And Everything Went Better Than Expected

After having been able to survive my first 20 banking days, I think I’m all set up for bigger prospects. Lol. Here’s a rundown on my teeth rotting conquests so far.

1. Within said time frame, I was able to experience working on my first quarterly reports. Well, I was more like a baggage than a free set of hands then. I have to say that the frenzy took its toll on me: I missed a lot of my regimens, I neglected all my gym sessions (my registration expired anyway) and when I got home, I hit the hay instantaneously. This actually went on for a couple of days and said stress consequently affected my work performance and lifestyle.

2. I also felt my first wake up call (I was taking too much time wallowing in ‘trainee land’) when my supervisor expressed her malcontent over my performance, albeit subtly, through her body language. I was taking too long at my daily loads (after being trained exhaustively) that for a brief moment, the entire department thought I was retarded. At least I think they did.

I realized that I had to push myself more.

So, I mustered the will to study the procedures by heart and before I knew it, I was able to finish my tasks in record time. Henceforth, I will have to be reprimanded before I take matters seriously. Lol.

3. Amid my promising progress, I still fear month ends and quarterly report preparations. I’ve never been able to fully participate on (or comprehend at the very least) said processes.

4. I’ve been blessed with the best office mates the world has had to offer so far. But then again, familiarity often breeds contempt so I’m logging my current impressions of them here before the animosity grows. Lol. Seriously though, they’re good people. Even if I can barely keep up with their technical blabber, I can definitely count on them when my struggling becomes too apparent. And although I consider myself to be culturally detached from them, our diversities do more than augment our trivia banks.

I guess that’s it so far. I’ve given myself a year long window to asses my ability to juggle law school and work and so far, it’s been fairly favorable. Here’s to hoping the good things last.

Cheers!

Workplace Fervor

It’s been a while (a month I presume) since I made an entry here so I guess an update is warranted.

I’ve recently started working (for 2 weeks) in an accounting center of Landbank Phils. and I have to say that I was taken aback by the sudden shift of environments (from bum to glum) that I thought my hair would fall out. This was my first take on the real world and although it shook me abruptly, said tremor was pleasantly brief.

On day 1, I was introduced to my supervisor and she apprised me, albeit not sternly, on certain ground rules that needed proper observance. The one I took at heart was her instruction on humility. She has been working on said bank for 15 years and the hint of authority in her tone didn’t exude arrogance. She practices what she preaches, I suppose.

Then and there, the challenge began.

Since I knew nothing of banking (and doing work in general) I apparently felt like a fish out of water when my colleagues started doing their jobs, hammering away at their keyboards whilst thoroughly sifting through mounds of source documents in mind warping speeds. My ignorance was apparent, my inability evident. I had to step things up a notch! I immediately tempered myself to an inquisitive mode, trying to ask the right questions in an appropriate manner. I took notes and endured.

The thing I like most about the work place is that everyone is able and willing to help one another. My office mates are impeccably polite and even the people on the higher end of the hierarchy are keen to lend a hand. This work place culture, though prone to abuse, is not something I would take for granted.

After a week or so of incessant inquiry and observation, I got the hang of it. I actually have been doing my branch’s (Matina) books recently. I realized that this work requires mad skills (analysis, speed and accuracy to wit) and just like driving, it takes time and adequate practice to master (quoting my father) . I’m hoping that it won’t end up as bad as my driving though. Hence, the work blues faded and I’ve started to enjoy the crests and troughs of working as a professional.

Cheers!