Adapt or Disappear (eBook)

A Story of Obstacles and Quiet Persistence

J. Daniel Cortez H. (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
135 Seiten
Publishdrive (Verlag)
978-0-00-080599-7 (ISBN)

Infos

'Adapt or Disappear' is a story of silent struggle, adaptation, and persistence.
It tells the journey of an introverted person who, despite rejection, layoffs, and lack of opportunities, managed to carve a path in a world that usually rewards only the visible.
An inspiring story for those who feel the system wasn't made for them, yet choose to keep moving forward anyway.

Textauszug

CHAPTER 1

 

It was graduation night, and the auditorium echoed with the excitement of the graduates. Diego, wearing his cap and gown, walked confidently toward the stage. His eyes reflected a mix of emotion and determination, for that night marked the end of a significant chapter in his life.

He had chosen to study Process Engineering at the public university. Years of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication were culminating in that moment as he approached the platform to receive his diploma. His academic gown swayed gracefully with the rhythm of his steps, and the applause echoed in his ears like a melody of success.

In the front row, his father watched him with eyes moist with pride. He was an older man, recently retired after decades of labor, who had given everything he had to provide his only son the opportunity for a university education. The smile on his face was not only one of joy, but of a mission accomplished: every effort, every sacrifice, had been worth it.

Diego stepped onto the stage alongside his fellow graduates and received his diploma amid applause. He offered a slight nod in gratitude and remained onstage until the last name was called and the ceremony came to an end. Only then, as the graduates began stepping down from the platform, did he lift his gaze to the audience, searching for his father. He found him there, standing and waiting. Without hesitation, he descended the steps and walked toward him, crossing the aisle with purpose. When they met, they embraced—long and silently—full of emotion, as if that single gesture held within it the years of shared struggle, hope, and unconditional love.

“Congratulations, Engineer!” his father said with a smile that barely fit on his face. “Graduated and ready to take on the world.”

“Thank you, Dad,” Diego replied, still moved. “I finally did it.”

“I’m so proud of you, son. All that effort… it was worth every second.”

Diego said nothing more, but his eyes said everything.

“So, what’s left before this is all over?” his father asked, glancing around.

“Just the closing speeches,” Diego said with a shrug. “But the most important part is done: receiving the diploma.”

Diego was an introverted person, a man of few words, who didn’t particularly enjoy events with large crowds.

"Are you going to stay until the end?" his father asked.

"Stay?" Diego said, laughing. "I already want to run out of here!"

The night continued with celebrations, laughter, and the lively buzz of an unforgettable occasion. However, for Diego—who had always preferred calm over crowds—the graduation ceremony had been more than enough. He accepted the hugs, shared a few words with his closest classmates, and as soon as the official part was over, he looked to his father, ready to leave. They walked out of the hall together while the echoes of festive music still played, leaving the noise behind with the same relief one feels when exiting a crowded room after a long performance. That quiet, almost silent farewell marked the end of a chapter. And though the emotion still pulsed in his chest, all he wanted when he got home was to rest. But by dawn, with his gown neatly folded on the chair and his diploma resting on the desk, Diego understood that the real challenge was only just beginning.

The next morning, after the emotional night of graduation, Diego dove into a new task: building his résumé. With the diploma still on the desk, he began carefully drafting each section, starting with his degree in Process Engineering, earned at a public university known for its academic rigor. He lived in a country where the gap between public and private education wasn’t so pronounced, and in fact, the university he graduated from enjoyed a solid reputation among employers, who valued both its high standards and the practical training of its students.

Throughout his university years, Diego had worked during his free time to contribute—albeit modestly—to the cost of his education. He never did it with the goal of gaining professional experience, but out of necessity: he had worked as an operator, assistant, or helper in various trades, which gave him an income that helped ease his father’s financial burden. However, as he was putting together his résumé, he realized that those seemingly simple experiences spoke volumes about his responsibility, perseverance, and adaptability. Without intending to, they had become a calling card—one that began to shape him as a young professional ready to take the next step.

With this new perspective, he reorganized his résumé and transformed it into a tool that spoke for itself. Now, equipped with a unique and well-structured document, he felt ready to face the challenging job search process with confidence and originality. Still, staying true to the habits he had developed during his university years, Diego opted for a traditional approach: looking for job opportunities in the Sunday newspapers. In those years—still not entirely defined by digitalization—this remained a common route for those not yet fully immersed in online job portals or professional networks, which were only just beginning to gain traction in the employment world. And so, with the same hope as someone peeking through a half-open door, he waited for Sunday to arrive.

It was Sunday morning, and like every week, the delivery man arrived promptly at the house to leave the newspaper on the porch. His father, an early riser by habit, was the one who went out to pick it up. Minutes later, he walked into the house with the paper under his arm, just as Diego peeked out from the dining table.

“Is that today’s paper, Dad?” Diego asked curiously as he saw him come in.

Since he was a child, Diego had the habit of checking the sports section first. He enjoyed reading the match reports and going over the statistics of his favorite teams. So it didn’t surprise him when his father, almost instinctively, anticipated his next move.

“Yes,” his father replied, handing him the paper. “Do you want me to get you the sports section?”

“No, actually this time I’m more interested in the classifieds,” Diego answered with a slight but determined smile.

“Ah, of course. Here it is, take a look,” his father said, handing him the newspaper without another question.

That Monday morning, as the sun timidly peeked through the dining room window, Diego enjoyed a quiet breakfast accompanied by his essential cup of coffee. As usual, he had the newspaper in hand, although this time he didn’t go straight to the sports section—his usual reading. Instead, he decided to explore the classifieds, motivated by his recent job search and the desire to find new opportunities.

As he flipped through columns and ads, one section in particular caught his attention: job offers in various sectors, ranging from administrative and technical roles to more creative fields. As he read, he noticed that many positions required prior experience and specialized skills. Nevertheless, far from feeling discouraged, Diego examined each listing carefully, keeping an open mind to possibilities he might have previously dismissed without a second thought.

Some of the ads, although aimed at higher-ranking positions or well-defined profiles, didn’t demand extensive backgrounds. It was clear they were looking for candidates with drive, initiative, and a positive attitude—qualities he strongly felt he possessed. With that motivation, he decided to send his résumé to more than one of the openings. He knew he would be competing with more experienced applicants, but he trusted that his willingness to learn, adaptability, and enthusiasm for taking on new challenges would be key factors in helping him stand out.

What began as a small change in his morning routine ended up becoming a decisive push toward turning a corner in his professional life, stepping forward with determination onto a new path ahead.

Diego’s routine passed with calmness. Although the job search was always on his mind, he approached it with composure and without anxiety, aware that every process takes its own time. He maintained his daily activities, spent time with his father, went out with friends, and tried to enjoy the present without giving in to pressure. Still, every time his phone rang, he felt a slight flutter of anticipation. Deep down, he knew that at any moment an opportunity could arise. And it was precisely in the midst of a quiet morning, while reviewing some documents on his computer, that a call interrupted the silence with a ring that, this time, carried a different signal.

Days after sending his résumé to several job openings, Diego received a call that caught him by surprise. One of the companies he had applied to, a coffee production solutions firm called Cafesur, was inviting him to participate in an interview for the position of Junior Operations Analyst. After hanging up the phone, a mixture of excitement and anxiety overtook him. It was the first time he had been contacted for a formal interview since graduating from university. Although, during his years of study, he had worked in various jobs and attended several interviews, those were very different: temporary, part-time positions with minimal requirements. This time, the situation was different. This was his first real professional opportunity, and he felt it in every fiber of his being.

On the day of the interview, Diego arrived several minutes early at Cafesur’s corporate building, a modern office tower with large windows and an imposing atmosphere from the moment you stepped inside. He was dressed carefully: a light blue shirt, dark pants, and freshly polished shoes....

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 20.5.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Beruf / Finanzen / Recht / Wirtschaft ► Bewerbung / Karriere
• ISBN-10: 0-00-080599-8 / 0000805998
• ISBN-13: 978-0-00-080599-7 / 9780000805997