FirdausBinMohdAbdullah - Life Changing Decision

Life Changing Decision

Firdaus Bin Mohd Abdullah’s first choice of study and career was not in the field of early childhood teaching. Faced with a diagnosis of leukemia, Firdaus thought long and hard during the intense weeks in hospital when he underwent chemotherapy.
	In his own words, “one of my most difficult moments was during the early phase of my diagnosis lying in bed helplessly staring at the whirring fan above with all the IV drips attached to me. It then occurred to me that I can’t just be lying here all my life; I had to bounce back stronger than before. I thought, even if defeat was my only option, it was too early for me to call it quits.” His life changing decision? He wanted to be a doctor, there was no way anyone would deny him the dream. He wanted to study medicine, become a doctor and help patients and ease their pain, the way his doctors helped him.
One particular doctor, Dr Allen Yeoh, however, gave him a different perspective. Dr Yeoh told him that the more important thing was to think of how he should carve a niche for himself and be different and unique, so that his skills would be sought after. The advice was not only sound but also practical, as it turned out that Firdaus did not make the cut for junior college (a prerequisite to applying for a medicine course in university), but his grades were good enough to see him to Polytechnic. The blessing in disguise was even better as his choice of Early Childhood Diploma, at the School of Humanities & Social Sciences (HMS) at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, was accepted.
Firdaus not only enjoyed his course at HMS, but found the calling even stronger. The ECH diploma studies helped to further stimulate and strengthen a sense of empathy for young children, and created in him a responsibility to nurture the character values of his young charges. He also found good friends to take the highs and lows, and lecturers who provided support and advice. After his ORD from National Service, opportunity knocked. He was offered a part-time position doing admin work at the Mujahdin Mosque Kindergarten (MMKindy) in September 2014. After three months, he was offered a teaching position the same kindergarten, and he has been there since, enjoying nurturing and developing young minds. His parting shot for potential students considering a career in the early childhood sector: Always have the intention of helping and benefiting others, and follow the examples of your own good teachers.