Journey as a Student Assistant

Library is my home. I am serious when I said that library is my home. It has been my home for one and a half years now. This is because I am working as a student assistant in UP Technology Management Center (TMC) Libary since second semester of AY 2012-2013. This place is more than just a working place. And the people in UP TMC have been so dear to me. Especially Ate Elisa Alejandro (I used to call her Ate Lisa), the librarian of UP TMC Library. She has been like a family to me.

UP TMC Library

UP TMC Library

I am very much grateful to the Lord that I was able to work in UP TMC. For several years, student assistants working in this institution were from my Christian organization, UP Dormitories Christian Fellowship. Several generations of DCFers have served in UP TMC. All of the them were from DCF and are all excellent in their tasks and responsibilities that is why UP TMC is always requesting for members of DCF to fill in the SA position. I got into UP TMC when Ate Shine vacated the SA position in the library.

There's nothing new to me about being a student assistant in the library. When I was in my second year in the same university, I also worked in UP Main Library as student assistant. I learned the things that I need to learn quickly. I was guided by excellent mentors, Ate Shine (previous TMC SA) and Ate Lisa. I easily like the place the first time I went there. I liked my office, I have my own table, I have my own computer, printer and chair. What else can I ask? Everything was so perfect and I felt that I was really for that position.

My office in UP TMC Library

I applied as student assistant in the library to have extra income in order to support me in my studies. I have two scholarships, one from DOST and one from Angelo King Foundation Inc. Scholarship. I am getting PhP5,300 every month from these two scholarships which is sufficient to pay for my board and lodging, laundry and food. But there are still miscellaneous expenses for books, school supplies, transportation, laboratory equipment etc. And my stipend would not suffice for all of these. And so I have to make a way to make both ends meet. I need to find a job where I can get more income and save money. My parents cannot fully support us in our studies. My mother is a plain housewife while my father is a jeepney driver. So our family income depends only from the earnings of my father. My brother and sister are also in college. So I have to make a way to ease the burden of my parents. 

So I started working as a student assistant. I am working in the library from Monday to Saturday during breaks. TMC Library opens at 11:30 AM and closes at 6:30 PM during weekdays while during Saturday, library hours is from 8AM to 5PM. So right after class, I go directly to TMC. TMC offers courses for graduate students only so most students are only in the library after office hours. My tasks in the library is to shelve books, assist students borrowing book, print and scan documents needed by the professor and the students and to make sure that everything is fine in the library. Not a very exhausting job. SA work is a bit light. Actually, I can still study and finish a lot of school works when I am in the library. 

Ate Lisa has been very good to me. She always prepares food for me whenever I stay in the library for lunch. She is very kind very generous. She would always ask me if I still have money and whenever I ran out of money, Ate Lisa is always there to give a helping hand. She is very concerned. She would always ask me about my exams, papers and requirements. She always motivates me to study hard and excel in my academics. She is very approachable person and always has a lot of 'kwento'. Ate Lisa would tell me stories about the previous student assistants like Ate Shine, Kuya Mike and Kuya Glen (all from DCF). Ate Lisa has become more than my boss. She has become a family to me.

I thank God for all His provisions. He never lacks instead He gives generously and abundantly. I will always be grateful to the Lord for using Ate Lisa to be a blessing to me. Now, I am down to my last semester in UP Diliman because I will be graduating in April. This means that I have to leave UP TMC Library and pass the position to the next student assistant. Everything seems so surreal. I am still not ready to leave this place which has been my home for one and a half years. I will forever be grateful to all the people in TMC who have helped me in every way. To Prof. Edison Cruz (UP TMC Director), who trusted me to work in TMC. To Ate Tonette and Ate Rose (TMC Administrative Staff), for being so kind and caring. To Ate Cathy (Guard) for keeping us safe all the time and for welcoming us with a lovely smile every day. To the students who have been my friends. Especially those who are always in the library. I hope and pray that you all pass your Comprehensive Exam on February  9. And most especially to Ate Lisa, I will never forget everything that you've done for me. Rest assured that I will give back your generosity when I finished Medicine. Thank you very much. God bless you