First Day on the Job - Orientation (February 23, 2026 | Monday)

 

February 23, 2026

First Day of OJT: Orientation, Meetings, Assignments and New Milestones to reach

    Today marked the official start of my On-the-Job Training, though it took way more time for us to get approved, it came clear that this is the time we stride our feet and arms, and honestly, it was a bulk load of information, expectations, and excitement. We three, I, Vincent and Kristel walked into the Dean's office of Bicol University - East Campus this morning with a mix of nervousness and anticipation. First days are always like that, aren't they?

Morning Orientation (9:04 AM - 11:30 AM)

    Our orientation was scheduled for 9 AM to 12:00 PM, but we actually started a bit earlier at 9:04 AM and ended around 11:30 AM. The session covered all the essentials we needed to know to get started.

    We were introduced to the non-teaching staff who manage various departments these are the people we'll be coordinating with for administrative matters, equipment requests, and day-to-day concerns. It's comforting to know there's a whole support system in place.

    We also met several professors who we might be communicating with throughout our training. They seem approachable and genuinely interested in helping us learn and grow during this experience. One professor even shared some insider tips about navigating the workplace culture, which was really helpful.

    The orientation also covered workplace policies, expectations, and the general flow of how things work here. There was a lot to absorb, but everyone was patient with our questions.

Afternoon: Getting Our Hands on Key

    After a lunch break in their wide canteen, we dove straight into the real work. The team presented us with three different systems they want us to work on during our OJT. This is where things got interesting.

    We spent the afternoon brainstorming ideas, designing, and discussing potential approaches, and mapping out the functionalities each system would need. It felt great to contribute ideas right from day one rather than just observing from the sidelines. The collaborative atmosphere made me feel like part of the team already.

    I won't go into too much technical detail here (that deserves its own post), but let's just say the projects are challenging enough to push our skills while still being achievable with guidance and effort.

    Things got real. We discussed overtime requirements today, and the math is pretty straightforward: we need to complete 486 hours before May 15. That's roughly 80 days from now, which means we're looking at about 6 hours per day if we work every single day or more realistically, 8-10 hours per day if we factor in weekends off.

    It sounds daunting when you break it down like that, but I'm choosing to see it as an opportunity to really immerse myself in this experience. Furthermore, the team assured us that they'll make sure we're not just logging hours but actually learning and contributing meaningfully.

    Overall, I'm feeling optimistic about this OJT placement. The environment seems supportive, the projects are engaging, and I can already see how much I'm going to learn in the coming months. Yes, the hours are going to be demanding, but if day one is any indication, it's going to be worth it. Tomorrow, we'll be diving deeper into the systems and probably starting to assign specific roles and responsibilities. I'm equal parts nervous and excited to see where this journey takes me. To anyone starting their OJT soon: embrace the first-day jitters, ask questions, and remember that everyone was once in your shoes. You've got this!

Until next time,
Laurence Ayo