Working students, professionals gather for Step Up Sa Pangarap for talent development opportunities

More than 500 working students, professionals, employers, and members of the academe convened in a three-day virtual summit that discussed the importance of growth mindset, developing hard and soft skills, time management, and managing finances.

Dubbed Step Up Sa Pangarap, the summit held from May 10 to 12, 2023 aimed to encourage working students to be confident that they can step up in life, career, and finances to have a better future ahead and be a valued contributor to nation building.

“We are so excited to celebrate the Step Up Sa Pangarap movement with you,” said Jenny Chua, Vice President for Marketing and Sales at Mapua Malayan Digital College (MMDC), in her opening speech. “We are one in enabling you with world-class digital and flexible college education, latest job opportunities, upskilling and talent development programs to help you achieve your career, financial and life goals.  You are here today because you know deep in your heart that you want to step up. Let us all step up together. It all starts with getting your college degree.”

MMDC Chief Learning Officer Derrick Latreille gave inputs on how to be successful in life. “Spend a lot of time figuring out who you are, your strengths and your weaknesses. Really know yourself, what you love or hate doing, and this will help lead you to the right direction,” he said. 

The first day of the summit discussed employment opportunities through Step Up Sa Career. Frances Teopengco, a talent acquisition manager for McDonald’s Philippines, spoke about developing both hard and soft skills for better career opportunities, while Vett Watson, the Modern Work and Security Business Lead for Microsoft Philippines, described what success in the IT industry looks like in the modern world.

On the second day, Step Up Sa Buhay emphasized how it is possible to return to school while finding the right balancing act. Rosario Cajucom-Bradbury, managing director of the Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP), shared how a college degree can help create 1.1 million more jobs by the year 2028–which is part of the road map of the industry. On the other hand, Jonathan de Luzuriaga, the president of Philippine Software Industry Association, talked about making startups in the Philippines successful. Professional speaker Jayson Lo also talked about integrating work with life. 

Another crucial subject that was discussed on the third day was the conversation on money, including how spending and saving might affect a working student, titled Step Up Sa Pera. Josh Villanueva, the Corporate Communications and Partnerships Manager of MMDC interviewed Edwin Salvador, a teacher, and Rica Jimenez, senior director of Concentrix. Salvador talked about his experience studying to earn a college degree despite the low income while Jimenez shared her financial challenges and how she overcame them. 

Meanwhile, Isabel Luna and Patricia Candaza of BukasPH, a company that offers inexpensive student loans, talked about fundamental money management advice and recommendations. Ed Fermin, Vice President for Academic Affairs of The National Teachers College also talked about why education remains to be a good investment. Frankie Antolin, Executive Director of IBPAP, shared an overview of the IT-BPM industry, and how working students can be a part of this.  

To let others know that integrating work with life is possible, former working student Bryan Ordas, now a senior software engineer at Accenture; and Maekyla Besanez, a working student and customer leads engagement associate for MMDC, shared their life stories, and what motivated them to keep going. They also went over the difficulties and rewards of balancing their education and career. 

Read also

• ‘Retailing with a Purpose’: SM Store brings Filipinos closer to a greener lifestyle
• CitySavings, DepEd boost reading proficiency of students in far-flung schools
• SM Supermalls, SM Cares bag three Anvil awards for its advocacies