When I was given the opportunity to go to site as a Field Engineer, I had hitherto caulked up three and half years of design experience only. It was rare for one with such limited experience to be sent to site I was told. Mind you; we're talking about the oil & gas industry.
My manager called me up to his office one fine day in the month of June. After exchanging pleasantries, he went straight to the point and inquired If I was interested in going to site to work. Apparently my mentor had just finished his one-year contract and desisted in extending his term.
This created an opening which needs to be filled and the senior engineers who were working in this project did not want this assignment. He assumed that the work should be almost completed and he exclaimed; " Only, Close out! Should be no big issues."
I was overjoyed, I had just started thinking of going to get some site experience. It's a prerequisite to getting the P.Eng examinations anyway. And here this fine offer just falls into my lap. God must love me and the stars aligned together with the moons.
But there were some doubts in my mind and I asked him, "Really? Only close out?" Of course I wasnt expecting an answer any different. Its not like he's gonna go, Ohh, I lied just to get your attention. Actually blah blah blah. Nevertheless, there are somethings that has to be said to show a record of it.
I agreed.
So August came, and the last week before departure was a mess. I only received the confirmation that I was definitely going a week before the departure date. And within that time, I had to obtain the visa and work permits, health checks and of course to settle personal affairs.
Alas, we managed to get it all sorted out in time. We being the project secretary and myself. She was an immense help who managed to ease the confusing process.
August 12 2015, I boarded MH752, bound for Hanoi taking the next step up on the ladder of my career with nothing but my balls and my brains(some).
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