PH’s New One-Stop-Shop for your CareerDev Needs
The new ‘kada on the block is here
by Gian Daquiz
One… two… three… blast off! The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed everything down. From jobs, the economy, and even our ability to connect. There’s no doubt that you must be tired of looking at blank screens while browsing for careers on LinkedIn or scrolling lonesomely through Google to find new online courses and job openings.
In our country, the job hunt is especially difficult for young professionals. The youth unemployment rate in the Philippines has crept up at 15–17% since 2005, as per the International Labor Organization. Unknowingly, a young person is four times more likely to be unemployed compared to an adult. Have you ever wondered — why? To know, let’s look at KadaKareer’s journey to launch their pioneering EdTech start-up.
The job hunt is especially difficult for young professionals. The youth unemployment rate in the Philippines has crept up at 15–17% since 2005, as per the International Labor Organization.
What is KadaKareer’s mission?
Michi, KadaKareer’s starting founder, met a girl named Bless. Just like you, Bless was young, talented, and incredibly intelligent. She was the perfect hire. However, it was evident that she wasn’t sure how she would get a job and didn’t have the resources to do so. After that, it clicked for them that there’s a problem with how we prepare young professionals for the world of work. Together with a determined seven-man team, Michi drafted the first pitch for KadaKareer. Today, their mission stands firm, that no matter your background, you have a community to help launch and sustain your career.
Right now, Filipino youth lack access to career experts and professionals.
What’s the game plan currently?
Last October, the KadaKareer team initiated a pilot run. This run included online modules, videos, articles, handouts, and a messaging platform where students were divided into groups with a few other students and two expert coaches. Right now, Filipino youth lack access to career experts and professionals. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the quality of a person’s network affects their career success, for 50–70% of jobs are gained by social contacts. Their pilot run’s goal was to tackle that problem! After the said run, students were asked: what made a difference for them? And, all of them, every single one of them, said it was KadaKareer’s coach that made the difference.
The quality of a person’s network affects their career success, for 50–70% of jobs are gained by social contacts.
Most students noted that their coach’s stories and dedication were inspiring. Based on their student’s feedback — launching this April — is KadaKareer’s coach connector, which plans to incorporate that very same element of inspiration! All you have to do is drop by KadaKareer’s site, then go to the coach connector. Look for the types of advice that you’re seeking and the type of coach you want. Then, type it in there! You’ll be able to find your very own career coach who has willingly given up some time to talk to you, whether it’s thirty minutes or maybe even a longer relationship! So, through KadaKareer’s coach connector, you have all-free access to a resident career professional.
Why choose KadaKareer?
KadaKareer, coming from the term barkada, means having a group of friends in Filipino! Their platform embodies that same spirit of friendship and support. COVID-19 has created a culture of isolation, alienating those who need support the most. Hence, the necessity of accessible career-related education is steadily on the rise. KadaKareer offers you skills, exposure, and networks, which are essential in launching your career. Furthermore, KadaKareer’s platform believes in the element of inspiration, which is lost without genuine human connection.
This belief has led their team towards success! Just recently, KadaKareer qualified as a semi-finalist in the President’s Innovation challenge organized by Harvard Innovation Labs. From KadaKareer’s coach connectors, video databases, and messaging boards, your career journey won’t be written by bland articles and one-note modules but inspired by genuine connections. These connections, just like any barkada, do not come from any price but a place of encouragement and support. Truly, KadaKareer links in those who are linked out.
Find your Kada! Launch your career!
Gian Daquiz is an eleventh-grade senior high school student at San Beda University-Manila with a track specialization in Humanities and the Social Sciences. He is an action-driven thinker for causes relating to gender, sexuality, and student’s rights. Presently, he works as a research intern for KadaKareer.
