A Fresh Grad’s Story: Twist in the Career Plan

Chricia M. Liberato in Ang Pinoy Stories

Sep 28, 2020 • 3 min Read

Every one of us dreams of having a memorable graduation ceremony where we can feel the fruit of our labor. We picture ourselves wearing our graduation gown and tossing our caps in celebration of our feat. We imagine being cheered on by our loved ones while we march towards the stage to get that precious diploma. With the pandemic, graduation rites were halted– blurring the hopes for a grand closing on one’s formal education. This crisis is more than the formal closure, it affected the 2020 batch in terms of career plans as the economy is not the same as before.

Among this batch of fresh graduates is Nicole Sequito Roxas, a 23 years old Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management graduate from Tanza, Cavite. He recalled his journey as a working student before he earned his degree last July.

“Last year, full-time student ako sa isang university dito sa Rosario, Cavite kapag umaga. Didiretso naman ako ‘pag gabi sa Pasay to work as a full-time call center agent. The thrill there was we had a research study na ginagawa and it was tough kasi may defense noon and I’m thankful sa partner ko sa study na ‘to dahil naging mabait siya despite sa pagkukulang ko sa time ng pag aaral ko. Almost wala akong tulog and sometimes I am sleeping without eating. I don’t have a choice naman kasi I have to support my family.”

Roxas shared his difficulty in landing a career in a Hotel.  He tried to apply for multiple job openings in the middle of the outbreak of COVID-19, he experienced an obstacle that he never once thought of. As he is well-aware of the closure of major hotels at that time, he still took the risk in applying as this is the field he envisioned to get into because he wanted to use what he learned in the academy.

“Akala ko tapos na ang paghihirap ko nung working-student ako pero may mas titindi pa pala. Sobrang hirap ako mag-apply dahil close lahat ng hotels noon sa Manila kaya nag baka-sakali ako na mag-apply online. Pero hindi pala gan’on kadali. Sangkatutak na aplikante ang nag aapply araw-araw, kaya hindi na ako nagtaka kung bakit ang tagal ng tawag or feedback ng mga interviewer,” he opened up.

Due to the current competition on employment, Roxas decided to take a break from applying in his dream field and looked for a different opportunity as he needed to support his family. “Dahil sa sitwasyon, I have to look for another job. I just kept on going and luckily, nakahanap ako ng trabaho dito sa Rosario, Cavite. This place has the largest volume of manufacturing industry,” he says.

He shared that he is grateful to be given the chance to work during these trying times.

Even though Roxas’ plans were not realized, he is still positive that he can fulfill his goals in the future. He also empathized with all the fresh graduates and reminded them to stay determined. “Kung tayo ay hirap, doble ang nararanasan ng mga over-aged at undergraduate na nagbabakasali rin mag-apply,” he ended.

Certainly, many of this year’s graduates are experiencing a roller-coaster of emotions. There may be a shift in career plans due to uncertainty, struggles in adulthood journey, and missing the moment you’ve been waiting for. However, what’s important is you got your diploma and that you are surviving. Things may have changed drastically, but there’s something else that’s in store for you.