Paul Laban – Administrative Assistant, Mechanical Engineer

I can still remember when I was in 2nd grade, it was first day of school, our class teacher asked us “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I panicked and got so nervous seeing my classmates giving their answers like they surely know what they want, and there I was, a boy who doesn’t have any clue on what to say. I ended up copying others for my answer. Nobody in my family ever asked me of what my dreams are, nor motivated or even influenced me of becoming someone someday.

So I grew up from grade school to high school without knowing what I really wanted to be. Growing up without a sense of direction or goal greatly affected my self confidence. I developed a mentality like “I don’t have what it takes…” or “I will never be good enough”.

High school graduation came. And there I was again, caught up in a very similar situation I had when I was in 2nd grade, being asked “What do you really want to be?”. Not by my teacher though, but this time by myself. There were plenty of options, but for someone who doesn’t have any goals in life, it really was hard to choose. But one thing is for sure, I made it very clear to myself that I didn’t want to be an Engineer because again, I thought to myself “I don’t have what it takes.”

To cut the story short, I ended up enrolling into the College of Engineering in one of the universities here in our province, thanks to the influence of my bestfriend.

I was so nervous during my first year in college thinking that I will never be able to make it. I failed in one of our subjects and I said to myself, that’s it, I’m quitting. When one of my friends knew about this, he simply told me “You will never know success if you don’t fail. And you will never succeed if you stop trying.” He told me to take a summer class and give it another shot, and I did. And after my second take of that subject, I got the highest score in our class.

It was then that I realized that I always have it in me. That if others can, so can I. And if there is one thing that stops a person from achieving something, it’s their lack of self-belief of the endless potential one mind can do. If only you believe, and never quit.

I graduated with a degree in BS Mechanical Engineering with only one failure, took the licensure examination and passed. I may not have finished my course with flying colors, but by God’s grace I can proudly say that I did it.

Now I enjoy working as a Piping Designer in the Oil and Gas Industry for 12 years. Every new project is an opportunity to learn new things, and an opportunity in achieving excellence in all the things that I do.”

And this is my story 😊

For a copy of Paul’s resume please click here.