Teh Dream Job, I Can Has It!
Remember that “Dream Job” I once blogged about? That Yahoo Philippines Online Community Manager job opening which, for a while there, I thought I’d like to consider? (No, I didn’t even dare apply, though). Well, the thing with that job is, it required a lot of online and offline socializing and traveling and talking to people — some of the things that appealed so much to me.
Fastforward to now, Day 5 of the Internet Marketing Bootcamp is happening here at our USAP office in Pasig as I type this. I just finished my talk on Search Engine Optimization, and Rico Sta. Cruz is now discussing basic design principles. And I. Am. Not. Listening. Haha. I’ve heard Rico’s talk about 5 times already anyway (hehe), and quite honestly, his has been one of my favorites – ahhh, the frustrated designer that I am. ;)
Anyway, as I browse through my feed reader while Rico talks up front, I find myself reading the recent developments in Yahoo, following the news about their laying-off of hundreds (thousands?) of employees. Apparently, Yahoo’s lay-off included a bunch of VPs, and just recently, Jessica Bowman, who was Yahoo’s SEM Manager — which really came as a shock to me and probably to the rest of the Search world too. I’ve always been an avid lurker of her blog, and she’s been one of the few female SEO gurus I’ve always admired.
So I go back to that job opening that I sooo excitedly blogged about a few months ago, and realized that whoever got that job has probably been laid-off by now too. :P
Anyway, I know I wouldn’t stand a chance then, even if I tried. What really struck me now is how much I’ve dreamed of a lot of things — of getting out of this country and finding my place in (or out of) this industry — when all the while, I’m already right where I should be. I guess it just took me a while to weigh my options, identify the pros and cons, and realize that there’s still more to this place that’s worth the squeeze.
So to those who have been asking me about the big career move I kept ranting about (sporadically) online and (more frequently) offline, I say it now just for the record: I’ve come to terms with what’s best for me at this point in my life — I’m still not done in this place, and the “big career move” for me right now is to stay. There’s still a lot to learn. And there’s still a big room for me to grow, and to make a difference in. I’m in the best place, working with some of the best people in the industry, (I mean, who wouldn’t loooove working with these kwayzeee people??). In a lot of sense, my job right now has all the elements of Teh Ultimate Dream Job. (And no, I’m not just sucking up on my bosses, okai. Heh.) Yes, I have more responsibilities up my sleeve now, but I’m okay, and I’m sure I have all the people I need backing me up.
As for you, whoever you are who’s reading this blog of mine.. you just might find home in this place too. And take it from someone who, about three years ago, was just looking for a writing stint, only to find herself accidentally in the internet marketing industry – I say, it’s definitely worth finding out. ;)
Sonnie said,
February 17, 2008 @ 11:13 pm
Hi,
You made the better choice, IMO. Why? because one can only grow and mature when one stays (a little longer).
We are like a rock, if we keep on rolling, we hurt not only ourselves but also those we cross path. But if a rock stays in one place, the environment benefits from the rock and vice versa. So is with our careers. We benefit from others and others benefits from us too.
As per King Solomon, there is a right time for every activity under heaven. A better opportunity awaits a godly young lady like you in the future.
Hope we can have coffee one day at MOA so you can teach me your SEO stuffs :-D
Rico S. said,
February 18, 2008 @ 2:02 am
You weren’t listening? o_O
romela said,
February 18, 2008 @ 1:32 pm
riz, i remember that once you told me this: “Grow where you are planted.” Seriously speaking, I took that by heart, and yes, found the value in it coz now I grew attached to this “search” industry. Along with that came my respect for it, so I can say that sticking to what i have now, and continuously seeking for improvement can make any other job, ‘Teh Dream Job’ even if at first I don’t seem to fit in :)
Joni said,
February 18, 2008 @ 3:04 pm
Aww. Does this mean our Singapore dream will not materialize? What about Italy? Australia? Japan? Yugoslavia? YES, WE WILL GO! (Hi Kuya Boe! Lol!)
Seriously, gurl, I think that’s a wise decision. At least for now. Pangarap ko pa din ang umalis kasama ka, hehehe!
Godbless sa Seattle trip! Share mo nlng samen ung mga matututunan mo. :)
Angela said,
February 18, 2008 @ 8:08 pm
Hi! I’m a friend of Joni’s back from college, and I’ve dropped by your Pinkseo blog once or twice from her blog. Just thought I’d drop by here ’cause I read about you on Manila Bulletin today. Wow! =]
riz said,
February 19, 2008 @ 2:12 pm
SEO over coffee? In exchange for more words of wisdom on career development from you? :) Why not. :) Thanks, Sir. :)
riz said,
February 19, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
Yeah. I wasn’t. :P
riz said,
February 19, 2008 @ 2:14 pm
Haha I said that? :) Yeah, I guess that’s something I would say, hehe. I’ve practically been brainwashed about this whole SEO industry also, and now, there’s no turning back. Hehe. I’m glad you found your *ehem* home.. at least for now. :)
riz said,
February 19, 2008 @ 2:16 pm
Sydney will happen, definitely. Singapore, I’m not sure. ITALY??!! I’LL MAKE SURE ITALY HAPPENS NOH HELLER? :)
riz said,
February 19, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
Hi Angela! Heard a lot about you too. You’re the one who hosted Joni’s first blog right? :) Thanks for dropping by, and BOOO. I haven’t secured a copy of yesterday’s Bulletin. I didn’t know it will be published yesterday :(
Ovidiu - GuitarFlame.com said,
February 19, 2008 @ 9:16 pm
Yahoo has been going through strange changes in the last period of time, they lost grounds and now they are trying to make their business grow again. Strange, the world is changing…
tarits said,
February 21, 2008 @ 7:26 am
hmm. why did i have goosebumps when joni mentioned kuya boe’s song? =)
the last kc reunion, ate josephine (sanchez of pcu)commented that our batch seemed to be the “scattered” ones… all over the globe we are. so mebbe, soon, it will be your turn to go out into the wide world.
and who wouuld have thought that we’d come this far (near) to getting our dream jobs? =) God works in amazing and surprising ways indeed.
miss ya! and it’s almost 5 years since sibonga… =)
Jaime said,
February 25, 2008 @ 1:48 am
The day of the lay off made it feel like a morgue at the office. But the community manger jobs all stayed in tact because you someone to send out the cheesy happy newsletters every Tuesday to cheer everyone up :) I actually wish I would be laid-off. They would pay me a full 12 months salary! Thats like winning a semi-small fortune!
{sigh}