Navigating the Real World

Stepping into the professional world after graduation can be a daunting experience. One moment you’re celebrating your achievements, and the next, you’re plunged into the realities of job hunting, building your resume, and navigating interviews. If you’re someone who’s currently grappling with this new reality, remember that while it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, you are not alone on this journey. The transition from student to working professional is a challenge shared by many, especially for those who graduated during the years of the pandemic and have had a harder time adapting to a more professional setup. 

To help navigate this crucial stage, we’ve gathered here practical insights and personal stories from teammates who’ve recently walked this path. Think of it as your go-to guide into the professional world, packed with actionable advice, real experiences, and a touch of encouragement to keep you moving forward. Whether you’re a fresh grad or someone looking to explore a new career, we aim to guide you through real challenges and help ease your way through this new chapter of your life.

We’ve tapped into the experiences of three of the youngest members of our team, our Copywriter Frances Umali, Junior Art Director Nami Capati, and Project Manager Marie Rodriguez.  Having recently transitioned from college life to the workforce, their stories and strategies are a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness needed to succeed in today’s fast-paced world.

Frances

Frances is a little bit of everything. She bakes when she’s stressed, binge-watches movies, and is always down to watch a concert. On weekends, she’s all about quality time, so she makes sure to spend it with the people that matter most. She loves finding new coffee spots, enjoys long walks, and has a BTS mini merch collection that you’ll definitely want to see.

Nami

If there’s anyone you’ll find drawing at any time of the day, it’s Nami. She creates everything from stickers to full-blown illustrations—you name it. When she’s not sketching away, you’ll probably catch her searching for the best seafood places in Manila.

Marie

If you’re looking for the perfect blend of athleticism and creativity, Marie is your girl. Not only is she passionate about sports, but she’s also got a knack for lettering and calligraphy. Did we mention that she loves Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga? Next time you have a road trip, you know who to hand the aux cord to.

Frances, Nami, and Marie have tackled the challenges of job hunting, shifting from college to the professional world, and creating their own paths to success. Through their personal stories and experiences, they’re here to give you honest, real-world advice to help you navigate this exciting new chapter in your life.

Months before graduation, Frances, Marie, and Nami each took their own steps to prepare for their careers.

Frances used the time before her graduation ceremony to build her portfolio, gather important documents, and list her skills and experiences. She focused on showcasing her diverse work and preparing for future job applications.

Nami took a month after graduation to reflect and focus on building her resume and portfolio, knowing these were crucial for her job search.

In true Project Manager fashion, Marie started fixing her resume and looking out for job opportunities a few months before graduation, eventually creating a tracking sheet for applications, and preparing tailored emails for her target employers. She applied to positions that aligned with her career goals and prepared questions for interviews.

Frances, Marie, and Nami each approached their job preparation with clear intentions. Their proactive approaches highlight the importance of early preparation in launching a successful career. While these are great things to do  pre or post-graduation, they all note the importance of taking a step back and knowing when to rest. Giving yourself this time to relax helps you avoid burnout and come back with a clear mind. When you balance preparing for your career with a certain level of “downtime”, you’ll not only be more mentally prepared but also feel ready to take on whatever comes next.

Everyone has their own way of getting by, but considering how lessons come with experiences, the three girls have shared their wisdom in terms of how to get by in job hunting.

Frances, Marie, and Nami each offer valuable insights to help fresh grads tackle the job market with confidence. In short, it’s best to DO YOUR RESEARCH, MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION, AND BE TRUE TO YOURSELF.

As Frances puts it, remember that you’re a fresh graduate. She advises not to stress about filling up your resume or making your portfolio look perfect—focus instead on highlighting key skills and experiences. She also emphasizes the importance of being presentable in interviews and sharing both professional and personal aspects of yourself. Despite not having experienced onsite interviews due to the pandemic, she believes that presenting yourself effectively is crucial regardless of setting. She shows what it means to be resilient and flexible in navigating this new professional landscape despite the challenges that come along with it.

“Being a creative, I think we feel a lot of pressure to make an impression. We couldn’t just have high achievements and great standing in school, we also needed to reflect that in our works and design of our portfolio.”

-Nami

Nami highlights the importance of staying true to yourself during interviews, getting plenty of rest, and practicing answers to standard interview  questions. She also suggests dressing in a way that boosts your confidence, and then treating yourself after the process.

For Marie, research is key in preparing for common interview questions as well as your own inquiries about the job. She recommends keeping your resume and cover letter concise yet impactful, all while seeking advice from different resources available.

Ultimately, everyone has their own approach to job hunting, and what works for one person might not work for another. Even with Frances, Nami, and Marie’s sets of tips, the best way to find out what suits you is to try it for yourself, and see what feels right. Think of it as a journey of discovery where you’re learning about yourself, but for the second time around. So, take these tips, experiment a bit, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes or adjustments as you go along.

Frances, Nami, and Marie each found job hunting to be a thrilling yet challenging adventure. They all felt the weight of making their own decisions in a world with no set path, which could be both empowering and overwhelming. Frances grappled with choosing where to focus her efforts, from never-ending options to the pressure of adulting. Nami faced moments of self-doubt and anxiety, especially when aiming for what she thought was the perfect job, but she learned to see each step as part of her growth journey. Marie navigated the tedious task of finding job openings and dealing with rejections with support from loved ones. 

Despite their different experiences, they all encountered the same struggle of navigating a competitive job market and the need for thorough preparation while ensuring self-care. They discovered that while the journey can be tough, balancing excitement with perseverance and being kind to oneself makes the process much better than you think.

Experiencing the real world firsthand can be a thrilling yet challenging adventure. Frances, Nami, and Marie each faced their own struggles, from the pressure of adulting to moments of self-doubt and anxiety. Yet, they all found ways to push through, balancing excitement with perseverance and being kind to themselves along the way. With this, Frances, Nami, and Marie each have their own pieces of encouragement for anyone navigating this new phase in their lives. Up to this day, these have become the guiding light that help them stay grounded and motivated as they continue to forge their paths in the professional world…

Frances reminds us that life isn’t a race—take your time and enjoy the journey. If a job Frances reminds us that life isn’t a race—take your time and enjoy the journey. If a job doesn’t come right away, it’s not the end of the world (even though it may feel like it). She recalls feeling pressured herself but now, she sees the value in pacing oneself. As cliche as it sounds, determination will go a long way, because you’ll never know what may come.

Nami suggests embracing a positive outlook and seeing rejections as opportunities to Nami suggests embracing a positive outlook and seeing rejections as opportunities to refine your approach. She emphasizes that trust in the process and confidence in your unique skills will lead you to the right opportunity. As Collete from the movie Ratatouille once said, “anyone can cook.” This is certainly not limited to cooking, because it applies to each part of your life. Let this be a reminder that everyone has something valuable to offer.

Marie’s advice is to have faith and be patient. Job hunting takes time, and it’s okay to re-strategize if needed. Document your experiences, ask for feedback, and continue to believe in yourself. Her Paulo Coelho quote of choice encapsulates her message perfectly: to keep moving forward while trusting in yourself. At the end of the day, what you can control in the present and what you can shape in the future hold much more value than what has already passed.

Job hunting can feel like a rollercoaster, but Frances, Nami, and Marie have shown us what it means to persevere. They’ve emphasized the importance of pushing forward because you’ll be surprised with what you’re capable of. You’re not just looking for a job; you’re about to see how far you can go.

With this, we leave you with special notes from our girls to help you forge ahead.

Frances: Despite it all, find comfort in the fact that you’re learning and improving. Looking back, it’s hard to grasp the idea of how much I’ve overcome, but I made it. I may not be there yet, but I’ve gone a long way–that alone means so much already, and I hope you learn to do the same as well.

Nami: Remind yourself to go easy from time to time. You don’t need to have it all figured out because we’re all just trying to get by.

Marie: My north star would be the quote that says “If you weren’t capable, the opportunity would have never come your way. You belong.” All that matters is we improve ourselves every day and trust that we deserve the good things that the universe sends to us.

As you step out into the world, remember this: every experience, whether good or bad, is just a part of your story. Each challenge you face is a chance to learn and grow. Keep your curiosity alive, keep your head up, and embrace everything with an open mind. The right opportunity will find you when you’re true to yourself and your passions.

Words by Jana Vergel de Dios
Art by Katchy Segui
Produced by Bella Barretto