What keeps you working every day?

If you are a fresh graduate, chances are, you are filled with high expectations and hopes of earning a big salary. You might feel that the diploma which you reaped after 4 or more years could be your key to having a high paying job in the city while dressed in corporate attires. This, however, is not true for all fresh graduates.

I recently graduated from Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite, with a degree of Legal Studies, and currently employed as a paralegal in a law office in Bacoor, Cavite. I go to work 6 times a week, from 8am to 5pm with overtimes most of the time.

As I go home, even in the middle of the night, our boss would still vital issues concerning the cases we are handling via Facebook Messenger.

I could say that I work almost 24/7. But I do enjoy it, and I do not find my work tedious. Even with soggy eyes due to lack of sleep, I still go to our office every day with a happy face and much enthusiasm. (READ: Finding meaning in work)

One time, my mom asked me “What keeps working every day?”– considering that my job does not pay me much compared to others. I simply told my mom that it is not all about the money. It is about so much more: 

Self-satisfaction

In the legal profession, we work to help others. We kill time by making pleadings, motions, and other legal documents which cater to our clients’ needs. Even if it just an ordinary affidavit of loss, we do it with heart and passion. For us, there is no such thing as a “big-time” client or a small client. We treat everyone equally. We render service efficiently without looking for their social status in life. Our clients’ “thank you” and smiles are priceless.

Happy workplace

Our office is located along the Aguinaldo Highway in Bacoor, Cavite, and as expected, roaring sounds of passing vehicles always fill our work stations.

Nevertheless, we do not mind. As weird as it is, we find melody in every busina (honk) we hear. Or maybe we’re just used with it. (READ: 4 things to stop doing at work)

I’m cubed in a not-so-big office together with two other paralegals who were also my college classmates. With us is our one and only boss, who was also my former college professor. Despite having a heavy workload, the 4 of us do not forget to bond with each other. We have endless chikas (talks) and eat-outs. I am happy with our workplace simply because I have a good relationship with all my workmates. They are not just colleagues but also also my friends.

Also, our boss treats us not just as employees, but as his younger sisters.

Cool boss

Who wouldn’t be enthusiastic to work if your boss is as cool and as techie as you? As for me, I have to say that I am lucky to have a cool boss. A certified joker as he is, our boss never fails to make things lighter for us. He eases the burden and pressures at work. 

No specific dress code 

For a person like me who hates wearing skirts and high-heeled shoes, I find it amazing that our office does not require specific dress codes. As long as we look presentable with our jeans and blouses, the work must go on. Truth be told, the kind of clothes you wear does not hinder you from getting the job done and for completing tasks with utmost efficiency.

Friendly clients 

Every day, we get to meet various people with different quandaries and legal issues in life. They all have diverse stories to tell, from which we could learn. The good thing about our law office is that we do not treat clients just as clients. As soon as we have accepted to help them, they already become a part of us – our system and our being. The camaraderie that we build makes us realize that what we do is not just a job.

When I was still in college, Philippine society seemed to instill in my mind that we study to work, and that we work to just earn. As for me, earning a huge salary is not the only reason I go to the office every day. The real reason for working every day are the people who need workers like me, with their legal questions and all.

Each of us have skills which are honed for specific reasons and we have to know what yours is. Ask yourself: if you fulfill all that society dictates us on what we should be getting out of working, will you be happy?

And to those who earn a high salary and are happy, congratulations. You are one of a kind. – Rappler.com

Ma. Cariza L. Almoradie is a fresh graduate, with a degree onLegal Studies from Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite. Sheis currently employed as a paralegal.