AGE IS JUST A NUMBER

Am I being too sensitive? Won't you find it rude if someone who does not know you yet says, "Aren't you too young to become _______?"

Especially when they haven't seen your credentials and how you work as a professional.

In October 2015, a few weeks short of my 21st birthday, I got hired at my first ever job, after passing the board exam. I was a newbie and had no batchmates in that institution. So I felt like I was the baby in the lab and knew I had a lot to learn. I felt so small but thanks to my seniors, for teaching me and for not making me feel stupid, I became the medtech that I am today. A few months after getting hired, the hospital administrator asked if I wanted to attend an intensive training in Microbiology at RITM. I said yes. Then after the training, I put up the Microbiology section. Having the Microbiology section made the lab a Tertiary Clinical Laboratory. Since then, the hospital administrator would let me attend trainings, seminars and workshops with our chief medical technologist. I took up Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science, hoping I could teach someday. little did I know, I would be promoted to supervisor at the age of 24. I attended all those seminars and trainings, for the love of learning and not for the promotion. So I was really grateful for what happened.

Those who do not know me would always wonder how I got promoted. Like, excuse you? How rude!

I love learning and putting into action what I've learned. And I was blessed to have been hired in a hospital where the bosses see potential in their employees. It's because of them that I was given these opportunities to learn, to grow and to share my ideas and knowledge. My years of experience also taught me a lot on how to manage the lab and how to communicate with different kinds of patients, doctors, etc. Being able to collaborate with them and with different organizations helped a lot. But I came to a point where I've already given everything I could give in that hospital and was offered a job in a new hospital where I can continue to grow. But I am glad that the ones I left were all supportive and happy for me, including my bosses. They even told me I could return if I ever changed my mind.

And just recently, a week before my 29th birthday, I started working in a new environment as the Chief Medical Technologist. Those who know me, were happy and proud of me, telling me I deserved it, while those whom I have just met were like, "But why? Aren't you too young to become the chief?"

Ugh. These people are the reason why young people get discouraged. And for their information, my application was reviewed by the Board of Directors and went through a lot of screenings. And I am blessed that my bosses, the doctors, respect me despite my age.

And as I get to work with those who were doubtful, they start to warm up and respect me as a professional. :)

The way I have delivered my thoughts in this entry may be a little vague and confusing but my point is... DO NOT JUDGE PEOPLE BY THEIR AGE OR BY THEIR APPEARANCE. 

JUST DON'T JUDGE PEOPLE AT ALL, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T KNOW THEM. Hehe. ALL CAPS PARA INTENSE.

A friend pointed out that age or seniority could be a basis for promotion, because you shouldn't be a leader if you are immature.

But to me, you could be old and still be immature. You could also be young but  mature because of all the experiences and learning you've gained at a young age. So wala talaga sa Age yan.

Hehe that's all.

Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.

Here's to growth, new challenges, learnings and chasing after our dreams!

Cheers to the "going out of your comfort zone era"!