As jobs are a top concern for Singaporeans in the Covid-19 crisis, TODAY’s Voices section is publishing first-hand accounts from jobseekers in which they reflect on their experiences and what keeps them going.

In this instalment of Jobseekers’ Diaries, Madam Dolly Channa talks about how she took a while to adjust to life back in Singapore and to finally get a suitable job. 

I left Singapore at the age of 18 in 2004 to do my bachelor and master degrees in Australia. Later on, I found a job there and became a chartered accountant in 2013.

I frequently felt homesick though, as I went through a challenging relationship and struggled with mental health.

I eventually ended my marriage and returned home in December 2019 as a single parent — hoping to reconnect with my family and friends, and to eventually land a job.

However, they were juggling their own lives and had little time for me. I felt lost and upset at times and turned to my son, who is now seven years old, and he became my pillar of strength.

When I returned to Singapore, I also approached the Member of Parliament of the constituency in which I live, to get help with my job search.

I was then referred to the Careers Connect unit of government agency Workforce Singapore, where I met my career coach, Grace.

Having no real work experience in the domestic job market here, it inevitably created much anxiety when I received rejections from prospective employers. 

She was empathetic towards my situation, worked on my resume and interview skills and constantly reassured me that the right opportunity would come along.

With the encouragement, I found a six-month finance contract job in January last year with an engineering consultancy firm.

Unfortunately, things got difficult at home when Covid-19 struck. The family had to be quarantined as my father came into close contact with Covid-19 patients. 

During the partial lockdown last April and May, I moved out of my parents’ home and stayed in a rental flat with my son.

I also ended my work contract in July, even though the firm offered me a permanent position, because I felt that my heart was not there.

I wanted to explore new opportunities but was unsure of my next steps, so I reached out to the career coach again. 

She gave me emotional support and inspired me to persevere. She helped to draw out my interest to help the less fortunate and to look for finance-related roles in the social service sector.

She also got me doing volunteer work to gain exposure in this sector.

After applying for close to 30 jobs over three weeks, I eventually secured a role in the finance unit of a social service organisation in August last year.

I enjoyed my new job, but the commuting time proved challenging as I often struggled to rush back to pick up my son from his day-care centre.

In September, I received a job offer as a senior accountant with an engineering firm and decided to take it up since it was nearer to my home.

Things have worked out well and I’ve started to settle down. 

I have a supportive boss and am pursuing a bachelor degree in psychology from the Singapore University of Social Sciences as I work towards being a clinical psychologist one day.

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Madam Dolly Channa, 35, graduated with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting during her time in Australia. She later returned to Singapore to find suitable employment in order to support herself and her son. She overcame several challenges in her personal and professional life to finally settle into a job as a senior accountant in an engineering firm.

If you are a jobseeker with a compelling story or know someone who wishes to contribute to this series, write to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.