Are You Still in the Right Profession?

For those who don’t know yet, I am in the field of Human Resources and this is one of those times that I found myself asking, “Am I still in the right profession?”. With or without Pandemic, letting go of employees will never be easy. There will never be a one-size-fits-all on this. No matter what the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) gives out as guidelines and protocols, it will never be easy because we are creatures of emotions. There was a time when my boss told me that the reason why he thinks my HR process is slow, it’s because I have emotions – that I have a heart. Honestly, at first, I got offended. But as time goes by, I realized that I should accept it. That will be a fact for me and that I should take it as a compliment instead.

I never knew I would be in this profession. Back in HS, I already knew that I wanted to take up Psychology in college. My three choices for college was 1) Journalism because I am really fond of writing and expressing myself in words, 2) Political Science because my daddy (grandfather) talked to me about it since I was great at making excuses (yes, pun intended for me back then) and that I wanted to be someone who helps other people justify their human rights, and 3) Psychology because I wanted to learn how people behave, how people think, why do they do the things they do. Ever since I was young, it was my life goal to author a book and I realized those authors of the books I loved to read were either graduate of Journalism or Psychology, or Social Sciences. I can vividly remember that in 2nd year of HS, I am already fixed with the idea of taking up BS Psychology for college. Graduating from college with high honors gives you the benefit of being scouted early by companies to join them. I received job offers here and there, the majority from recruitment firms. I knew I can take different roads after taking Psychology since the course gives you a wide horizon of opportunities however, I was certain that I do not want to take the medical field. I never saw myself on it – maybe I am not cut for the medical field. I have high respect for those in the medical field and I don’t think my skill set is fit for it. For the industrial or corporate side, I wanted to specialize in Training and Development because I want to be dynamic, I want to help in tapping potentials and I love to see people grow. I intended to work as a Training Assistant for my first job but after a long interview, I was told that the position I wanted was no longer available and they were reprofiling me to a different position. I took the job as an Executive Assistant for the General Manager and I am so glad I did. The majority of my knowledge in retail operations came directly from the source of knowledge and I was really in for the experience. Not a year after, I had this longing to share the knowledge I got with others – I knew it was in my heart that I wanted to pass it on (or transfer the knowledge). I spoke with my boss about it and she allowed me to explore the training path which went on for another year; I had no direct mentor for it but I managed to study and learn about it as I apply it at the same time.

My second job was heavy on Training but still, I had no direct mentors or superiors in the same field. I was enjoying my job that went on for 4 years, I am happy to see not just the people but also the sales grow until I craved formal learning. I met great friends along the way, one also became my mentor. That same friend gave me a break (a huge break in my career in HR) and learned directly under her for a year. It made me step out of my comfort zone and I will never regret that experience. It was a short stint but I gained a lot from it. I also joined an HR Mentoring Community and other HR Communities wherein I learned much more about Human Resources as a whole and not just a piece of the puzzle. Grateful up until today, that God allowed me to meet the right people, right mentors, in order to grow and fulfill my duties as an HR Practitioner. I eventually ended up loving the job and I aim to be an HR Consultant in the near future.

Funny that a lot of people STILL think that the HR job is just documents, payroll, and recruitment. There’s A LOT more to it than meets the eye. I believe there is no easy job, all require talent, grit, application of experience, passion, and many more. Am I really helping people? I want to take care of the employees, but can I really do it? Am I really cut for the job? A job doesn’t always give us rainbows and butterflies and in difficult times, I still find myself questioning the path I took. I don’t regret any of it, it’s more of thinking of the things I could have done more back then or what could I do to improve more. Maybe my heart couldn’t withstand too much pressure it’s because I have personal convictions as well but I know that sometimes I have to toughen up. I need to hide my emotions and be objective about things. Thankfully I learned the Art of Dedma from the first boss. I know that whatever I do in this profession will not ultimately define who I am as a person. I know that there are times that it won’t be a walk in the park, people will get mad at me, and would eventually make stories, but I also accept that it will always be part of it.

HR is a difficult profession. You must be fair on both sides (both employee and management). You must be the voice of the employees but also, be the executioner by the management. You must be the one who understands. It may also be called a thankless job by others and yet they need us. You must play the good guy by creating just policies and sound decisions but can also portray the bad guy because you recommend and take part in implementing disciplinary actions. And even if you’re a seasoned HR professional already, believe me, it never gets easy. We deal with humans and human behavior will always be difficult to predict. I salute all the HR Professionals out there – regardless of the size of the company. HR is HR. While it’s also true that there are HR professionals out there who weren’t “really into the job” but STILL, it’s difficult to be the face of the management for the employees.

20 Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. 21 Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. 22 And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. 23 God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. 24 Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.

1 Corinthians 7:20-24 NLT

Again, I never regret taking this path but sometimes my mind wanders, and ask myself these things then I would be reminded that I should grow where I am planted. I believe God had given me the opportunities, the avenues, the platform, the tools, the path to the right people in order to be where I am to be right now. Grow wherever you are planted. I should grow using God’s talents, skills, knowledge, and opportunities, to make Him known in whichever profession we are currently taking. He allows everything to happen and is sovereign over everything – He is our ultimate boss and I knew He had called me to be here. Praise God for His words that always comforts and reassures me whenever I doubt myself.

Mahirap maging HR kapag walang emosyon, mahirap maging HR ng walang desisyon, mahirap maging HR kapag walang simpatya sa empleyado, pero mas mahirap maging HR kung walang Diyos.

PS: I still have the dream to author a book if God allows it.

5 Comments

  1. Maren

    October 28, 2020 at 6:20 pm

    Nakikita ko na fulfillment ng dreams mo. One day you will write a book. In the right time 🙂

    1. Lyza

      October 28, 2020 at 7:51 pm

      Awww, thank you so much, Maren! If God wills it 🙂

  2. Jackie

    March 20, 2021 at 11:37 am

    Continue doing great things for God’s glory and you will have the fulfilment of your dreams. I’m rooting for you😊.

    1. Lyza

      March 24, 2021 at 11:25 am

      Thank you so much for this. Thank you for being an encouragement! 🙂

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