This story originally appeared in the philippine daily inquirer on january 7, 1999.
”Lately, more and more of them are prowling tirelessly for the better deal, hunting down opportunities that will free them from the career imprisonment that confined their parents,” Margot Hornblower once wrote in Time magazine. A major daily recently featured an article on young graduates’ preference for freelance or part-time work over full-time jobs. Well, meet the latest to join the bandwagon. My batchmates in college considered me the most likely to succeed in everything. So it probably came as a surprise to them when they found out I’m doing freelance work. You know, part-time job, not having a full-time job, unemployed, for the bitchy ones.
Most young graduates grab the first job offer that comes their way. (With the present status of our economy, they can’t afford to be choosy.) They want to be a part of the workforce in a hurry even though they’re clueless as to the kind of job they really want. Some may be lucky with their first job, but the majority is not so fortunate, I believe. I stuck with my first job for three years because of the company’s good name. I later realized that this cannot compensate for the dissatisfaction, unhappiness and boredom that was tearing my whole persona. I even had recurring dreams for one whole year, dreams that I couldn’t understand at first but eventually interpreted to be saying: ”Go after your interest in life before it’s too late or else you’ll be missing the opportunities, Dearie.” That was it. I said, ”Hasta la vista, Baby” to my job without knowing where I would work next. I never had the chance to apply in other companies because I was so busy in my job. My family and friends were gracious enough not to question my decision. It also helped that I had ample savings to tide me over until I found the job.
Free time
It was surreal having all the free time in the world. I felt like an astronaut lost in space. I busied myself doing the things I took for granted when I was still working. I slept, ate and recharged. I visited my relatives and inaanaks, baby-sat my nephews, vacationed in Baguio, went to bookstores and art galleries, read novels and magazines, wrote journals, went out on dates, partied, bonded with my girl friends and revitalized my relationship with God. Before, I was always in a hurry, impatient and irritable over little things. Now, I learned to slow down, think straight and be more patient and appreciative of the simple things in life. Having rested for some time, I embarked on the search for the job. Never before had I been so aggressive. I applied on the Internet, read trade journals for new developments and expansions on the jobs I was targeting. I religiously went over the job ads in Sunday newspapers, spent thousands on stamps, Internet fees and long-distance calls and going to interviews. The search was quite tiring and daunting, but the feeling was great! Finally, I was doing something for my future. The responses from companies were very encouraging. I left my job feeling depressed and I was surprised at how highly my skills were valued by other companies. But I was careful and selective in picking a job. This was my second chance and I was determined not to blow it.
Different jobs
Right now, I am helping with our family business and accepting work on a per project basis. I am likewise representing a foreign-based company, my dream job actually which I patiently worked hard to get. There’s a possibility I might join it in the not so distant future. And I’m still open for another job. I don’t encourage everyone to plunge to bumness right away, since my experience may be different. This is my life and mine alone. You have your own destiny to chart. If you decide to take the path I have chosen, you should be ready–very ready. Have a strong faith in yourself and pray to God for guidance and strength in the most trying times because you will find out who your real friends are. Getting the solid support of family and friends’ help. Above all, never lose sight of your goals, for only you can make them happen. Dreaming is good but doing something to achieve your dreams is necessary. Looking back, I have no regrets despite everything that I had to go through. If it weren’t for those painful experiences, I would not be aware of what’s missing in my life. A friend who’s in a similar situation is having difficulty in explaining her career decisions to her mom. He mom is worried about the retirement benefits she’s missing, which are given only to full-time employees. My friend reasons that she wants variety in her life, something that she cannot get if she’s stuck with a full-time job. (I know that some companies in the United States provide a good package for their temporary or part-time employees. Some employees even work at home. But the Philippines is still light years away from following this trend. I hope we will catch up soon.) She’s currently holding two part-time jobs, and has more time to pursue her interests and enjoy her freedom.
More choices
We’ve heard stories of people sticking with their jobs for the longest time even though they feel miserable because they need the money to survive. I guess our generation is lucky to have more choices in life. My motto is: We only live once so we should seize the day and live the life we truly want. I used to dread meeting old friends and even new acquaintances. I didn’t know how to answer if they asked me where I was working. If you told them you’re a freelancer, they’d look at you with disdain as if you were a major loser. I was afraid that I didn’t live up to my friends’ high expectations. And I didn’t have all the time in the world to explain the story of my life to them. One good thing about my one-year of soul-searching is that it gave me the chance to overcome my personal demons and to realize that I didn’t need anybody’s approval. Now I know that I am the only one who’s accountable for my own life, no one else. I know in my heart that I am a competent performer with varied and exceptional skills. If people have a different view of my present state, that’s their problem, not mine.
Going great
Everything is going great for me. I treat every day as a challenge. I’ve learned to be humble enough ”To accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.” One thing is certain: I can’t picture myself stuck in an 8 to 5 job again. I don’t have any interest whatsoever in that kind of job regardless of how fat a paycheck I will get. I don’t want to miss out on living my life. That’s what humans are for, right?
Funny, but I even wrote a magazine to give advice to people to pursue one’s interest and dream job. It was even picked as ”Letter of the Month” and I won a cool new watch. Was this a good sign or what? Well, I thought to myself, there is no rule that says you have to have a full-time job to succeed. But one thing’s certain: my friends were right in thinking I was the person most likely to succeed. I am successful at going after my dreams with determination. The result? A life (job included) that puts a smile on my face every time I wake up in the morning. Like Alanis Morisette I can sing: ”I’m broke but I’m happy/I’m poor but I’m kind/I’m lost but I’m hopeful, Baby/What it all comes down to is that/everything’s gonna be fine, fine, fine/I’ve got one hand in my pocket/and the other one is giving a high five.”