A Letter From a Reader
- April 7th, 2009
- Write comment
I just got an email from one of the people who stumbled upon my blog by random searching.
Here’s what he said:
I had a chance to click on your site while searching for an article
about Philippines and I read a bit of the blogs on your site and I
think it is good. I got particularly interested about the Dell issue.
As I read on I realized that there are very strong emotions that came
out from different people. I was not able to understand all the
Filipino words but I think it is good that people has a way of
expressing their emotions regarding the matter.Working in the US I would say this, I’m lucky…. I work in NYC for a
brokerage company in Wall Street as a systems analyst. I have been
away for over 2 decades and I was able to visit Manila last year but
before I left I only had a psychology degree from La Salle and when I
got a job here I started working on computers and then learned more
about it as I move the ranks.On my first visit to the Philippines in over 2 decades and talked to
my cousin who works for a call center for over a year, I asked her…
what job is available after working for a call center? She had this
blank stare on her face. Then I knew all along what I had that I had
taken for granted, …. Opportunity…..I have been living here in NYC
for so long that I too took that for granted… I asked her if working
in a call center is a sought after job and she said yeah…. and guess
what… she has a masters degree in education. I asked her why she
wanted to work for a call center and she said because it pays the most
money. And so I continued asking and asked why she studied for her
Masters and she said because it would be more competitive for her to
have that on her resume.I often take it for granted that if I quit my job now and move on to
the other field, I can do that with little hesitation because in my
mind I’m the master of my own destiny but I guess my cousin does not
have that luxury and I feel for her.I do not know what happened since I left but I hope Filipinos realize
that we are having brain drain and other nations benefiting from it. I
would like to be able to encourage Filipinos to go beyond just what is
offered and do what their hearts desire, because that is the only way
one can have fulfillment.In my humble opinion, it will get tougher as days and months comes by
for call centers. Dell lately has been offering American consumers
options of adding $10.00 into their new purchase they can talk to an
American representative and guess what in a few yrs. those call center
jobs will be limited again because Americans would rather pay a few
bucks to talk to another American. Their is a movement here for
“Protectionism” now that Obama is in the White House and with 8.5 %
unemployment, they would rather train another American than give the
job to somebody else. I should know because I’m in the field. I do not
know where that leaves the Filipino’s !!! I hope the Filipino
government has contingency plans once recession hits the nation and it
will… it is just a matter of time. I hope they realize people will
leave once opportunity gone.I think as a nation we are smart but we have to find a way to get the
breaks not just grab what is offered on the table. I should know…. I
was once a Filipino too.Thank you and good luck……
===============================
Hi Anthony,
1. David Beckham (UK – soccer player)