They say that you are molded by the things you experience during your journey through this so called "life". Some would say you'll be spending half or even more of your time breaking your back to quench the unquenchable thirst for material things. And how do we do it? We find work...
Read more to know me after work experience.
Sometime it's hard not to let your working environment dictate who you are.
I’m currently writing this on a laptop provided by the new company that I have worked with in just one and a half month.
For some this might not be much, but for me, having a laptop has a certain status attached to it. Most companies here in the Philippines, only the he highest-ranking such as executives, managers, etc., have the privilege to have a laptop at their disposal, which of course is provided by their respective companies.
But I’m not an executive nor a manager… I actually feel like I’m back to square one with my career. In my previous job I was a Supervisor, now I’m back to level one with an okay salary, but nothing compared to my former one.
I’m not saying that I’m not grateful, I am. In a community, with the majority of what you see are hectares of sugarcane, with only 2 malls (you’ll finish exploring both in an hour), and the high paying jobs are with the government (you need someone with a political position to back you up in order to even dream of applying) , having a job like mine is a rarity.
The company I’m working with now is relatively new in the country. Around 2 other companies are listed, according to my reliable friend Google, with the same industry as ours. It’s a power plant that turns biomass (sugarcane in our case) into electricity! How cool is that? Take that coal!
Anyway, I’m heading way ahead of myself. Let’s back track on how I got here in the first place…
I’ve been away from my hometown for my education and then for my career for nine years. As a graduate in BA-Human Resource Development Management (a mouthful) in one of the most prestigious schools in the country and in flying colors (cum laude, ahem), I thought finding a job would be a breeze. Turns out after weeks sending it hundreds of resumes, I am in bed crying because I felt so incompetent.
Turns out post-graduation depression is a real thing.
From the 5 Signs You’re Experiencing Post-Grad Depression article on hermcampus.com, says that post-graduation depression can be felt for days, even for a year after getting the sought out diploma.
After college, I went back to my hometown to get that well deserve rest. Honestly, I didn’t have any plans at all. How envious I was in hearing my classmates talk about where they want to apply, what they’ll do with their first pay, what car they’ll buy, etc. I said to myself “Wow, they already figured out the rest of their lives.” and here I am, eating my heart out on our comfy sofa watching Anime. Turns out, too much freedom could rot your brain! There’s no structure in your life. You feel so unfulfilled, wasting your days as a lazy sloth.
Days passed, then months. After 6 months, I decided to go back to the big city, as my mother and I decided I have limited opportunity in a small province. I can’t say that it was rainbows after that. I still felt hopeless and rejected after so many interviews and no call backs. Here you’ll ask me, what advice can I give you for you to survive. Well….nothing really. Job hunting is equal parts luck, prayers and experience. Experience in the sense of how you answer the questions that the interviewer would like to hear. (I’m saving this for another article, wink-wink).
After almost a year I finally landed my first job as a Recruitment Specialist in a recruitment/outsourcing, somewhat a start-up company with a small workforce. As I can recall, our team was only around 12 when I first started.
The usual protocol followed, the senior staff would share the ropes to the juniors and three days later the senior staff decided to boycott the company due to salary disagreements and left without even saying a word.
Yes, it really did happen. And boy, it was a mess. It was good thing that my fellow newly hires took up the challenge in being self-efficient and we formed our own support group. As a fresh graduate, who is relatively telephone shy, an introvert and have a baby voice, constantly interviewing different people every day, was not easy.
Truly, my workmates had been a gift. We formed such a close bond that even now, four years after we left our previous company, we still consider each other as friends. I was never ashamed to cry in front of them. My sisters of different mothers, my “prettify” mates in the restrooms and my confidants, they have taught me that learning should never stop even after college. Learning something new could help you get that sense of fulfillment, something you were able to accomplish. Also, giving assurance and showing your appreciation not only can make other people’s day, it also feels good. A simple “I’m here for you” and a “Good job” goes a long way.
Often, we take for granted the little things people do that makes them extraordinary.
Like being able to submit reports three days ahead of time or to understand how to use a new online app, or even go through the whole day not tempted to browse Youtube. Lastly, and the most important thing I learned and I put into practice until now is: when the comfort of your friends and family is not enough, always return to God and when you do, He will let you meet treasured brothers and sisters who will help you strengthen your bond with Him. With them, I was the better version of myself.
Leaving was such a heartache. However, with a small team, the corporate ladder was too short. If I wish to grow, then I need to find a bigger company. I was the first to say goodbye. And after a few months, my batch mates began to leave one by one. I’m not saying that I was the one who influenced them to leave. For months we have been sharing our frustration with our manager who was always not around and with a bit of an attitude, and we all felt stuck. We wanted more from our careers.
When you feel that there is no longer excitement when you go to the office, that tasks are redundant, you don’t feel accomplished even after you sent your quotas a day before the deadline and the almost two hours of commute going to work is not worth it anymore , then it’s a good sign that you need to start updating your CV.
I have to thank my cousin for my second job. When I said a bigger company, I never thought that I would be working for a multi-company with around 20, 000 manpower. The biggest manufacturing company for a famous international brand in the city. I was in awe. I thought, this could be the company that could offer me many opportunities. New learnings, growth, higher salary and a trip to abroad maybe? My eyes was shining with possibilities. I was ready to start and when I did, well… it was underwhelming.
I was the first ever Training Coordinator, meaning a little or to no procedures or guidelines at all. It was like my first job all over again. I have to learn or to come up with new procedures with a bit of help or on my own. I found joy again. I met people, I joined and facilitated trainings and I became an official trainer. I was praised by external auditors due to my innovation and organization. My officemates are a lot of fun. I think we are the only department with a secret rice cooker in our office as we looove to eat!
But I don’t think I’m lucky with managers. I had been under a great boss for a couple of months and then he was transferred to another factory. He was replaced with someone who often wasn’t there and keeps on depending on our supervisor.
I love my supervisor. When she got sick and she was bedridden for three months, we pretty much fell apart.
A question for you: “Do you rather have an awful boss, but love your job?” Or “An awesome boss but a job you hate? “
“Let’s also throw in: “Awful office mates but high salary “ or “Great office mates but low salary”. They say you can’t have everything so often you have to choose or (my personal favorite) office mates don’t pay your bills! With my first job, my office mates become my family, but I wanted growth and a higher income so I left. With my second, I had good office mates, good salary, but it didn’t give me any growth.
The feeling of being stuck began to creep in. I began to feel bored. Trainings had begun to be ordinary and not inspiring anymore. I began writing my resignation letter.
Goals are everything and I finally found mine. I found my motto “Keep moving Up”. If I can’t feel I’m learning or I don’t see a good future outcome by staying with the company, then I’m out. Okay, this seems to be harsh or decisions based on “feelings” but there are signs on how to identify if the company you are with will invest in you, as an employee and as a partner in success. (This again will be another article).
In answering to my question above: Having a good boss can make a BIG difference!
And this was the main reason why I can’t have the growth that I’m looking for. My boss just didn’t care. She was not around all the time, she’ll punch in and leave and return at five to punch out. She’s absent during audits, doesn’t know our procedures and mountains of paperwork not done because of her. Good managers will support you and share their knowledge with you. They are the ones who will be happy that they made someone become successful even more than themselves. This wasn’t the case for my boss. She’ll happily take credit of your hard work.
And here comes a new boss. With his fresh ideas, big plans and plenty of work experience he graciously shares. I tore down my resignation letter and wished hard that I’ll be transferred to his department.
I finally understood the saying “Be careful what you wish for.”
It was only two months when I heard the rumor that the higher ups are not sure with this new manager. I was broken hearted. I had high hopes that this manager will be the one to open new doors for me. How I prayed every night that the big bosses will let him stay.
Later I was promoted. I was one of his supervisors under his department. Somehow, I wasn’t as happy as I thought I would be. Not far ahead, I realized that it was an omen that things weren’t going to be what I wished for.
End of Part 1
Click me for Part 2
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