Career trajectory is hardly ever in a straight line. Sometimes a brilliant career opportunity lands on your lap when you are least expecting it and sometimes life event occurs which might just slow down your career.
When I moved back to Malaysia in 2017 after almost 3 decades of living abroad, many questioned me whether it was a wise decision. My HR Director was baffled because she said most Malaysians are wanting to move abroad instead of moving back. My sister in law didn’t think I can survive in the Malaysian work culture because I’ve never worked here before. I also heard people gossiping that I was not performing well in the US and that’s why I was banished back to Malaysia.
I moved back by choice. I chose to come back to look after my mother who was slowly aging and visibly getting more frail. I chose to come back even though my pay was reduced by A LOT compared to what I was earning in the US.
Today I am genuinely truly happy with my decision. I love working in Malaysia with my team who are full of young ambitious and talented individuals. I love connecting again with the culture of Malaysia, the food, the people, the scenery. Most importantly I love the time I did have making happy memories with my mother. That was priceless.
