It's hard to tell, and I don't even know if this is a good subject to talk about. This is something that I could or not share, but I have these thoughts ever since I've been in the BPO [business process outsourcing] industry. 

So...What's the reality? Let me tell you my story. 

I started working in a BPO company when I was in 4th-year college, to help myself in projects and thesis. Being a teenager who does not have much, even my mother can't support all my projects at that time. I have no choice but to look for a suitable job. I tried going on a freelance, getting projects, then there are multiple offers from my friends. Being a waitress at that time does not pay much, so I have to think of something else. 

I'm scared to be honest, maybe because of the rumors I've heard about their experiences in the call center industry. About having an active sex life, multiple relationships, unfaithful partners, struggles for promotion, too much peer pressure and so many more. On the second thought, the salary was okay. I do not mind all of these as long as I'm being paid.

I was hired but I'm having mixed feelings, scared but excited. Scared because I'm going to be on another reality and I have to make sure that I'm able to pass my subjects even though I'm working full time in my work as a customer service representative. 

My first BPO company would not accept your application unless you prioritize the work and my university should be the one to adjust. There's no work-life balance, which they've been claiming from their online advertisements. Though I was accepted, I consulted my professors and told them about my concern, they're very understandable and let me go to their other class to catch-up. 

On the training, we were taught the basics of customer's greeting, using different tools, the do's and don'ts and so many more that overwhelmed me. 

As a communication student, I was able to use my listening skills and the way I respond to arguments. My experience with the training was just fine, the information [products and processes] are the ones difficult to analyze. 

They set your performance by the scores you get with the customers, which is hypothetically not 100 percent accurate. I'm also a customer and if I want to fake myself throughout the conservation I can do it even if you solve my concern, I can still give you a 0 for no reason, by a mistake or because the product itself pissed me off. And that could happen often!

If you get a dissatisfaction score, they'll find mistakes every time [in every way]. But if you get a satisfactory score they won't mind it. [ahem]

It's the same thing that happened on my Second BPO Company. Your scores determine your skills. Numbers are really important when it comes to this kind of business, and if you're a person who does not have much patience, then this job is not for you. 

Most people there, blunt about their past experiences or their position in the company. Showing the might of you-know-who-I-am-so-back-off kind of attitude. [not all but some]. I've seen leaders and dictators, I've seen fake people and the ones who have a pure heart and just wanted to work there for their family. 

There were these cases were team buildings and group lunch or dinner which is normal for any kind of company. If you're not attending one of those activities and you were invited, some will judge you for not being fun and friendly, which happened to me a couple of times because I have to study and I'm not really a person that would go out often. 

Also, working in this kind of industry gives me a hard time to look for another career, the whole story of me starting to work here is not my dream at all. I applied to multiple industries which I believe I'm fitted because of my skills, but because I have experience with BPO, these companies questioned me why am I applying for a different position or career that is too far from my experience, then they would accept other applications who do not have any BPO experience.

I was judged numerous times. I know that most of the people working here do not have a healthy lifestyle. And my mother was worried that I could try drugs or even smoke, or drink liquors and beers [which I have not]. Maybe drinking beer but not often, occasionally. 

I was also told that the BPO industry is the home of "single-moms". It opened my eye to the reason behind why. After the shift, going to bars or clubs. Most of my friends did open up that they have sex with workmates, and that made me worried. Some of them have their own family, some of them just want to have one, but risking their health also their relationship was a big thing! 

The active sex life, which you can have a fuck buddy, but I do believe that this kind of thing also happens as long as you really want it to. [but I don't]

I've been telling the not so good things and this is quite long! 

Well...I'm also glad that I've started working in the BPO industry, it opened my eyes to reality, how hard it is to be promoted, how difficult to get scores, you will not have any reviewer, you have to let your mind and heart to be strong for whatever the customer or supervisor will throw at you. 

This industry made me strong, a lot of issues arise while I'm working here, it was really difficult, but it made me wise to choose people, whom I'm going to befriend. 

My communication also improved, I began to be confident speaking in public or even through any types of medium. 

The salary is not questionable, you can really get as much as you want, depending on your performance. But career-wise, especially if you have other sets of skills, you'll think twice, if you're still uncontented with this job.