A lot of younger individuals nowadays express concern that their earnings only manage to cover essential costs of living. They often complain about being burdened with challenging responsibilities but receiving minimal compensation due to their supposed lack of experience.
|
|
Office workers who are young adults. Stock image courtesy of Pexels. |
Fiveteen years back, I found myself in a similar position. Straight from university, I saw many of my peers land jobs via family ties, securing salaries of around VND4-5 million (approximately US$157-196) monthly, which was quite substantial at that time.
Without these connections, I had to explore the job market solo. Following many interviews, I secured a professional position in Ho Chi Minh City; however, the salary amounted to only VND2.2 million monthly. Almost half of this sum vanished into rent, totaling VND900,000. Obtaining a high-paying role without contacts proved challenging, thus I reassured myself saying, “I’ve got a job at least. Asking for more would be greedy.”
Each morning, I would have a sticky rice pack for VND2,000 prior to going to my job. For lunch, I relied on the company canteen, and in the evenings, I'd cook at home. There were occasions when my partner, who later became my spouse, would bring meals and prepare dishes for me. It wasn’t easy, yet I persevered.
After two years, my spouse and I managed to save approximately VND10 million. Using this amount, I launched a modest clothing enterprise. Those initial times were tough, yet with diligent effort, the venture slowly stabilized over time.
By late 2017, I managed to save up enough money to start a private nursery school—a concept proposed by my spouse, who works as a pre-school educator. Initially, everything went well for the venture. However, when the pandemic hit due to the coronavirus outbreak, we were forced to shut down operations. This left me burdened with debts amounting to hundreds of millions. It was only then that I fully grasped the reality of being someone deeply indebted.
Following the pandemic, I went back into the fashion industry, whereas my spouse restarted her teaching career to assist us in getting back on track. We put in relentless effort, and by the middle of 2023, we managed to clear all our liabilities.
Currently, I am getting ready to relaunch the kindergarten, looking forward to a new beginning.
Reflecting on the last 15 years, I recognize that my biggest blessing wasn’t wealth; it was having my resilient spouse beside me. Regardless of how challenging situations became, surrender was never considered by either of us.
For those just beginning their careers, don’t allow a modest initial paycheck to deter you. Remain steadfast, put in your best effort, and ultimate achievement will come your way.
Post a Comment