I attended my sister's graduation two weeks ago. As she walked towards the Dean to receive her diploma, I saw myself eight years ago. I was then very excited to receive my own diploma. It meant a lot to me - no more classes, no more wearing of ID's and uniforms, no more long tests. I told myself that finally, I was free to do what I wanted. All I had to do next was get myself a job and earn my own income. I thought it was all that easy back then.

During one of my talks with my sister, I remember her expressing her own qualms and fears in joining the corporate world. I told her everybody experiences that. Then I recall how everything started for me and how I ended up where I am now.

I am an IT graduate. I first worked as a marketing staff of a real estate firm. During that time, no IT company was interested in hiring me. I lacked in programming skills and had zero work experience. But that did not break my spirit. I kept on looking for a job carrying with me nothing but faith that I would come across an employer that would be willing to give me a chance. True enough, I was hired as a Programmer Trainee in one of the top Insurance companies in Makati. After about four years of working as an IT professional, I felt I wanted something more. I knew right then that there was more to life than programming. It took me two more years before finally deciding to shift to another field. It was not a very easy decision to make. It meant giving up my five-digit salary, the prestige, and all the training and experiences I got. Apart from that, I would have to start from scratch again. That meant I was back to zero experience and would get a much lower salary. Plus at that time, it was not a very popular move especially in our culture. Most companies rarely welcomed the career shifters and job hoppers - they tagged them as losers with no sense of purpose and direction rather than non-conformists or risk-takers. Because I so much believed that it was worth the risk, I decided to take the leap. "There is no turning back now", I told myself.

My interest has leaned towards the Human Resources. But with no related degree and working experience, I knew I would have a hard time convincing any employer I could learn and do the job. Then I realized I could combine both – IT and HR. It just dawned on me - I could start working as a Recruiter for IT companies. Since then, the rest was history. I have initially worked for a staffing firm, then for a multinational IT Consulting company. I was doing the same line of work until I came across my current employer. From Recruitment Specialist, I was promoted to the HR & Admin Manager position.

Moral of the story.

For all the newly graduates: It is normal to have fears and doubts. But you got to remember that even the CEO of any prestigious company you can think of also started from scratch. Start at the bottom. This is the perfect time for you to let all experiences mold you. You will discover what you really want and what your purpose in life is later on. No need to rush. Like a sponge, absorb as much as you can.

For the professionals considering a career shift: There is no such thing as a dead end. It is always never too late to try something new. Financial security may be more appealing. But when you get to the point of dragging yourself to work everyday, it is about time that you stop and think about your situation. There are thousands of books that can help you discover about yourself and what you are good at. You can also use the web for more useful information. Calculated risks and proper planning will help you find your way. Living with a purpose is definitely more fulfilling. Passion for something will bring out all the best in you.