New road to explore | Story Of New Beginnings

Loyalty is one of the values that I am proud to have - a value that is very important to me.

For the past few years, I work in a company that helped me discover and enhanced my inner ability and skills in Digital Marketing. Digital Marketing is a component of marketing that uses the internet and online technologies. A component that refers to all marketing efforts that occur on the internet.

When I graduate from college, I enter the BPO industry. My very first job was Customer Service Representative -- one of the most in-demand jobs in my country. I went through interviews and was hired a few days after my graduation. The moment I was informed that I passed all the interviews, I felt mixed emotions; happy, excited, nervous, and anxious. Fast forward to my first day at work, I felt challenged in some ways. I know myself; I'm aware that I'm good at talking with people, but I'm a shy person. (Does it make sense to you? For me, YES! 'coz that is me). While in training, I've got a chance to meet new people, experience new environments, and discover more than I know. After a few months of training, I got good news -- I passed the training, and based on my trainer at that time, I am "great" to be on the floor. In the BPO industry, the meaning of the "floor" is "production" -- where the real work really happens.

After my endorsement from being a trainee to being an actual agent, I always look forward to going to work. By the way, I was working the graveyard shift. The graveyard shift is when your working hours are from night to morning. My shift that time was 8 PM - 5 AM, which is a very, very new experience to my system. But even so, I always look forward to going to work.

Fast forward, after nine months of working, I decided to quit and leave my job. Reason? There are a lot of reasons, but the main one is that I realized that no matter how hard I try, even though I did my best if it's not for me, it is not for me. The thing that I always look forward to doing became the thing that made me exhausted; physically and mentally. But at some point, doing my best became fruitful, like the small recognition I got (see picture below).

A few weeks after I resigned, I asked myself if I did the right thing, or if I made the mistake of giving up. My mind was divided into two; the other one is saying that I made a wrong move, and the other one is saying I did what is right. My mind was all over the place for a couple of days, has no idea what to do, and I remember telling myself that if I can't pull myself together back on the right track just because of what I did, how can I help myself if I encounter much bigger problems in the future.

Right at that moment, I realized that if I will keep on pulling myself down, I will drown. That's when I composed myself back and tried my best to get back on the right track. I'll be honest, it's not easy, as there are setbacks I experienced. But gladly, I made a good choice of helping myself.

I took a rest for a month to give myself some time to think and prepare as well. I applied many times in a span of two months, but unfortunately, wasn't hired. As a person who constantly overthinks, I became anxious and doubtful of myself. I felt worthless.

After I faced a lot of rejections, I decided to take a rest, AGAIN. That day, when I woke up, I planned to go to my mom's store to tell her that I'm losing hope in trying. As I was walking, before I reached my mom's store, I received a message from my father telling me that one of his frequent passengers works in a small BPO company and he got a chance to ask if they were hiring, luckily, they are looking for new employees.

God always intervenes at the right time. He knows when is the "right time" to make a move.

As soon as I read the message, I walk faster and reached my mom's store and tell her that I will do my best in the interview, and promised her that I will get a job.

I sent my resume to their HR and was informed that same day that they want to interview me the next day. When the interview day came, I got into their office earlier than the scheduled time (I read that getting into the office earlier than the scheduled time leaves a good impression). After a few hours, I was informed that they have a Customer Service position available and I fitted for the role. Even though I don't want to miss the opportunity of having a job, I chose to be loyal to myself and stand on what I really want -- and the Customer Service position is not what I want as I really know myself. I don't want to lie to myself and pretend that I love to do it, and I don't want to lie to them as well. It is not beneficial to both parties. That's what I'm thinking at that moment, so I decided to tell them that I am not interested in the Customer Service position. I'm kinda nervous as I'm contemplating if I made a mistake again. They told me that I will be put on the waitlist. As soon as I hear that, I tell myself that there's no way they will call me again. After a couple of days, I received a call from them. Surprised, I answered and was told that they want to interview me again for a different position. I went to their office right away since it is only a 30-minute walk from our former house in Manila. Going back, the interview went well and on that same day, they told me that I am a "great fit" for the position! I was on cloud nine when I heard that!

When I went home, I told my mom the good news, and all of us are very happy. I finally got back on my feet. I am so happy to see my parents happy.

I got the job and lasted for three years. And in the span of three years, I discover myself more. And learned new abilities and new skills that I know I can use in the future. I am very thankful to the company that helped me in lots of ways. They are the company that helped me discover my interest in Digital Marketing, and now, I'm pursuing this career.

As I am taking a new road, a new beginning, I will bring all the things I learned and will always be grateful to the people who helped me.

I mentioned at the beginning of this article that loyalty is very important to me. And I mean it when I say it's very important to me. In this case, given that I quit my first job, and now left the company I served for three years, some people, you might tell or ask me "What loyal are you saying? You didn't even last a year in your first job, and you didn't even last more than five years on the previous one, now you're saying you're loyal?". Here is my answer:

Loyalty is not about being loyal to the company. The loyalty I'm referring to in this case is my loyalty to myself. I'm grateful to my first company because they helped me realize that sometimes, what you want is not meant for you. That no matter how hard you try, even though you do your best, sometimes, it will never work out because it is not for you. For some, it works. But for some, it will never work. And that's what I realized in my first company.

As for my recent company, I'm also grateful to them because I discover myself and my interest in marketing, and want to pursue and learn more in this field. And sometimes, pursuing what you want means leaving where you started, so you can explore, learn more, see and experience what you need to, and do things outside the box. Sometimes, you have to choose personal and career growth.

I chose to be loyal to myself. I chose to give myself what I really deserve - to grow professionally and in my personal life. I am loyal to giving myself the things that I need to be a better person. That's why LOYALTY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

Thank you for reading! Keep exploring! :)