As a graduating student, I have always pondered about what I will be doing after I finish college. In what company should I apply? How long should I stay in the corporate world? Will I ever be promoted if I remain loyal and excel in the company that I choose?
These questions were running through my mind as soon as I enrolled in my practicum subject in July 2022. I am well aware that my passion for the arts is unrelated to the course that I took for four years, which is Business Administration with a Major in Operations Management. I chose this course because I thought of being practical and choosing the conventional way of designing my career in the future. When I say conventional, I refer to the usual cycle that every Filipino graduate is typically experiencing: to graduate and to find a decent job that is most likely related to the course that you took in college.
I was afraid of being a disgrace to society if I chose to pursue my passion in performing because the lines “Walang pera sa arts”, “mag-office work ka na lang”, and “your passion will not take you places” were creeping into my mind.
Somehow, I agreed with all these lines, believing that not everyone who follows their passion is successful now. With the fear of failing, I diverted my attention to dreaming of becoming a virtual assistant, forgetting my real dream in life – for now. I became a virtual assistant when I was a fourth year student, and I am really grateful that I get to experience working at such a young age. I was in awe of how my client found my profile and immediately hired me after my interview. I have convinced myself that this is the type of work that I will most probably do after I graduate, not only because of the salary that is paid in dollars and is higher than the minimum wage where I live but also because of its convenience and flexibility. However, I had to resign after almost two months from my remote work because I was overwhelmed trying to juggle my responsibilities as a student leader and my tasks as a graduating student.
Right now, as my graduation is fast approaching, I have been more anxious because I feel like I must decide now. I want to go back to being a virtual assistant, explore the digital corporate world, and eventually earn more money. On the other hand, I also want to pursue my passion in performing arts, accept dancing gigs, choreograph for dance performances, and achieve my childhood dream without thinking of the money that I can earn. With all honesty, I still do not know what to choose and prioritize if someone had to ask me right now. However, even though I had to sustain my needs as I become independent as soon as I receive my diploma and think of becoming an employee for the meantime, I know deep in my heart that my passion will still knock, waiting for me to run after it. After all, freelancing is now the name of the game, isn’t it?
April 26, 2024
