In my experiences exploring opportunities in the corporate world, recruiters often ask me this question: “What are your (long-) term plans?” I remember one instance in which I answered (non-verbatim), “I am planning to build my own business because I do not foresee myself being an employee of someone’s business forever.”
By the way, I wasn’t considered for that post. (I guess this was due to other factors, such as my qualifications and experience for the post, or I didn’t do well during the interview).
Well, that’s my plan until now. First, I would like to put up my firm to utilize my profession and credentials (as a certified public accountant and a tax technician) and then invest additional capital in leasing properties.
What motivates me towards such plans, or should I say dreams?
I came from a lower middle-income family and witnessed how not all hardships pay off well. There were instances I heard my parents have discussions about finances and how they could possibly send us (my brother and I) to school. Although they worked together to provide for our family’s needs, we inevitably experienced hard times.
Having these experiences while growing up, I promised myself a career that would help me provide my parents with the best life they can experience as they grow old and help me provide for myself and my future family.
The combination of my dedication and my parents’ hard work was able to bear fruits. It is still unimaginable that despite the limited resources I had way back in college, I could graduate with my Bachelor’s degree, finance the review school I attended (for the board exam) and ultimately pass the CPA licensure examination on my first take.
So, where am I now in making those plans and dreams come true?
I am currently working as a senior analyst in one of the largest property management firms in the Philippines. Since then, it has been my interest to be part of the real estate industry, and my current involvement in the industry has helped me gain more knowledge about how this type of business works. I dream of having an investment portfolio of various real estate properties that will enable me to earn potentially high passive income.
As I want to establish a business or tax consultancy firm and work as a freelance professional accountant, I sometimes find opportunities to earn other relevant certifications (like those internationally recognized pertinent certifications in my profession, such as CISA and CFE) and engage in various trainings. I am currently enrolled in a business graduate school to gain relevant knowledge and experience to be competent in my professional field.
The current salary I am earning and the savings I have not only helped me finance some of my family’s needs but also my graduate studies which I am now taking. So far, I have made investments not only for my personal finance but also for that of my future family. Although I still have no plans to build my family soon, I believe it is best to start as early as now when I am still young and single. Besides, I am investing in my education to have a more robust career outlook, so I can be a good provider for my future family.
In my current state, I think I am steps closer to my dream, and everything I undertake is still within the plan, although I admit it is a long journey ahead and expect there are uncertainties as I move forward. Wish me luck, then!
The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business, DLSU. He can be reached at [email protected].
The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.