Past Quarter Life Crisis… For Now?

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If you asked me right after high school (back in '97) who I dreamed to be by the age of 30, I would've probably told you I'd be a Chemical Engineer.

 (credit)

I took B.S. Chemical Engineering in college at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. I didn't finish my course because of 2 major events in my life in the year 1998, a year past my first day in this great university; events that led me to decide to abandon my Iskolar ng Bayan status and transfer to another school.

Only a few people know the real story behind that decision. And I bet they all understand why I just had to do it. The only thing I'd tell you now is what I usually say when I get asked why I transferred - I was exposed to computers and found out a career in the IT industry is what I wanted to pursue.

I am a Computer Engineering graduate at AMA Computer University. Some people might be surprised that I'm revealing now where I actually finished school.

When people ask me where I graduated, I usually just tell them, "Oh, some computer school in QC". I admit, I was a li'l ashamed. Coming from UP Diliman and then transferring to what I consider a mediocre school was something I'm not really proud of. No offense meant to those who studied in AMA and made a great career out of it. We’ve got different experiences so don’t hate me for saying that. Based on my experience, I’m not satisfied with their education system. And I can't really say I learned everything I know now about computers from AMA. Oh wait, I'm straightforwardly telling you that I DID NOT LEARN ANYTHING from that school. I mean, not anything I know now. I graduated without even knowing how to program. Seriously. I got a grade of 1.75 without even knowing how to fire up a program in my Assembly class. *LOL*

I just had to say that because whenever people ask me where I studied and I give them an honest answer, they're all like, "Ohhh that's why you're good at computers". Err... NO. Everything I know now, I learned through all my tinkering, internet research and my curiosity. I taught myself how to design websites, work on Photoshop, learn about Wordpress and Blogger, etc. So proud of myself, really. :) (What a self-indulgent blog post this is, eh?) I was even able to setup our internet cafe through all the self-taught knowledge and experience, plus some technical skills I got from my work at the first call center I worked for.

The only reason why I finished my degree was because of the diploma. I needed to do it for my nanay. I may not have graduated from a major university and landed some high-paying occupation, like Nuclear Medicine Technologist jobs, but I was determined to achieve something she'd be proud of. I NEVER wanted her to feel she wasted money on me that's why I worked hard to know what I know now and be where I am at present. Everything I've done after college, I did because of her... and my bro Kenneth, too.

If you asked me a year ago what I wanted to do in life and where I see myself in 5 to 10 years, I'd probably say, "I don't know. Most likely, I'll be stuck in this old, boring life." But, a lot has happened in the past year that I can't thank God enough. He has paved a way for me to provide for my family in my own little efforts, and still enjoy what I'm doing. So, yes, no more quarter life crisis for me. And I can’t wait what the future has in store for me and my family. I hope there’ll be kids and a special someone sharing that bright future too. ;)

I'll see you back here for updates in my midlife. ^_^