Lovely "Firsts" at Work

First multi-tasking:

"Lexel speaking, pager ID please?"
"Your message, please?"

That was me some 20+ years ago. I was working as a Communication Specialist in a paging company. In my 4 years in that company, I've had a number of regular callers, some would call several times before giving their message, hanging up a few times if it's not "Lexel" servicing them. Back then, I had a regular who was using the code "Mahal". The lady is sending messages to a 4-liner pager and her messages would always be long that would take 4-5 transmissions per call. She would give her message in our native language, Tagalog, but she would ask me to translate it for her to English. Before transmitting each 4-liner message, she would ask me to read what I wrote. Each time, she would thank me and tell me that I'm very good in what I do.

That was really my first job requiring multi-tasking. I listen, talk, and think while typing her message. I needed to type/encode fast (minimum typing speed required is 60 wpm). Our calls were monitored and if we take a long time attending to one customer, our supervisor would be coming behind us to observe the call.

Lovely job! I did this job while still studying (college) and while raising a family (with 2 kids). I was working in Ortigas (Pasig City). I lived near Harrison Plaza (Pasay City). I was studying in Intramuros (City of Manila). My daily routine: walk, run, talk, type, think, commute. But I still got to read my favorite novels while waiting for calls during non-peak hours!

First training facilitation:

I was new trainer at a semiconductor company. I was a fresh grad. On my 2nd week, I was trained on Quality Management System along with other employees. After that training, I needed to conduct the next training session. It was different from talking to customers over the paging line so I was so nervous. I was able to deliver the session but I just really couldn't control my voice. The trainees sitting at the first 2 rows have their fingers covering their ears!

Lovely job! I was able to adjust after the first session and I got certified by a reputable external training organization under the Trainers Development Program.

There are more "firsts" for me but these two are really unforgettable. Maybe, I really enjoyed these jobs a lot without me realizing it. These were long-time-ago experiences but they remained vivid in my mind.





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