Advice to young professionals

Since January, the Philippines has produced 15,000 new professionals in the fields of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physical and occupational therapy, midwifery, medical technology, architecture, master plumbing, electrical and mechanical engineering, and law.

Just last week, 1,724 new lawyers joined the ranks of professionals after the bar examination results were released.

Almost all of these young professionals will obtain employment in existing institutions for a couple of years. Many of them will aim to acquire all the experience and training they can get, so that eventually they can strike out on their own.

For 27 years now, I’ve been earning a living as a practicing professional, more specifically as a trial lawyer. I first obtained employment in an existing law firm, but I resigned after a year to form my own, together with one of my law classmates.

My work experience of almost three decades has given me a few insights that are worth sharing. I consider them useful regardless of one’s profession.

First, as an employed young professional, you will be given clients (patients, customers) whose needs you will have to satisfy. In attending to each client, you must develop the habit of striving to perform the most excellent service you can give. Go the extra mile if you have the chance.

The impression you make on each client will become your lifelong reputation for that client. By making an outstanding impression, you will make the client your endorser or advertiser for life. The client will promote you with a strong recommendation every time he or she encounters someone who needs your field of expertise. This is how a young professional gradually builds a thriving practice: by painstakingly growing a group of clients who become your recruiters of new clients for the rest of their lives.

Second, it is very important that you avoid developing an employee mentality, which afflicts one who has the habit of performing minimum compliance in work output. This describes professionals who do not exert effort to deeply examine the many angles of a problem, who provide run-of-the-mill answers, who interact with clients with shallow care, and who leave the office immediately when the clock signals compliance with the minimum of eight work hours. They will remain employees for the rest of their lives.

With an assignment to attend to the needs of a group of clients, think of yourself as having been assigned to operate a grocery store, gas station, or restaurant. Your task is to sell excellent goods or services, get your customers impressed—and your “business” will prosper.

Third, aim to become a lone wolf, but only in the sense that you will no longer need supervision and guidance. Do not limit yourself to merely sharpening your legal, medical, or engineering skills. Be conscious of achieving well-rounded training by learning all the different aspects of your profession’s practice. Hone your interpersonal skills, cultivate grit, and infuse yourself with positive work habits.

Attaining lone-wolf status in one’s work habits is the threshold qualification to become partner in a professional association, head of a department, president of an institution, and to succeed as a single practitioner.

Fourth and last, use your profession not only to advance your personal welfare but also to help the underprivileged members of your community. You live in a community and your practice thrives because of your community, so you have a personal stake in improving its welfare.

You have no right to complain about the destitution, filth, violence, and corruption around you when all you do is work for the improvement of the space confined by the four walls of your home. You should extend pro bono legal work, participate in medical missions, contribute to scholarships, and positively influence social, cultural, and political issues in your community.

The cliché is true and fitting: “To whom much is given, much will be required.” And besides, money can’t buy the rewards of a good deed to your wellbeing.

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