From PeyUPs to IBMer - 3 years & Still Going Strong!

Three years ago I graduated from University of the Philippines with a Degree in Biological Sciences. The hardships of being a Peyups student gad paid off. But the challenges for me just started. One fact then, I was once a contributor of the unemployed community.

I was reluctant to be in the metro because I feel that it will be toxic for me to have a job here. My stop? the nearby province. My companion? My degree and my bes buddy Phillip that graduated with the same degree. My gears? A bag full of semi-casual get up, five thousand in my wallet, my well made soft- binded curriculum vitae and a confident heart.

That was May 11 when we started venturing out to Antipolo City, Baguio City and Los Baños. We will try the UP Magic there (what is it? if you have the Magic, you will be hired in decent job within a month, lolz). Well the first thought that I want to be is to be a teacher in a Medical Affiliated school to have free medical sponsorship.

I had a lot of fun, we were able to stay to Baguio for 5 days to our dear friend Venny and went to Agnez'z house in Antipolo. The money that I earned from my student Assistant post in Veterinary Medicine Residence Hall (VMRH) are well spent.

The sad thing is I always make it in the final phase, then to be dropped from the list because of lack of merits ( Masters' Degree or teaching experience). Imagine, a handful of school names did not intend to add me on their lists.

After these series of event's I decided to go to Manila, I passed resumes and never heard anything after the final interviews.

Feel so down then - I want to help my parents and siblings and to return the love and support they gave me. I want to prove to myself that I am worth the buzz. My buddy Phillip already went home by the last days of May to pursue the position that their family-owned school had given him.

At the back of my mind, I'm already feeling like the magic is not in me. Depression and anxiety ate me up. Then my Motorolla C651 phone rang, it's my bestfriend Mariel, asking me to accompany her to a call center interview. I went online in a computer shop in LB and chat with her. Then I submit online my resume, half-heartedly, to a call center that I never heard of. I have nothing against having a job in a call center but i want to make used of the things I learned in my UP days (and I want to go to Med School).

That day is the turning point in my life. I had a deal with myself. This is the last phase of my UP Magic Journey. If I didn't make it, it is not meant for me. I'll be going home and prepare again to my next journey. I'm a pushy guy. I learned to play the cards up to the last piece before the win or the draw lots. There's no looser in my game, but learners.

That was June 6,2005. What I got? My best friend, my bulky travel bag (wore my last pair of clean clothes), photocopy of my resume and Php 200. We went to Convergys but did not made it after the second phase. Maybe the one who's reading this can relate - the call simulation? never done that and I have no idea of what this industry is about. I'm here for my Bezzie but since she persuaded me to take chances, well i ended up defeat of lack of knowledge for the craft.

She had to go back there after 45 days because she applied there before and forfeit her employent due to her schooling. We ate at a fast food resto in Makati when she tried to comfort me. I just ate a burger and a drink - one becasue I do not have money and I lost my appetite after that experience. I wanted to go then, but she said that if we did not make it to Daksh, then it is the end of the road.

A deep breathe and we went to PBCom 32nd floor. From 2pm to 9 pm of nerve wracking and tongue twisting interviews and assessment. At first i feel bad because they are not giving me a white paper (then I realized that those people who had it never came back, I'm still in). From hundreds of applicants we were down to 25. I'm really hungry and not feeling well because of the stress. Then, my best friend made it, she will sign her contract the next day. I was the last one to be called. And the final interview went well and I nailed the Job!


---=== tired of typing i'll just continue this later! == ---