| Mirror
Magazine |
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That
big break Working for
the first time is a whole new experience. It's a time when we are
really breaking free from home and striving to be independent. It
also means actually getting into society. For most of
us, working is a way of showing that we are finally adults and ready
to take on the world. For many of us this is the first time we are
spending so much time away from home and are allowed to make our
own decisions, away from the watchful eyes of our parents. With this new
freedom comes both reward and risk. The reward of being able to
assert one's independence is tempered by the fear of and the risk
of making huge mistakes. Many or almost
all young working adults head out to the society, head held high,
confident that they can handle whatever is thrown at them, though
maybe also aware of what could go wrong. Their parents, even though
they have confidence in their offspring are nevertheless worried
about how they will cope with the stresses of working life and handle
their freedom too. So, what is
this 'freedom' like for the young adults and what does going to
work really mean to them. The Mirror Magazine found out: Dilini (19):
-When I first started working right after my A/Ls, I was obviously
thrilled. It's really great to do something and actually get paid
for it as well. Nilanthi (19):
- Working is a whole new experience altogether. In school we basically
hang out with people who are like-minded and we tend to avoid people
who are different from us. But once you start working, it is a whole
new situation altogether. We have to get along with people who are
very different from us. Sonali (19):-The
first few days I had to call my mother every time I had to go out,
and also when I got back to work. But then, after a while that wasn't
necessary. I guess they are just worried about us. Minoli (19):
Working is somehow different and fun. You meet such diverse groups
of people that you start to wonder whether all these years you had
been living under a stone. Hasini (19):
Starting work was both exciting and frightening. Here you are, away
from everything that is familiar to you. Not only are you concerned
about first impressions, but you also have to cope up with all the
responsibilities that come your way. Shey (19):
- Working was indeed a whole new and wonderful experience. But what
I really like about it is the fact that I get paid. I am finally
able to buy my family gifts from the money I earned by myself and
not from the pocket money I get. I am really proud of that. Exciting and
fun it may be for the young adults, but what is it like for the
parents? Were they anxious and worried? Mrs. V. Perera
: -It's really nice to see your child all grown up and heading out
to contribute in society, but you do tend to worry about them. When
my daughter started working, I was a bit worried because she had
to travel by bus and at times, she gets late to come home. But I
guess you do have to let your children grow up, make their own mistakes
and learn from them. Mrs. L. Seneviratne
(name has been changed): - I guess for me it wasn't that bad because
it was my son. I mean, I worried but then you know how boys are,
he was always very independent so it wasn't very different. Mrs. N. Gunaratne:-
I always thought that working is the best way for a young adult
to really see society. They always go around thinking that they
are grown up and that they can handle anything but this is the time
they really understand what life is about. Mrs. P. Weerasinghe:
(name has been changed): - When my daughter started working, naturally
I was worried. But then I was also glad. I didn't want her to stay
at home and do nothing. That is such a waste of time. So when she
started working, I was happy and proud of her and trusted her to
make all the right choices. Mrs. G. Fernando:-
Well, everyone has to start working at some point, so when it was
my son's turn, I was at first reluctant because I thought he might
ignore his studies. But I must say, I was amazed by how he managed
to handle both his studies and work. I feel that
now he is more responsible than he was before. Working is a wonderful experience, but one that needs to be handled with enthusiasm and dedication, maturity and responsibility. No doubt, we all make mistakes along the way, but it's how we deal with them that matters. Tips
for your new job Come into the
work environment with an open mind. Be humble.
You may have good grades and three internships under your belt,
but so do your co-workers and many of them have years of experience,
too. Handle your
freedom. No one is going to stand over you with a time clock. People
do tend to notice, however, if you are tardy, if you leave early,
or if you take long lunches. Learn as much
as possible early on the job. Take advantage of courses or workshops
offered or financed by your employer. Watch and learn
to handle office politics by watching your co-workers. Be polite. Follow the basic rules of conduct, courtesy, and appreciation. Don't forget to thank coworkers who help you. Torn
between two Torn between
two hearts
Dear Torn between two hearts, Let
him wait Dear
G.G, (Letter withheld on request) Like a sister Dear
Confused Loverboy, Sam
and Kate to wait According to
rumour, Kate Winslet wept with joy when American Beauty director
Sam Mendes dropped to his knees and asked her to marry him. Sam was supposed
to have cemented the gesture with a diamond and ruby ring but, as
Kate's mum Sally reveals, wedding bells are some way off yet. "It's
not true," she says. "Kate would've told us. She hasn't
even got a ring." And Kate's
dad Roger agrees: "If she was getting married we would have
been the first to know and she hasn't said anything to us." Despite the
marriage denials, the Winslets - who live in Reading, Berkshire,
where Kate was brought up - still give their daughter's latest boyfriend
the family seal of approval. "Sam's
a lovely man," continues Sally. "We have
get-togethers and we met his family. "Kate
and Sam are very happy just going along as they are. They are taking
their time, getting to know each other and enjoying each other's
company." The last few
years have been a roller-coaster ride for Kate, 26, so it's no surprise
she's not rushing down the aisle again. In 1998 she
married assistant film director Jim Threapleton, just a year after
they met on the filmset of Hideous Kinky, and in October 2000 she
gave birth to their daughter Mia. However, Kate and Jim separated
within a year. They now share custody of Mia and were divorced last December. |
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Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
and
some of us decide to do something productive and highly beneficial
like starting work.
