Learned A Lot; Lacks A Lot

Look at 29 Down. That serves as an initial inspiration for this article.

I encountered this clue as I answered a crossword puzzle from an issue of Dell’s easy crosswords I bought from Booksale for only P25.

#29, Down. Regretted deeply. Four letters.

Answer: Rued.

That word sank in my mind these past days, weeks, and months as I started charting the next stage of my life after academics.

The journey called college reached its finish line, and the party called graduation was over. I decided to give myself a break, going on a routine of reading, solving crossword puzzles, surfing the Net, watching sports and vlogs, as well as writing content for Dispatches. 

Soon, I was thrown into the reality of adult life, feeling the pressure to find work. I took little steps which seemed unseen by my family and everybody else. Then, I embarked on big steps, finally getting replies from companies, commuting to the offices themselves, being interviewed by bosses or other personnel. My list ranged from radio stations to start-up companies. Among this list, I got to two newspapers, a media intelligence company, and three marketing companies.

While my job hunting turned out to be a bit frustrating, every commute, application, and interview was fulfilling. And I learned a lot from it.

The Dream unmet

Let me start with The Dream. I have that Dream long before I graduated with a Bachelor degree in Communication Arts in UST. That really was the underlying reason why I got into the course, aside from CA being my first choice when I took the entrance exam four years ago; and aside from finding in it a block whom I “fell in love” with (shoutout to CA3!). 

I remember playing my cellphone’s FM radio during my rides on the bus, enjoying the music and the DJ’s on the stations—such as Retro 105.9 (which I miss, since they closed shop when I was about to graduate [Like FM’s a great concept, nonetheless]), 104.3 FM2, and 87.5 FM1.

Aside from that, I bought a book about radio I found in Booksale last year, and I decided to place it in a shelf above my desk, serving as an inspiration.

But that Dream seems far to reach.

For one thing, let’s just say that there are very little—if not hardly—vacancies. Moreover, I also realized how much I'm not that fit yet to go into that industry at the present. I knew for long that I have no experience so far. 

I only have my dream and interest, which fused to be my gas to send voice samples for one application. Unfortunately, I did not make it. Their reply: Not yet ripe for broadcast. And I humbly accept that.

I also sent my resume to another company, only to receive no replies (did the resume even reached the HR, manong guard?).

Open door in print

Thankfully, there’s Another Dream to consider—working for print. Besides, I have employed writing very often in my studies. And I have also regained that love for print in college, finding myself buying a copy of Philippine Star, Manila Times, or BusinessMirror, reading it on free time, and bringing it home.

After seeing a notice for openings in one paper, I sent my resume via e-mail. I saw it to be a promising launchpad for my career. But I received no response.

Then I saw a job opening in a business-oriented paper. And I was glad that they replied. I eventually took a set of exams, then was called for an interview.

Then came another opening. But this was something different. After taking an exam one day, I went for an interview there the following week—only to realize that I was not going for an interview. I went for a diagnosis. Let’s simply put that I was dumbfounded by my interviewer, a well-respected head. I encountered someone who saw my deficiencies in grammar, vocabulary, and reading. A big guy with a lot of experience banked on him faced this little individual with very little immersion in something like what he applied for. I no longer expected any positive news thereafter.

I felt I took the “ice bucket challenge”, realizing: ‘Ano ba ‘tong pinasukan ko?’ How relevant is the song released by content creator CongTV and his bandmates! Baliw nga ako.

I knew I already lost, and that's because—I reckoned—I already won somewhere. I am hired by the business paper as a special features writer. And I'm thankful for that. Finally, I've reached somewhere.

So what's my takeaway in all these? After applying for many companies, I realized one thing: experience, skill, and passion should jive with each other.

Passionate, but lacking in skill

I might have that passion to write or to broadcast, but I lacked the experience necessary for certain companies. I realized I am not yet on that caliber which will fit the arsenals of some media outfits.

Perhaps that is the con of being a commuter-student. While I could figure out ways in which commuting could improve you as a person, I cannot ignore the reality that a commuting student—with the daily responsibility of keeping a balance between academics and health—is somehow deprived of that opportunity to bank on experiences universities like mine are very rich of. That is what I've rued for. I missed those chances to have firsthand experience in doing a radio broadcast and play music, or cover events for a student publication (I only had one instance for such). Although that is my case, maybe in your case you can handle it—one organization, at least.

Thankfully, amidst all these, I landed in a  media outfit where my writing could be exercised as well as sharpened. And I'm very much grateful that they saw in me that potential to contribute to a paper's progress and relevance with the writing skills I'm blessed to have.

Enrolling, not applying

What now matters to me is that I finally have a work where I could finally accumulate experience. That is also what I heard from my relatives in a surprise celebration for my uncle—the word experience. In my case, that's the way to go up and move forward, just like playing Mobile Legends or Real Racing on your mobile device.

With that context, dear reader, I personally do not see jobhunting as merely applying for work. I was not simply looking for a company to jumpstart my career, as well as the rest of my life. I am looking for another school to enroll. Not that I am taking a job that is not even at the least related to my course; but whatever it may be, I am applying with a hunger for experience, training, learning, and purpose.

I have been chasing giants along my job hunt (and felt pressure to do so), only to realize that with the little resources I have, I can only handle little monsters. The heavy plates of big companies are too heavy for my little, inexperienced, unseasoned hands to carry. The way to go appears to be carrying a light, yet a golden, dumbbell.

I am very much thankful for the offers I received, that they have seen my potential in their company. Never have I thought that I'll be able to qualify in a media intelligence firm. How much more getting accepted by a newspaper?

As far as I am concerned, that Dream can wait. What matters for now is that I get moving and finally start my professional path, even if it is farther than the length of my commute in college (looking for a place to stay on weekdays, by the way).

I might have graduated as a student, but surely I will never stop from being one, only that I won't be able to avail the student discount anymore.

And as I finally start a career, I look forward to get a lot of learning while doing something I'm convinced will help me go places while still having fun. Hopefully, I will gain more and lack less.