Where did I go wrong?

It's been two months, and I have yet to land a position in my chosen career. Is it my degree? My resume? Have I been barking up the wrong tree all this time? Or is it just plain bad luck?

Up until now, I'm still somewhat confused about how to draw my professional path. I'm torn between following my passion for the arts and related fields and pursuing what society offers. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philippine Arts, which can lead me to several areas of profession since it encompasses basic concepts and theories in the arts and Philippine culture. Moreover, having taken the Arts Management program, I was introduced to basic management theories and principles that I could apply not just in the field of arts but also in other areas related to management. So, I have this vast field of options ahead of me, right? Or do I?

I have been sending my resume to television networks, marketing and advertising companies, arts organizations, and other companies in need of management staff, trainees, and production assistants. Yet, to this day, nobody seems to have noticed my credentials. I even tried my luck in a teaching career, and guess what? I'm not even close to receiving a callback. I had only two interviews: one with an arts organization in need of marketing assistants and the other with an advertising company looking for management trainees. The former interview, which happened two months ago (two days before my graduation), felt like a breeze. I thought landing a position in a professional career wouldn't be so hard after all. Well, I guess I was too naïve to think that way. After taking the logic exam with just two mistakes and answering essay questions, I thought, wow, that was quite easy. The interview followed, and I felt I had presented myself well, even though it was very brief. The interviewer seemed dissatisfied with my lack of professional experience, despite the fact that fresh graduates were encouraged to apply. I thought, so why bother now? Somehow, I still expected to receive a callback for a final interview, hoping they'd give me another chance to prove my worth in the organization. But, of course, I was hoping for nothing.

The other interview, which took place at an advertising company last Monday, wasn't too bad. We were asked to report the next day for the official screening. I chose not to, for several compelling reasons. First, the office was not what I would expect from an international company. It was quite small and uninviting for an advertising firm that was originally founded overseas. The air conditioning was poor (they had to use an electric fan to improve ventilation), and the computers were quite old. Second, the management trainees (for which I had applied) would be required to undergo 70% fieldwork—essentially, we’d be going out on the streets and interacting with different kinds of people. I, along with my dad and brother, presumed it would involve a lot of selling. So, I decided not to report the next day. Was I right, or was I foolish not to take the chance?

And now, I'm still searching for my path, hoping that someday I'll find my way. I might also try my luck in a BPO career, as society seems to offer that nowadays.