Why I Choose PTD As My Career?

I entered the working world right after my final exam during the final year at university (in April 1998). My first job was with a private company. As a matter of fact, I choose private sector to start my working career because I had a perception that working in the government sector was not challenging and it was a low pay job. But, deep inside my heart I still wanted to settle my career life in the government, may be after 10 years of experience in the private sector. One of the reasons was because government job receives pension.

However, the government job came up early. I was offered the PTD job in December 2002 at the age of 28. Actually, when I received the offer letter, I couldn't decide whether to accept or decline it. There were two factors that shrouding my mind judgement. First, if I were to accept it, the pay was so low as compared to what I was earning at that time. It was close to RM1,000.00 lower! Second, if I were to decline, I believed I would not make a cut should I apply for the PTD job again. The hurdles of PTD recruitment processes that I had gone through (written test, PAC, interview) made me fully appreciative that PTD was not an easy job to get. So, I tendered my resignation letter with 30 days notice to my former employer and accepted the PTD offer.

The above two reasons are the disturbing elements in my decision process of either to quit the current job or accept the new job. Actually I have other important factors which directed me to choose PTD as the top preference when I applied for government job particularly the PTD. Why? The answers are as below:-

1. I had a strong belief that PTD could provide better opportunities for career advancement and brighter prospects as compared to private sector;

2. Variety of working nature, different types of jobs and assignments in public sector;

3. Exposure to people from all walks of life and the opportunity to interact with different level of groups such as public servants, private companies' employees and the society;

4. Chances to further study with the costs are fully sponsored by the government;

5. I had a perception that a position in a government office actually comes with a "big power". Which I will be able to exercise that power to correct the weaknesses in the government administration systems especially on the issues concerning corruptions and misused the power for personal gains; and

6. Long term career stability.

My journey through PTD path started with big sacrifices. My monthly salary was reduced by RM1,000.00. It took almost two years for me to adjust my monthly expenditures. I lost seniority even though I had more than 4 years working experience but it was not counted in determining my starting salary as a new PTD. I earned RM1,733.59 a month excluding allowances and epf deduction. The net take home salary was around RM1,800.00. I also had to foregone some non-monetary benefits that I enjoyed with the former employer such as 17% epf, 4% housing loan, interest free computer loan, excellent medical and dental coverage and free internet account.

Nevertheless, I was convinced that I would achieve a great success in the government sector as long as I work hard, committed and sincere to serve the nation and of course I have to be an excellent PTD officer all the time.

EXCLUSIVE:  Most of the readers will not miss to read the article below. A very insightful words written by a PTD on How to become a PTD, How a PTD thinks, speaks, teamwork, leads and handling the pressures. A must read if you are interested in becoming a respectable PTD!

PTD aspirants WAJIB/MUST read this PTD The Premier Service and Glamour Civil Servant