UNION Venture Builders’ Post

Today, I received my permanent residency in Germany 🇩🇪. It’s a significant milestone—yet it arrives at a time when I’m facing one of the deepest slumps of my life. Recently, I’ve found myself focusing on everything that feels lacking, letting negative self-talk creep in effortlessly. Achievements often feel diminished by self-doubt. When others celebrate my successes—like attending my dream university or starting my career early—I find myself downplaying them, pointing out where I “fell short” or could’ve done “better.” This pattern creates a cycle that only breeds disappointment. When I received my residency permit, I brushed it off as “just another step.” But then, my mother, who’s been with me every step of this journey, sent me a beautiful message. She reminded me of what it took to get here: navigating a new country, learning to live independently, and starting fresh in a job where I had to build trust and communicate across languages and cultures. Reflecting on her words, I realized that while I may not yet be where I aspire to be, I’ve come far. Today, I’m a lead Product Manager for a key project in my company, managing relationships and collaborating with diverse stakeholders. It’s not the end of the road, but it’s a marker worth acknowledging. 🌟 So, I’m leaving this here as a reminder to my future self: there will always be more to achieve, but every step forward matters. One by one, I’ll collect each milestone like infinity stones—slowly, surely, and with gratitude. #KeepMoving #Milestones #PersonalGrowth #ProductManagement #Germany

This month it’s 25 years since my first overseas posting began in Cape Town! 🌍 As a recent graduate trainee and (very) green Account Manager at Saatchi & Saatchi, London, my life took a leap into the vibrant heart of South Africa. An offer to relocate to Cape Town became the ticket to a global career journey. 🔥 I left my friends and family in the UK and left for South Africa. I rented a minimalistic apartment with views of Table Mountain (I owned very little - my TV sat on an upturned GUINNESS crate that I liberated from a shoot, an old door on trestles for a dining table and a futon mattress on the floor for a bed) and I got my first "office" on wheels (a beat up old red BMW), life was a blend of hard work and 'braais' on the fire escape of my apartment. 🛣️ That two-year stint was just the start, leading me on to Malaysia (where I met my better half!), Indonesia, The Philippines, Singapore, and now, the Big Apple. Here's my takeaway for young professionals eyeing a global path: 1. Embrace the Fringe: The margins are where innovation thrives. Take the opportunity to make mistakes, learn and grow. 2. Be a Sponge: Everywhere I've lived, the local wisdom surpassed my own. Stay humble and absorb. 3. Small Teams, Grand Feats: Limited resources, boundless optimism, and teamwork can achieve wonders. 4. Unity in Diversity: Our commonalities overshadow our differences. The world is your neighborhood. Shoutout to the 'bandits' of 125 Buitengracht for the lifelong lessons: Eric Frank, SallyAnne Lewendon, Deon Robbertze, Andrew Durkan, Cheryl-Ann Doveton, Annabel Broom ~ Skilful Resilience, William Leach (GAICD), Simon Strong FRSA, Scott Paton and everyone else who time and my own forgetfulness has separated me from. 📢 I invite you to share your first overseas work experience or what you've learned from diving into new environments. #CareerJourney #GlobalExperience #WorkAbroad #LifeLessons #Anniversary

Singapore isn’t short of wealth – it’s the eighth richest country in the world after all 🤑 In 2024, ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families are looking for guidance more than ever before 📉 For finance professionals in Singapore, joining a family office presents a unique and rewarding opportunity to make a significant impact in the world of wealth management 💥 Want to know the best way to join a family office? ➡️ https://bit.ly/4bGBz3K Discover all the important insights into: 🏙 The Singapore family office landscape 🎓 Qualifications and skills 🤝 The importance of networking 🕵️♀️ #job search strategies 📝 Resume and cover letter tips 💻 Interview preparation 🤓 Internship and entry-level opportunities ⬆️ #career trajectory 💵 Navigating compensation and benefits #BestAdvice

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From MICE to ML [MICE = Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events - a niche segment in Tourism; ML= Machine Learning] I may be known with solid interests and career growth in Linguistics and Technology. But sometimes I remind myself of other identities that make me in the past become of me at the moment. Back in 2019, when I decided to move from Singapore to Hochiminh City, I had no idea of what job I would be fit for. No idea of job market and candidate pool, either. I found jobs by natural instinct. My very first job was in Tourism as a French-Speaking Consultant for MICE. I soon realised that I was not a good fit and decided to try out a new domain. But it was a great time to learn from diverse skillsets, such as translation, event management, documentation, incident management. --- Years gone by with various positions and domains I have been. And currently I can picture some trails on my road to ML. --- And I stay honest to the management board of any organisation where I have been, that I have both flaws and improvements; and whether they can accept me for the journey ahead. Trying and trying, until one finds out what can be kept and what can be changed. That's the compass that drives me through ups and downs, not only in career but in general.

"Unlock boundless opportunities for global collaboration and academic excellence by joining our prestigious international student network. Expand your horizons, enrich your academic journey, and foster meaningful partnerships with peers from around the world. Together, let's create a transformative experience that transcends borders and cultivates a dynamic community of innovative thinkers and global leaders." #linkedin #linkedincommunity #immigrationexperts #canadavisaconsultant #advanceimmigrations #visa #studyvisa #canadaprvisa #abroadvisa #touristvisa #spousevisa #recruiting #chef #accounting #accountant #hotelmanagement #hoteljobs #health #healthcare #engineering #architecture #engineering #marketing #sales #marketing

In 2017, I received the words in this screenshot from the mother of an ex-colleague. Nearly 8 years later, I still find myself revisiting these words and thinking of that story. The story that helped shap both my career and my life. At that time, I was working in Singapore under a terrible manager, someone who was racist, unknowledgeable, irresponsible, and cruel. He had a habit of threatening to fire people, especially junior employees, over minor mistakes. One day, a junior paid media specialist on my team made a small error that resulted in an overspend of less than $2 (I still remember the exact amount). My manager immediately sent an email, threatening to fire her if it happened again. I knew I had to stand up for her. I confronted him and made it clear that his behavior was completely unacceptable. He didn’t take it well, and it ended up costing me my job. He went to HR and gave them an ultimatum: either I leave or he would. They forced me to resign, but honestly, I was ready to go. Within weeks, the entire marketing team either quit or was foreced to leave somehow, and the Singapore office was shut down. His toxic leadership drove everyone away. The words from my colleague’s mother really came true: after leaving that company, I had the privilege of working with some of the best teams and leaders across the globe, at Adobe, Skyscanner, Curvature, THG, and now Amazon, where I’m about to celebrate my 3rd anniversary in few days. The biggest lesson I learned is that standing up for what’s right is always worth it, even if it comes at a cost. Eventually, things will fall into place. Titles and companies don’t define your career; it’s the people you work with and those who have your back that truly matter, and it is really about people and I consider myself quite lucky that since that situation I find myself working with just amazing people I’m incredibly grateful for everyone I’ve met along the way. Thank you all!

🚀𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻!🇯🇵🇪🇺 Curious about what it's like to work in Japan? Our latest article dives deep into the experiences of three European interns who spent two transformative months in Tokyo. From navigating cultural differences in the workplace to embracing the dynamic city life, this piece highlights how working in Japan can shape you both personally and professionally. 🌟𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: • The challenge of finding yourself in a new and totally different, yet rewarding, environment. • The impact of Japanʼs cutting-edge technology on young professionals. Immersion in Tokyoʼs vibrant yet contrasting culture. • Reflections on how this experience can give you a competitive edge in your career. If you are a professional possibly interested in a position in Japan, this article offers valuable lessons and inspiration. 📝Read more: https://lnkd.in/gwrJbF-K

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