I know it’s still too early to tell where my “chosen” career will take me, but I’m glad to share with you that I don’t regret fighting for it and eventually experiencing it full-time. 😀

To tell you the truth, my aptitude test in high school actually “advised” me to take Communication Arts (or those related to it) in college.  But since I was still a clueless 15-year-old back then, I ignored the test result and decided to take a different “route,” listening to others’ opinions about where they saw my personality fit.  Hence, my never-ending “defense” during job interviews that ask me why I’m applying in print media (yes, the chosen career path) when my background deals with Foreign Service/International Relations and History.

But hey, that’s already water under the bridge.  And please, don’t get me wrong.  I’m not saying that I regret taking up Consular and Diplomatic Affairs in college and History in graduate school.  NOT AT ALL.  If anything, I’m still thankful that I was given the chance to “pursue” those courses because I learned A LOT of other things, albeit very different, from them.  Besides, I met some of the best and interesting people during those years (hello, college and graduate school friends!!!).  But I guess when you’re really passionate about something, nothing can ever stop you — not even degrees and diplomas.

So in between finishing articles/blog entries/writeups, perfecting my copy-editing skills, commuting my way to events, interviewing celebrities, assisting in photo shoots, and most of all, meeting deadlines, I feel lucky that I still get to smile at the end of every work day.  Sure, it still gets stressful at times, especially when my multitasking skills are put to the test (meet deadline this, meet deadline that), but you know, no job is really easy — not even the ones you’re starting to fall in love with.  I didn’t say that my current work is easy peasy.  In fact, it’s actually a combination of stress and happiness.  Hahaha!  Why?  Because the good thing about it is there are different tasks at hand, so there’s really no room for boredom.  One day I’m working on an article, the next day I’m on my way to a hotel or mall to do something that’s still work-related.  Everyday’s a new day.  Calling it “the daily grind” isn’t really the right way to describe it. 😉

I’m not saying, though, that this is already the career I see myself doing for the rest of my life.  Like I said, it’s still a bit early to tell where this’ll take me. And the rest of my life?  Pressure much!!!  All I know is that if you’re reading this and you’re someone who’s still in high school and still have yet to decide on what you want to do in life, I say think about it really, really, really hard.  And when you’re ready to make a decision, make sure that that’s what you’re really passionate about.  “Passionate” in the sense that it’s something you’ll still enjoy doing even for free!  But if you think that you’re like me — someone who realized what she wanted to do “later” in her college life — well, being another cautionary tale isn’t as bad as you think. 😛

If I may say so, today’s world has been more “encouraging.”  As The Holstee Manifesto put it, “if you don’t like your job, quit.“  Just make sure that you have a back-up plan.  I’m not encouraging you to be unemployed — trust me, it sucked, sucks, and will forever suck.  Anyway, we know of doctors being business practitioners, lawyers being novelists (chick lit at that!), even corporate executives being professional bloggers.  So there’s really NO EXCUSE to let go of what you want to be doing — as opposed to what you should be doing!  Take me as an example (but whether you see it as something good or bad is completely up to you!  Haha!).  I should be working for the government or an embassy, and yet I’ve always wanted to be in print media — so here I am, finally part of an editorial team.  Heehee.

Of course I’m still open to practicing my default fields, but for now I’m just enjoying my chosen field.  I may still have a looong waaay to gooo but at the end of the day, what’s important is I feel like I’m in the right place.  So when work doesn’t really feel like “work” anymore, alam naaa!  Try your very best to hold on to it and be better at it Every. Waking. Day.

Because when that happens, that’s when stress will be finally replaced by BLISS.  And for us who need to work to live, work to feel self-worth, or just WORK in the broadest sense of the word, shouldn’t that be more than enough? 🙂

“Live your dream and share your passion.” -The Holstee Manifesto