Pinoy Potter's Chronicles

Yesterday, I had lunch with a long-lost high school classmate. Ron-J, as we fondly call him during our high school years, is probably one of the smartest if not the smartest guy I've ever met in this generation (and maybe in my lifetime). He is our batch valedictorian, and also part of the UP-CBA team that bagged first place in the 2006 Intercollegiate Finance Competition. I learned that he will be taking his CFA Level 1 this December 2, 2007.

I am really glad that we bumped each other over yahoo messenger, which made our meeting possible. He is still the same Ron-J that we know in our class: smart yet humble. At least I found another person with whom I can seek guidance and tips in the CFA (if ever I decide to take it, which is probably not in the near future).

May Ron-J ace the CFA Level 1 exam this December 2, 2007. Thanks for offering me help for the realization of my future plans. Thank God that your workplace is just one building away from mine.

Intuition is "the immediate apprehension of an object by the mind without the intervention of any reasoning process" [Oxford English Dictionary].

Intuition is "1 : Immediate apprehension or cognition without reasoning or inferring 2 : knowledge or conviction gained by intuition 3 : The power or faculty of gaining direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference." [Merriam-Webster]

This very same word is something that I badly need to work on and improve within me. Based on my self-initiated diagnosis and dosage of the reality check drug (which, by the way, turned out to be a bitter pill to swallow), my current sickness is weak intuition. It is the driver that contributes to my current struggle. Understanding the theories and rules in my chosen pursuit are hard enough, but it's a whole lot harder appreciating these in a more intuitive manner.

Unfortunately, the reality check drug can only help me notice or recognize the problem and not really to cure it (not even gradually). I still need to find the right vitamins or supplements in order to gain intermediate intuition or to exercise the intuitive side of my brain.

I'm supposed to be in the "work in process" stage. However, if I were to thoroughly assess myself, I can't say for sure if I'm already in that stage, or if I'm still the same raw material produced by my Alma Mater (note the emphasis on the word in bold). I'm not sure where the problem really lies. Is it because of the weak foundation I had from college? Is it my low capacity utilization? Is it my age? Is it my lack of discipline and complacency (an attitude that I imposed to myself since college)? Is it because of lack of time (the fact that there are only 24 hours a day)? Is it because of my excessive exposure to the internet and boob tube? Is it because I'm in the wrong place, or am I at the right track but doing things the wrong way? Is it because I'm really not smart enough? Or is it most if not all of the above + the possible factors not known to myself?

I dunno. I guess I'm just glad that I'm aware of what the problem really is. It is important for me to work on the problem because I've been wanting to do and pursue certain things successfully with certain people, for myself and people whose opinion and impression really count. After being able to fully recognize the problem, I thought I should do things slowly, but surely. I just hope that I am not and will not be too slow.

If you think I had enough dosage of reality check at my current workplace, then you are so wrong.

Last Thursday, I was given an invitation by an investment banker who believes in my potential to attend the Manila Info Session of Columbia Business School at SGV, Ayala. It is one of the most formidable MBA schools in the United States of America. The likes of Washington Sycip, founder of Asian Institute of Management and SGV, and Arthur Ty, the man behind the leadership of Metrobank, were a few notable alumni of the said school. Of course, my investment banker friend also came from this school.

Excited and curious, I didn't hesitate to attend the scheduled info session. It was a really informative session. In fact, the Admissions Officer wasn't simply selling the school, but also the idea of preparing an aspirant to improve his chances and be ready for the life of Graduate School.

However, when the alumni were asked to share about their daily life at Columbia Business School, my "excessive" idealism was suddenly shut down by reality. Pursuing further studies in a competitive environment requires heavy ammunitions and major retooling. It's never enough to get a superior score in GMAT, have an outstanding professional recommendation, and to simply have the money to pay for the continuing education.

Suddenly, I admired law students who had to suffer sleepless nights just to pass their recitations. I suddenly admired journalists who had to cut on their hours of sleeps just to get a 3-minute story done (and probably contribute to the ratings). More importantly, I suddenly admired businessmen who never seem to run out of business and management issues. I suddenly had high regards to investment bankers who always go home late just to finish a company's public offering.

I have always been vocal about the flaws of my undergraduate degree (which is giving me a difficult time in keeping up to the competitive environment of my company), but thanks to the Columbia Business School Info Session, I realized that my current problems are just the beginning. There are definitely more to come, if I seriously want to have a successful career.

In addition, while I fancy completing the three levels of the Chartered Financial Analyst exams, it's not a "must do" for me. However, I am more than sure that I will pursue an MBA education, regardless of the timing. It can be here in the Philippines, or abroad, hopefully at the United States. Too ideal, but there's nothing wrong in dreaming. Since I want to become an investment banker (and maybe consider becoming a financial journalist), I felt that it is really important for me to have an MBA degree from a very reputable school.

In this new and difficult chapter of my life, I already had two strikes of reality check. These recent events definitely humbled me. In fact, it looks like I can't go back to my old confident ways. San Beda was like just a small pond in this huge world, yet I used to think that I rule a kingdom.

Well, it pays to have at least someone who is already at the peak of success to believe in me. I owe that investment banker friend of mine a lot. I will probably not be humbled and I would have not seen the light if not for him. The funny thing is, he is encouraging me to get my career in shape so that I will have a fair chance in getting a slot at Wharton MBA Program of the University of Pennsylvania where the likes of Mar Roxas, Manny Pangilinan, and Lance Gokongwei. I was like, "Whoaah! Now that's being TOO AMBITIOUS!". I told him that there will only be 1% to 5% chances of me getting a chance there. He reacted, "at least it's not zero".

All I can say now is, I am really humbled by the recent turn of events and experiences I had since I graduated. I am not sure if these experiences will wake-up the sleeping serious side of me, but I hope it will. No more playing games and fooling around.

For the last three days, I've been working on securing my pre-employment requirements. I had to apply for an SSS number, TIN ID, and Philhealth ID. Falling in line to secure these requirements on their respective offices aren't really much of a hassle. I got my SSS for like ten minutes, Philhealth for 20 minutes, and TIN for 45 minutes. The only exhausting part of it is that the offices are located quite far from each other, especially the Philhealth office which is located at Shaw Blvd, Pasig City.

I have decided to forfeit my slot at Ateneo Law School, and abandon the idea of becoming a lawyer. I'm not certain if such decision will be temporary or permanent. For now, I won't pursue further studies either in law or in the graduate or professional school from any university.

Starting May 2, 2007, I will now become part of the world of work. Let me clarify, however, that I am not really considering work in the context of labor or slavery. Joining the world of work is my way of opening a brand new chapter in my life; a chapter which will revolve on my career. Simply put, I am defining work as synonymous to answers.com's definition of career.

ca·reer (kə-rîr') a chosen pursuit; a profession or occupation.

I have finally chosen a pursuit, the profession where I dream to be successful and happy. Of course it will still be in the world of financial management. However, one thing is certain, I have chosen to go where others dared not to go. (Did that sound right? Haha.)

I have mixed emotions in moving to a new chapter. I feel scary yet excited in joining the world of work. I am pretty sure that it won't be easy, in fact, in my chosen pursuit, it's like I'm working and studying at the same time. It will be difficult, and my chosen pursuit will certainly put everything in me (from physical strength, to intellectual and emotional aspects) to a major test. Nonetheless, I guarantee that as of this writing, the difficulties in my chosen pursuit are the kind of challenges that I would want to undergo. I don't mind being pressured in it. I hope that after a year or so, my vigor and passion towards my chosen pursuit will continue and become stronger. I certainly wish that my motivation towards attaining career and professional development will never die.

I am thrilled and glad because I will also meet new people, and I will be on totally different environment. This time, I will be away from the comfort brought about by my friends and Alma Mater. I expect that most of the people I'll be dealing with are not of my age. In addition, in this new chapter, I will also put my independence and maturity into test. Nonetheless, I guarantee that I will still have a social life (and sanity).

Of course there is fear and uncertainty. It's just that, I have to start at some point and somewhere to successfully open a brand new chapter of my life. I realized that I have to start now, or I'll never be ready. After all, I am very enthusiastic with my chosen pursuit, so getting the hang of it will be difficult in the beginning, but will certainly become a breeze in the end.

I pray that everything will turn out well, especially since this chapter will definitely be a long one. I pray the same for my friends that are also opening a new chapter in their lives, whatever pursuit they have chosen.