Why I skipped my university convocation

Convocation. A time when graduates get together to celebrate 4 years of hard work in university. It is a celebration.

My convocation was supposed to take place in June 2020. I think I need not tell you why it didn’t happen.

In January 2021, I received an email from my university that against all odds, they would be holding a physical convocation. This is in part due to the Covid-19 situation being kept under control by Singapore, and also through stringent testing by the university for all convocation attendees.

Graduating amidst Covid-19 was very tough. It still is.

Having dual degrees in accountancy and data analytics, as well as a first-class honours, I never had too much consternation about the job prospects. Yet, when Singapore went into lockdown in April 2020, I was in the middle of final-stage interviews for at least 2 brilliant companies, and starting interviews with several others.

The more polite one had a HR staff call me to assure me that the interviews would resume at the earliest possible. The others simply sent an email or didn’t follow up. It was a tough time for everybody.

I have never been one to lament fate. My years of working hard in school taught me that hard work was the only key to success. Yet, I found myself trapped in a swirling cesspool of negative thoughts.

Why me? Why this time? I was encumbered by an extraordinary event that was impacting the world. It wasn’t just me. But deep down, it was really just me.

When a fish is caught and taken out from the water, it will continue to flap ferociously. It does so because not only because it is the only thing it can do, but also because it is what it knows it must do. And that is what mankind has been all about. We often make the best decisions and grow the most in adversity.

I have made bold choices and become much more than I was a year ago. I am working hard to produce a healthier snacking solution in Singapore for consumers, while working together with the less fortunate. Perhaps things would have turned out differently if not for Covid-19. It could have been better or worse. But we got to where we are today, and I am thankful for everything.

I sincerely wish all my friends and peers an eventful convocation. For me, I will just go doing my best every day.