It’s my 3rd anniversary in the working world. Hooray! Can you believe it? I am a three-year old adult now. Looking back, it wasn’t as easy as my fresh graduate self 3 years ago had expected. The road was full of twists and turns but hey, I am still alive and surviving. Congratulations, self.
So, to celebrate this adult thing achievement, I would like to dedicate this post and share 10 things I wish I knew before joining the workforce. I don’t know all the answers to your questions but I hope to help some of the young people on what to expect in life after stepping out the university and entering the “real” world.
Here are the lessons I’ve learned so far in the past 3 years:
- Start from the bottom.
It doesn’t matter if you graduated at the top of your class or your thesis got the highest grade. Whatever is in your resume, face the reality that you are inexperienced have no worth yet. It’s easy to think that you deserve a managerial position right away but let’s get one thing straight: everyone starts at the very bottom before they climb their way up to the corporate ladder. Walang nasa top agad-agad. Landing on your “dream job” doesn’t happen overnight. It requires a lot of time and effort; not to mention that there are more experienced individuals out there who have the same goal as you and they are probably even better than you. So please, tame down your ego and proceed to my second point.
2. Be a sponge.
Yes, you graduated from college. That’s an achievement, I know. But let’s admit it, you don’t know everything. You just came out of your shell and still a newbie to this new environment. From the way you speak, the way you dress, the way behave, the way you write emails, the way you answer phone calls, the way you handle irate clients and a whole lot more. You still have a tremendous amount of things to learn. Grab every opportunity to better yourself because it help you advance in your career in the long run. Listen to your superiors and rub elbows with accomplished people by attending events, seminars and social functions. Observe how they think and operate. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Find a mentor who can help you set career goals, resolve difficult work problems and make wise career decisions.
I was at the Philippine Marketing Association’s 2nd General Membership Meeting
With Philippine Daily Inquirer’s assistant sports editor Francis Ochoa during the Effective Writing seminar.
3. Money is never easy.
I don’t even know how to start explaining that your hard-earned money cannot afford all your “wants” in life. Your entry-level salary is just enough to cover your meals, transportation, load, toiletries, your bills and other financial obligations. Minsan short pa nga, eh. It can be painful everytime you see a huge bulk is always taken away from your salary for taxes, SSS, Philhealth, Pag-ibig, and the like. Saving up can be really difficult. Learning how to budget your finances is a MUST. Welcome to adult life!
4. Let go of the ones who got away.
Just because you’re inseparable during college days doesn’t mean you have to be friends until after graduation. If your friends want to keep in touch, they will make a way no matter how busy their life gets. Someone’s disappearing act is not worth the chase. Part of being a mature adult is accepting the reality that some people will just walk in and out of our lives. Wala talagang forever, b3h!
My college buddies who remain my friends to this day.
5. Level unlocked: IMMORTAL.
Congrats! You are not a normal human being from now on. You’re a working immortal. So even when it is signal No. 2 outside, guess what? You still have to report to work just to earn another day’s wages. You have to brave the heavy rains, strong winds and flooded routes just to reach your workplace while others are sleeping safe and sound at their homes. I experienced to get stranded for looong hours and went home all wet with broken shoes (and heart). I’ll share with you my most traumatic typhoon experience on a different post some other time. 🙂 My lesson learned? Make sure to bring your umbrella, rain boots, slippers, rain coat and a lot of patience ALL THE TIME. Climate change in the Philippines, you know!
6. Document everything.
Workplace miscommunication and conflicts do happen. I realized the importance of paper trail when it comes to protecting myself from trouble, false accusations or blame. When a co-worker says one thing and you say another, it’s easy to tell who’s telling the truth if there’s a proof. So, for security purposes do not rely on verbal discussions only. Use email to follow up with your co-worker after you have asked him or her for the request in person or over the phone. Make a log book or a receiving copy and let them sign when they receive something from you.
Not everyone you will meet in the workplace can be your friend. I had a lot of bad experiences when it comes to interacting with work colleagues. No matter how much you try to be nice, patient and respectful, there will always be someone who will treat you otherwise. Professionalism calls for being friendly with everyone but it doesn’t mean you have to invest emotions. Choose the people who you open up to and limit the things you would tell them so you won’t suffer disappointments and betrayal at the end. Of course, I don’t mean to generalize. I’m sure you can still find someone who has the purest intention and genuine concern for you but believe me this is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
With my former boss, mentor and friend Ms. D and colleague Joana
8. Maintain a work-life balance.
Deadlines, urgent reports, meetings, corporate events. The demands of work can be physically and emotionally draining. You’ll get tired, you’ll cry and that’s okay. Take a break and rest. Recharge from the things that makes you happy and alive. Choosing to devote all your time and energy to your work over the things that matter most- your health, your family, your lovelife, even your time for yourself – is not really worth it, believe me. Your job is not your WHOLE life! Learn how to balance your time.
Bonding time with my churchmates.
Regular dates with bf
Family outing
9. “If you try to fit in, you’ll disappear”.
I hate to say this but office politics is oftentimes a dirty game. Never let the bad system corrupt what’s good in you. In a world where everyone is willing to do anything just to get ahead, aim to be the better person. Do not take the credit for something you did not work for. Always act with integrity even the people around you don’t. Stay true to your values and do not compromise your principle. Take it from John Llyod’s father in the movie “It Takes a Man and a Woman”, “Sa kagustuhan nating maging pinakamagaling, nakakalimutan natin maging mabuti.” It’s okay to be competitive at work as long as you fight a clean fight. Need I say more?
You saw on Facebook that someone in your college batch is employed in a multinational company, has an intimidating job title, and receiving double your salary. And here you are, at a not-so-popular company and earning just enough to pay your bills. It can be a panic moment but here’s my advice: Do not let the pressure and frustration kill you- your dreams, your hope and trust in God’s perfect timing. (Read Ecclesiastes 3:11) You may still be too far from your career goals but you’ll surely get there as long as you don’t stop. Our efforts will never be in vain because He hears us, He sees us and above all, He knows what’s best for us. (Read Jeremiah 29:11)
So there you have it! The list could go on but it’s true that experience is the best teacher. Explore what’s in store for you and don’t be scared of the things you’ll encounter along the way. Yes, the struggle is real but I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it soon.
I hope I shed some light to the younger ones who are about to join the workforce. To those who are more experienced in the working world, please feel free to share your career tips so I can learn from you too! 🙂