Satisfaction... ...The Unspoken Reward

The months of absence have finally been broken with this post, not that I had the writer's block but work and family were really keeping me on my toes. Nonetheless, enjoy this piece for I have definitely enjoyed the process and of course the end of it.


Was assigned with an uphill task of teaching hospitality students all about accounting in just a semester. Armed with nothing, no notes nor precedence (of blending financial and management accounting), just my enthusiasm, I started out in April this year.


The beginnings were painful to say the least. Somehow accountants and hotelies see numbers differently and of course we were on collision courses very frequently. For one, the youngsters these days couldn't quite understand why the auntie in me is so fussy about discipline, timeliness, attendance, not to mention my love for numbers. They must have thought what a weirdo lecturer!

I recalled my first tutorial with an un-named class where the guys were really up in arms. But as I reflect, the animosity was probably due to frustrations on both end, their frustrations in not being able to understand and mine for not seeing tutorials attempted. The really ulu lecture room did us in as well; so dark and so uncondusive to learning.

But as the semester unfolded, I began to see their better side. Without a doubt, they were the brightest I have taught in 7 years and honestly if not for their intelligence, I would probably have more to explain about their results. Their seemingly uncouth mannerism was largely due to their eagerness to do well and to get things done fast. If only I had worn this different pair of lenses earlier.

The highlight for me was to witness their transformation during their project presentation. From knowing nothing about accounting to being able to blabber off ratios complete with their intepretation, analysis and comparisons of competing hospitality companies' financial health. Of course not forgetting they were all so well-dressed and well-spoken when answering those impromptu questions. WOW!

It leaves me to conclude that while I deserve my due satisfaction for playing a part in their financial and professional transformation, they deserve more than due credit. This is yet again another experience to reaffirm my choice in remaining in this profession, renumeration not pegged to market regardless.