Choosing the right career path is often daunting, especially for young people. In the Philippines, various factors like socio-economic status, geographical location, access to and availability of resources, and family expectations contribute to a child's career choice. These influences can often lead to feelings of fear and uncertainty. To guide young minds in navigating the right career path, FundLife organized a Career Orientation Day on September 07, 2024, themed "Empowering Futures: Making Informed Career Decisions."
Forty-two (42) all-girl youth participants, who are set to graduate from Senior High School next year, attended the orientation. They came from various schools in Tacloban City, including Tacloban Agricultural National High School, Scandinavian National High School, Guadalupe Heights Integrated School, and Northern Tacloban City National High School, where the event was hosted. Their teachers were also present in the event.
Participants listened to two key presentations: "Understanding Career Preferences" by Teacher Mariella Yman, a Youth Mentor of FundLife, and "Understanding Job Markets" by Ms. Cherry Blanca A. Yu, Career Guidance and Employment Coaching Officer from the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Tacloban. A subsequent talk show segment, "Pathways to Success: Real Stories, Real Careers," featured inspiring career shifters: Ms. Rizzi Suan, RN, owner of Frou Frou Flower Studio Tacloban; Ms. Patrina Caceres, LPT, a seasoned educator from the Department of Education; and Pat. Arturo Guilberto Jr., a police officer from the Philippine National Police Region 8.
The guest speakers, all career shifters, shared their personal stories of transitioning from one profession to another. They discussed their motivations, challenges, and the rewards of making such decisions. The participants were engaged and had the opportunity to interact with the guest speakers, gaining valuable insights directly from those who had successfully navigated their career paths.
As Ailyn Mei Celda, 17, a participant, said, "We shouldn’t depend on our friends’ decisions when making our own. We have to be independent."
The Career Orientation Day concluded on a high note, with the distribution of Move for Equity packs and a hearty meal. Equipped with fresh insights and a newfound sense of direction, the participants left with the clarity and motivation needed to pursue their future careers.
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