This journey is full of everything, hardships, perseverance, patience, diligence, and of course happiness. When I stopped schooling and reached my eighteenth year, I decided to apply and seek for a job. Together with my best friend, we went to Laguna and tried much in finding job. Since I didn’t graduate my college, I knew that I can never find a very good job. We went to an Industrial Park where someone told us to go because she said many companies there are looking for new employees. Since we live in Quezon province, we travel so early (2AM) to get there in time. When we reach the place, there are so many applicants walking around. We meet and greet others so that we have someone to go along with and ask for some things that my best friend and I didn’t know because we are both first timer in such thing and of course we didn’t know much the place we’re in to.
While we are walking, we saw a company where there are plenty of jobseekers who are falling in line, we asked, what is that line for? Some answered it’s hiring here now so we will try. Hearing those lines, we also tried to fall in line hoping that we will be hired. After a long period of time standing there, our number were called. I entered in the said company just to pass the application papers. The staff gave a certain date of going back for interviews and examinations. Not bad, after a day of standing under the sun, no food, no water at least there’s a hope to find a job. Since it’s already afternoon, we never had enough time in trying to go to other companies, instead we decided to go to other companies, instead we decided to go home and wait for the date the staff has given us.
When that time come, we travel again for the second time. We had briefing. They gave us items to review for the examinations and it did happen on that very day, and thanks God, we passed the examinations. We undergo in an initial and final interview which we passed to. They told us that we are scheduled on medical and dental check up on the given date. We went home again and for the third time, we went to Laguna for medical and dental exam. I was very happy and blessed for passing all those examinations, but the sad thing is that my best friend didn’t pass the medical exam, she is not fit to work for she has a heart condition. We both cried because for me, how can I go on without her? We applied together, struggled so much together then what? She didn’t pass. I’m all alone in that strange place. I think twice, do I have to go or what? And I decided not to go but my best friend encourage me that much to go for applying is too hard, she said don’t let this opportunity slip away. She can look for another job that will fit her, she said. So, I think again and yes, she’s right. We go on and she accompanied me in looking for a boarding house where I can live. After three days, the company staff called me saying I have to start in time. I packed my things and go to the boarding house alone. There, I met my board mates and make friends with them.
Upon starting my job, we had an orientation. They showed us the product which is Flexible Printed Circuits (FPC), according to them, these products are used in hard disk drive, cars, cameras, and printers. It’s very particular and delicate. In fact, using of any cosmetics, powder, perfumes, and jewelries is prohibited inside the company. I was assigned as an inspector there. It’s difficult because I need to use microscope, and imagine, my schedule twelve hours a day. We had a schedule shifting there, you will be a month dayshift of twelve hours and then next month, nightshift of twelve hours too. Sometimes even rest days and holidays you need to be there to work because of the high shipment requirement of the product. Working there is not easy, every six months, you have to undergo on a certification exam. To show that you know what you are really doing. When other station needed some people as manpower, you cannot go there quickly, you need to pass the cross-training certification exam. You need to review all the criteria of the product. If you did not pass the exam, you would cross train again to another station, if you passed, then you’ll belong to that station rules and regulations are strictly enforced for the sake of the products. If you shipped the product, the company will then inspect those FPC’s and when they found rejects, they will ship it back to you so this means a loss for our company that’s why we need to perform our job very well.
I stayed eight long years in that company. Though it’s hard, I stayed there so that I can help my family. Well, it’s not always hard, there are times of happiness too. There, I met new people and friends. We had company outings, Christmas Party, Company Anniversary, team buildings, and other activities. After eight years, I resigned because I gave birth to my youngest, and my husband and I decided that I have to take care of the kids.
By the way, just to tell you, my best friend is hired in a certain fast food chain as a supervisor, she was a Commerse, major in Management graduate.
