By Theriz Lizel R. Silvano
The beginning of a career is not an easy path. Add uncertainty, confusion, and a pandemic to the equation and the path becomes more winding.
As people born after 1996 (Gen Z) enter the workforce amid challenging circumstances, noted television host Bianca Gonzalez, at a virtual career fair hosted by Nylon Manila, talked about the lessons she learned while working her way up the career ladder.
She talked about the beginning of her career and the efforts she made to expand her network and work with the biggest names in Philippine television.
Here are some key takeaways from Gonzalez’s talk:
“If people don’t like working with you, they will get someone who may not be technically as good as you, pero masarap katrabaho.”
According to Gonzalez, pakikisama or getting along with your colleagues is important. This, she said, would determine not only your work behavior but your personal character as well. Doing a great job and creating a harmonious work environment is a win on many fronts.
This, however, doesn’t mean being friends with everyone and having no boundaries; it is about balance – maintaining a healthy work relationship with everyone by being yourself and respecting your colleagues’ personal spaces as well.
“The job that you have that pays the bills is part of your process. Learn when you can wherever you are, and use that experience to expand your network.”
Not everyone lands their dream job right after graduating, and it’s alright!
Do not discount a job that is different from the field you chose so long as you can learn from it, you meet new people from different fields, and above all, it helps pay your bills.
A job is an experience and should be considered a blessing. Legal work, no matter what it is, will help you expand your contacts and gain new friends who could possibly help you pursue your dream job.
“Figure out kung tama ba yung opportunity for you.”
Young workers are always told to “grab every opportunity” because we get to experience new things, learn more about ourselves, and might earn more than we did from our previous job.
But, Gonzalez stressed that our values, strengths, and profession should be aligned with the opportunity we are considering to take.
“I may have not achieved my dream job but I worked really hard and it led me to something better than what I’ve dreamed of.”
Working hard is one of the, if the most important, keys to have a successful career. Whether you have your dream job or not, set your sights on learning and growing.
And sometimes, where you are at the moment either prepares you for something better or is better than you planned.