I had the privilege of participating in a conference as the second author of my colleague's research paper. The organizers sponsored my trip, which was the first in my life. I initially sought permission from my management by sending a request via email, but unfortunately, I did not receive a response.

Undeterred, I decided not to miss this valuable opportunity and sent my confirmation letter to the conference organizers. To ensure that I could attend, I applied for unpaid leave, attaching all the necessary conference participation documents. When I returned from the conference with my certificate, prominently displaying my University's name, I proudly shared my experience with a post in our group and a reflection on LinkedIn.

However, upon receiving my salary for that period, I noticed a complete deduction, equivalent to the unpaid leave I had taken. It was quite disheartening to see my salary reduced in the manner I had anticipated when requesting leave.

During the conference, I had the opportunity to meet people from other countries and establish a connection with a university in XYZ. They expressed their interest in signing a Memorandum of Understanding between my university and theirs. Eager to make the most of this opportunity, I promptly reached out to our Chancellor and Vice Chancellor upon my return through email.

Unfortunately, my proactive efforts were met with the usual silence, as I received no response. I have come to understand that large organizations often have a highly technical and impersonal approach to communication with employees. This experience highlighted to me that my contributions to the organization and professional achievements may not always be adequately acknowledged.

While I understand that I receive precisely what I have negotiated and decided for myself, there is a lingering sense of frustration and unfulfilled expectations that I must grapple with.