If it wasn't for AFF, I wouldn't be here

I wasn’t really expressive about how thankful I am for everything until now. So you see, I just started my internship at Chevron (some of you might know it, it’s an energy company or most people know it as a gas station, if you’re familiar with Caltex—they’re the same thing). I’m a computer science student so I’m at the IT department at this AMAZING AMAZING company.

I was one of the two interns hired in this company (out of 57 filtered applicants and hundreds of resumes). And what’s bigger than that is we’re the first ever interns they hired in their history in my country. So we basically made history huhuhuhu. We’ve been treated like an employee here, not an intern. They’re and will be spoiling us so much with knowledge, trainings, and freebies. I simply cannot put my feelings into words because it is just too overwhelming for me. A lot of my colleagues said Im so lucky with this company.

 You see, I’m a bit of a slacker in univ. I don’t really listen to class, doesn’t pay attention. Goes out at night, has vices etc. Altho, I believe that doesn’t affect my grades hehe. Anyway, my point is I’m thinking of those people who are better than me, and thinking “why am I at Chevron.”

It’s amazing.

My co-intern and I are more than flabbergasted to be hired in this unbelievable company.

So what does AFF had to do with all this? First of all, AFF helped me improved my designs! If it wasn’t for AFF, my skills in editing wouldn’t be as good as what I am now. AFF offered me a lot of challenges, experiences, and most of all knowledge. Each poster/layout/trailer I made for people here on AFF is practice/improvement that made me who I am now. One of my downfalls here on AFF was when I wasn’t hired as a designer at a graphic shop—which I think is the best shop all time. I was rejected and the owner told me my designs are good but not consistent. And from that point, I challenged myself to be consistent, and hopefully I’m still consistent. You know what they say, consistency is key.

Maybe I should be thankful I was rejected because that was a wake up call for me to step up my game.

I also thank my longest friend here on AFF, abagil. Maybe I should call her my best friend hahaha. We’re still in touch up to this date. It’s been an amazing friendship. I met her at her shop—Club Nevermore (now, Club X). She owns it, I applied. And it taught me a lot of things: about the nature here on AFF, about requesters, designing, BLENDING, TEXTURESSSS, MASKS, and those photoshop techniques I didn’t know. Met amazing designers! AMAZING DESIGNERS!

Then, I opened my shop—Bat Shop (now, Game of Forms). And I thank each and everyone who supported my shop and my works from other shops. My shop is infamous for its unending change of layouts, revamps, pickiness, and greediness. And yet, you guys still support that mofo’ing shop! Amazing guys.

Of course, not only in graphic designing did AFF help me.

AFF also helped me be better at HTML coding. I learned a lot of techniques. Designed a lot. My layouts may be complicated but I still thank everyone who thinks my layouts are awesome. YOU ARE AWESOME. And because of that, I was probably /one of the best/ in web designing and programming in the batch?

Of course, not only in layout coding and graphic designing did AFF help me.

ALSO IN GRAMMAR and construction of sentences etc. I’m not a big fan of reading so before, I didn’t care about my grammar, I just do my best without listening to others’ opinion, and besides, I think my readers has nothing against my grammar. Then, I got addicted to review shops—I mean I kept submitting my stories for a review. And because of that, they helped me be conscious with my grammar and punctuations. I’m still having problems with my tenses tho, but no matter, I’ll learn.

I sincerely apologize if I couldn’t reply to all comments, messages, PMs etc. Truly, I’m just lazy or sometimes I forget to reply. But each comment give me little or big happiness!

 

And you know how AFF impacted my life?

I became the graphic design lead in the batch, wherein I design a lottt of graphics for an event and was seen by thousands of students.

I also became the editor-in-chief in our batch—I wrote the main article in our documentation, etc.

If there wasn’t much work on my shoulders, I’ll also probably do videos for our batch and maybe even help the developers develop applications and websites, but my hands were full.

Now, hired in Chevron.

 

Now, what will I do there?

Brew coffee? Hell no.

 

Honestly. It’s FREAKING UNBELIEVABLE that this MULTINATIONAL COMPANY trust us interns to handle such projects. My projects: I’m to develop an iOS application for the company and upload it to google play or app store, design logos that will be used ‘down the road’, revamp their current website which many would see, etc.

What worries me is that all of that should be accomplished within 3 months @_@ @_@ But believe in yourself guys, we can do it! None of us two interns has actually develop an iOS app. But I’m ready to learn! I’m excited.

I was actually contemplating earlier if I should deactivate my account despite my layouts and stories. But then I realized If it wasn’t for AFF, my skills won’t be as good and probably I wouldn’t be hired here. Because with the skills i've acquired or improve in this site and the things ive accomplished, that's what made me different among the other applicants. And heck, I learned I was the first one to be hired. I actually got a callback within an hour after my interview. So, I WILL NEVER DEACTIVATE MY ACCOUNT!

Don’t forget your roots, guys.

Never stop learning and believing in yourself.

Wish me luck.

I’m so thankful for everything! Thank you for the blessing!

Thank You, Lord. Thank you all so much. I love you all. Sincerely!!

 

 

PS: Dear Jason, if you’re reading this, I need programmer tips. Haha

 

 

Comments

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AXISfling
#1
YES, don't ever , I SAID JUST ING DON'T!! - delete your account or I'll kill you. XD
AXISfling
#2
I just read this, after being on hiatus for so long girl, I sort of feel what you went through. In graphic sense of course.
I was also rejected when I tried to applied for this famous UPVOTED graphic shop with AMAZING graphic designers because the person who wanted to hire said my graphics weren't good enough. That I should be back after a few more practices or so, and I'm like. Sure, I will. And tadaaa, brought us to where we are. XD

Good job Jae! So pretty proud of your ! XD
zezehfuh
#3
OMG CONGRATULATIONSSS >.<
But looks like we're competitor, cuz my brother works at BP
BUT REGARDLESS WORK HARD I KNOW U CAN DO IT!!! You have such a bright career for your future and I don't know why but I feel so proud for you >.< GOOD LUCK MATE!!!
sleepingprince
#4
Congratulations :) May your story be an inspiration to others as well . It always amazed me on how far and how much one could actually achieved if we dont set limition to ourselves . keep up the good work and continue to shine. I shall work harder and always improve myself as well .Have a blessed day
aihara_namika
#5
AFF changed my life too. i learn to write story here. i made a friend (my co-author) :)) and i learn about HTML codes. im planning to open a design shop in the future since im a graphic design student. this community is a great place for me to practice my skills
pandacathy
#6
Reading this made me smile so much. You persevered and you're doing great (from what I have read)! I'm happy for you and congratulations! :D

(I feel like a proud mom of some sort after reading my comment. Lol)
Gothbfmark
#7
holy i'm so happy for you and (strangely) proud of youuuuuuuu!
JaeKnight
#8
Never stop learning and believing in yourself.