My Career Lifeline

MY CAREER LIFELINE:

(Focus on what’s left not on what’s lost)

“I have been searching for the real significance of the existence of human beings, part of who am I and discovering why I am today?”

In barriotic lingo, I need You, you need me. In philosophical aspect, were composed of body, soul and spirit that needs sense of oneness and do what you think is right. In psychological term, we started the Eclectic Approach---a combination of purposeful living and reinforcement beyond the set norms and limits. Educational setting particularly sciences, came up with describing human in anatomical variances which agreed physiological explanation that viewed as completion of vital parts and that would presented man or a woman. Thus, spiritual teaching includes all and whichever not mention! That even a complicated question that man can’t answer has there to enlighten.

            A broad topic may incur to elucidate part of my characteristics, attitudes, traits or generally, my personality. However, as always tested and what’s noticeable in me being a Perfect Melancholy.

Desire…Always Have it Right

Emotional Needs… Sense of Stability, space, silence and support

Key Strengths…Ability to organize. Set long range goals, have high standards and ideals, analyzes deeply

Key Weaknesses…Easily depressed, too much time on preparation, too focused on details, remembers negatives, suspicious to others

Gets depressed when…Life is out of order, standards aren't met, and no one seems to care

Afraid of…No one understands how I really feel, making mistakes, having to compromise standards

Likes people who…Listen and laugh, praise and approve

Dislikes people who…Are lightweights, forgetful, late, disorganized, superficial, prevaricating and unpredictable

Are valuable in work…For having sense of details, love of analysis, follow thoroughly, high standards of performance, compassion for the hurting

Could improve if…I didn't take life so seriously and didn't insist on others to be perfectionist

As leader…Organize well, are sensitive to people's feelings, have deep creativity, want qualitative performance

Tends to marry…Popular Saguines for their personalities and social skills, but soon try to shut them up and get them on a schedule, becoming depressed when they don't respond

Reaction to stress…Easily withdrawn gets lost in a book, become depressed, give up, and recount the problems

Recognized by…Serious, sensitive nature, well-mannered approach, self-depreciating comments, meticulous and well-groomed looks (except for hippy-type intellectuals, musicians, poets, who feel attention to clothes looks worldly and detract from their inner strengths

(Source: Personalities in Power, published by Huntington House, Inc.)

After categorically identified some of it, it ends up agreeing listed above. Loving myself, this is to sum up my vicarious experiences, people who surround me and my decisions which I made through my life. I am because of YOU.

I am glad because I was born and given a chance to experience the contemptuous of life from million choices of God; that I feel the fatalities, the down moments, having shortcomings and started to question life. Then, these taught me to win battles, to stand up with no turning back, to fill up the emptiness and exploring answers that no one could ever give enough on me. In too much excitement, sometimes places me out of control…to my words, in my mind and with my actions.

I am proud having a family who raised me. Though, having a father as strict disciplinarian (military) and a mother (housewife/ businesswoman) with mild tedious emotion still, I never envy others. I sought approval but learned to appreciates life; I feared to be criticized that earned an innate sense of responsibility. I have a domineering brother (military, too) which nevertheless, submissive and supportive if in need. Thankfully, I find out that I must also do my part and made me to delegate authority that imparted the correct judgment. Lastly, to have sisters (graduated from Bible school, currently enrolled in Education and one is a 3^rd yr HS) with both personalities has calming influences, optimists and humorous motives. Having these all gets me to mediate between contentious people and objectively solve flaws in congruent to the person’s disposition. Without me in them, is also their incompleteness as mine.

I am delighted with my friends for making me alone most the time. Truly, I became independent and seeing myself working constantly. On my own, I can boastfully carry out sensible conversation with new people I have met. More often of being autocratic, I realized to maintain it that I was unintentionally used by them. Knowing their reasons then, I allow it to happen for a cause that in time of any needs they can be a help on me.

I praise God being King in my sole life. Though, you not need me but I barely need YOU. Sacredly, YOU made me one with my three persona. YOU showed that everything has a definite purpose and giving us chances with my failing choice. But as YOU direct us and I usually depart from it, YOU are there to straighten the path but implying a reward and punishment. And all my plans started here; my family and relatives were Born Again Christians and Missionaries that usually founded churches in many places here and abroad. So, before I wanted to be one of them.

I lost my motivations and achievements when others cheered by their parents. The focus from my childhood dreams and aspirations were vanished when I feel no one care and support me. During my elementary years, I always imagine myself wearing a white robe, stethoscope on my ears and nurses at my back which is define as a Doctor in Medicine. In that time, I just want to pay debt the attentions’ which my parents partly gave. Then, I excel in most science subjects.

My sense of loving deeply a person was gone when everyone tried to fool me despite my sincerity. The vocation being a doctor shifted from lawyer; I wanted to have it right and made all things in legal process (I just thought, it can). I wished that I have fought for my love and times that was lost. My teacher told me that being a lawyer should be tough and with good communication skills. Then, I became expert in intrapersonal ability, developing my people management skills.

I decided to turn away from my friends when they betrayed me even I gave my full loyalty during high school days. I thought being a Pilot or going abroad will escape from the reality that I was hurt. But I understood that even I can see great creation along the journey, it was already marked in my life. Still, I joined the Cadet Training Officer and got the Star Medal for being a good leader and role model. I indulged also in different academic competitions which represented our school in far places in Pampanga. These made me busy and think about that life is a battle ground and not a playground, anymore.

My parents wanted me to study at Manila as much as I want. But my future was vaguely I perceived. Due to the influences of society, I chose to take up Nursing at UP Manila but I only passed at UP Los Baños and in limited courses to offer. My parents wanted me to be Dentist so we went to CEU and luckily I even passed their rate for scholarship. However, they early realized that I might stop in the middle of my schooling for financial support although I am also scholarship grantee at DND-PASUC-CHED. And later (February on my 4^th yr HS) I imagined to continue my childhood dream; so I entered PUP to take up pre-medical course which is BS Clinical Psychology. I just thought it was a good decision now.

During my college years, I’m so skeptical if all what I’m doing is worth because my father told me that Medical School will not be prioritized (my sister, next to me will also be in college level). I got frustrated but finished my course with flying colors. Quoted from Dr. Roxel Apruebo, my mentor (1^st ever-writer of Sports Psychology book in the country): “kung gusto mo ang course mo at ayaw sa’yo, you’ll not be successful pero kung ayaw mo ang course mo at gusto ka naman niya, wala kang magagawa but to excel.” Which Dr. Serafina Maxino (Chief Clinical Psychologist, UERMMMC) attested me and belong to top 5 choices in graduating batch of our department to bestow our OJT at clinic. And that time, there still so many things I’d love to do like being a writer, so I pioneer official publication of College of Arts and read various books; to speak multi-languages, so I enrolled in Korean and Japanese training centers; and, an accountant because I hate math and frustrated to shine in this area!

To challenge myself during 4^th year college, without knowing by my parents, I worked in Philhealth as Data Encoder, soon a Proofreader within six months span. Really, after this, I inserted on my mind the phrase of, “one-at-a-time-basis”.

Good jobs and opportunities disappeared in my path as my perseverance just went astray. I graduated at age 20 and I can’t admit that I belong to the young professionals at Makati in the field of Psychology. I was hired as HR Specialist in Asia Trust Bank (Main) but filed my resignation after two weeks. Same thing happened at Cocolife (Main) but as HR Recruitment. I literally walked through the buildings at Ayala to submit my resume. Suddenly, most of them called me back for the interviews; I haven’t attended any of it. One building caught my attention, AXA Philippines which is beside RCBC Tower. While seeing it, I learn to love the place and owned the position there. I was immediately employed as HR Generalist thinking I’ll be better soon. Consequently, I can’t help but not to be happy on my job and approached my supervisor. She believed I have guts to show up since I got the results of above average (nearing almost excellent) in the battery tests for their employment at a rank-and-file status. However, they can only offer a pioneering project at AXA Phil, 1^st ever in Asia--- Direct Marketing Support Assistant. The only disadvantage they know that company will just try if revenues will reach the high target and contribute to the benchmark. I never think twice but doubted with my capabilities because it is far from the nature of my course. Surprisingly, I was awarded to be regularized in three (3) months of my tenure in the company.

Being the youngest in the company, they told me I must stay. But my feet say, I have more steps to go wherein I can grow better and explore the unexplored. One good friend of mine concluded I have a gift from Him, “bakit kahit anung pasukan mong trabaho, nakukuha ka?” However, that time I seek the usual things at my age; having dates, going to bars, shops and take everything as easy. I decided that I should earn better to sustain my necessities. I applied at Star Cruises at Magsaysay Training Center as Cabin Steward and fortunately passed the requirements then, undergone trainings. I thought that it was a good choice because little by little, I am also realizing my High School plans. At the back of mind, human only needs money to be satisfied in life.

            With all things packed (already resigned at AXA Phil last January 23) and five (5) days before our flight, the management told that the six cruises were sold due to global crisis. Who will not be depressed if you know that we’ll resume by August? I’m thinking I should not have a vacant day and be busy while waiting for that time.  After that day, I was hired as Casino Dealer. I will work as a pioneer staff for the grand opening of Maxim’s Hotel in front of NAIA Terminal 3, Pasay City. The training was 3pm to 11pm and a lot of mind-computations. I always tell I hate math but excel again being on the top 10 among hundreds of trainees from different participating provinces. And during those times I have to attend part-time jobs at Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) as a script writer, stage manager and project coordinator from different events in media and global-based companies.

In my religious belief, it is perfectly wrong but I still pursue to finished the training last March. Then, it also decreased to organize events handled by AdMU. So, I texted my friend for their job openings and was blessed to work as Research Analyst- Voting Operation Staff last April. As the days nearing, the decision must be made whether I will accept the Cabin Steward or Casino Dealer, both a high paying jobs. I got confused and sought now the advices to my parents--- I turned down both.

            I talked to my sister room and remembered that she approach by Mrs. Capa, if she knew one who’s graduate in psychology. I applied and then finally accepted the offer but still don’t know why. Before all the work experiences I have mentioned, I am thinking already what specialization I should take after I graduated: SpEd, Child or Clinical Psychology? I just realized now that MA Guidance and Counseling is the best for professional growth in the field I have chosen. This is also an influenced from Dr. Evangeline De Jesus, one of my professors, who pushed to the Senate’s approval in licensing the Guidance and Counseling profession.

At some point in my life, my soul withdraws from the peak of serving Him. Nonetheless, YOU are still there cuddling me all the way even I mostly feel I’m alone. I realized that I must need to focus on YOU now in spite of all my losses…for YOU are always there. I can appreciate that being religiously-inclined made affect my decisions for best. Not as a missionary or a pastor but be a walking testimony to others. I am definitely amazed with the people who identified their plans in life at their early lives. And rare people are to discover the happiness in their chosen field of expertise. It is by accepting and focusing on things what was left on your part. I stopped questioning God and admit that failures are part of reality in my life. I then prayed, “if you’re my Father, bless me and experience your prosperity”, and He did.

As I reflected, there’s no one correct choice in career planning, it’s a trial-and-error with no definite time of frame, too.  And a career change has provided me the challenges I craved for. I am surprised by now that money is not on the top of my list when it comes to job satisfaction. Therefore, I am not being surprised that if a career will bring higher earnings isn’t one particularly satisfying. That said, if other reasons are leading to consider a career change, higher earning should also be considered on choosing a career. We cannot deny the fact that when our physical needs were met; we will go on to a higher level, taken from Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Viewing all these facts, I am currently happy with all the things came into my life and satisfied on what I have today--- but will always foresee my future as bright.

                                                                                   

           

Submitted by:

JAKESON GARZON QUIATCHON

              (MAGC Student)

          November 21, 2009

                                                                                    Submitted to:

                                                                                                Dr. Edna Calma

                                                                                    (Professor in Career Guidance)