Year 2022
Year 2021
Year 2019
Year 2018
Year 2017
Year 2016
Year 2015
Year 2014
Year 2013
Year 2012
Year 2011
Year 2010
Year 2009
Year 2008

JUNE 2013

Why I rejected AirAsia and Singapore Airlines' offer

Chia Soon Guan

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING (HONS) MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING

BATCH MARCH 2011

 

We were frequently asked of our dreams when we were young. I went on a 'dream hopping' spree every year until the day I finally decided to be a pilot after experiencing a sense of freedom in the sky. Well, of course the fact that I will be paid handsomely to do so remains sexy to this day.

Being a pilot is not as easy as it seems. Local airlines literally receive thousands of applicants each year and I need to have a competitive advantage in order to stand out from the crowd. After much consideration, I enrolled into UTAR's engineering program knowing that I'll be in safe hands. Sure enough, the structured course allowed me to learn necessary skills required to fuel my passion. A few months after graduation, I received offer from AirAsia and Singapore Airlines. It was a dream come true for me. (I even got to shake the hand of my idol, Tony Fernandes)

When I was waiting for news from the airlines, I was working with an internet start-up Carlist.my. Carlist.my owns and operates Malaysia's No. 1 car site. During my time there, I learnt a great deal about internet start-ups. At the same time, the notion of building something that could benefit the community as a whole excites me. I began to realise how I can leverage on the internet to bring value to the community.

Even so, it was a tough choice to be made because I was not ready to let go of my childhood dream. I had no clue which path will bring me greater satisfaction too. I recalled my learnings from the book 'The Last Lecture'. What I realize was that I am capable of doing much more than piloting. I was also surprised to learn that pilots hardly get to spend good time with family and friends, something I clearly do not want to give up.

Finally, I decided to reject the offer from AirAsia and Singapore Airlines to take on the challenge at Carlist.my. The learning curve was extremely steep, I constantly find myself working out of my comfort zone - taking up bigger challenges along the journey (of course it involves a lot of mistakes too!) but the start-up environment allowed me to make mistakes and learn from them quickly. The journey with Carlist.my was great as the company has successfully gone IPO in the Australian stock exchange (ASX) under iCar Asia umbrella.

My friends called me an idiot for rejecting the offer from both airlines. Looking back now, I must say I didn't regret the decision I made. I am happy with where I am today because I am on track to realize my dream one step at a time. It may be tough but it's definitely worth it.