6 POWERUL WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM NEGATIVE ENERGY by Lolly Daskal

Lolly Daskal is the president and CEO of Lead From Within, a global consultancy that specializes in leadership and entrepreneurial development. Daskal's programs galvanize clients into achieving their best, helping them accelerate and deliver on their professional goals and business objectives. Lead From Within is a consultancy with global scope, and Daskal's clients value her exceptional commitment to excellence, integrity, and results.
Source: http://www.inc.com/author/lolly-daskal

Please click here to read her article on "6 POWERFUL WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM NEGATIVE ENERGY."


For more pieces of advice for young adults,   please read "Pointers for New College Graduates," by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at FULLY BOOKED,  St. Pauls, Pauline Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.

10 PIECES OF CAREER ADVICE FROM KATE GILBERT

Kate Gilbert is the author of "The Happy Camper: How I Quit My Corporate Job and Sold Everything to Travel Full Time." After 20-plus years pursuing the American Dream of working hard, getting promoted and acquiring lots of stuff, she realized that she was not happy. At age 45 she walked away from her executive job, sold her home and started a freelance career.  Source:  http://www.success.com/profile/kate-gilbert

Click the link to read her article on "10 PIECES OF CAREER ADVICE FOR MY 21-YEAR OLD SELF."


For more pieces of advice for young adults,   please read "Pointers for New College Graduates," by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at FULLY BOOKED,  St. Pauls, Pauline Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.

8 TINY HABITS THAT WILL MAKE YOU HAPPIER by Lolly Daskal

Lolly Daskal is the president and CEO of Lead From Within, a global consultancy that specializes in leadership and entrepreneurial development. Daskal's programs galvanize clients into achieving their best, helping them accelerate and deliver on their professional goals and business objectives. Lead From Within is a consultancy with global scope, and Daskal's clients value her exceptional commitment to excellence, integrity, and results.
Source: http://www.inc.com/author/lolly-daskal

Please click here to read her article on "8 TINY HABITS THAT WILL MAKE YOU HAPPIER."

For more pieces of advice for young adults,   please read "Pointers for New College Graduates," by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at FULLY BOOKED,  St. Pauls, Pauline Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.

CAREER ADVICE FOR NEW GRADUATES by Margaret Heffernan

Read the full article.  Please click HERE.    Source:  Ted Ed 

For more pieces of advice for young adults,   please read "Pointers for New College Graduates," by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at FULLY BOOKED,  St. Pauls, Pauline Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.

HOW TO BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE

To view the video clip,  click HERE.  Source:  Ted Ed

For more pieces of advice for young adults,   please read "Pointers for New College Graduates," by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at FULLY BOOKED,  St. Pauls, Pauline Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.

An ICU Nurse for Over 30 Years Now

 Nurse Marietta, still youthful despite stress at ICU Unit

In 1978, Marietta Lopez, was a bright eyed cum laude graduate of BS Nursing from Trinity College—now Trinity University of Asia. She originally trained her sights on becoming a doctor but along the way, her family encountered a challenging situation. Her father suffered a major stroke that rendered him bedridden for years. She had two brothers and two other sisters, whose schooling her mother had to support all by herself.

Soon after she earned her nursing license, she worked as an ICU Nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital in Quezon City. In 1981, she was hired as an ICU Nurse at Malone-Hogan Hospital, Big Spring, Texas. And two years after, she and her husband moved to California. Marietta started working in 1983 at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, Los Angeles, where she has taken on various roles in the ICU section. She has been affiliated with the same hospital for more than thirty years now.

In 2011, Marietta completed her Master’s Degree in Nursing Education. Her work experience and academic credentials qualified her to serve as a preceptor in orienting new nurses in patient care setting and as part-time clinical instructor for Medical Surgical Nursing at West Coast University

in Los Angeles, California.

Today, she grateful  for  the resilience that her mother showed during those trying years, when they were caring for her father back in Manila.

The long years at the highly stressful ICU setting do not seem to dampen her spirits--  she  still looks youthful and vibrant.  Her family and friends recognize that Marietta’s career journey is a testament to her focus, optimism and determination in overcoming difficult challenges. Her father, who passed away before she reached college, must be very proud of her too.

In the book  "Pointers for New College Graduates,"  Marietta shares several pieces of advice:

• Take a break. While other graduates rush to find jobs upon graduation, consider having time to recharge and take on enrichment courses such as personal finance. Knowing how to manage money

will always prove valuable regardless of the job you land in.

• Expand your circle of friends. Keep your college friends but do your best to build new ones, specifically with those who are successful in the field you want to get in. Learn from their successes. You are most likely to get a job through social networking, family, friends, acquaintances, college professors and even through your next door neighbors.

• Learn basic skills. Learn to write an impressive resume. There are resources you can use: books, online materials and free advice from those who have already progressed in their careers. Also, develop skills that can enable you to help others even with simple tasks. As a young graduate, you may need to live away from home and share a room or house with friends and relatives. Learning basic skills such as cooking and house cleaning can even give you free rent.

Read more about Marietta's pointers for new college graduates, specifically those who took up nursing.

"Pointers for New College Graduates," by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at FULLY BOOKED,  St. Pauls, Pauline Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.

AN ENGINEER WHO PRAYS

Lito with his family.  He and his wife Cecille are prayer group leaders in Singapore.

Manuel Henares—Lito or Manny to family and friends—has been in Singapore for the last 16 years now.  He has taken a variety of Sales & Operations roles with his current employer, ExxonMobil, and has been involved in projects and initiatives across multiple countries within the Asia-Pacific region.

Born in Bacolod City, Lito moved to Manila in 1976,  when he was accepted in  Philippine Science High School. He  went on to earn his degree in BS Electrical Engineering at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.  Upon graduation, he targeted the then thriving semiconductor industry, but ended up as a Commodities Trading Assistant at Procter and Gamble instead.  He realized then that for him to move up in an organization, he had to have the knowledge and skills relevant in running a business. Hence, two year after, he resigned and enrolled in the MBA program of the Asian Institute of Management.  With the support of his wife Cecille, who was then working at San Miguel Corporation, they were able to manage financially.

After earning his MBA degree, he took on a number of roles of increasing responsibilities in the electronics & semiconductor industry, where he gained extensive experience in materials management, production and corporate planning. He got concerned about the fast-paced technology advances and short product life cycles within the industry, which exposed its vulnerabilities.  Thus, when the opportunity came to transfer to an oil company, he made the move.

In 1994, Lito became   Storage & Distribution Manager at Mobil Philippines.  Armed with his experience in supply and logistics, he was able to make the shift and succeed in this new industry.  In 2000, he and his family were expatriated to Singapore and he has remained there since.  He has always attributed his good fortunes to God, whom he continues to serve via  parish work and the prayer group that he and his wife lead.

In the book "Pointers for New College Graduates,"  Lito offers some advice:

• Plan your career. Know what you want to do, which industries to explore and which companies you want to work for. Keep milestones regarding your career progress. If you are not moving up in 2 to 3 years on a job, ask yourself why and be prepared to initiate action.

• Equip yourself. Be aware of your own areas for improvement. Identify the skills and knowledge needed for you to move up. In my case, I saw the need for an MBA and personally invested time and finances in it. And always guard your integrity. Aside from your competencies, your character will always be evaluated.

• Pray. You need more than luck to manage your personal life and your career.

Read more about Lito's pointers for new college graduates, specifically for  those aiming to  work in Logistics and Supply.

"Pointers for New College Graduates," by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at FULLY BOOKED,  St. Pauls, Pauline Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.

AN IT PROFESSIONAL'S JOURNEY: FROM ATM OPERATOR TO PROJECT MANAGER

John, now  based in Singapore with his family

John Paul Pecson is currently a Senior Project Manager for DBS (Development Bank of Singapore). When he graduated from college in 1990, he did not have any idea that he would one day embark on a  foreign journey.

John was aiming to be a medical representative, when he completed his degree in BS in Business Administration at PSBA (Philippine School of Business Administration). He was then attracted to the car that was normally assigned to a medical rep for covering doctors in wide territories. However, a friend alerted him then about an opening in the IT team of United Coconut Planters Bank, where he eventually landed a job as an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) operator. For four years, John was responsible for answering queries on accounts balances, resetting machines and retrieving captured ATM cards. In time, he concluded that he wanted to do more than those tasks.

He searched for related IT jobs abroad and after a short while, his efforts paid off.  In 1994, a headhunter found in Singapore a job opening for him as a computer operator at Citibank—which he readily accepted. After two years, he moved to Reuters News Agency Company, where he served as Team Lead for Mainframe. In 2007, he was outsourced to Fujitsu—a Japanese multinational information technology equipment and services company, where he became the Regional Infrastructure Manager for Information Technology Management Asia Pacific.

 In 2010, he was in-sourced back to Reuters after its merger with Thompson and two years after, John opted to take the redundancy package instead of getting posted in Bangalore, India.

Looking back, John attributes his sustained marketability in a competitive field to his staying updated in IT though regular training and project involvements. He recognizes that there will always be transitions in his line of work so he has to be mentally prepared for them always.

In the book "Pointers for New College Graduates," John shares the following points:

 • Read the job description. When looking for a job, check what it entails. Usually, the job would require more time and effort from you, so be sure that you are genuinely happy in what you will be doing and with whom you will be working with.

• Keep on open mind. There will always be job uncertainties. Companies can decide to outsource work, relocate operations in places that may not be attractive to you, and they can even collapse entire departments for various reasons. So remember that your role or your company may change but you can always remain positive, knowing that with determination and perseverance, you will get a job that you will be happy with.

• Value your family and friends. Give time to your family and friends. Remember that you could experience setbacks in your career—there could be changes in your roles and in your employment status. From my experience, it is reassuring to know that you will have family and friends who will remain supportive of you through all the highs and lows of your career.

Read more about John's pieces of advice for new college graduates, specifically those aiming to join the IT industry.

"Pointers for New College Graduates," by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at Fully Booked,  St. Pauls, Pauline Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.

HR WORK: A LIFELONG ENGAGEMENT

While studying for her BS Psychology degree at Assumption College in Makati, Susie P.M. Amistoso  realized that she really wanted to be in a field where she could deal with people, especially the youth.

After graduation, she remembers sending copies of her resumé to a number of companies she wanted to explore. Among those that responded was John Clements Inc., an executive search firm where she completed part of her college practicum requirements. She thought she was being called for a possible job placement but instead, she was pleasantly surprised to learn that John Clements wanted her to be part of its  Recruitment team. After  one and a half years. Susie was invited in 1980 to work for Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. Inc., where she rose from the ranks during her 10-year stint. After gaining experience in the beverage industry, she considered moving to another  industry. That opportunity came when she joined Metro Drug Corporation, one of the country’s biggest distribution companies. Eventually, she moved to the pharmaceutical industry, where she thrived for a total of twenty years; first at Sandoz Phils. Inc.and finally at Bayer Phils.  Inc.,   from which she opted to  retire after fifteen years.

Nowadays,  aside from  assisting  her husband Joey in his architectural firm, she  remains engaged with people development through   her HR consulting projects both in the private and public sectors, and by mentoring young girls from a public high school in Las Piñas City.

Today, Susie with her husband Arch. Joey Amistoso

In "Pointers for New College Graduates," Susie shares her pieces of advice  for new college graduates:

·   Take a break. Take some time off after graduation. You need to recharge after all the stresses of exams, projects and paperworks. This vacation may take months but it must be productive. Find companies that pique your interest and send out resumés.

·   Be patient. Your heart and your mind need to agree on where you want to go. Discernment in your career choices may not come immediately after college so you have to be keen in doing your work well.

·   Be real. Seasoned interviewers can see through you. Communicate confidently and research well on the company you are applying to.

Read more about Susie’s pointers for college graduates, specifically  for those  aspiring to join the Human Resource Industry.

"Pointers for New College Graduates," by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at Fully Booked,  St. Pauls, Pauline Bookstores and branches of Catholic Book Center.

GETTING PAST CLOSED DOORS

Raymund T. Azurin, Chief Executive, Zuellig-Pharma Corporation

He  is currently at the helm of a PhP 65 billion business with over 1,800 employees.  As head of Zuellig Pharma, Inc.-- the biggest pharmaceutical distribution and healthcare services company in the Philippines-- Raymund T. Azurin has taken upon himself a personal advocacy to  collaborate with industry players in  expanding healthcare  access to the lower income and younger segments of the population.

The beginnings of such advocacy could be traced to his high school days at Ateneo de Manila, when he aspired to follow the steps of his father, who was an illustrious lawyer. Raymund wanted a career in which he too can help protect and defend people’s rights. 

He took  up A.B. Economics as a pre-law course  at the University of the Philippines.  Upon graduation,  Raymund  enrolled in the evening classes of UP College of Law, while working full-time in a law firm in Makati. After 2 years, he shifted directions, he wanted to go corporate. He eyed the pharmaceutical industry, drawn by its stable and sustainable business.  

Raymund distinctly remembers his first  day as a pharmaceutical rep trainee.  The bus he was taking  to Makati  broke down, and consequently,  he reached the training room just about when the door was closing.   That pharmaceutical company had a strict policy on tardiness-- anyone late for training was automatically  eliminated from the program.   Raymund then found himself jobless on the day he thought he would begin a career.

Undaunted, Raymund applied to other pharmaceutical companies.  His first break came at Natterman Philippines, where he started in 1985 as a medical rep.   Four years later, an opportunity came for him and his family to move as immigrants to Sydney, Australia. There,  he was hired by Astra Pharmaceuticals.   In his first year, Raymund was awarded Med Rep of the Year -- receiving over half  of all the awards given out that year.   Looking back, Raymund  attributes his early success  to his  going the extra mile.  For instance,when the company average for calls or visits to doctors’ clinics was  less than 6 calls a day, he was doing an average of 10 calls daily.

In 1995, he got a big break and was hired as Sales and Marketing Manager to help set up Solvay Australia— a global company based in Belgium. A few years after the successful launch of Solvay, he was hired by Merck Sharpe & Dohme (MSD), one of the top three largest pharma companies in Australia. During his tenure with MSD, Raymund was appointed to lead the integration of a $150 M biotech company that MSD acquired, a process that he successfully completed in only 100 work days. He considers that career milestone  as a competency building exercise on change management -- an experience that he would capitalize on  in his succeeding posts.

In 2002, Pharmalink, a subsidiary of Zuellig Pharma, Inc,  offered him a post back in Manila to serve as  Country Manager.  And in 2008, he was appointed as Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer of Zuellig Pharma Inc. and then promoted to CEO after just a few years.

Today, Raymund discloses that he wakes up each morning looking forward to come to his office, not to work but to pursue a passion-- to give greater access to medical products and services to as many people as possible. He knows only  too well how it is like, literally and figuratively speaking, for an important door to close right before him.  He is now on a mission to open doors;  he wants to  help  our countrymen exercise the right to  adequate and affordable healthcare. 

In  "Pointers for New College Graduates,"  Raymund shares the following pieces of advice:

·       Find your passion.  Search for the industry and role that will allow you to  maximize our strengths as individual. Do not follow the crowd.     While others go for what is trendy, or for what their parents tell them, or simply follow where the money is -- go where you know you will excel and be happy in the process.

·      Seek leadership.  Some  people  may think that if they do things  alone they can do better. From my experience, those who succeed and achieve their potential are those  who can connect effectively with others.  They are able  to harness the strengths of others, and in the process, they learn more rapidly and comprehensively, and are able to excel in tasks that require  depth and perspective.  That connectedness is, in essence, leadership.

·       Build competencies.  This is what my father would tell me, and what I would share with my own children:  Build competencies early on in your career. Take on  roles that bring out the best in you as your experience from these will serve as strong foundation for more challenging tasks.  

Read more about Raymund's pointers for new college graduates, specifically those aspiring to join the pharmaceutical industry.

"Pointers for New College Graduates," by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at Fully Booked,  St. Pauls, Pauline Bookstores and branches of Catholic Book Center

FROM THE ACADEME TO DIRECT SELLING

Bong Isidro, with his family, at a recent Philkraft event.

"To be the best server” is a dream of young Bong Isidro, when he was an altar boy at his parish church in Pasay City. It was no surprise then to his family and friends when he decided to enter   Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary for his high school,  and San Carlos Seminary for  his AB Philosophy degree. For six years, he went through a rigorous formation that would prepare him to a life of priestly service. But before starting with his theology studies, Bong decided to explore the world outside of the seminary walls.

That exploration led him to San Beda College Alabang, then Benedictine Abbey School, where he worked as Prefect of Discipline and as the Academic Coordinator for Christian Living.

One day in 1986, a direct-selling company selling premium quality kitchenware and fine table appointments was introduced to him–Philkraft. He was so impressed with the products and the financial rewards that he decided to work for it, part-time. After school hours, he would sell with great pride Philkraft items to his friends. Realizing that he was earning more from his part-time job, in 1988 he decided to work full-time as Trainer for Philkraft.

Bong considers selling a vocation. He believes that selling is a form of service wherein one can help people make favorable choices or decisions that would personally satisfy them.

Today, Bong is the Head of Sales at Philkraft, where he has served for  over twenty-eight years now. Such length of tenure is proof that in a different context, he has remained true to his dream of being the best server.

In the book "Pointers for New College Graduates." Bong shares the following pieces of advice:

• Know what drives you. Listen to your heart. What moves you to get out of bed to welcome the morning? What constructive activity gives you meaning and focus? Your genuine answer to these questions can lead you to your passion. This will give meaning to whatever you are doing and hence, have passion in doing it.

• Give your best. Mediocrity has no place in success. "Hindi pwedeng pwede na". To drive home my point, let me share with you this poem that I read in high school that has always inspired me:

“if I cannot be a huge mountain, I will be a rock;

if I cannot be a vast ocean, I will be a stream;

if I cannot be a super highway, I will be a pathway;

if I cannot be a tall tree, I will be a shrub;

but whatever I may be, I shall ensure that I shall always be

the best that I can ever be.”

• Check company backgrounds. Do not just let companies choose you. You choose your company! Companies check your personal background, so it is just fair that you check theirs as well. Choose a company that has a philosophy and mission and vision that are consistent with yours. But be careful that you choose a company that is TRUE to what they profess. Remember that you are not only looking for job, you are looking for an employer to whom you will be committed. In the end, you will be a part of that company, you will be that company.

Real more about Bong's pointers for college graduates aspiring to be in Direct Selling.

"Pointers for New College Graduates" by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at Fully Booked, St. Pauls and Pauline Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.

THIS PHILOSOPHY MAJOR GOT TALENT FOR "FLAIR"

Larry G. Guevara, and his fiancee Sharleen, together as "Liquid Concepts"

One of Larry  G. Guevara’s grandfathers was a priest that had great influence of him while he was growing up. It was no surprise then that he decided to enter Our Lady of Peñafrancia Seminary in Sorsogon, where he completed his high school and his degree in Philosophy.

After eight years in the seminary, he concluded that he could “do more” even outside of the priestly ministry. Growing up, he was into stage acting, dancing and bands--so he decided to respond to the call of music and performing arts.

Larry remembers that once, while he was on a summer apostolate in one of the remote areas in his province, he came upon young men and women doing table skirting and preparing food inside the convent’s kitchen. He was fascinated by their tasks that he asked them about where they learned their skills. He was told that they were Hotel and Restaurant Management students from the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) in Manila. Larry thought of going into HRM himself so he headed for Manila to enroll at PWU.

His plan of becoming a chef changed when he signed up for Bar Management class. He saw some of his classmates flipping bottles—also called “flair bartending” and it completely fascinated him.

Larry began his bartending career in 2003 and worked at one of his “dream jobs”—at TGIFriday’s. There he was considered as one of the most   talented bartenders when it comes to flair and showmanship. Just three months into the job, he was selected to serve as an official representative to the Inter-store Bartending Championship. He emerged 1st Runner-up and won the Best Original Concoction for a cocktail called “Tea-kle Me Once.” That achievement became a door opener for Larry—he got invited to give talks, seminars, workshops and even had the chance to appear on national TV programs.

In 2004, a store guest invited him to work for Louis Cruise Lines. Larry fel he was ready to work abroad so he took the offer and started working at the cruise lines for four years. He later moved to Celebrity Cruises, where he spent another four years before he finally decided to return to the Philippines in 2013 to be with the love of his life,  Sharleen Antonio.

Today,  Larry  is the Chief Operating Officer of "Gilario Guevara Bartending Training Services,"   and he serves as a College Instructor.  He demonstrates his passion for music and performing arts each time he does the “flair" with those beverage bottles before his students.

Recently, Larry and his fiancee Sharleen Antonio were featured in one of the country's top-rating talent shows.  Their tandem "Liquid Concepts" was given a golden buzzer that allowed them to go straight to the semi-finals.  And more memorably,  Larry proposed marriage to Sharleen, the first on Philippine primetime TV.  See clip here.

(We  wish Larry and Sharleen all the best!)

In the book "Pointers for New College Graduates." Larry shares the following pieces of advice:

• Unlearn what you learned in school. “Unlearning” here means letting go of your ways of thinking and of doing things. You are no longer students, who will just come to class, read books, take exams and submit requirements. In the “real world,” you will realize that there are more to learn than you could imagine when you were in school. You have to seek opportunities to apply what you learned formally and informally in school. This way, you can better evaluate the new tasks and the challenges before you and make well-thought decisions and corresponding action plans. This is how you can add value to any employer.

• Adapt, be like water. For someone who has been through a lot of ups and downs in life, I realized that one of the best ways to tackle any difficult situation is to be open to new ideas, new ways of doing things to solve problems. Thus, the need to be “like water” moving to fill gaps and to expand into new spaces.

• Find your own voice. Following the crowd, conforming to what  is popular in order to belong becomes an ever-present temptation. Finding your own voice means listening to and learning from others, taking in what are beneficial and having the courage to speak up for what is true and constructive.

Real more about Larry's pointers for  college graduates aspiring to  join the Hospitality Industry.

"Pointers for New College Graduates" by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at Fully Booked, St. Pauls , Pauline Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.

LOVE OR CAREER: A TEACHER MADE A HARD CHOICE

Being the youngest in the family, Aurora "Au" Enriquez,  felt she received so much attention when she was growing up that she decided to take up a college course that would prepare her for a caring profession.

Au considered becoming a nurse, but eventually, found herself at the University of the Philippines - Diliman taking up B. S. in Social Work. Her course opened her eyes to social realities— the poor, the oppressed and the disadvantaged—which further deepened her resolve to be in community service.

At UP she met her best friend and eventual husband, Victor, who would eventually change the course of Au’s life. He left for New York to finish his college studies, while Au stayed at UP. 

Upon graduation, Au worked with the Philippine Red Cross, where she encountered children with special needs. These children were abused in their homes. They had to be taken out of their conditions and brought to Department of Social Work and Development and to some non- government centers. At that time, the temporary homes did not offer any alternative education for those children. Such sad realities inspired Au to design and implement new alternatives to regular schooling. She enrolled in UP’s Master’s Degree Program in Special Education with focus on Behavioral Disorder. While she was working at the Philippine Red Cross and while pursuing her master studies, she was nurturing a long-distance relationship with Vic—who later on offered her marriage. Au followed her heart, she accepted Vic’s proposal.

In 2002, when Au boarded the plane that would take her to the US, she had mixed emotions. She was excited to be with Vic yet she was sad that she would leave her home country. Au consoled herself with the thought that given her local teaching license, she could keep the door open to the Philippines for her to continue in the future her work with disadvantaged children.

Today, Au is a Special Education teacher in New Jersey, where she helps high school students with cognitive impairments. She and Vic now have four children, whose smiles remind her of the youth on the other side of the Pacific, still waiting for her return someday.

Au Enriquez, with her husband and four children.

Au’s pointers for new college graduates:

• Learn to listen. One of my favorite pieces is Desiderata, from which I find a line resonates in me:

                     “Listen to the dull and the ignorant. They too have their story.”

Take this to heart. In any type of work and in any setting, you will meet different types of people: who have different sets of values, beliefs, history and cultural backgrounds. Do not be quick to dismiss their personal narratives and life stories. There is much to be learned from other people, especially the ones who have no tolerance of human differences. Remember, you may one day find that you have turned into the exact person you vowed never to become. Close- minded people were once open minded- but became set in their ways.

• Seek out experience. Find out what you are truly passionate about and try to get as much experience in that field as possible.

• Establish a good work ethics. Early in your career, regardless of any industry, come to work on time and finish projects before due dates. This will establish you as a hard worker that is dependable and professional.

Read more about Au's  pieces of advice for those aspiring to have a career in Education.

"Pointers for New College Graduates" by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at Fully Booked, St. Pauls and Paulines Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.

FINDING ONE'S PASSION TAKES TIME

RJ  David and  his wife Arianne happily stand behind OLX Philippines.

RJ David goes to an elegantly furnished office high up in one of the tall buildings in Ortigas Business Center.  Every day, he has a commanding view of cities and towns east of Manila including the chain of hills northwest of Rizal Province. The affinity to those hills could be traced to his youth spent in a rustic part of Angono, where he was raised by his  frugal parents.

Growing up, his flair for new and useful ideas began to show. RJ realized that he loved math and he saw himself as an inventor of equipment and machines that could be of great help to many people. He graduated valedictorian at Angono Private School and was admitted to the BS Mechanical Engineering program at the  University of the Philippines-Diliman. Upon graduation, RJ served for a year as part-time instructor at the College of Engineering of UP-Diliman. During his free time then, he found himself drawn to programming and website creation.

RJ gained full-time employment in a bio-mechanical engineering firm that designed parts for hip replacement. His task was to design those mechanical parts, but even then, he would devote more of his time at work to web development.

Eventually, he found his passion.

He wanted to become a programmer.  RJ shifted jobs. He was hired as a software engineer for a company that served the back office requirements of no less than an agency of the Hong Kong government. At night, he would take on the role of a freelance programmer, which became so lucrative that after a few years, he was ready to give up his day job. His freelancing stint turned out to be a blessing in several ways. It gave him the opportunity to hone his skills in marketing, negotiations and time management. And it changed his perception of himself, from an introvert that he was, he realized that he could be outgoing as needed after all.

In 2006, RJ decided to go on his own. He and his wife Arianne, who interestingly wanted to become an interior designer but became a programmer instead, founded Sulit–which is the Filipino word for the phrase “worth it."

Sulit-–which evolved from a husband and wife team to workforce of 130 personnel—became  the undisputed leader in free online classified ads in the Philippines. It  underwent  a number of transitions in recent years. Naspers, the biggest media company in South Africa, acquired majority share of Sulit in 2009. Consequently, Sulit was renamed to OLX, the global online classifieds brand of Naspers. And in 2013, OLX absorbed Ayosdito, the industry’s challenger brand.

These days, when RJ looks though the glass panels enclosing his office, he is reminded of how far he has literally moved up and away from his ancestral home in Angono. From his vantage point, he can also see the clear sky and the bright clouds billowing above the hills of his youth.  He may not have invented exciting new machines and equipment that he dreamed of as a boy—but on hindsight, his journey so far as an entrepreneur has been just as fascinating.

In "Pointers for New College Graduates,"  RJ shares some pieces of advice:

• Make yourself “hirable.” I am certain that many other employers like me would like to hire candidates that can readily solve problems and can easily adapt to their work environment. I want to hire candidates that are coachable, those who are willing and able to learn quickly new concepts and ways of doing things, and can unlearn those that are no longer relevant. 

• Demonstrate independence. We train our people but we also want them to take responsibility for their own professional development. 

• Do not be afraid to fail. Growing up, a number of us are thought that failure is painful and therefore should be avoided. We are conditioned to avoid risks. In reality, some things just do not turn out the way we expect. Accept that failure will be part of our individual journeys. It is there to teach us lessons we missed along the way. 

Read more about RJ's pointers for new college graduates, specifically for those aspiring to become entrepreneurs.

"Pointers for New College  Graduates, by Gerry P. Siquijor,  available at Fully Booked, St. Pauls and Paulines Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.

AN EXECUTIVE YEARNS FOR HER HOMETOWN

Ella with the products she helped develop & launch at CCPI.

While growing up in Moncada, Tarlac, Ella Marzan imagined herself putting up her own business someday. During her younger years, there were only small businesses in her hometown--the typical neighborhood stores, bakeshops and pharmacies—and commerce was centered at the public market.

With a dream of getting into something bigger in business, she enrolled at Ateneo de Manila, where she earned a BS Management degree. After graduation, Ella decided to go corporate specifically in FMCG Marketing (fast moving consumer goods), which she felt at that time would prepare her in putting up her own business. However, her corporate career flourished and it brought her to various multinational corporations in Manila, Jakarta, Singapore and even in Leverkusen, Germany.

Ella’s employment track record of more than twenty years includes stints with some of the biggest names in consumer marketing: Johnson and Johnson, Avon and Bayer. She was eventually tapped by a local company to set up its consumer business—where she took charge of product development, preparing the business plan, setting up the organization and market launch. She said this was her most challenging job ever as she set it up from scratch.

Today, she is managing Consumer Care Products, Inc. in Pasig City, responsible for a portfolio of household brands such as: Kwik Insect Killer, Splenda Furniture Polish, Solbac Disinfectant Spray and Guard Insect Repellent.

In a way, Ella says she has partially fulfilled her dream of being an entrepreneur, that is, when she set up Consumer Care Products, Inc. It may not be her own company yet but she considers her brands like her “babies” and she is happy to see them doing well in the market.

Currently, she resides in Quezon City, where on weekends, she enjoys strolling with her dogs around her village to view the hills of Montalban. To Ella, the green scenery helps relish her dream of moving back to Moncada one day to put up her own business--a garden café--and in the process, help further propel her hometown’s progress.

Some of  Ella ’s pointers for new college graduates :

• Have your own vision. A lot of graduates just go with the flow. They go where their “barkadas” go or what the trend is. Early on, you need to have a vision of where you want to go. Have a clear goal and align your decisions and actions to that direction. Write it down. Make a collage with pictures to help you get reminded every day.

• Dream big. Go for a challenging goal. Do not be dissuaded by your friends, relatives or family. Dreaming big will push forward when you meet difficulties.

• Be prepared to work hard. This means working smart. Remain focused. Remember that mere motion or appearing busy is not achievement. Hard work yields measurable results.

Read more about Ella's pointers for new college graduates, specifically for those aspiring to be in Consumer Marketing.

"Pointers for New College Graduates," by Gerry P. Siquijor.  Available at Fully Booked,  St. Pauls and Paulines Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.

A BOY WHO DREAMED OF BEING AN ASTRONAUT, LANDED IN GOOGLE INSTEAD

Jonathan calls himself a Digital Media Professional, Educator, and Marketing Geek.

When he was a young boy, Jonathan  Joson was fascinated literally by the moon and the stars. He wanted to become an astronaut. Eventually however, he realized that there was no educational track in our country that would propel him into a space program–nor an actual space program, at least not in his lifetime!

He enrolled at  Ateneo de Manila  to earn double college degrees: BS Management Engineering and AB Economics (Honors Program). Upon graduation, he aimed to be in Finance. But as fate would have it, his sense of adventure prevailed. Jonathan went into the new and expanding world of digital marketing, where he was readily  recognized both locally and regionally for his impressive work.

In 2011, when he was twenty-five, he became the youngest-ever Young Market Masters Awardee for Digital Marketing.  Jonathan worked for five years at Havas Media Philippines—where he was recognized as Havas Media Asia-Pacific’s Staff of the Year in 2012, the same year that Campaign Asia-Pacific selected him as the Southeast Asia Planner of the Year.

In the April 2013 issue of Campaign Asia-Pacific Magazine, Jonathan was named the youngest member of the “40 Under 40” list of industry movers and shakers.

In  2014,   he was  the Regional Platform Strategy Director for Red Fuse Communications based in Hong Kong, where he worked  on digital strategy and implementation for Colgate-Palmolive’s brands in nine markets across Asia.

And in 2015,  he was appointed  Industry Manager at Google Philippines.

In "Pointers for New College Graduates,"  Jonathan shares  the following pieces of advice:

•  Do not adhere to traditional roles. As things are rapidly changing, be open to for new opportunities. There are jobs and roles today that did not exist at the time you went to college.

• Take risks. You are young, no family of your own to support yet, you have the academic credentials—you have time after graduation to take risks and you could reap rewards. Take the case of Xurpas, a mobile content company. It was founded by fresh graduates more than a decade ago. From scratch, it evolved into a giant. When it launched its IPO in 2014, it generated more than P6 billion. This is one risk-taking venture that paid off big, literally.

• Do not rely on your college curriculum. The academe will always be behind.  Those who are on the forefront of innovation usually do not teach. If you look at the trend in Silicon Valley, fresh graduates look for apprenticeship. So reach out to someone you look up to. If you can afford it, work for free. What you will learn in the process is invaluable in jump-starting your career.

Read more about Jonathan's pointers for those considering a career in digital marketing.

"Pointers for New College Graduates,"  by Gerry P. Siquijor.  Available at Fully Booked, St. Pauls and Paulines Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.

AN ADVENTURER INTO BANKING

Almost 30 years ago, Edna at Mt. Sorak National Park, South Korea.

Edna Jasa  had always dreamt of traveling even before she enrolled in the BS Accountancy program of de la Salle University. After she earned her degree, Edna did not know that her subsequent jobs would allow her to visit almost all Asian countries, take periodic trips to New York and London, and her future family would live abroad, specifically in Singapore and Guam.

She proves that loyalty and mobility pay off in her field. Edna has logged more than twenty-five years of solid banking audit and compliance experience in one of the leading global financial institutions in the world.  To-date, Edna has participated in more than one hundred audits and reviews across Asia.

Edna’s job took her and her family far and wide. Currently an empty nester with her husband Pascual in Guam, Edna—the adventurer that she is—looks forward in the next ten years to continuing her travels to new and exciting places.

Today,  Edna with her husband  Pascual,  on a date in Guam.

In "Pointers for New College Graduates,"  Edna shares  some pieces  of advice:

• Grab any opportunity to work. Do not be choosy. Consider yourself lucky if you get your “dream job”. The job market remains challenging so be passionate with whatever job you get into.

• Get out of your comfort zone, literally. Explore beyond not only your chosen field but also beyond environment. Do not be afraid to step out of your mother’s house—there is a great world to discover. If you can find a job that would allow you to travel—go for it.

• Start saving early. Once you get a job, save at least 5% of your salary from the very first day of work until you retire. Every penny counts – and it is never too early to save for the future. The latest
cellphone or signature purse can always wait until you earn enough for those luxuries.

Read more about Edna's pointers for new graduates considering a career in banking and audit.

"Pointers for New College Graduates," by Gerry P. Siquijor, available at Fully Booked, St. Pauls and  Paulines Bookstores, and branches of Catholic Book Center.

PHYSICAL DISABILITY NOT A HINDRANCE TO THIS FEISTY LAWYER

Atty.Jessica Siquijor-Magbanua,  State Solicitor and advocate of rights of  PWDs   (Persons  with Disability)

Atty. Jessica Siquijor-Magbanua was born a “special” child.  She had a rare medical condition called “spina bifida” that left her  with clubbed feet and with a part of her spinal cord exposed.

Early on in life,  Atty. Jessica learned to walk with  crutches.  She went to traditional schooling like any other girl of her age. She  did not allow her physical condition to stop her from having a life of her own.

Atty. Jessica  earned a college degree at St. Scholastica’s College in Manila.  She  later worked at the Hall of Justice of Pasay City, where her daily encounters with lawyers inspired her to become a lawyer herself. Determined, she enrolled in the weekend law classes of Arellano University. For five years, she balanced work and studies. She eventually finished law school in 1999 at age thirty-four.

But while preparing for her bar exams, life sprung a surprise. Atty. Jessica  was diagnosed with "pyelonephritis" or inflammation of the kidney. She had to undergo dialysis right away.  A nephrologist advised her to have preemptive kidney transplant.

While still recuperating from her kidney transplant operation, Atty. Jessica  took the bar exam. In March 2002, Jec saw her name in the list of bar passers. And two months later, she was sworn in as a lawyer.

In 2006, life gave her another surprise, she met her future husband named Angel, whom she married two  years after.

Atty. Jessica is currently a State Solicitor at the Office of the Solicitor General in Makati City.  where she has been  working for more than ten years now.

In "Pointers for New College Graduates," Atty. Jessica had these to share and more:

• Have a dream. If after self-examination, you find that your course is not going to take you to where you want to be, you need to retrain. You have to save money and allocate time preparing yourself. It is important that you ask for emotional support from your family members. Ask for their understanding.

• Look into your future. Reflect on what is important to you when you reach your twilight years, would you be happy with the career path you have chosen? Be brave and go for your dream. Take the “road less traveled” if you have to.

• Pray. Ask for signs to confirm that whatever career you perceive to be best for you is actually what God has planned for you. You will need quiet, solitude and time to find answers.

Read more about Atty. Jessica Siquijor-Magbanua,  and her pointers for new college graduates-- specifically those considering a career in  government service.

"Pointers for New College Graduates" by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at Fully Booked,  St. Pauls Bookstores and branches of Catholic Book Center.

A RECENT LA SALLE GRADUATE'S INSIGHTS ON WORK

Alex D. Ledesma, LIA-COM,  DLSU, 2013

When Alexandra Denise D. Ledesma —”Alex” to family and friends—was at De La Salle University, she  was either elected or  appointed officer to the University Student Government throughout her entire stay in college. That  was an  early indication of her  innate  ability to influence  her peers.

In January 2014, a few months after earning her double degrees in AB Political Science and BS Business Management,  Alex  was offered a position at Unilever Philippines, where she is currently a Category Operations Executive for the Skincare line.

Below are few of the  pieces of advice   that she shared in "Pointers for New College Graduates:"

• Wake up. The world does not owe you anything. When you graduate from college, you are not entitled to anything. Once you leave the safe confines of school, you will realize that all are trying to make it on their own. You no longer have the support of your university and your parents can not get that dream job for you. Whatever you have set for yourself, you have to work for it and that would entail hard work and perseverance. The world definitely does not owe anyone anything. In fact, in whatever industry or career you end up getting into, always ask yourself: “What can I do or contribute to make this a better place?” Whether it is simply improving a process, or initiating new ways to do things, always have the mindset:

“I want this organization to be better off than when I joined it.”

You have the responsibility to not only be invaluable, but to be an agent of change in your own sphere of influence,

• Challenge yourself. Whatever is worth pursuing will never come easy. If it does not challenge you, it does not  change you. I came across the quote:

“ If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.” 

We all have a calling and we all have a purpose to fulfill in this life, how relevant you make it is entirely up to you. From my experience, the best satisfaction you can get in life is knowing that you worked hard on something that bore fruit. So take risks, go that extra mile. Those who are willing to work for their dream relentlessly and regardless of the obstacles are the ones who achieve great things.

• Be willing to wash the dirty dishes. When I was in high school my economics teacher shared a quote that I will never forget:

“Everybody wants to be a hero, but nobody wants to wash the dirty dishes.”

Although he meant this in the context of economic development, the principle of it remains; everyone wants to be part of the highlight reel or be the front liners, but not all are willing to work behind the scenes, make the unpopular decisions, do the heavy work. If you begin on something you truly believe in, whether it be a small project or a job you will be taking on, always do it with passion. Remember that with passion, nothing is too difficult or inconvenient, you will always be willing to get things done.

Read more about Alex's  words for new graduates and for  those considering  a marketing career.

"Pointers for New College Graduates," by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at Fully Booked, St. Pauls Bookstores and branches of Catholic Book Center.

JOINING THE CALL CENTER INDUSTRY? READ THIS FIRST: PART 2

Jane B. Montilla in  an ad as Teletech  HR Director, before she  moved to Tupperware  Brands Philippines, Inc.

In person, Jane Montilla comes across as calm and amiable. In conversations, she can listen actively and effortlessly switch to conversing animatedly. These are qualities that seem to suit her role as Human Resource Director of several big companies in her career spanning more than thirty years now.

One of her most memorable stints was in Teletech, one of the country’s leading names in the BPO industry. As HR Director in Teletech, she headed twenty personnel, who attended to the requirements of over 2,500 CSRs or Customs Service Representatives.

In the first ten months of Jane at Teletech, she was able to develop and implement the new benefits structure of the company; implement the Oracle Human Resource Management System; complete all the training programs of HR and senior hiring managers on the Oracle System; finalize the company employees’ manual; and review the compensation structure and career tracks.

She was excited by her role in such a new and dynamic environment, where most of the employees were young and energetic. However, one realization caught up with her. The company followed the US time and this affected her attention to her family. Jane had one child, a son who was fast growing up. She wanted to have more time with him together with her husband. She eventually decided to accept an offer of another company in a different  industry.

Today, Jane still happily remembers her days at Teletech–she has several pieces of advice for those who would explore joining the BPO industry.

Read more about Jane Montilla and her pointers for  new college graduates.

"Pointers for New College Graduates" by Gerry P. Siquijor. Available at Fully Booked, St. Pauls Bookstore and Catholic Book Center.