Practicum Report

22 OCTOBER 2010 – FRIDAY

THE MOCK INTERVIEW

I had my mock interview for our practicum. We met our practicum supervisor who also interviewed us. I was very nervous that time and so were my classmates. The practicum process started with the mock interview, where we were interviewed by our practicum supervisor to know which particular practicum sites we are capable of applying our skills and learning from the tourism program.

I came to school very early. I had with me all the requirements needed for our practicum. One of the requirements was the index card which contained personal information as well as the practicum sites we prefer. We were allowed to write at least 3 to 5 practicum sites. The practicum sites I placed were as follows: 1. Singapore Airlines, 2. Asiana Airlines, 3. Etihad Airlines, 4. Saga Events, and, 5. Australian Embassy.

Minutes before my turn in the mock interview, I decided not to be nervous. I know that I have the Lord with me. So, I just prayed and asked God to guide me in my interview and I felt that there was somewhat a feeling in me that I was at peace, I was calm at that moment and I just believed that time that God was in control.

The interview went well. I was able to answer all the questions, although most times I stuttered. However, I felt not really good after that because I was not really confident with my answers. I also felt that our practicum supervisor didn’t like me because she was not pleased with me because I was quiet. She even told me when I stood up that I was so quiet and somehow it discouraged. But, I know God is always in control. I know He has greater plans for me — and I’m looking forward to these plans ’cause I know, He knows better than I.

 28 OCTOBER 2010 – THURSDAY

DISTRIBUTION OF RECOMMENDATION LETTERS

We were asked to go back to school for the distribution of our recommendation letters. Yes, we were about to know which particular practicum site we would be assigned. Everyone was nervous.

We arrived early and waited for our practicum supervisor. Minutes later she arrived. Our excitement was left hanging when she gave us orientation first instead of the very expected recommendation letters. Nevertheless, all went well and we learned a lot from the brief orientation as we were reminded of our PDSR lectures.

Just thirty minutes before the end of the meeting our practicum supervisor already had all the recommendation letters ready. She announced the names of students assigned to the practicum site followed by the name of the company. Everyone was experiencing mixed emotions during that time. Nervous, excited, and hopeful.

So was I who kept on praying hard for my practicum assignment. I prayed that I would still be placed in a good practicum site if not in Singapore airlines.

In the middle of all the excitement and tension inside the room, finally, my name was called. I was surprised. I was never expecting to be placed in Qantas airways. And I was glad I’m with my friend Earl. The announcement went like these: “Ching Tan, Ibarra, Diomampo, Cortes — Qantas airways”. Whoaah!

Cortes, that’s me! I couldn’t explain my feelings that time. I was sort of disappointed, because I want to be at/with Singapore airlines. But then, the disappointment turned into gladness and contentment because we found out later on that most airlines wouldn’t be able to accommodate us, and I had a hunch that Singapore was one of those. So, I thought of Qantas airways as a blessing because God still placed me in a good airline. Truly, He knows better than I. Immediately, I messaged my mother and partner to inform them about the blessing.

29 OCTOBER 20120 – FRIDAY

SUBMISSION OF RECOMMENDATION LETTER AND RESUME TO PRACTICUM SITE

The next day after we received the recommendation letters and found out our practicum sites, we planned to submit our recommendation letters. My classmate brought his car and we just contributed Php50 each for the gas. Good thing my classmate has his car that’s why we found no hassle in going to NAIA Terminal 1. Our other classmates also went with us using their car.

We arrived at NAIA Terminal 1 safe and sound. Unfortunately, when we were about to enter the airport, the security guard told us that we weren’t allowed to enter. So, to cut the story short, my classmate took our resumes and he was just the one who entered the Qantas office and submitted our resumes while the rest of us stayed at the restaurant. The Qantas staff who will interview us was on a leave that day so our resumes were just submitted. Since some of my classmates were not accepted at DNATA, they also submitted their resumes hoping that we’d all be accepted. After staying at NAIA 1, we went back to UST, all hopeful that we would be called or messaged at once and be accepted at one of the best airlines in the world.

 30 OCTOBER 2010 – SATURDAY

ENROLMENT

I wasn’t able to enroll due to my balance last semester’s finals. We happened to claim our first set of practicum uniforms. I was frustrated this day because I wasn’t able to enroll. But still, God is in control. I know that He will provide. I don’t have to worry. All I have to think about now is my practicum. BUT, we’re all still waiting for Qantas’ call/text. As they always say, patience is a virtue. In fact, we were informed that our supervisor in Qantas would be back on November 4, after holiday. So, better enjoy our vacation first.

 04 NOVEMBER 2010 – THURSDAY

FIRST BATCH OF TEXTS

All I did today was sit beside the telephone and wait for Qantas’ call. I woke up early, hoping and assuming I’d receive a phone call either before or after lunch time. Hours passed and finally my close friend at school was the one who received a text, surprisingly at around ten in the evening. Next were my other classmates. I also found out two from T1′s group received the text, too. Sadly, I, and my other two friends, was the only ones who didn’t receive it. I waited up until 12 midnight. Nothing happened. I got desperate and frustrated. Honestly, I cried that evening, lol. But, I’m still blessed to have my Facebook friends who uplifted me and encouraged me to not lose hope. I knew God has better plans for me if I wouldn’t be messaged and accepted by Qantas. I know God is in control. I held firmly on the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11. Then, I calmed down.

08 NOVEMBER 2010 – MONDAY

FAILURE TO ENROL

I thought I can already enroll by this time. I called UST cashier’s office (since no one’s answering at the accounting division) and they informed me that I can enroll by Monday afternoon. So, I went to school and I was surprised at the long queue of students enrolling. Despite the long queue, I was still determined to wait. Good thing I was blessed by God with long patience, lol.

I waited for almost two hours when finally I was able to enter the seminary gym. I went to the Assessment section, cleared the amount to be paid, including my balance (which was the real reason I wasn’t able to enroll the last time), then to the Payments section. When it was my turn, I was informed that I cannot use checks anymore. I knew it! I already saw it in the internet when I was searching about the pre-enrollment form I was given, and still I didn’t follow. I’ve read in the registration form *cash payment only*. Once again, I failed. I immediately called my mom when I saw the note in the form, and when I went in front of the cashier I was not allowed to pay. I was informed that I’d just have the guard to sign my paper so I will not fall in line the next enrollment day. I was told I can still enroll the next day. But, how would it be? We don’t have that huge amount of cash. This was another test, I know, so I would be closer to God. I knew it.

Two things I worry right now, my practicum which I’m still not sure of since there’s still no call/text from Qantas, and, my enrollment.

09 NOVEMBER 2010 – TUESDAY

THE QANTAS AIRWAYS TEXT

Finally, I received a text from Qantas! They messaged me both in my Sun and Globe lines. The text goes like this:
“Gud pm, ur invited for an intrvw re ur application for practicum wd Qantas Airways on Thu, 11 nov 10, at 3.00pm. pls be in corporate attire and bring ur temporary transcript of records, NBI clearance and student/valid id. for inquiries, u my call us at 832 29 78 and look for Pat. pls reply for confrmation.thnx. “

After several days of waiting, He answered my prayer. Thank You Lord. Now, my friends who will also be interviewed are pressured because of the news we got from our advisers. We found out first batch of interviewees from UST made it, then news came that 3 of the 5 of them only made it. Whichever news may be true, I know that I must exert all the very best that I can with the help of the Lord. We were just advised that we must do our best in the interview. I’m excited for it, and challenged at the same time.

11 NOVEMBER 2010 – THURSDAY

THE QANTAS AIRWAYS INTERVIEW

I woke up feeling a little bit uneasy. Today’s interview day, and I believe, this will be my BIG day. I was pressured by the reactions my classmates felt especially about the news we heard on Wednesday, the day before our interview. But still, I thanked the Lord for this day and continuously prayed the moment I woke up until the minute before my turn in the interview. I didn’t want to feel nervous. I knew I can do it.

We met at UST, saw our adviser, had short conversations near the CTHM office, and off we went to NAIA Terminal 1. We arrived at the airport minutes before 3 p.m., our scheduled interview time.

The sad and bad and irritating incident was that the security guards didn’t let us enter the airport at once. We needed to have an endorsement letter from Qantas to be able to get a pass. But we don’t have the letter that’s why we found difficult time entering the building. Even if we told them we have an interview at 3 p.m., they still wouldn’t let us in. I and my classmate went back and forth both on two entrance doors already.

Finally, we were allowed to enter. We went to the washroom first to prepare ourselves, then went upstairs to Qantas office. We entered and found one interviewee from St. Paul. We waited for almost an hour because the interviewer was in a meeting as what I’ve recalled. The Qantas employee read the names on the resumes, and my name was announced third. We all thought that was the order. Minutes later, we were shocked when my classmate, who was supposed to be the last one as we all assumed, was the first to be interviewed. We were all alphabetically arranged. Whoah! I’m the second one.

One last prayer. I didn’t want to get nervous. I know I can do it because I already prayed several times. I was surprised when instead of feeling nervous, I got excited. I knew that feeling came from the Lord. After the first interviewee, I was called. I went out and entered the next door. I entered, the woman directed me to another door, and the second I opened the door, a pleasant voice of a man was heard. Then I immediately became nervous, but thanks be to God, I was able to put a smile on my face. They first introduced themselves. Then they introduced the process, then started their first question…second, third, followed by few more questions.

Surprisingly, I managed to answer all of the questions BUT I was depressed I wasn’t able to answer in good and complete sentences. I stuttered. Most of the time, I stuttered, unable to compose my thoughts clearly, distracted and scared by the look of the interviewers, and disturbed by the airplane that took off. Nervous, but I was able to control my nervousness through smiling and proper eye contact. I thought these helped me let them understand my thoughts. Thankfully, even though I failed to answer in a better way I thought I could, they were able to understand my ideas as I continuously smiled at them.

I wasn’t confident after the interview. I kept on recalling my answers to the questions: “Why should we hire you?, Who is Icee outside work/school?, how can you promote Tourism?, Why tourism?, What are your expectations in the company if you’ll be hired?, What are the advantages and disadvantages of Facebook?, and, What have you heard of the past practicumers of UST in Qantas?”. Whoah! Whenever I recall my interview, the way I talked with shivering lips, my “what-is-my-main-point” answers to as far as I know “very easy questions”, it’s as if my mind wanted to shout “STOP THINKING ABOUT YOUR INTERVIEW MS. CORTES, IT’S OVER!!” hahahahaha!

Very unforgettable interview, indeed. So, after all of us were interviewed, we waited at the office lobby, then minutes later we were advised to leave the office so our fellow interviewees from UST too could go up. They informed us we would just wait until Friday, the next day, for the result of the interview.

We went out of the office, still couldn’t get over the interview. Feeling scared of what the result might be, we saw Thai airways office and we decided to pass our extra resumes. However, when we asked the offices regarding the application, they didn’t accept practicumers. My classmate just told us that since no office/company accepts practicumers already, it is better to claim that we are for Qantas. We passed by the chapel, they entered and knelt down to pray while I just sat and uttered my own simple prayer. Then, we left NAIA Terminal 1, and ate at KFC, hoping to release some stress and pressures brought by the interview the whole day.

God’s will I’d be accepted. There’s a slight feeling of gratefulness and contentment in me despite my “not-so-good” responses in the interview. I know, God will give this one to me.

11 NOVEMBER 2010 – THURSDAY

THE INTERVIEW RESULT

I arrived at home feeling very tired and exhausted. My skirt was torn when I stepped inside the jeep going to Espana. I was praying to God that He guide me since the four of us parted already and I was the only one not fond of taking a ride all by myself from a place I’m not familiar with. I was also praying that I wouldn’t be noticed by the men I was with at the jeep ’cause I’m the only woman during that time. But I know He was with me.

At home I immediately took a bath and took a rest, still feeling exhausted after the day’s interview. While I was texting my partner, I received another text from him and from another that has no name, only the number appeared. I didn’t read it at once. I replied to the text message of my partner first then after, I already opened the text message. It went like this: “Congratulations! u passd d intrvw re ur practicum applcatn wd Qantas. Pls submit all d reqts (school recommendation, nbi clearance, 2pcs 2×2 pic white bgrnd and temp transcript of records) 2m, 12nov10 frm 12-3pm in our ofc at NAIA T1 and look for Pat. Tks. See u! “

I was really surprised! The moment I arrived at home I was feeling exhausted and my mind couldn’t concentrate because I was tired and when I’ve read the text message from Qantas, telling me that I passed, I couldn’t explain my feeling. I still can’t believe it. The first thing I knew I must do was to go upstairs and tell it to my mother. She read the message and she was crying, lol, so was I while hugging her and holding the hand of my aunt. We were both surprised at how fast and early the result was sent because I was expecting to know it by Friday. But then, God is so great. He answered my/our prayers in an instant. The day hasn’t ended yet and that’s how fast He answered me. Sad to say, I was the only one who passed in the four of us who went together during the interview.

I’ve learned and experienced a lot during the application process. It was not yet the start of practicum but I’m learning a lot already. All I know is that the tears I cried were tears of joy not because I passed the interview, but because I know God was the One who was behind my success. I knew He moved. I know His plans are greater and higher and far far far beyond my fondest dreams. And the result of the interview was, once again, an evidence of how faithful God is to me all the time that is why I give back all the praises and glory ONLY to HIM.