125 people applied for my job position. And guess who is the lucky guy? Nevertheless, a butler, I was at the meeting accompanied by the C.E.O of my company and some of VIPs from the organization that my company has been talking with on this project. Since last month, I have been channeling my time and energy to devise a prject where my firm and the aforementioned organization launch a program for American and Korea kids. I can not give you all the details because the project is still being tweaked and polished. But in a nutshell, my company has been drawing up the plan to invited American kids, mainly adopted Koreans and Gyopos, to this camp, let them share rooms with Korean kids and thus have them associate with each other by learning the language and culture of each country.
Anyway, today, some of the VIPs from the organization that I haven working with came to my company, took a meeting with the C.E.O and continued the meeting over lunch. From the very moment of the meeting to the end, I escorted and accompanied the president of my company. Boy, I was nervous and very tense while jotting down every possible word coming out of the VIPs and my president. Although the meeting did not go as I wanted (I hope this project is not going to happend because it is way too risky), it seems like it will happen.
You might wonder how a newbie who just started a job could possibly take part in a meeting with you C.E.O. Well, it is possible due to the characteristics of my company. I work for a quisy-gov orgnaziation promoting and nurturing tourism in Gyeonggi-do which is surrounding Seoul, capity of Korea. Think this way. Let's say you live in Manhattan, as I really did last year. And I work for a company in NJ that is trying to lure more people to New Jersey. And of course, as New Yorkers do, Seoulers look down upon Gyeonggidoers :)
Since I was basically invisible at the meeting, I just clammed up and listened to what the other Big Boys talk about. Business talk, mainly. Intermitten awakward moments, silence, slupring water, gulping down 25,000 won (25 dollars worth) food and whatnot. Whenever I needed to say something, I needed to choose words carefully just in case my lapse of judgement might gum up the project..
Finally, the meeting ended and I ushered out the VIPs and came back to my place. After that, the C.E.O told me to do something, but I did not pay much attention, knowing that he says things ramdomly and does not remember saying them at all. Afterwards, one of my bosses said to me that to work for this company is a great opportunity to expand your horizon businesswise. Unless you work for a moms and pops, as a newbie, it is hardly possible to take meetings with a president, to propose ideas to him or even to simply speak to him. But it is possible here and my company is NOT a moms and pops.
At any rate, I was antsy and clumsy before, during and even after the meeting, but would like to do better next time. Like you know me well, I do my best at things I really love about, such as learning languages, movies and workout. That excludes work. Do I feel shameful about that? Nope. work is one way to make ends meet and somewhat to realize my goals. Nonetheless, it is not everything. It does not represent all the virtures that I would like to have. Work is work. I don't want to end up like the majority of Korean people so tangled up at work and thus become sick and tired of work and can not wait to retire. I do my part diligently and get compensated for it. Period.
3 comments:
So yea,I just figured out that if you stay in your line of work, in five years we will be assets for each other in our field of work.
you do know that I am going to school for literally the SAME thing you are doing. Cross-cultural exchanges and study abroad has surely the same motives behind it.
Students come to Korea. They get to live with a Korean. They learn about Korean culture. They enjoy their time. Go home and encourage others to go to Korea. Before you know it, not only is tourism booming, but so is the credibility and legitimacy of Korea as an up and coming developed nation.
U.S does this as you know as a soft form of power. Instead of using guns as a form of persuasion, people like me see Exchanges as a better option to win the "hearts and minds" of those around the world. Places like Int. House, where you lived for those several weeks that you Graced Manhattan had this in mind.
What I find interesting is the motivation for such exchanges. As for Korea, its to get tourism booming and to show the world how advanced Korea is technologically and economically. For the U.S its for security purposes.... thus so much funding is placed in exchange endeavors here for this purpose. Fantastic. Intentions are fun to study.
So thats cool that you like your job. There are surely some great rewards from what you do. Plus you are right... your job has alot of heartwarming benefits so thus you can come home after a long day of work and reflect on the goodness you've helped bring for Korea. Mutual Understanding. Reduction of Ignorance. Increased Legitimacy. Cultural sharing. etc. Rock on yo. Rock on.
hey, hmm speaking of the portrait of mine you drew before.. hehe.. i am very flattered in that you are the first person to draw a picture of mine. :)
i think i will wing to L.A. in November for a biz matter. As I said on my blog, this project that I have been working on is going to happen and thus the CEO of my company and I will go to the states and promote the program. I am not sure if the leg of trip will encompass NY, but if it does, i would like to see you for real. If do so, let me know if there is anything you need from here. ok?
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