors for guidance.

At the same time, highlight the benefits of your varied background and embrace the learning curve. Be flexible. It takes time to change careers, so be persistent and patient.