YP Spotlight Young Professional Interview: Bettina V. Jose My dad would take me to school in the morning before heading to the office. It gave us that time to often exchange ideas about the business. While I loved the morning banter, I honestly felt it was also the perfect opportunity to bounce off ideas with a “mentor” and in a way, sharpen the business tools I was learning in school. It wasn’t long before I developed a keen interest (and passion for) the industry. I knew I would have to hone and develop the skills needed. I was also aware that expectations would be higher. And I certainly did not want to disappoint. I wanted to come in prepared and be truly deserving of the spot I would be given. I decided to gain corporate experience for two years before entering the company. This ended up working in my favor as I was able to bring a lot of the discipline and the experience from my previous job to Arlington. Bettina V. Jose is a 26-year-old sales and marketing manager at Arlington Memorial Chapels and Crematory in the Philippines. Why did you begin working in funeral service? I am a third generation Jose–I belong to a family that has been in the death-care industry for over 37 years. My father Raffy, who is the president and CEO of Arlington Memorial Chapels, has always been a personal hero of mine. We have always had a special relationship, many often referring to me as his “mini-me”, or Raffy Jr. I began taking interest in the business during college. How many years have you worked in funeral service? I have worked at the funeral home for one year now. What is the most rewarding part of your occupation? I’ve always been an empath—I’ve always had the capacity to feel deeply. This proved to be a challenge when I first began my work with Arlington. Every time I met with a client-family, I would feel as if they were taking a piece of my heart. Eventually, this also became www.ogr.org | The Independent® 15
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