Love of Work

It's been a blessing not having the hardest time finding a regular, office job. Many thanks to our outsourcing partners from across the world, mainly the U.S. The business process outsourcing (BPO) and the knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) sectors have recovered and are still thriving in our country, after the economic downturn brought about by the the global financial crisis that affected mostly developed countries. Since developing countries such as ours are greatly dependent on the economy of the industrialized nations, let's be grateful for the above average-paying jobs that we're enjoying right now, while we still can.

I've had the privilege to work in various segments of the outsourcing industry: abstracting/indexing, call center, marketing, transcription, SEO (search engine optimization), and now in web advertising. What's good in most of the companies I've worked with is the higher-than-average compensation they award to employees, even to the undergrads. One just needs to have above average English communication skills, good technological know-how (computer, Internet proficiency), ability to handle all types of customers well, and most especially, good health and willingness to work in graveyard shifts, weekends, and holidays. If you have these basic job requirements, then you're good to go.

If one is more after the compensation and the fringe benefits, then working in this industry won't be a problem at all. But, like everything else in this chaotic world that we live in, there is a downside to it.

Just last night, I watched a local TV show for kids. The episode was about teaching kids the importance of going to school. There was also this guest who played the part of a high school or a college student (it was unclear to me) who's not serious about her studies and insisted that she can just stop going to school and instead work in a call center right away. Since it is a comedy show, that character of course doesn't have the skills needed to pass as an agent. She has very poor English skills and...totally dumb.

The show has not only successfully imparted to the audience the importance of a diploma. It has also sent a message to skeptics and idealists that working in the BPO sector, particularly in a call center, is not only for undergrads or underachievers or is not only for fresh graduates to get their experience from. It's not that I am against people who dream big. It's just that I'm saddened by some who belittle this kind of work and the people who thrive in it. I got offended by some co-workers who asked me why I stay in this kind of environment, given I graduated from a prestigious university. Well, I never answered them. Why not? Because they would never truly understand and they are not aware of the circumstances behind my decision, and are not open-minded enough to have respect for others who are serious about their jobs. They are still young and idealistic, good for them. No one is stopping them from achieving their dreams. Maybe a little respect and a bit of appreciation for the job that feeds them is what they have to show.

One is not entitled to look down on the job that pays them well, and then brag about making it big to someone who holds the same job as his. Empty words, empty brain. Pure yabang.

To Blog Again

Last blog entry: December 2009. Date today: August 21, 2010. Whew! Less than four months to go and it will be a year without writing anything!

This is sooo me. Things that I need to do are just piling up undone. I even make a list of things that I wanna accomplish before this year ends: important things such as making more money, starting a T-shirt or accessories business or any business at all!, opening a savings account (like I can manage to save some bucks), going to the gym, reading more books, blogging more, etc., etc., etc.... They are still...just plans.

Why am this way? Most of my extra time are spent Facebook-ing, watching movies on my laptop, listening to music, drinking beer and having fun with my friends from work, attending gigs... It's not that I don't need these simple pleasures in life. I DO. After working hard meeting quotas and doing reports in the office, plus other work-related stress, every day of the work week, I would really need good food, great music, and two to four bottles of ice-cold San Mig light. :) Well, at least every pay day.

Reality is--- I need to really grow up and face my responsibilities. I'm still entitled to drinking and partying, but every bottle of beer and pulutan would be more worth it if I have accomplished something important, something outside of work. Pushing myself to do what I've been meaning to do for the longest time is not easy for me. Especially since most of the time, exhaustion from working overtime engulfs me. I admit to being lazy most of the time. And I confess that most of the time I just waste on bad thoughts, ending up mad for no reason, and then -- away na ito, if you know what I mean.

What to do...what to do...

A simple task as a start... blogging regularly.

And I hope from there I would learn gradually how to spend my time on more meaningful and fulfilling activities. Hoping that each week, I could accomplish something that I could be proud of.

I hope.