JobSearch: an indepth look
For someone who has not had a vacation since 2000 (because of classes, summer jobs in my dad’s clinic, summer classes and other involvements) being temporarily unemployed is a cause of extreme boredom and a bit of dismay. My first job was as a receptionist/secretary at my dad’s clinic in the Caribbean. This was after sixth form college and before university. The year was 2000. I felt grateful to have parents who have introduced to me the value of work. During the time, however, I was not able to appreciate this. I was a bit scornful because of the fact that I had to wait for my younger brother to finish high school before I can go to university and study the course of my choice. Now, I look back at the long hours I worked (7:30am-7:00pm, Monday to Saturday) as practice…
When I was finally studying for my Bachelor’s degree, I was restless and went on to join extracurricular organizations. Eventually, I became President of the Supreme Student Government while maintaining a place in the dean’s list and taking a time-consuming, creativity-squeezing course, Digital Illustration and Animation. Right after graduation, I got a teaching job in the department of Digital Arts and Computer Animation.
In April 2007, I resigned after two semesters. I got married. Now, I am living in Manila, still thinking of the job I should go for. I know that I am going to pursue a Masters degree in Mathematics. I really want to so much. So, I have to get a job that will complement the course and at the same time, I have to make sure that I can handle both. It is the first time in my life that I have almost three months of vacation. It feels weird.
Enough about me. There are so many angles to explore when it comes to job search. My friends and former batchmates and classmates all contribute to how I see jobs. There were those who got what they want: a job they enjoy, is related to their field and is paying well. There were those who are 50/50: They either have a job related to their field and the pay is terrible OR they have a completely unrelated job that is paying for bills and more…
The thing is we cannot judge any of the above mentioned before we get to know what their situation is about. Many of my former classmates who do get a job related to their field may stick up their noses and snub those who got what they felt are inferior jobs. In my opinion, there are no inferior jobs unless they are illegal or are exploiting people. Take for example call centers, people think that it does not promote growth, that it makes people dull. However, think about it… Are you "growing" in your job of choice? Or are you sitting in front of a PC waiting for the day to be through so you can go home? chatting/gossiping with officemates? hogging the office phone? Before you judge other jobs, think of your own. What makes one not grow in call centers is not really the job itself. In fact, the people working for call centers practice problem solving skills and improve their EQ and people skills. The problem lies in the fact that some get stuck in this situation, content with getting a monthly salary and spending them all (the night life, the expensive goodies and electronics as rewards). But this is also true to other jobs. If I keep teaching the same thing to my students without researching for updated information, I am not growing. If I keep on drawing the same types of things everyday or keep on being given other people’s storyboards, am I really growing? TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST, WE ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN JUDGE FOR OURSELVES IF WE ARE "GROWING"…We may not understand a math teacher who remains one for so long, not being promoted to chairperson or dean but is happy to have learned a new technique to make students learn the subject better. We may not understand a graphic artist who smiles every time he sees his work used as a billboard ad because people do not really know that he made it; he gets paid less than 15k a month for what has given his company hundreds of thousands, even millions. We may not understand an actress who stops starring in blockbuster films to test her acting ability in indie. We may not understand a personal assistant who looks like a well-dressed maid but is happy with her job because she is the breadwinner of her family and is successful at that. We may not understand…so let us stop judging…
So how about my job search? I am actually considering a call center job. I think that it can support my desire to go for further studies. You may not understand…
