New Chapter of My Life

Ad Ghetto Event

Last year around the end of October, there was an advertising networking event called Ad Ghetto. Unfortunately, it also happened to be the same day where there was a boba buffet at Little Sweet Café. All the CG members were planning to go there. I was torn between the two, but had purchased my ticket to Ad Ghetto already.

On the day itself, I became so lazy to go and almost bailed out. The Holy Spirit told me to go anyway. Once I was at the event, I met up with one of my friends at AAU who was interning at an ad agency at that time. He introduced me to his supervisor, who happened to be Indonesian! So at least I networked with one person!

At that time we had a class assignment to ask the opinions from professionals about the work in our portfolio. So me and another friend asked our new connection for their help, and they agreed to meet up somewhere in November. Once we were there and sat down with them, the first question they asked was “So you want to intern here?” We were quite surprised since it wasn’t our original intention. So I said “Sure, why not?” Right at the spot, we had a very casual interview and met up with four different people. We didn’t even get to show our portfolio. But they told us they would contact us if they liked it.

Days went by… Weeks passed… Still no news… I was quite sad and didn’t want to start applying to other agencies, believing that I would get this one. It was until early January that I suddenly received an email saying that they were still interested. It was the best news I received this new year! She said they were waiting for approval from the upper management. I waited, but I didn’t hear back from them again for a while.

Break Down

I slowly started to lose hope and gave in to my pride. At first, I only wanted to work at an ad agency in San Francisco. So I started applying to them, but never heard back. I started to lower my standards and started applying to faraway places. Then I let go a little bit more and started applying in-house as a graphic designer (even though my major is advertising). I even opted to do freelancing. In the midst of all craziness, I even applied to Wells Fargo and Google for fun… lol…

Getting a phone call or an interview was very rare. All the emails I received were saying there was another better candidate, or that there were no open positions. My creative recruiters helped me find one ad agency in Pinole. I had a phone interview with them, but they couldn’t proceed if there was no client. Nita reminded me that it’s not about the number; it was all about getting that one right interview. Even so, I was still sad at times and started to feel useless and thought that God didn’t want me to get a job. Even though I tried my best to keep my faith, it started to waver. Countless time I started negotiating with God and tried to persuade Him to give me a job. I got angry at Him…

It was until that Sunday at church when we sang One Thing Remains when I heard God speak to me: “Why don’t you trust me? Don’t you know that I have already provided a job for you?” Hearing that just made me tear up as guilt filled my heart. That day I immediately changed my prayer attitude. I no longer asked God to give me a job, because I had faith that He would provide it for me. Instead, I asked for the patience and endurance to wait until that door will be opened. I later got to know from Melanie that this is what CG Faith had been praying for all this time, and they were so overjoyed my mindset was finally at the right place. (Probably because my sister was the one who was stuck with me during my mental breakdown moments.)

God's Miracle

By this time, I had already applied to approximately 150 companies. I also kept in touch with that ad agency I met from Ad Ghetto, asking if there were any updates, but there wasn't. That week, I got two in person interviews with other companies! One was a Salesforce driven company in SF that needed a graphic designer. Another one was a start up business that needed a web designer. They both simultaneously scheduled to interview me on the same day, and both actually offered me the job on that day. Amazing! I should be feeling happy, but how come I didn’t?

The start-up company had an interesting offer and could pay a lot, but somehow something did not feel right. So I was considering to pray to God: “Lord, if you don’t want me to take this job, then please let an advertising agency contact me tomorrow. Whether it is an email of rejection or acceptance, let them contact me!” As soon as I checked my phone, I saw that there was an email from the ad agency saying that there’s finally an update, and that they would call me tomorrow. I also noticed there was a voicemail message from the recruiter saying that the ad agency in Pinole was still interested. But since it was late, I would have to call them back tomorrow. Out of all days, why would all of them suddenly contact me right on that day to speak to me tomorrow??? Coincidence? I believe not…

Man, I always prayed for God to open up the right door. I now know that I should’ve prayed for Him to lead me through the right door! On top of that, Wells Fargo actually contacted me to proceed to the next stage as well. (Yes, the same one in Oakland where James and Stanley used to work at).

End of Unemployment

The following day, the ad agency from the event called me and said that the internship has finally been approved and that I could start working with them!!! Wohoooo!!! Without second thoughts, I immediately accepted the offer. Never would I have dreamed about rejecting some offers. This was crazy!

Our God gives abundantly!  Waayyy more than what we ever asked. I don’t really know why He wanted me to wait, since this was basically the first ad agency that I applied for. Even so, I truly experienced how God still cares and wants me to end up working at the right place. If He can do this for me, I believe He will do even mightier things for others who are also looking for a job! So guys, be steadfast!!! I truly believe that God has already prepared a place for each one of you!!! Hwaiting! Ganbatte! Jia you!!!! The time will come!!!

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9