From Lab Technician to Entrepreneur: 22 Years of Experience in Chemical Laboratory and Career Growth

Written by: Sunarta | Blog: http://www.bagi-bagiilmusunarta.com | 22 Years of Experience in Chemical Laboratory

Working as an employee for 22 years in a chemical laboratory has taught me many things. Not only about how to work in the lab, but also about how to survive, grow, and make big decisions in my career.

On my blog, http://www.bagi-bagiilmusunarta.com, I have written all of those experiences in detail. This article is a summary for all of you who are still working as employees today.

My Journey: From Graduating School to Moving From Company to Company

I started my career from zero after graduating from school. For 22 years, I moved from one company to another, with a tenure of 2 to 6 years in each company.

Every time I moved, Alhamdulillah, my position always increased. Not because I was smart on my own, but because there was a pattern that I followed. That pattern is what I want to share.

What Did I Learn During Those 22 Years?

1. Learning the Process From Basic to Expert

I was never ashamed to ask seniors who were more experienced. Starting from basic chemistry knowledge in the Polyester manufacturing process and other processes (please read this article: Industrial Polyester Process and How Laboratory Equipment Works), to the development of technology in different types of companies. I wrote down everything.

2. Learning to Build a Quality Management System

In several companies, I was trusted to help build a Quality Management System (ISO). From here I learned that work is not just about getting it done, but there must be a system so that the results are consistent (please read this article: Laboratory Quality Management System).

3. Learning to Motivate Other Employees

I was also once in a position where I had to motivate other employees to want to learn and grow. It turns out, the key to motivating others is that we must first set an example.

4. Facing Difficult Times: Layoffs and Retirement

A career does not always go up. I have also been in a position where I was about to retire and even experienced Termination of Employment (Layoff). This is where our mentality is tested.

One of the hardest tests for an employee is facing a layoff. It takes mental preparation and skills.

My Message to All Employees Who Are Still Actively Working

Through this article, I want to give a sincere message, especially to the younger ones who are just starting to work:

Use Your Work Time As Well As Possible To Learn.

Do not waste your time on things that harm yourself.

Do not waste your time on:

- Liking to gossip and talking about the bad things of your coworkers.

- Always complaining about the facilities provided by the company.

- Influencing other friends so that their work spirit becomes weak.

Believe me, 2-6 years in one company is very short. If that time is only used to complain, then when you move to a new company, you will not bring any knowledge with you. You will only bring bad habits.

But if you use that time to study the work environment, starting from the production process, the management system, and how seniors work, then that knowledge will become an expensive asset that cannot be bought.

The knowledge from your old workplace is what will increase your selling value when you apply to a larger company.

Retirement is not the end, but the beginning of a new work. Alhamdulillah, after 22 years as an employee, I am now still productive sharing knowledge through my blog http://www.bagi-bagiilmusunarta.com

For a complete guide, career success tricks, how to prepare yourself when you are about to change jobs, and how to learn from seniors, I have written it completely in the Laboratory Career Tips category on this blog.

Hopefully, my 22 years of experience can be a lesson. Stay enthusiastic, maintain honesty, and keep learning wherever you work.

And as a result of work experience, it is entirely possible for you to become an entrepreneur and own a large, bona fide company.