AS OF this writing, I am still unemployed.
Not that I have not done anything about it. I have already submitted résumés to a dozen companies. I pit myself against other fresh grad hopefuls that scream rather “flashy” university education in their CVs. I have also done the traditional walkathon, dropping résumés to various companies in the Makati business district.
After psyching myself for a good 10 minutes to “just do it,” I was flabbergasted to see the reception lady in a random office, place my resume on an inch and a half pile of other applicants’ CVs. So much for a lucky chance, eh?
Perhaps, job hunting is one of those daunting rites of passage that every adult has to go through. I found myself helplessly clinging to every piece of job hunting advice I could get my hands on but still ending up clueless on where to begin my pursuit.
I have other job offers. Mostly from publications and graphic design firms, but I’m looking the other way. I have this vision of becoming an ad man. I want to see my ideas being shown on TVs across the nation and my copies printed in every daily newspaper, and on every billboard along EDSA.
Maybe, I am one of those “picky” graduates mentioned in this publication’s May 15 issue. I want a career, not just a job. With tongue-in-cheek enthusiasm, I say that I will never contribute to the growing statistic of employees who are working in industries that are entirely unrelated to what they had studied in college. My friends would gently reprimand me to be practical in my decisions, not to aim too high, lest I end up with nothing. Where do I draw the line between my youthful idealism and the demand of necessity?
I dearly hope that my Thomasian education in the College of Fine Arts and Design is enough for me to face the raging corporate jungle of advertising. I have this apprehension because of the traditional curriculum of our Advertising Arts program.
A more application-based learning such as studies of more computer based design software and compulsory internships in advertising agencies would have helped us be more acquainted to the outside world. Nevertheless, the endless hand-rendered plates have its pros, such as the heightened dexterity of students as illustrators. I do trust that the rumored upgrade in the Advertising Arts program will address my concerns.
As for me, giving up was never my mantra. Meanwhile, the search for gainful employment continues.
***
The Varsitarian was my creative playground. It is here where my vision as a visual artist bloomed and where my aesthetic as a designer solidified. The training in the V is something that I will never learn inside a classroom. The Varsitarian is not only a boot camp for future titan writers, but for emerging visual communicators as well. With pride, I am now grateful to join the roster of V Amihans and Thomasian visual artists who are now excelling in their chosen fields. I am proud to have chosen the University of Santo Tomas as my alma mater.
I take this opportunity to thank my mentors in Cfad, our dean and professors, our advertising arts department head, Assoc. Prof. Mary Christie Que who treated us all as her children and painstakingly transformed our crude lines into fine rayas; and most especially my thesis adviser, Assoc. Prof. Nady Nacario for knocking some sense into me whenever I falter and sending me to the guidance office whenever I need more “guidance”.
To my college barkadas, the original AD7 of 2005 and the Streaming Stills girls, thank you for being with me through the hardest part of my college life.
To my fellow Amihans, what a year it was! We made it through! Your companionship will forever be a resounding melody in my being. I know this friendship will continue until we are no longer capable of remembering. I can’t help but wonder who among us will soon be writing and publishing their own books, editing their own publications as editors in chief, pioneering medical breakthroughs or erecting their own companies’ high rise buildings.
To my fellow Art Team mates, Alexa, Carlo and Samboy; thank you for allowing me to be your “coach,” even for a short time. Ours is one of the more challenging tasks in this publication, but we did it, unscathed and resilient.
To the incoming artists, Carla, Ian, Fritz and Jasmine; and to the rest of the incoming staff led by Emil and Prinz, be strong and trust each other. This publication year is yours to conquer.
To our publications adviser Sir Lito, thanks for believing in my artistry; and to Sir Ipe, our assistant publications adviser, thank you for the challenges. I look up to you both.
All my love to my parents, Arniel and Josephine; my siblings, Chelsie and Niel Joseph and the rest of my family, I love you, hardships and financial difficulties notwithstanding.
All of this for the greater glory of God, for whom all things be exalted!
And so I end my encore by observing tradition and saying: Once a V staffer, always a V staffer!
