The past week went by in a blur. Each time I woke before my cellphone alarm goes off, I say a silent prayer thanking God for the reminder, that I still have to endure a month of corporate slavery. And for Him to guide me, bless me with the drive and patience to go on and finish another boring day at the office, and with satisfactory results at the and of my shift. Without this solid faith that one divine force is backing me up, I would’ve gone crazy already.
Imagine being stuck in a job you practically abhor. It’s the worst routine one has to put up with. I got this job in February, at a time when I was caught between decisions. I would’ve applied at any company or organization where I can further enhance my law training, like the ones I’ve been to before. But this time the adventure-seeker in me wanted something different. So I joined the hype. As of February 2006, I was employed in one of the country’s leading contact centers, in one of the more prestigious accounts. It was fun and exciting at first. Imagine meeting all sorts of people, a lot different from what I’m used to. Varying backgrounds, and reasons why they’re there. And I’m the only person who was there because “I needed something to do with my time aside from studying.” Of course, I never intimated this reason with everyone, only to those I knew would understand. Lots were family breadwinners.
And they were the ones who really did well in the job. I practically slacked off. Or maybe its because I never really was into this kind of thing. I was not about to brag about my educational background. What the hell am I doing there? It was only after a couple of months into the job that I let everyone in about that. And somehow I wished I hadn’t. It was tough hearing them telling me how lucky I am that my life had “real direction”, that I have a solid career to look forward to. Compared to them who didn’t know if they’d be able to finish school or if ever they’ll want to. The pay was good, that I have to give this job credit for.
But I am trained for something else. So again, what was I doing there? I do not undermine contact centers, or people who work there. Since I began working there I actually had more respect for call centers and the agents. It wasn’t an easy job. It’s not just taking or making phone calls. It’s sacrificing a lot, subjecting oneself to ideas and concepts, which are most of the times, against one’s principles. It is interesting at times, hearing stories about bloopers and about phone calls received and made. A day won’t pass without us laughing about something that happened while on duty.
Still, it wasn’t my thing. Each day I would try to look back and check what was wrong. And each time I come up with different answers. Each one’s acceptable. Each one I understand. The job is not for me. But like, I ever want to stay here. It’s simply one of those phases where I sought something different and learned something from it. And now, I am about to start my final month in this job. I’m only going to finish the cut-off so I can still get my salaries on July 5 and 20. Last day will be July 1; I’ll take 4 to six weeks vacation. And then move on to another job, this time doing something that I got eight years of training for. After my vacation, I’m ready to start my legal profession. I have yet to pass the bar, yet to get my license. But I’m getting there. For now, I am grateful for having been given the chance to experience something different.
One more month. It’s tough seeing the faces of those friends I made. They all knew I’d eventually resign. They often joke about it but I can see they don’t want to see me go. But I have to. This isn’t my place.
But the time that I spent in the 9th floor of the east tower of that known Ortigas building will always stay with me. I originally thought about typing a very bitchy resignation letter for this post, for before I sat here I was feeling so tired and burnt out I thought I was brimming with angst. But the cool weather calmed me, and helped me think more clearly. It may not be my cup of tea but it wasn’t that bad.
It isn’t one of most fulfilling jobs in the world. But working there is something else. It opens doors, windows of opportunities. It widens one’s horizons, in a way. And it sure teaches one a lot of things.
It sure taught me lots, and in some ways I think made me a better person. It isn’t much, but still, it’s something.
Tomorrow again I will be up by 1 am to prepare, and get to my 3:30 am to 12-noon shift. Twenty more working days of sacrifice, which I’m willing to make, for the last time.
Who would’ve thought I’d be in the streets commuting alone at such an ungodly, dangerous hour of 2:30 am? My parents will have a heart attack if they found out. (One secret: they thought I already resigned.) They’d much appreciate it if I’m still up at 2 am because I’m somewhere partying with friends, instead of going to this kind of work. Man, I guess working there made me tougher.
Anyway, it’s payday today, and it’s my day-off. So I gotta go and relish the fruits of my slaver- er, labor. Tee hee.
