Author’s Note: I’m not leaving tech for now. These are my thoughts based on messages I've received and posts I've seen online and in person about tech jobs in Iloilo and other provinces.
In Iloilo, BPOs are booming, but other tech jobs are not. You have to go to Manila or Cebu for better opportunities, and even then, competition is fierce.
The disparity between existing tech jobs and the number of candidates is high. If you apply online, you are competing against hundreds of applicants for one or two positions. How could you possibly stand out? And not everyone has the time to wait for better ones. Nor network at events that may require spending other than food or rent.
As one friend said to me after months of job hunting, “No one’s hiring… I don‘t want to be in tech anymore.” That’s sad.
Should I give up? I don’t want to. I’m fortunate to live in with my parents and near the city, so I have time. But it’ll eventually run out. That’s why I’m practicing and learning as much as possible and volunteering for my organization. It’s better than doing nothing. It keeps me sane too, having to meet people every month.