I Quit My Job As A Lawyer In M’sia And Worked As A Nursery Worker In New Zealand. I Don’t Regret It One Bit
After completing university, I initially planned to work in Kuala Lumpur, but the lawyer salary is low and after my calculation, I decided to return to my hometown, Malacca as I can save more living with my parents.
Unfortunately, after being called to the bar in 2021, there were no vacancies for litigation lawyers, so I became a conveyancing lawyer instead.
I decided to apply without hesitation when I learned about the opening of New Zealand’s Working Holiday Visa application. Facing my parents’ lack of understanding, I carried the pressure and arrived in New Zealand, never regretting my decision.”
Lee Jia Ying graduated from law school in 2018, obtained her license in 2019, and completed her internship in 2020.
After being called to the bar in 2021, she worked as a conveyancing lawyer for a year and nine months before resigning and moving to New Zealand.
Jia Ying now works as a nursery worker in the horticulture industry.
This article explores her journey from being a lawyer in Malaysia to working in agriculture in New Zealand.
A Road Not Taken
Jia Ying decided to study law and later established her law firm. However, after almost two years of working in the legal field, she resigned and pursued a different path in New Zealand.
She initially wanted to work in litigation, driven by her passion for justice and human rights. However, she was unable to find a litigation job in Malacca and settled for a position in property and real estate law.
It was not my dream job and I felt powerless as I worked longer. Some of my colleagues who have worked for many years are still doing the same as I was doing.
For me, it’s mostly about not being able to see a path for myself, going through life in a busy and hazy manner, feeling the need to break free from this cycle and deeply reflect on whether or not I truly enjoy this industry.”
Besides, Jia Ying had always wanted to work abroad but could only pursue this dream after COVID-19 restrictions eased.
However, her decision to move to New Zealand was met with mixed reactions from her family and friends. Some were concerned about her giving up her career, while others supported her pursuit of personal growth and new experiences.
Life at New Zealand
Jia Ying’s visa allows her to stay in New Zealand for a year (part of New Zealand’s government special visa extension) and she’s able to extend it for another three months if she works in agriculture or horticulture.
