From One UPB Graduate to Another
The first day of classes, exams, and reports are not the only things that keep students on edge. It is also the day when they will drape their Sablays over their shoulders and mark their departure from college. As graduation day is right around the corner, many students may find themselves accompanied by uncertainty, lostness, and anxiousness.
But fear not, your Ates have got your back! If you are a graduating student in need of guidance and extra push, University of the Philippines Baguio (UPB) alumni Jasmine Estrella and Hannah Valiente are at your service. They have prepared a list of essential tips to keep in mind after earning your degree.
“Take your time. If you’re not in immediate need of a job, take a break and relax. Don’t feel pressured to follow the crowd because once you enter the professional world, you’ll long for the simplicity of studying and resting.”
— Jasmine Estrella
After graduation, you may be wondering about the next step to take in your life. For many, it is immediately entering the professional world for various reasons such as outside pressure and doing it out of necessity.
But if you are not in immediate need of a job, do not feel guilty about taking your time to rest and relax for some time. In fact, this may be your prize for your exhausting yet fulfilling college journey that lasted for years — a huge achievement in itself. Plus, it is a nice way to reflect upon yourself and figure out what you truly want to do in life.
Do everything at your own pace and your break may help you mentally prepare yourself for your future career.
“While having Latin honors does enhance one’s credentials, the manner in which we present ourselves during job interviews, along with our skills and experiences are more important.”
— Jasmine Estrella
Graduating students frequently find themselves pondering the question: “Does graduating with honors really matter?” The answer? Yes, but it is not the ultimate deciding factor.
According to Estrella, graduating with honors can significantly benefit you by providing a strong start with potential employers. This achievement, indeed, displays excellence and discipline during your studies, which may also be indicative of a strong sense of dedication and the ability to contribute value to a company and industry. Moreover, for individuals lacking work-related experience, graduating with honors serves as compelling evidence of work ethic.
But beyond the glory of having honors, what truly makes a difference is how you present yourself during job interviews. Employers seek candidates who can showcase their skills and carry themselves with poise. After all, it’s not just about having the credentials; it is also about demonstrating how you can contribute to the success of the organization or company.
Taken altogether, Latin honors are not a guaranteed ticket to employment. However, it can certainly open doors by encouraging prospective employers to take a chance on you.
“Include all relevant projects in which you were involved. Document all achievements or awards you have received. Make sure it [resume] is presented neatly and is easy to read.”
— Jasmine Estrella
Everything you put in your resume is a reflection of what you have done in the past and your potential to your prospective employers. Not only that, but different jobs also require different skill sets.
Although some of you may not have firsthand work experience yet, put everything you have done during your college days including your involvement in projects, extracurricular activities and all of the achievements you have received in your resume. Projects showcase your skills and abilities while achievements display a promise you could bring to your prospective employers. They also make you stand out among a crowd of job applicants.
After doing those, present your resume in a neat and readable format as employers only have a short time to read them. According to Estrella, it also helps to build your profile through LinkedIn, JobStreet, Indeed, and other employment-focused platforms. In this way, you can increase your chances of being found by employers.
“...Bago ka mag-process ng documents, antayin mo muna yung HR ng company mo. Advice ko, mas mag-focus ka sa mindset mo kung paano ka maghahanap ng job. I-prepare mo muna ang sarili mo sa job searching.”
— Hannah Valiente
In searching for a job, preparation is always the key. But, according to Valiente, the first thing that you actually have to prepare is yourself. One of the most crucial ways of doing this is conditioning your mind not to be discouraged easily as the process can get exhausting.
Besides yourself, you must also prepare and process important documents and IDs as soon as possible. Some of these include a National ID, a clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Social Security System (SSS), and PhilHealth ID, among others.
However, fresh graduates like yourself may struggle to get these immediately since you do not have a job yet. So, at instances like this, Valiente advised that it is better to wait for the company’s Human Resources (HR) department to provide you with a list of required documents to be processed. In fact, based on her experience, there are companies that help fresh graduates to prepare these documents and IDs.
But for further guidance, you may check out this guide on how to secure them yourself.
“Talagang hindi madali maghanap ng trabaho especially in this economy and social situation na everyone is looking for everything; marami kang kaagaw. Pero kung you remain flexible, you will find a path na hindi mo ine-expect.”
— Hannah Valiente
Job hunting can feel quite overwhelming as it is not 100 percent guaranteed that you will hit the jackpot on your first attempt. Rejection, self-pressure, and self-doubt will hit you at some point during the process.
But according to Valiente, while it is definitely valid to feel anxious, it is important to persevere, no matter what, as the right job will eventually find you. Don’t equate your failure of securing a job immediately with incompetence. Yes, there may be times that you will get rejected and feel discouraged but remember that you are not entirely defined by your job.
Moreover, as cliché as it may sound, life should not be treated as a race. So, when faced with rejection, take a moment to breathe, and have faith that other opportunities are en route to find you.
“Ngayong nasa point ka na magta-trabaho ka na, lagi mong balik-balikan bakit ka nagsimula. Pag nili-limit mo lang kasi kung saan ka pupunta talagang maf-fustrate ka. Let yourself be surprised with what the world will give you. Everything will fall into place naman talaga.”
— Hannah Valiente
As graduation day is fast approaching, you may find yourself feeling mixed emotions. Maybe you are excited as you open another chapter of your life outside the university. Relief may also wash over you like a gentle tide, lifting the weight from your shoulders, and signaling a well-deserved break. On the flip side, you may also feel overwhelmed by the waves of uncertainty, anxiousness, and feeling of lostness.
But while it’s fine to feel this way, Valiente advised viewing graduation as a steppingstone towards limitless possibilities. Sometimes, the path you want to take may not align with your course or expectations. But if you remain flexible and do not limit yourself to the “this is the only thing I want to do” mentality, you will be surprised with untapped opportunities waiting to be explored.
Valiente also advised to always keep in mind the reason you entered UPB. As you navigate the world beyond the university, you will realize that as long as you adhere to your principles, determined and are adaptable to change, the universe will conspire for you.
Yet, what could be more fulfilling than getting lost in the magic of the present moment?
“Sa mga ga-graduate, goodluck. Make sure lang na kahit stressed kayo on what’s going to happen in the future, don’t forget to enjoy yung college years kasi mamimiss niyo rin ‘yan. Lagi niyong babalik-balalikan yung mga last few months. ‘Wag kayong maging always forward-thinking lalo na kung namimiss niyo na kung anong nangyayari right now,” Valiente noted.
Indeed, you have come a long way, but you definitely still have many places to go.
Padayon, future graduates!
Co-written by Kharen Dela Fuerte & Amanda Punzal
