Accounteach
Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
In the Philippines, we are taught of the four sectors we can work in as a Certified Public Accountant. We can work in a private industry, public firm, government agency, or academic institution. For me, the choice is easy since I know in my heart what I really want and that is to teach. But, for some others, the choice is never easy. That is why some of my friends and students would shift from one career to another. There are a lot of reasons and factors that made them choose a job and shift to another. After all, we have our own needs, wants and timelines. I have a friend who has chosen to be in a job that pays a lot of money because of his family’s needs. He is a breadwinner and even though he loves teaching, he had to shift careers because his pocket needs more than what his heart desires. For him, it is needed and practical. He believes that his dream job will just be there and he can grab it at the right time. Another student kept shifting jobs and when I asked her why, she told me that she cannot find a job that makes her happy. She was able to stay in a public firm for a year but got tired and resigned. Then, she tried teaching but she gave up after a semester because of the amount of salary she was getting. Now, she is still searching. Most of my students ask about where they should work after finishing their degree, and I also keep on asking myself where should one really go after studying? Is there a specific policy or flowchart for that?
In my case, it was a childhood dream to teach. And, as I grew up, my dreams changed when time passed by. However, a year before I graduated, one of my friends in college approached me and asked me to teach her financial accounting and reporting in advance. Then, my love for teaching was awakened again causing me to remember my heart’s desire–to teach. For me, it was as if God aligned the stars again and reminded me of what I really love to do and that is teaching. I still remember when Sir George James offered me to teach and his condition was to pass the board examination. I was motivated to pass this test way back then because I know that my dream job is at stake. Upon passing the board exam, the very next day, I was called to do a teaching demonstration. I even got a call from my dream company before I was able to submit all the requirements in my Alma Mater. Yet, it was an easy choice because I had this dream job in my mind all along. I believe a dream company may change once I get hired and I find out what it really feels to be part of it. A dream job, on the other hand, does not change because it is something within your heart. I am glad that until now, I am still teaching full-time and I have not changed my mind about it.
So, how do we choose our job after school? In my own opinion, there are three factors to consider. First, one must establish a goal and direction. What do you want to be in a long term perspective? Do you want to be a partner of a public firm? Or, a Chief Finance Officer of a private company? How about an owner of a school or a Dean of a well-known college? Otherwise, do you want to be a commissioner or director of a government agency? Perhaps, you want to become a business tycoon? Knowing your long-term goal will direct you to the job that will be a little footstep away from attaining those big goals of yours and this will also guide you on the necessary actions to take in order to fulfil that long-term objective.
Second, in choosing a job, it is very important to know your current circumstances. You have to check whether you are the breadwinner of the family and determine if the income in your target profession will somehow give you the flexibility to save in line with your needs and the people depending on you. These are important questions to answer in search for that most suitable occupation.
Lastly, it is important to select a particular employment that provides excitement–a job that makes your heart happy. It is important to know what is really within you because if you plan to remain in this kind of vocation, then, you should feel like not working at all.
Again, when we address the following factors, we might find inconsistency. Meaning, your goal, may not be aligned to your current circumstances and it may even be incompatible with your passion. It will be difficult but you have to weigh which among the three factors has the biggest present value and from there, you can actually set a timeline.
Let us say that, as of now, I must aim for a high-paying means of livelihood because of my current situation as the main family provider. But, I will try saving so that I can eventually shift to a job that will lead to long-term growth. This line of work should be something that I am passionate about and I will go for it even if it means moving back to step one and earning a little lower. Establishing a clear timetable will make you grow in the path that you have taken.
In my case, I put the greatest significance on the job that I am passionate about and I did not regret it. I am just lucky that God aligned everything. In teaching, I see myself staying here long-term and even remaining in this field for good. I can definitely see myself growing old within the academe. I am also blessed that my current condition does not hinder me from what I love. In fact, because of this love for teaching, I am taking up further studies and I am now in the first trimester of my Professional Teaching Certification course in the University of the Philippines. That is how passion makes you grow.
ALL ABOUT LADY 