I graduated at 21 in March 2014. I received an overwhelming number of phone calls and e-mails from companies inviting me for an interview. I perceived myself as a special fresh graduate going to job fairs with my three-page resumé which I felt would impress those companies: Holder of a degree from a top university, leader of school and community organizations, recipient of a special award from my school.
Thoughts of a promising career (and salary) swam in my head. I felt I was Jordan Belfort walking the streets of Makati and heading to my interviews, dressed in my business shirt, my favorite necktie, dress pants and socks, well-shined shoes. I looked at the tall buildings around me and told myself: “I will be the Wolf of Ayala Avenue.”
Fresh, passionate and excited. I landed a job as a relationship manager in an IT company that sells financial solutions to banks. My job required me to attend meetings and travel around the country to meet bank presidents and CEOs. At times they were in doubt about and occasionally fascinated by the idea that a 21-year-old fresh out of university was speaking to them about their business and educating them on core banking. I felt privileged because I was learning from the people I was meeting and, at the same time, doing a lot of traveling.
After a few months, another company called to express interest in having me. I gave it a try and passed the required interviews. I was promised better compensation, and I saw the product as more appealing to the market—thus, more opportunities for me to close deals and get commissions. I moved to the company and it is where I am today.
I am still excited and burning with passion. In starting my venture with the companies with which I engaged, I learned that the world after school is not as good as I expected it to be. As I started paying bills and giving my monthly share of the household expenses, I realized it could happen that I’d be living from paycheck to paycheck. Before I began working, I thought I could have my dream car within months; seeing the deductions from my salary depressed me.
Also, the corporate world is not as considerate as school. Every report day at work feels like thrice the pressure in math-class recitations and exams. Most of the time I get scolded during pipeline reports. I tend to see my youth and my being a fresh graduate as an excuse for not performing as well as my elder colleagues, but never is it accepted as valid. I perceive myself as a kid in a gentleman’s game or a
blue-chip rookie underperforming.
There are days when I literally have heartache and I feel dumb. The swagger that I had a la Jordan Belfort has been mostly replaced by frustrations and tears.
Still, I am fortunate to have supportive colleagues and friends who help me get through work every day. Also, although there are mostly rough times at work, I still push myself for the sake of my family. My mom has invested so much in me, and I know my father is always confident in and proud of me. I can’t afford to let them down.
Now I am no longer considered a fresh graduate. I am writing this piece to motivate those graduating after me. It is possible for us to land our dream job. But on the other side of this reward is a lot of yelling from your boss and intense pressure. The world after college is a world of wolves, fast and aggressive, wanting to stay ahead and reach their goals. Being young and fresh out of school should never be a reason for us to not perform. We must learn quickly and start working to excel.
As young professionals, we have the advantage of being fresh, excited and passionate. Always take to heart these three essentials; these will move us to continue searching, learning and working. Then we will have no choice but to achieve greatness.
Terence Thomas M. Cosare, 21, is a philosophy graduate of the University of Santo Tomas and an industry specialist at Curo Teknika-ePLDT.