While finishing undergraduate studies under a pandemic may be tough on students, this shouldn’t stop them from aiming high and going after their dreams. Although one could never be sure on how to enter a workplace once they graduate, AIESEC in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, a youth-led leadership organization recognized under AIESEC in the Philippines, knew the struggles of students who want to have a glimpse of the industry. Through this, they invited professionals from different industries to connect with them firsthand and get to know more about their knowledge & experiences.
Youth Got This is an event hosted by AIESEC in CSB to empower the youth by equipping them with the necessary knowledge and experience before entering the workforce. The event took place in Zoom and was broadcasted live on AIESEC De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Facebook page for others to take part and watch all the insightful talks provided by the line-up of dynamic speakers from various fields and experiences.
To kick off the 1st day of the event, Dr. Dae Lee, PhD, a behavioral scientist and co- founder of Fourth Wall, started the session by discussing the relation of being committed and passionate in thriving into the workforce. Ms. Liza Manalo-Mapagu, the CEO of ASEAMETRICS, also enriched the delegates with lessons about the technical aspects of the workplace and the skills that every college student should prepare for upon entering the workforce.
On its second day, the speakers delivered an inspiring talk as they looked back on their career journey. Ms. Bianca Felipe, a former director for a digital marketing startup and a freelance multimedia content producer shared tips about the work styles that she learned as she traced her experiences from college to work-life. On the other hand, CEO, successful entrepreneur, and business strategist coach, Mr. Antonio Aguirre Jr. emphasized that making mistakes and encountering failure along the way is totally okay, for it is significant in learning and improving each day.
Being young doesn’t necessarily mean that we should be afraid of what lies ahead. Instead, we must use this as an opportunity to grow and prosper. Seeing a glimpse of the industry, and learning how to deal with its stigmas are truly helpful for young and aspiring individuals who are starting to carve their own career paths and aim to be in the workforce; especially now that we are facing one of the biggest challenges of today – the COVID-19 pandemic. As one of the participants said, “The topics chosen for this event were very relatable especially for the youth living in what we now call the ‘new normal’. The speakers inspired and motivated me, and honestly I’m very glad I had the opportunity to attend this event.”.
As we adapt to the new normal, students should be equipped with the knowledge about what they should expect and let them feel empowered to become more competent in the workforce. Although doubts will certainly come our way, but may we never let it define our potential and consume our mindset for we are stronger and more capable than what we think. That’s why, we’d like to encourage everyone to keep reaching for their goals and dreams because Youth Got This.
ADVT