I finally got hired for my first internship.
After all the applications, the rejections, the interviews that went nowhere, and the long stretches of silence, I finally got the message every student wants to receive. I got in.
And honestly, what makes this story even more memorable is that it did not start on some polished job platform. It started with me responding to a hiring post on Facebook.
It Started with a Facebook Hiring Post
At that point, I was already deep in internship hunting mode. I had been sending applications, updating my resume, improving my portfolio, and trying to stay visible anywhere I could. So when I saw a hiring post on a Facebook page, I took my shot.
That small decision turned into a full application process.
The flow was straightforward, but each stage tested something different:
- Initial interview for the basics, introduction, and overall screening
- Technical interview with a live coding test depending on the role
- Manager interview focused more on behavioral questions and how I approach work
- Final interview that leaned more toward culture fit
What I appreciated about the process was that it did not just test whether I could code. It also checked how I think, how I communicate, and whether I could work with a team. For someone trying to land a first internship, every round felt serious because each one could have been the last.
When I finally got hired, it felt like all the waiting, self-doubt, and effort finally led somewhere real.
First Day Started at 4 AM
My first day as an intern did not begin with coffee and confidence. It began at 4 AM.
My internship is in Makati, and I am from Bulacan, so waking up early was not optional. It was required for survival. I had to prepare way earlier than usual because the commute alone was going to be a battle.
And of course, the weather decided to make things harder.
It was raining hard that morning. The kind of rain that already makes you question how the rest of the day is going to go. But first day is first day. Rain or not, you show up and you fight through it.
The Commute Chaos I Will Never Forget
One thing I probably will not forget is what happened on the way to Trinoma.
The bus I was riding got hit by one of those completely unexpected problems that can ruin your whole schedule in seconds. The tire got damaged, and we ended up stuck for a long time. There was basically no movement.
I remember looking at the time and getting more anxious by the minute because it was already around 6 AM and we were still at the Bocaue toll gate. First day na first day, and the fear of being late was already sinking in.
All we could do was wait for another bus to arrive so we could transfer. That kind of situation feels ten times heavier when you know people are expecting you somewhere important.
Eventually, the replacement bus arrived, and the trip finally continued.
Rain, Flood, Wind, and Still Moving Forward
After reaching Trinoma, I booked a Move It ride going to Makati.
That part of the commute had its own challenges too. It was still raining, there were flooded areas, the wind was strong, and the cold really hit. At that point, getting a little wet was unavoidable. You just accept it and keep going.
Around 50 minutes later, I finally arrived at the building.
I changed from slippers into my shoes, fixed myself up, and continued inside.
Walking Into the Office for the First Time
The moment I entered the main office, I was genuinely amazed.
There is something different about finally stepping into the place where you are officially starting a new chapter. After all the interviews, waiting, and travel stress, I was finally there not as an applicant, but as an intern.
And once I got in, the day immediately became packed.
What We Did on Day One
My first day was full of orientations, introductions, and setup tasks. Here are some of the things we went through:
- IT-Dev Daily Scrum/Sync (IDS)
- IT House Rules and HR Orientation
- ODTR Orientation
- IT-OJT Guidelines and Procedures Orientation
- System Comprehensive Prototype Orientation (Workspace and development environment setup)
On top of that, I also received my company ID, got registered into biometrics, and started the processing for my work BDO account.
For a first day, it was a lot. But in a good way. It made everything feel official.
The Best Part Was the People
What made the whole experience even better was meeting the people around me.
I met fellow interns, seniors, and supervisors. That helped a lot because first days are always a mix of excitement and uncertainty. Having people around you, especially others who are also starting or willing to guide you, makes the environment feel lighter.
That was one of the moments when it fully hit me: I am really here now.
Wrapping Up the Day
After work, I walked with some fellow workmates and interns to Ayala. From there, I took the MRT and got off at North Avenue.
By that point, the day already felt incredibly long. I had been up since 4 AM, survived heavy rain, dealt with a broken-down bus, worried about being late, adjusted to a new environment, sat through multiple orientations, and met a lot of new people all in one day.
But despite all that, I went home happy.
A First Day I Will Always Remember
My first day as an intern was not smooth, comfortable, or relaxed. It was rainy, stressful, physically tiring, and full of uncertainty before I even got to the office.
But maybe that is exactly why it became so memorable.
It reminded me that getting your first internship is not just about receiving an offer. It is about everything behind it too: taking chances on unexpected opportunities, surviving the interview process, showing up even when conditions are bad, and pushing through the kind of day that would make you want to give up before it even starts.
This is only the beginning of my internship journey, but it is already a story I know I will keep remembering.