RareJob PH YEP 2024: Celebrating Connections and Culture
Employee JournalsI joined RareJob in October 2022. I had already heard about the company back in college when I was looking for part-time summer work. Unfortunately, it wasn’t feasible for me at the time. Fast forward to September 2022, I was searching for a work-from-home position that aligned with my experience as an English teacher. That’s when I came across an advertisement from RareJob, and here I am!
Currently, I’m working as an Onboarding Coach, collaborating with other coaches and associates to prepare tutor applicants for their actual RareJob lessons. We ensure that they are informed about teaching methods, familiar with lesson structures, and aware of the personas they’ll need to embody. I’m already two years into this role and loving every moment of it!
As a RareJob employee, I’ve had the chance to participate in both online and face-to-face Year-End Parties (YEP) in 2022 and 2023. Both events were fun—and filling, thanks to all the food! The parties were hosted by enthusiastic people, which made them even more enjoyable.
Last year, I was invited to co-host an online Halloween event. At first, I was nervous. It had been a while since I last hosted, and I was still in my first year with the company. But with my work bestie, Yan, as my co-host, I decided to give it a shot. In the end, it turned out to be a fun and exhilarating experience that rekindled my love for hosting.
My hosting journey began in 2019, when I was an English teacher. I started with small faculty gatherings, then moved on to school-wide events, and eventually hosted events featuring sponsors and guests from other schools. Hosting can be nerve-wracking, but it’s always been a creative outlet I truly enjoy. It might have helped that I taught Public Speaking to 10th and 11th graders, which gave me confidence and wit that proved invaluable.
When HR invited us to host this year’s YEP, my initial thought was, “Oh! That’s a big event.” Nervousness crept in, but so did excitement. I decided to go for it. After all, I was attending the party anyway, so why not level up my participation?
Preparation began in early November. It was a busy time for me as I was also involved in a project and, on a personal note, had just launched my short-term rental business. Thankfully, one of my co-hosts was also my project partner, and we supported each other with YEP preparations and our coaching tasks. Shoutout to my supportive teammates and supervisor who made this hectic period more manageable!
When I heard about the party’s theme, “Modern Filipiniana: Modern meets Tradition,” I got excited. The theme beautifully blends the grace of traditional Filipino clothing with contemporary fashion. I envisioned a traditional touch for the top paired with a modern bottom; and after checking several outfit inspirations online, I came up with a look that was both stylish and comfortable.
By mid-November, virtual preparations were in full swing. We had script reviews, game discussions, and dry-runs with HR and our other co-host, Ginoong Chuck. Injecting humor and personality into the script during virtual dry-runs was fun, but it was during onsite practices that we truly found our synergy. The energy of meeting in person made everything more enjoyable. We rehearsed the script, joked around, and even improvised ideas that added a unique twist to the program, like the “twist” action for Chair Surprise and the “music error” for Singing Bee. Although commuting to the office was tiring, the camaraderie made it all worth it.
On the day of the party, my co-hosts and I hyped each other up by grooving to the music and greeting familiar faces. Despite the nerves, we reminded ourselves to simply have fun. Once the program started, the nervousness gradually faded, replaced by excitement and enjoyment.
Hosting with my co-hosts made all the difference. We supported each other through every part of the program and helped one another when slips occurred. One of the night’s highlights for me was seeing the RJPH family’s love for singing during Singing Bee. It made me less nervous about singing myself, and maybe—just maybe—it even helped me win the raffle! (Tip: Singing might just be the secret to winning! Last year’s winner of the same prize also sang! You know what to do, guys!)
Overall, the YEP was an amazing experience. The music, food, games, intermissions, and atmosphere were all fantastic. Hosting taught me some valuable lessons that were further supported by this experience:
- Your co-hosts are your teammates—rely on them, and be there for them.
- It’s nerve-wracking until you actually start; once you do, the nerves fade.
- Enjoying the moment makes it enjoyable for others too.
Hosting brings joy when you embrace the fun and let yourself connect with the program and the audience. For those considering hosting, or who might be tasked to do so: bond with your co-hosts and focus on enjoying the event. You’ll be surprised how your enjoyment will ripple through your audience. As I recall, a famous saying goes: enjoyment is an incredible energizer.
