“Kei, I’m leaving.”
“What?! Are you serious?”
“I’m about to go to the 11th floor to submit my resignation letter, my badge, and my keys.” I said. I replaced the receiver and stared for a moment at my PC. My desk was clean and starkly devoid of mementos. I had placed them earlier in a paper bag- the mug that Jigger gave, my plaques, and pictures of me and my team. I was ready.
I informed my team of my decision the day before. I took them off the phones by fives, and inside the conference room, I informed them. “Boss, shocking naman. What’s wrong?” A few of the girls started crying and I was trying to control myself. “This is a great place to work”, I began, “but I feel that it’s time for me to move on.” Gosh, I never thought those clowns really cared that much about me.
My team and I have been through a lot. There were forty teams in the US Market, my team was the 39th team to be formed. After a year and a half of training and mentoring, bad shifts, and firing 32 people along the way- we finally reached top six, beating much more tenured teams. I was proud of what we have accomplished, but despite of that I had started to feel the monotony of the job. I applied for Assistant Call Center Manager, but like the 11 other applicants we were turned down. It’s either I move up or move out, I thought.
I’ve thought about it a hundred times, on whether I should leave or stick around (in fact, it was the favorite topic of my fellow managers). I was sure, I was on the right track, but as I rose from my seat and walked towards my colleagues to say my goodbyes, I felt a twinge of doubt and a tear forming in the corner of my eye.
I sent my final email to the management group, before proceeding to HR. After surrendering my badge and keys, I was free. I turned as I approached the glass doors, and looked for the last time. The entire floor was buzzing; CSRs were clapping for assistance while supervisors hurried to assist. I saw one of my friends coaching her CSR and I felt a tug at my heart- I’m going to miss all that. Coaching sessions, team buildings, breakfast with friends at Deli France.. I saw myself as a CSR, years before being promoted, and remembered the time I almost got fired. I saw my first American boss who pushed for my promotion to Team Manager, and I saw the faces of my CSRs..
With my things in hand, I took a deep breath, walked into the waiting elevator, and watched as the doors slowly closed.
“What?! Are you serious?”
“I’m about to go to the 11th floor to submit my resignation letter, my badge, and my keys.” I said. I replaced the receiver and stared for a moment at my PC. My desk was clean and starkly devoid of mementos. I had placed them earlier in a paper bag- the mug that Jigger gave, my plaques, and pictures of me and my team. I was ready.
I informed my team of my decision the day before. I took them off the phones by fives, and inside the conference room, I informed them. “Boss, shocking naman. What’s wrong?” A few of the girls started crying and I was trying to control myself. “This is a great place to work”, I began, “but I feel that it’s time for me to move on.” Gosh, I never thought those clowns really cared that much about me.
My team and I have been through a lot. There were forty teams in the US Market, my team was the 39th team to be formed. After a year and a half of training and mentoring, bad shifts, and firing 32 people along the way- we finally reached top six, beating much more tenured teams. I was proud of what we have accomplished, but despite of that I had started to feel the monotony of the job. I applied for Assistant Call Center Manager, but like the 11 other applicants we were turned down. It’s either I move up or move out, I thought.
I’ve thought about it a hundred times, on whether I should leave or stick around (in fact, it was the favorite topic of my fellow managers). I was sure, I was on the right track, but as I rose from my seat and walked towards my colleagues to say my goodbyes, I felt a twinge of doubt and a tear forming in the corner of my eye.
I sent my final email to the management group, before proceeding to HR. After surrendering my badge and keys, I was free. I turned as I approached the glass doors, and looked for the last time. The entire floor was buzzing; CSRs were clapping for assistance while supervisors hurried to assist. I saw one of my friends coaching her CSR and I felt a tug at my heart- I’m going to miss all that. Coaching sessions, team buildings, breakfast with friends at Deli France.. I saw myself as a CSR, years before being promoted, and remembered the time I almost got fired. I saw my first American boss who pushed for my promotion to Team Manager, and I saw the faces of my CSRs..
With my things in hand, I took a deep breath, walked into the waiting elevator, and watched as the doors slowly closed.
13 comments:
Finding a job in a call center industry is not that hard. But the hardships you have been through for having your position is priceless.
I would not be a contrary to your decision. But youre old enough. Hehehe
Good luck on your next career!
@ foxyreign: oo nga e = ) I dunno what made me so sentimental about that.. cguro kasi it was my first job right off college and I saw myself grow in those four years. Most of my contemporaries have moved on as well (some to other industries, some went to work abroad) kaya I never get to see them anymore = ( I was 23, I think when I managed a team and it was fun to be young and "powerful" hehe ; ) I miss the people the most kasi usually baklaan galore talaga pati mga girls haha
Oh wow, sa RCBC Plaza Tower 2 ka pala; kami naman ay nasa Yuchengco Tower. Ay, you USED to be sa Tower 2 na pala.
Good luck on your next phase. :-)
if only i would have done what you did now when i was 23 yo,i guess wala akong mga regrets! you are a UP grad, and on top of that very talented, so no worry! its nice to test the waters sometimes...
good luck kiddo!
pepe
I'm sure you'll find a better job that will challenge and reward you. I've never worked in the call center industry, I don't think I have the patience. Good Luck on the next job!
@ joelmcvie: yup ; ) did you go to fitness first rcbc? i might have seen you na in person na. thanks ; ) I'm gonna need all the luck in my next career haha
@ john halcyon von rothschild: yup, it requires patience.. i kinda had my moments when i was about to explode but i always miraculously managed to keep my tone in check.. a lot of work, i tell ya ; )
@ pepe m: Thanks Pepe, I sure hope I made the right decision..
Good luck on your next job. Time to meet and work with other people. :-)
@ misterhubs: thanks! i'll get a new job in about 2 years time pa = ) I've decided to study again full time (and definitely not in manila). It is strange, that i'm still able to recall with such clarity eventhough that event happened last feb of 2006 pa
you have new doors & windows waiting for you thadie, as u said, by 2 yrs time :)
Thad,
I feel the same way right now. It is hard to make decisions but no matter what our decisions are we have to stick to it and face the consequences. I have been switching careers in the call center industry too, I started from an agent moved to escalations and then to training department and back to Operations. Currently, I'm in a new Call Center that hired-pirated me some 8 months ago and started the account first hand but I don't see the account growing and myself as well. I'm switching careers too and yet to another call center - Again. It is really difficult leaving teams behind but we've got to move on. Thad, cheer up!!! wish you all the best on your next endeavor!
@ beejing: I am quite happy naman now ; ) it was an adjustment moving into another industry altogether.. Cguro at this point in our lives its mostly trial and error (at ang dami ng error!!). I wish you success in your chosen path = ) Time for us to move on and enjoy new things that will come our way ; )
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